Waxing Head Bald for Hair Removal 2024 (In-Depth Guide)

Waxing your head bald starts to feel like a great idea if you get really tired of the endless upkeep of a smooth dome.

It’s an effective alternative hair removal method for razor shaving, but it hurts like hell and might not be worth the hassle.

Here’s everything you need to know about it, including alternatives.

• What is Head Waxing
• Benefits
• Drawbacks
• Cost
• Safety
• Waxing at Home
• Alternatives

Waxing Head for Hair Removal

The fact is that most baldies (me included) experience the tiredness of the bald dome upkeep from time to time. And it’s totally normal.

If you’re tired of the daily grind of keeping your dome smooth, waxing may be an alternative to head shaving worth considering. 

Waxing the scalp for hair removal involves applying warm or cold wax to the head and swiftly removing it along with any unwanted hair. 

It’s an effective hair removal method because it removes the hair from the follicle level, typically lasting anywhere from 2-6 weeks (compared to 2-3 days when shaving your head). 

However, it hurts like hell! As hair follicles in your head are way more dense, it’s more difficult and painful to remove them.

Although I haven’t done a whole head waxing, I have tried to remove one small wax strip from my head. And it hurt like hell. It was too invasive for my scalp, so I will not be trying it again.

Benefits of Waxing Head

Look, waxing your head bald isn’t only a painful experience, it does have its perks. Why on the hell do people still do it, then? Here are the main pros of waxing your scalp.

1. Longer-Lasting Result: Unlike shaving, which only removes hair at the surface level, waxing pulls out hair from the roots. This leads to a longer-lasting clean-shaven look, as it takes longer for the hair to grow back. On average, a waxed bald head will stay clean for about 2-6 weeks.

2. Smoothest Shave: Waxing leaves no stubble and provides you with the smoothest scalp you can get. Unlike shaving, which can leave a stubbly feeling on the scalp as hair regrows, waxing keeps the scalp smooth and stubble-free until the next session.

3. Convenience: The biggest scalp waxing benefit for me is that it can be done in a hair salon. You can just walk in and let the professionals do their thing. In this way, you will get the least painful option while getting the smoothest bald head.

4. Removes the Horseshoe Shadow: Bald head waxing is probably the only method that can remove your horseshoe shadow. This is because it removes the hair from the follicle level giving the smoothest scalp possible. This cannot be achieved with regular shaving.

5. Exfoliation: Scalp waxing does have a weak benefit of exfoliation because removing wax strips with hair will also remove dead skin cells. This is definitely not the way to exfoliate and care for your bald head, but it does clean up the scalp in the end.

Drawbacks of Waxing Head

There are more cons than pros of waxing your scalp, despite offering a long period o of a hairless head. Here are the main disadvantages of waxing your scalp bald.

1. Painful Process: The fact is that head waxing is painful and uncomfortable. It hurts like hell because head waxing pulls hair out from the roots. This causes more discomfort as it involves pulling hair from sensitive hair follicles. And if you have a sensitive scalp, it will hurt even more.

2. Skin Sensitivity: Even if you don’t have a sensitive scalp before waxing, you will most likely experience temporary redness and skin sensitivity on the scalp. It’s important to hold the skin taut during wax strip removal. Not doing so can lead to more discomfort as the skin may pull and tug during the process.

3. Ingrown Hairs: While waxing reduces the likelihood of ingrown hairs compared to shaving, they can still occur, leading to potential irritation and discomfort. There are usually several factors contributing to it. For example, improper waxing technique, dead skin cell buildup, and curly or coarse hair.

4. Waiting Period Between Sessions: Waxing the head requires waiting for the hair to reach a certain length before it can be effectively waxed again. The ideal length for waxing is about 1/4 inch to 1/2 an inch (0.5 cm to 1.5 cm). This means you need to walk around some periods with outgrown hair before you can wax it off again. In my opinion, this kinda defeats the purpose of hair removal, especially when I can get a smooth dome all year round with shaving.

5. DIY Mishaps: Attempting DIY head waxing at home without proper knowledge and technique can lead to painful and uneven results or incomplete hair removal. Youtube is full of videos of people waxing their scalps without any knowledge or experience. 

6. Risk of Skin Infection: The risk of skin infection after waxing the head bald for hair removal is generally low but not completely negligible. Skin infections can occur if proper hygiene and aftercare practices are not followed. For example, open hair follicles, contaminated waxing equipment, scratching the waxed area, or dirty scalp.

7. Not Suitable for Certain Skin Conditions: People with certain skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, may find waxing exacerbates their condition and should avoid it. It’s also not suitable for acne or skin breakouts. Waxing over these can exacerbate the condition and should be avoided. Definitely consult with your doctor first.

Cost of Head Waxing

When it comes to head waxing, you have two options: hit up a fancy salon or take matters into your own hands. 

If you choose the salon route, you can expect a luxurious experience with professionals who know their way around a bald dome. This will definitely be less painful tha the DIY route.

• As bald head waxing for hair removal is not a common service people order, you might not find it in every waxing salon pricing sheet. You definitely need to ask for a quote.

• But in general, you can expect to pay around $150-$200 per session. For example, BaldDenver offers full Scalp waxing for $200.

The DIY method is definitely a cheaper route, but there’s also the downside of more pain and worse results, thanks to the lack of experience.

The average price of a DIY head waxing kit is around $20 to $50, depending on the wax, brand, and accessories. Here are some brands from Amazon:

• VidaSleek Wax Kit Bundle
• Blitzwax Wax Warmer Kit
• Bella Verde Waxing Kit

So is it worth splurging on professional waxing or going down the DIY path? 

I think this is one of those things where you get what you pay for. If you want it done properly the first time, then go to a salon. 

If you are up for the DIY challenge are accept things going wrong, then go for the waxing kit route.

Scalp Waxing Safety

When I was doing research about scalp waxing safety, I was really surprised to learn that there is literally no scientific information available on the topic. 

• According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), at-home waxing is an overall safe and affordable method for hair removal, but it’s important to take precautions. They don’t clarify if they are referring to body hair or scalp hair, but the overall consensus seems to be that it’s safe.

• According to The Ohio State University Buck MD, some other hair removal methods can cause hair thinning or baldness. There is some evidence that repetitive plucking or waxing of hair can cause damage to the follicle, which could cause hair loss. But there weren’t any references, and I couldn’t find any legitimate sources either confirming or denying this claim.

• According to a study published in the International Journal of Dermatology, waxing may cause folliculitis, most often on the arms. The study did not specifically cover the effects of scalp waxing. Folliculitis is a bacterial skin infection that can result from hair follicle damage. Shaving can also cause it. 

While there is a lack of scientific information addressing the safety of scalp waxing, the consensus among dermatologists and available studies suggests that it is generally safe. 

It’s always a good idea to consult with a dermatologist or professional before attempting any new hair removal method on your scalp.

How to Wax Your Head Bald at Home?

Before you start removing hair with a waxing kit at home, always read and follow the guidelines on the package. Here’s how it generally works.

1. Gather Waxing Supplies: Prepare a head waxing kit, including wax, waxing strips, spatula, pre-wax cleanser, and post-wax oil or lotion.
2. Heat the Wax: Follow the product instructions to heat the wax to the appropriate temperature.
3. Test Temperature: Perform a patch test on a small area of skin to ensure the wax is not too hot.
4. Apply Pre-Wax Cleanser: Use a pre-wax cleanser to remove any oils or residues from the scalp.
5. Apply Wax: Use a spatula to apply a thin layer of wax on a small section of your scalp in the direction of hair growth.
6. Place Waxing Strip: Press a waxing strip firmly onto the waxed area, leaving a small portion for gripping.
7. Pull Off the Strip: Hold the skin taut and quickly pull off the strip against the direction of hair growth.
8. Repeat the Process: Continue waxing your head in small sections until the desired area is hair-free.
9. Remove Residual Wax: Use post-wax oil or lotion to remove any residual wax and soothe the skin.
10. Waxing Aftercare: Avoid exposing your scalp to direct sunlight immediately after waxing. Also, Refrain from using harsh skincare products on your scalp for at least 24 hours.

Remember to follow proper waxing techniques, work in small sections, and pull the strip off quickly for the best results. 

If you’re new to head waxing, consider starting with smaller areas before tackling larger sections to gain confidence and experience.

Head Waxing Alternatives

If, after reading this article, you feel that waxing might not be your cup of tea, then worry not.

There are plenty of hair removal methods that will leave your head smooth and happy. 

• Razors: My top choice is still good old-fashioned razor shaving. It’s painless, fast, and offers the smoothest dome.

• Laser Hair Removal: Your best bet if your goal is to go longest without hair. While the length varies from person to person, you can expect up to 2-5 years of silky goodness. 

• Hair removal creams: They work like a charm with zero pain! Just be prepared for a not-so-great smell and results that last just as long as razor shaving.

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