Sun protection for your scalp? Sounds insane right? After all, the only scalp products we use are shampoo but what happens when your scalp has no hair on it? 

When you have short hair or a bald head (voluntarily or not), your sun or scalp is exposed to the sun in full force. The UV rays are out in force, and the scalp's thin skin burns hot and fast. And you already know that you should wear sun protection, such as a hat or sunscreen, up there. However, in the event of the latter, what is the best sunscreen for bald men? It's difficult enough to decipher a sunscreen label, but a hairless scalp is a unique situation.

1. Use A Face Sunscreen 

When shopping for sunscreen, you'll notice those that are designed exclusively for the face. Because some sunscreens contain heavy oils or occlusive and comedogenic chemicals that clog pores or cause excessive wear, these distinctions are made. 

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These are the ones that make your skin feel grimy and glossy, and leave you with a pimple or two in the days afterward. Look for products that claim to be non-comedogenic (that is, they won't clog pores) and skin-friendly. If you have oily skin, oil-free is the best option.

2. Use SPF Moisturizer On The Daily 

We're not arguing that an SPF-rich moisturiser is a better sunblocker than a face sunscreen, but combining the hydrating and sun-shielding stages into one can save you time (and money).

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Because your scalp is prone to the same ageing effects as the rest of your face—especially since it's exposed to the sun—a it's good idea to moisturise and nourish it just like the rest of your face. All of this is to indicate that, since you should be hydrating your scalp anyhow, just use a daily SPF moisturiser above the shoulders.

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If you're going to be out in the sun for a long time (say on a beach in the middle of summer), you should put an extra layer of face sunscreen over top of the dome just to be safe. On a daily basis, though, SPF moisturiser is a workhorse in the battle against skin-aging UV radiation and environmental contaminants.

3. Adhere To The SPF Baseline Rules

When it comes to scalp care and sunscreen, the SPF basics remain the same: Under direct sun exposure, or after immediate water or sweat exposure, you should apply SPF every two hours. (Some water-resistant alternatives can withstand dampness for up to 80 minutes.)

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SPF 30 is recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology, the Food and Drug Administration, the Skin Cancer Institute, and pretty much everyone else. This is because it absorbs 97 percent of UVB rays, which cause skin to burn. (It's much better to apply SPF 30 consistently than to wing it with a slightly stronger sunscreen.) Always choose a broad-spectrum SPF that protects against both burn-inducing (and cancer-causing) UVB rays as well as skin-aging UVA rays.

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And be generous with your application: the industry standard is 1 fl.oz. (a shot glass) each application for the average adult human body. Put a nice quarter-size face SPF in your palms and slather it on your face, scalp, and neck. (Scale accordingly for your dome.) This may seem excessive for a typical weekday work commute; but, because your sun exposure is brief, you should be alright with a little application of SPF moisturiser on those days.

4. Mineral or Chemical: Your Choice

The majority of chemical solutions avoid oxybenzone, a notably hazardous chemical component that alters the body's hormones. The FDA has given the go-ahead for the others, though the argument over their safety (to humans and coral reefs alike) continues. When it comes to SPF, these chemical solutions penetrate the skin and absorb UV radiation. Any UV powers are neutralised by the compounds before they may cause any harm.

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Mineral (or physical/natural) sunscreens filter or reflect UV radiation at the skin's surface with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Certain mineral sunscreen compositions will leave a white, chalky, minerally cast on the skin since these chemicals do not absorb into the skin. The darker your skin, the more noticeable this is, but this isn't true for every mineral mixture.

To Wrap Up

When spending time in the sun, use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen that you like liberally every two hours (or after exposure to water). Even if you aren't going to be out in the sun for long periods of time, you should apply an SPF daily, such as an SPF moisturiser. This will greatly slow your skin's natural ageing processes, as well as reduce your risk of skin cancer and long-term harm.

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