Thinning on Top? How to Decide Whether to Shave Your Head

Most men who end up shaving their head spend a long time thinking about it first. Months of checking the crown in the bathroom mirror, trying a new parting, growing it a bit longer on top to cover the gap. Then one day they buzz it all off and wonder why they waited.

That doesn't mean shaving is right for everyone. Here's how to think it through, what to try before you commit, and what changes once you do.

First, know what you're dealing with

For most men, thinning on top is male pattern hair loss. The American Academy of Dermatology calls it the most common cause of hair loss in men, and says that by 50, more than half of white men show visible signs of it. It usually starts as a receding hairline or a thin patch at the crown and progresses slowly, over years.

That slow pace is why the decision drags on. There's rarely a single day when it's obviously time.

One exception: if your hair is falling out suddenly, in patches, or you see redness, scaling or soreness on your scalp, that's not typical pattern hair loss. Get it checked by a doctor before you do anything else.

If you'd rather keep your hair

There are real options, and the AAD is clear that men tend to get better results when they start treatment soon after noticing hair loss. The main ones it lists:

• Minoxidil, applied to the scalp, available without a prescription. It can take 6 to 12 months to see a difference, and the benefit stops if you stop using it.
• Finasteride, a daily prescription pill. The AAD says it slows further hair loss in about 80% to 90% of men who take it. It has possible side effects worth discussing with a doctor.
• Other options such as laser devices, platelet-rich plasma injections and hair transplants.

If any of that appeals to you, book a dermatologist before you pick up a shaver. They can confirm what kind of hair loss you have and tell you what's realistic. Shaving is easy to undo. Lost time on treatment isn't.

Signs shaving might be the better call

Nobody can make this decision for you, but these come up again and again from men who made the switch:

• You style your hair mainly to cover something.
• You check the crown or the hairline in mirrors, photos or car windows more than you'd like to admit.
• Wind, rain or a swimming pool ruins your day.
• You're already wearing it very short and the thin areas still show.
• You've looked into treatment and decided it isn't for you.

If three or more of those sound familiar, a shaved head is probably worth trying.

Try it before you commit

You don't have to go from full hair to a smooth scalp in one evening. Take the clippers down to the shortest guard you have and live with it for two or three weeks. Wear it to work, see it in daylight, look at photos.

Most men know within a few days. If you like it, the next step is a full shave. If you don't, it grows back. That's the nice thing about this decision: it's one of the few you can fully reverse.

What about the beard?

Plenty of men who shave their head keep some facial hair. Stubble or a short beard gives the face some structure and can make the change feel less dramatic. A clean-shaven face with a shaved head is a sharper, more minimal look. Neither is right or wrong, so try both while you're in the buzz-cut stage.

What changes once you shave

A shaved head is low maintenance, but it isn't zero maintenance.

• Shaving. Most people shave every day or every other day to keep it smooth. With a head shaver and a sharp blade it takes a couple of minutes. Our step-by-step guide covers the first shave and the back of the head.
• Sun. Your scalp has never had direct sun before. Daily sunscreen matters more than most men expect. More on that in sunscreen for a bald head.
• Skin care. Shaving dries the skin out. A moisturizer after you shave keeps your scalp from feeling tight or flaky. Our bald head care routine has the details.
• Cold. You'll notice the weather on your head. A beanie earns its place in winter.

Your first week

Expect the first full shave to take longer than you think, mostly because you're learning the shape of your own head. Go slow around the crown and the back, use light pressure, and moisturize afterwards. A bit of redness on day one is normal and usually settles within a day or two. If you get bumps a day or two later, our guide to razor bumps on the head explains why and what to change.

By the end of the first week most men have a routine that takes less time than styling their hair used to.

Decided to go for it?

The VEROSHAVE 7D has 7 floating heads that follow the curve of your head, wet or dry. 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 KitShaver only, $69.99

Free tracked shipping · 2-year warranty · 60-day returns

This article is general information, not medical advice. For hair loss treatment, see a board-certified dermatologist.