How Often Should You Shave Your Head?
There's no single right answer, but there is a right answer for you. It depends on three things: the look you want, how fast and how dark your hair grows, and how your skin handles shaving.
Here's how to work it out, and how to tell when you're shaving too often or not often enough.
The short version
- Smooth and bald: every day or every second day.
- A light shadow: every two to three days.
- A very short buzz: once a week with a trimmer.
- If your scalp gets red or bumpy, shave every second day instead of daily.
- Waited too long? Trim first, then shave.
How fast your hair grows back
Scalp hair grows about half an inch a month, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. That works out to a little under half a millimeter a day. It doesn't sound like much, but on a shaved head you'll see it.
- After one day most men feel stubble when they run a hand over their head, even if it barely shows.
- After two days a shadow is visible, especially with dark hair on light skin.
- After three or four days it reads as a short buzz rather than a shaved head.
Light or grey hair on lighter skin hides growth for longer, so men with fair hair can often go an extra day.
Match the schedule to the look you want
| The look | How often | What to use |
|---|---|---|
| Completely smooth | Every day or every second day | A head shaver, wet or dry |
| Smooth most of the time | Every second day | A head shaver |
| A light shadow | Every two to three days | A head shaver, or trimmer then shaver |
| A very short buzz | About once a week | A trimmer or clippers on the shortest guard |
Every day or every other day?
If you want your head smooth at all times, daily shaving is the way to get there. A daily shave is also quick, because there's very little to cut.
Every second day suits most people better, though. Your scalp gets a day to recover, and a shaver has an easier time with two days of growth than with a full week. If your skin is on the sensitive side, start with every second day and only move to daily if your scalp stays calm. Our guide to head shavers for sensitive skin has more on keeping irritation down.
Signs you're shaving too often
- Your scalp stings or feels hot after most shaves.
- Redness that hasn't faded by the next shave.
- Small bumps a day or two later, often at the back of the neck. That's usually razor bumps, and our guide to razor bumps on the head explains what to change.
- Dry, flaky patches.
Before you cut back, check the basics. Light pressure, one or two passes, a clean head and a sharp blade fix a lot of these on their own.
Signs you've left it too long
A rotary head shaver is built for short growth. After about a week, longer hairs can catch and pull instead of being cut cleanly. When that happens, don't force it. Take the length down with a trimmer first, then shave. It's quicker and much more comfortable.
Morning or evening?
Both work. Shaving in the morning means your head is at its smoothest during the day. Shaving in the evening gives your skin the night to settle before it meets sun, sweat or a hat. If you shave in the morning, finish with a moisturizer that has SPF. A freshly shaved scalp burns quickly. More on that in our guide to sunscreen for a bald head.
How often you shave affects your blade
Every shave wears the cutters a little, so the more often you shave, the sooner the blade needs replacing. On the VEROSHAVE 7D that's usually every 5 to 6 weeks with regular shaving. If the shaver starts pulling or needs extra passes right after a proper clean, it's time for a new one, whatever the calendar says. Cleaning after every shave helps the blade last. Here's how to clean a head shaver.
Common questions
Does shaving your head make the hair grow back thicker?
No. This is one of the most common shaving myths. Shaving cuts the hair at the surface and doesn't change the follicle, so it has no effect on how thick, dark or fast your hair grows. Regrowth can feel coarser because the cut end is blunt, not because the hair has changed.
How long does it take to shave your head?
The first few times take longer while you learn the shape of your head, especially the back. Once you have a routine, a shave every day or two takes a few minutes. Our step-by-step guide to shaving your head covers the technique.
Is it bad to shave your head every day?
Not if your skin handles it. Plenty of men shave daily without any problem. If you get irritation, shave every second day, use light pressure and moisturize afterwards.
Should I shave wet or dry?
Whichever your skin prefers. Dry is quicker. Wet, with a gel, is often gentler on skin that reacts easily. Only shave wet with a shaver that is rated waterproof.
A fresh blade before it starts pulling
The VEROSHAVE 7D has 7 floating heads and a trimmer attachment for longer growth. The Starter Kit comes with two genuine blades, a charger and a travel pouch for $99.99, then a fresh blade every 6 weeks for $19.95.
Shop the Starter KitReplacement bladesFree tracked shipping · 2-year warranty · 60-day returns