Among men who have had scalp micropigmentation or are thinking about it, one of the most common questions is how to take care of their scalp. The good news is that a short routine, done consistently, does almost all of the work.
Keeping it Clean
Yes, bald scalps can get dandruff. The medical term is seborrheic dermatitis, and it is a condition of the skin, not the hair. White flakes are dead cells sloughing off skin that is too dry, too oily or irritated.
The first step is washing — but many anti-dandruff shampoos are too harsh for a bald scalp. Most shampoos are formulated for washing hair, not skin. With little or no hair on your head, use something gentle and sulfate-free, and wash two or three times a week rather than daily. More if your skin is oily or you perspire heavily.
Resist the urge to wash harder. Stripping the scalp damages the moisture barrier and the skin responds by producing more oil to repair it — which is how an over-washed scalp ends up shinier and flakier at the same time.
Moisturizing Your Scalp
Moisturizing controls dryness and flakiness, and a hydrated scalp holds pigment longer. The problem for most bald men is that ordinary moisturizers add gloss.
Matte Moisturizer gets around that by changing how the hydration is delivered. It uses five humectants — glycerin, trehalose, hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan and erythritol — which pull water into the skin rather than sealing oil on top of it, so it hydrates without adding grease and finishes matte instead of dewy. Aloe barbadensis leaf extract calms the irritation that comes with shaving your head regularly. No parabens, no silicones.
Smooth a small amount over a clean scalp, morning and night.
Managing shine
Shine flattens SMP — a matte finish is what makes the work read like real stubble. Shine Slayer uses rice starch to absorb sebum and flatten breakthrough shine, with jojoba seed oil to help moderate oil production at source. Apply the moisturizer first, let it settle, then the balm.
Both together: the Shine Control Duo.
Sunscreen
For your overall health, sunscreen may be the most important product for maintaining your scalp. A hat gives the highest level of protection, but for the times a hat is not practical, sunscreen is a must. If you have had SMP, protecting your bare head helps your treatment last — UV breaks pigment down and causes it to fade faster.
Scalp Sunscreen is SPF 40, 100% mineral-based and non-comedogenic, with a built-in mattifier so it protects without adding gloss. Most body sunscreens are oily and will undo the rest of your routine.
More questions on scalp care? Email hello@folicule.com.