Should I Shave My Head If I Have A Receding Hairline?

It can be shocking when you first notice that you’re losing some hair. You might be thinking ahead already – Should I practice my comb-over style, or go get a crew cut? Should I shave my head if I have a receding hairline?

Rest assured, you don’t have to immediately shave your head once you notice your hair falling out. But lots of guys enjoy keeping that option on the table.

What Is A Receding Hairline?

A receding hairline is the first sign that you’re going bald.

As your hair falls out and doesn’t grow back near your temples, your forehead will start to look longer. That’s the first thing most people associate with a receding hairline.

Eventually, the bald spots near your hairline and along the crown of your head will get big enough that you’ll lose most of the hair on top of your head. Hence, your hairline recedes.

It’s a normal hair loss process that most men eventually experience. And plenty of guys embrace the look (after the inevitable “should I shave my head if I have a receding hairline” searches on Google), opting to shave their heads and look great bald.

What Causes A Receding Hairline?

Balding is often caused by hormonal changes and genetics, especially as you age.

A byproduct of testosterone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) forces your hair to slowly grow thinner and less pigmented (graying and balding). Some scientists think that those hormonal changes that cause hair loss begin as early as puberty.

Over time, the hair stops growing entirely.

Your genetics are sensitive to DHT, which is why balding isn’t a uniform process. Some men bald more or earlier than others because of their genes.

Should I Shave My Head If I Have A Receding Hairline?

It’s a very personal choice whether you decide to shave your receding hairline or not. But here are a few things to consider before you shave:

Pros:

• You don’t have to go to the barber anymore (unless you have him do the shaving).

• You don’t have to style your hair every day. No bad hair days!

• A tan bald head can be a big confidence booster. Some guys also like a shiny bald head look.

• Lots of guys with receding hair talk about how shaving their heads is refreshing and feels more authentic.

• Women appreciate the confidence and attractiveness of a bald head.

• You can attract partners with a cool beard.

Cons:

• Lots of guys shave their heads because it’s “low maintenance.” That’s true … but only to an extent. You’ll still have to care for your bald head and re-shave frequently.

• Use sunscreen every day or wear hats. Bald sunburns hurt worse than normal sunburns.

• You can still get dandruff. Some guys go bald and still have to use dandruff shampoo.

• You’ll get cold faster.

• Bumping your head hurts worse when you’re bald.

• You might enjoy keeping your hair around while you still have it. For some guys, shaving is too big of a commitment.

Try making your own pros and cons list before you shave. Do you mind the look of a receding hairline? Can you remember to wear sunscreen every day? Hopefully the choice is clear once you think about which hairstyle (or lack of hairstyle) fits your life and wants.

You might also need to reassess over time. A receding hairline isn’t always that noticeable at first, but it’ll get more drastic with age. As your hair changes, your opinion on going bald might change.

How To Shave A Receding Hairline Properly

Though it’s the most popular option, shaving your head isn’t your only option for removing hair. You can use a hair removal cream, waxing, sugaring, or even a longer-term option like laser hair removal.

But if you’re sticking with a classic shave, here are some pointers:

1. Use a pair of clippers or trimmers with no guard to get your remaining hair short before you break out the razor – you might even realize that you’d like to stop here and not use a razor at all. That’s a good option for sensitive skin.
   
2. Use some sort of pre-shave to exfoliate your head. This will remove dead skin, which gives you a cleaner shave, and helps you minimize your risk of razor burn or cuts. (Try a pre-shave face wash for sensitive skin.)
   
3. If you have a lot of hair to shave, take it in sections. Put some shaving cream over the first area that you want to shave
   
4. Make sure your blade is sharp. Use a new disposable razor or a freshly sharpened razor.
   
5. Shave with careful strokes. Consider having a friend, roommate, or partner spot you so that you don’t miss any hair. Rinse the blade frequently as you go.
   
6. Once you’re shaved, rinse your head off and apply a moisturizer so that your skin doesn’t get dry or irritated. For even more protection, put an oil on top of a facial lotion.

Repeat once your hair starts to grow back! You’ll still have a receding hairline – shaving your head doesn’t cure balding.

Can A Receding Hairline Grow Back?

Once your hair starts to recede, there are no proven treatments or practices to grow it back.

You can visit a tattoo artist for scalp microblading, which adds some color to your head so that it looks like you have a buzz cut. Or you can try a hair transplant procedure, or a wig. But you shouldn’t buy into any product that promises new hair growth – the science just isn’t there yet.

It’s why lots of men end up shaving their heads. The maintenance is often easier, and you have the chance to embrace a new style as you age.

Balding is nothing to be ashamed of. The vast majority of men experience balding at some point in their lives, so whether you keep your receding hairline or opt to shave, you’ll have plenty of guys on your team.