15 Real Disadvantages of Being a Bald Man (2024)
The fact is that going bald is a hard pill to swallow, no matter the age.
The sad truth is that there are more cons than merely losing your hair and the hit on your confidence that you should know about.
Here are the actual everyday disadvantages of being bald based on years of maintaining my bald head.
1. Being Bald is More Expensive Than Having Hair
We have all heard the argument that being bald is way cheaper than having hair.
Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but maintaining a healthy bald scalp costs more than a hairdresser visit 2 times a year and one fancy shampoo bottle.
The cost of regular shaving creams, razors, moisturizers, and cleansing products will add up quickly.
Plus, you have to shave your head several times a week, so the cost of razors alone is even higher + the worth of your time.
And don’t even get me started on the quality of razors you need to avoid getting your scalp too sensitive and prevent ingrown hairs.
2. The Effort of Regular Shaving
One major disadvantage of being bald is the need for frequent shaving. The most surprising thing about this is just how much effort it takes to maintain a clean-shaven look.
I never realized that I would need to shave at least 2-3 times a week to keep my bald head looking smooth.
It may not sound like a lot, but trust me, when you’re exhausted at 11 PM, the last thing you want to do is shave.
However, shaving more often actually makes it easier and less irritating to my scalp.
Now there are other ways to get a bald head without shaving, but none of them offer that close shaved look.
3. Hats, Hoodies, and Pillows Get Greasy
One hidden con of being bald is the constant battle with greasy hats, hoodies, and pillows. You see, when you’re bald, you need to moisturize your scalp to keep it healthy and hydrated.
This means slathering on enough cream to cover a larger area than just your hairline. And while the moisturizer is great for your scalp, it’s not so great for your favorite beanie or hoodie.
All that moist skin will leave a greasy residue on anything your head touches.
And even when there’s no moisturizer left, your scalp secretes natural oils that will leave your pillow looking like it’s been through a deep fryer.
4. The Need for Skincare Products
Before I started losing my hair, I was the laziest guy you could ever meet. I didn’t care about skincare products, and I only did the bare minimum when shaving my beard.
However, after my first head shave, I realized that maintaining a healthy bald scalp requires regular care. This means using a proper shaving gel, moisturizing often, and cleansing regularly.
Neglecting your scalp could lead to scalp dryness and irritation, which nobody wants.
That’s why now, I’ve learned to exfoliate my scalp regularly to promote healthy hair growth and keep it moisturized. Trust me, as a baldy, do NOT skip the scalp care!
5. Temperature Sensitivity
One major disadvantage of going bald is the increased sensitivity to temperature. I never realized how much protection my hair provided until it was gone.
Now, even a slight breeze or air conditioning in public places like malls can make my cold head feel like it’s about to freeze over.
It’s like my body’s thermostat is completely out of whack. I used to be able to comfortably enjoy a cool room, but now I always have to wear a hoodie to stay warm.
Who knew that losing my hair would turn me into a human thermometer?
6. The Hat Dependency
One con of going bald is that you’re always in need of a hat! Hair loss leaves you with a lack of protection from the elements, and as a baldy, you need to carry a hat with you most of the time.
It’s not just about the cold, your bald head will get chilly even in the summer months! And don’t even get me started on the hot sun!
Without a hat, you’re at risk of sunburn and injuries when doing physical work. Trust me, most of us learn this the hard way.
So, proper head protection is as essential for a bald man as a sharp razor and a moisturizer.
7. Bad Fitting Headwear
One of the biggest struggles of being bald is the difficulty of finding suitable headwear.
It’s not just about the constant need to wear a hat, but it’s also about finding hats that fit well.
Most hats are designed for people with hair, making them too large and uncomfortable for a bald scalp. The rough fastening options can also be a pain.
In my experience, hats with elastic edges and smaller sizes are the most comfortable, but they are not easily available compared to other headwear options.
And don’t even get me started on winterwear – you need something with twice the lining to keep your head warm.
Finding the perfect headwear for a bald head is definitely easier said than done.
8. Sunburn
Oh, the joys of being bald. Don’t get me wrong, I love the feeling of the breeze on my scalp, but hot weather can be a nightmare.
The thing is, when you have a full head of hair, your scalp is protected from the sun’s harmful rays (mostly).
But when you’re bald, it’s a different story. I remember the very first summer I was bald, I constantly forgot my hat and suncream and got sunburned. I learned it the hard way.
Now, I always have a SPF40+ sun cream with me no matter where I go, because a clean scalp needs a lot of sun cream love.
Trust me, the sun damage on a bare scalp can be awful: skin damage, itching, irritation, dryness, and even heatstroke come 10x faster.
So, if you’re bald like me, don’t forget your sun protection!
9. Self-esteem and Confidence Issues
Let’s be real, losing your hair takes a major hit on your self-esteem and confidence. It’s a natural response to feel down in the dumps when you first go bald.
But here’s the thing, you can’t let those negative feelings consume you. As a bald man, it’s important to find a way to accept your new self and move forward.
Trust me, it’s easier said than done, but you’re not alone. Once I got over the initial shock of my new appearance, it took me even more time and effort to adjust to my new look.
It’s because there’s a totally new person staring back at you in the mirror.
Plus, be prepared for friendly teasing and jokes. If you don’t address it, then it will negatively boost the initial low self-esteem.
But the good news is, if you own your baldness and make bald jokes first, it makes you bulletproof and takes away their power.
10. Increased Visibility of Imperfections
Have you ever thought about what your scalp and head look like? I mean really thought about it?
Because the thing is, you don’t know what’s going on up there until you shave it all off. And let me tell you, the reality can be a bit harsh.
Suddenly, your weird head shape, large ears, scars, blemishes, and skin conditions are all in focus and ready for the world to see.
It’s like the head shave was already a big hit to our self-esteem, and now this too?
The self-consciousness and insecurity can be overwhelming. It’s just another mental barrier we need to cross. But remember, the reality is that we care the most about these things, not others.
11. Razor Burns, Cuts, and Ingrown Hairs
Look, shaving and maintaining a clean bald head is a process.
First, you learn how to shave your head and figure out which tools work best. Then, you have to master the techniques and find those weird bumps on how to safely shave them.
But even the most experienced shavers still get occasional cuts or irritations on their scalp, whether it’s from bumps or skin irritation.
The good news is, with constant improvements to your tools and technique, you can avoid most of these problems. So stick with it, fellow baldies, and keep that head looking smooth.
12. Scalp Injuries
One of the weirdest cons of being bald is scalp injuries. Now, hear me out – I know scalp injuries can happen to anyone, even those with a luscious head of hair.
But with a bald head, you’re just more vulnerable. You know those accidental bumps and scratches you used to brush off without a second thought? Yeah, now they hurt like ten times worse.
Plus, harsh weather conditions and other external factors can also take a toll on your scalp.
The solution? Always wear a hat when doing any physical activities that could potentially damage your precious scalp. Trust me, it’s worth it.
13. Baldness Stigma
Let’s face it: there’s a stigma around male pattern baldness. It’s a stereotype that has been around for decades despite being a common condition worldwide.
The stigma is attributed to a lack of understanding about hair loss conditions like alopecia and society’s emphasis on aesthetics.
Social media plays a role in perpetuating the stigma, as there is pressure to look perfect.
This can make it tough for bald men to feel confident about their appearance.
There’s also a misconception that baldness is indicative of poor health or illness, leading to assumptions about the overall well-being of bald men.
But instead of trying to hide your hair loss, we should embrace baldness rather than disguise it. Managing your hair loss is about managing your confidence, and that’s what truly matters.
14. Perception of Aging
As a bald man, one of the biggest disadvantages is the mockery and negative social perception that comes with it.
It’s especially hard when you’re in your twenties, as baldness is commonly associated with aging and the perception of being older than your non-bald counterparts.
Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do about it, but we can embrace it. Believe me, it’s way worse to try and cover up hair loss – it just looks uncared for and bad.
The good news is that once you shave your head, your aging appearance stops. A 50-year-old bald man looks way younger than a 50-year-old with gray hair.
And if you take care of your body and stay in shape, the bald look looks good. So embrace your baldness and rock it with confidence!
15. Impact on Personal Style
Let’s face it, being bald definitely influences how we look and our personal style. With less hair on our head, there’s an emphasis on our facial features.
Suddenly, our beard plays a crucial role in balancing our face and we need to start paying more attention to skincare routines.
But being bald isn’t all bad news. It actually provides an opportunity to experiment with accessories that complement our overall look.
Hats, caps, beanies, or headscarves can be worn for both functional and fashion purposes, allowing us to showcase our personal style and add a touch of uniqueness to our outfits.
Plus, with less hair to consider, we may pay more attention to clothing colors, textures, and patterns that best suit our complexion and overall aesthetic.
So while there are challenges with being bald, there are also opportunities to show off our attractiveness and enhance our physical appearance through personal style.
