Why is the bald skull shiny?

Like almost all of our skin, the scalp is covered with special cells with a follicle hairy, where a hair or a hair. The hair fall and are renewed regularly, but when the loss is abnormal and final, we speak ofalopecia : the skull gradually recedes and becomes virgin of all hair. Unlike other parts of the body, the scalp of balds therefore loses the "velvety" appearance given by the hairs.

Overactive sebaceous glands

But a second phenomenon contributes to making the skull of balds as smooth and shiny. Although the hair follicles no longer produce hair, glands contiguous sebaceous plants continue to produce sebum, the fatty film which normally helps to lubricate the hair and preventsepidermis to dry out. However, the cells of the scalp are particularly rich in sebaceous glands. In the absence of hair, the sebum gives the skin of the skull its oily and polished appearance. Thealopecia itself can also be caused by seborrhea (overactivity of the sebaceous glands), often linked to hormonal causes. The excess fat will then suffocate the hair roots and lead to their fall.

Shaved head and bald head: what difference?

All this is not valid when you shave your head voluntarily: on the one hand, we will always see the hair root and in addition the skull will tend to dry out if it does not produce enough sebum. It will therefore be necessary to remember to moisturize the scalp with a special oil or cream. Finally, in the absence of hair, a bald head loses thermal protection: consider wearing a beanie winter and spread your skull with sunscreen in the summer.