Why should I be proud of my baldness?
It's not a pleasant message, but 8 out of 10 men sooner or later face hair loss or baldness. Of course, it is quite a shock when you experience your first hair loss. Many men also feel disbelief, insecurity, or shame. You can of course feel insecure about this for years, but you can also proudly accept your new baldness. You can carry your bald head as a newly acquired masculinity. It becomes part of your new self. By perfectly maintaining and caring for it, the bald head belongs to your appearance just as much as, for example, your mustache and beard. In this blog, we tell you everything about shaving and caring for your scalp.
The story of Dennis Baltzer from Better be Bold
Without noticing it at first, your hair becomes thinner and thinner. Usually, it starts at the crown. You stand in front of the mirror and suddenly you see your scalp showing through your hair. Or the receding hairlines at your temples get bigger and bigger. You don't want to believe it, but unfortunately, it is irreversible. This also happened to Dennis Baltzer of the new care brand Better be Bold: from hair loss to new startup.
During his vacation in Bali in 2016, he noticed that his scalp hair was thinning and falling out. He was very shocked and it caused him a lot of worry and stress. His hair loss had a big impact on his mood. Four long years of insecurity, sleepless nights, and a lot of experimenting with hair care products and treatment methods to stop or reduce hair loss. During his vacation in Spain, the strong wind revealed the bald spots on his head again. That was the moment for him to accept his baldness with pride and confidence. Because he never wanted to be one of those men who comb their last strands of hair sideways over their head, he had his head completely shaved by a barber.
The decision to shave your head bald is a brave decision and very liberating. According to Dennis, it was one of the best decisions in his life: be free, be happy, be bold.
After shaving his scalp bald, he was immediately confronted with the pitfalls of a bald head: very dry skin, annoying persistent and visible skin irritations, and a shiny skin. Because he couldn't find a good care product, he and his friend Roberto started developing a cream especially for caring for the freshly shaved and bald scalp.
What is hair loss and what are the causes?
Hair loss has various causes. The most common reason for hair loss is hereditary, but there are other reasons such as stress and, for example, lack of sleep. About 80% of men suffer from hereditary hair loss sooner or later. The cause is a hereditary sensitivity of the hair roots to the body's own substance dihydrotestosterone (abbreviated DHT).
The first signs appear at a young age, usually from 18 years old. Many men probably recognize the moment in front of the mirror when you notice your hair feels a bit thinner. Or that the hairlines recede and the temples become larger. This is the initial stage of baldness.
The next stage is the so-called tonsure. The scalp at the crown becomes visible and grows larger. At first, it is still a small circle on top of your head. Then the hair disappears at both your forehead and the back of your head. This is jokingly called an "airplane runway." Eventually, a little hair remains at the temples and the back part of the occiput.
At first, you try to hide the thin spots by combing hair over them. Or you slightly adjust your hairstyle. You might use shampoos and conditioners to strengthen the hair. But at some point, you reach the moment to make a choice: simply accept it, do nothing and leave the hair as it is, or shave your entire head bald and smooth.
Which razor is suitable for shaving my head?
Every day we talk to customers who ask which razor is most suitable for daily shaving of the scalp. Many men started with the regular cartridge razor from, for example, Gillette or the safety razor. After some time, many men look for a more suitable razor. The ergonomics of a regular razor with a handle are, of course, designed for shaving the face and beard. On your scalp, you have no view of what is happening on top of your head. The long handle of your razor is awkward to hold while shaving the top.
It is no coincidence that the American razor brand HeadBlade is extremely popular. We sell various razors from this brand daily. The razor is designed so that you can shave your scalp smoothly and comfortably with great control. Especially the ATX razors are popular. It has a sturdy rubber grip that you can hold well. It feels comfortable in the hand. Due to the slightly curved shape and the wide wheels, it fits perfectly and stably on the round dome of your skull. The entire design of the razor ensures that the blades make the correct shaving angle with your skin.
How do I shave my scalp smoothly and comfortably?
If you have decided to shave your head bald, it might be wise for the first time to visit the barber. You will probably get handy tips so that next time you can shave your scalp bald yourself. You stand in front of the mirror with your new HeadBlade razor. At first, it feels unfamiliar and is a bit exciting. How do you shave your head smoothly and comfortably?
Before you start, first clean the skin well with a mild soap or cleansing gel. You can very well apply and spread shaving foam on your scalp with shaving soap and a shaving brush. Of course, you can also use a shaving gel. You apply a shaving gel with your fingers, which provides a smooth protective glide layer.
It is best to shave with the hair growth. Always start at the crown and shave from the forehead to the back. With your other hand, follow the razor and pull the skin slightly taut. Shave with calm, even, and straight movements and especially do not apply too much pressure. During shaving, regularly rinse the blade clean. Make sure the razor's wheel makes contact with the skin. This ensures the razor always has the correct shaving angle. After the crown, you can shave the temple area bald step by step. Use your right hand to shave the right side of your head and your left hand for the left side.
After shaving, rinse your head well with cold water and dry.
How should I care for my freshly shaved scalp?
After shaving comes the after shave treatment and care. The bald scalp is vulnerable and can quickly become irritated:
- razor irritations;
- dry flaky skin or an oily shiny skin;
- sunburned skin.
After shaving, it is important to take good care of your skin:
- soothe the freshly shaved skin to prevent razor irritation;
- hydrate to prevent dry flaky skin;
- nourish for a healthy and vital scalp;
- regulate the natural sebum production to remedy an oily shiny skin;
- protect (sun protection) the skin against the harmful UV radiation of the sun.
Better be Bold After Shave & Face Balm
Convenience is key for men. This balm can be very well used to calm the scalp after shaving and it has a nourishing effect. It contains, among other things, some super anti-aging ingredients, such as Q10 and Hyaluron. These substances reduce the first wrinkles in your skin. Men hate greasy sticky creams. This cream does not feel greasy and is absorbed immediately by the skin. It contains no animal ingredients and is therefore vegan-friendly. It is also environmentally friendly because it contains no microplastics and comes in recycled packaging material.
Headblade after shave balm Headlube Matte
This special neutral balm hydrates and cares for the scalp after shaving. It contains, among other things, Aloe Vera extracts. This also gives it a calming effect. Most men do not want a shiny scalp after shaving. This balm therefore provides a matte, non-shiny scalp. Due to the light composition of the emulsion, it is absorbed immediately by the skin.
Headblade after shave balm Headlube Glossy
Unlike the Headlube Matte, this unscented moisturizing balm provides a perfect silky shine to the bald scalp.
The bald scalp is exposed daily to sun and cold. This causes faster drying than other parts of the face. Due to increased sebum production, you are more likely to have oily shiny skin. The scalp is vulnerable and can quickly become irritated during and after shaving. The Bald Cream is a fresh lightly scented nourishing cream with an active moisturizing, soothing, and protective effect. It ensures a healthy and natural matte complexion. Use this cream daily and you will no longer have an oily shiny bald head.
All products from Better be Bold are vegan-friendly, contain no microplastics, and come in sustainable packaging made of glass or recycled plastic and cardboard.
Better be Bold Sun Fluid for Face & Scalp
This is a unique care product: care and sun protection for both the face and the bald head. It has a very high protective sun protection factor SPF30. Because it is water-resistant, it continues to do its protective work all day long. Men hate greasy sticky creams. This light emulsion is quickly absorbed by the skin, so no sticky film on the skin. It is an unscented care product. So you don't have to worry about smelling like sweet coconut or peach all day.
Many sunscreens contain substances that are harmful to coral. By using these sun protection products, these harmful chemicals end up in the sea. Sustainability and the environment are a priority at Better be Bold. This sun protection cream is therefore not harmful to marine life and coral.
