So why does something as superficial as hair seem so important to so many men? I understand that in the past a thick head of hair has been associated with power, virility and youth. I also understand that loss of self-confidence; low self-esteem and heightened self-consciousness seem to come along with hair loss. I would venture to say that times have changed. There are many famous people who make balding sexy and cool. And on an even brighter side, at least loosing your hair is not health threatening.
A Personal Anecdote
I had dinner with some friends not that long ago. When my friend’s husband found out that I write about men’s fashion and grooming, he immediately seized the opportunity to talk with me about ways to deal with his balding. He had already had two rounds of hair plugs. Ouch! What took me aback was how emotional he was about his hair loss--I thought he was going to cry. The first thing I said, which is substantiated by numerous conversations with girlfriends and his wife, is that the only person who really cares about it is himself. If he would accept this genetic inevitability, he would feel so much better.
Covering Up the Truth
I realize that with all of the imagery thrown at us via television, movies and print publications, it's hard not to feel self-conscious about a great many things. But don’t be fooled by all of these Hollywood types who always have gorgeous, thick heads of hair. Baldness affects approximately half of all men by the time they are 50 according numerous studies. So how is it that so many Tinseltown men still have luscious locks and have defied Mother Nature? Well I wish more of them would just be out with the truth and show us they don’t have to hide their thinning hair to be sexy and cool.
Celebs Revealed
Even with all of the money and access celebs have to everything, their true genetic nature is eventually revealed. For example, in 1999 a picture of Matthew McConaughey circulated around the web showing the Hollywood heartthrob clearly wearing a wig. And you though that wavy hair of his was real?! According to numerous sources, Ben Affleck purportedly lost his wig during a party with buddy Vince Vaughn. Affleck later appeared on talk-shows to deny the rumors. According the Bald Moviestars Forum, he even did a shampoo commercial with a woman pulling his hair, but no one was fooled. Edward Norton most definitely has had transplant work done because his hairline in the movie American History X (for which he had his head shaved), is now completely different. He had a receding hairline then and now it’s straight across his forehead. Hmmm.
Go With The Flow
Don't be like these celebrities who cover up their hair loss; the right way to go is to go with it. A closely trimmed or shaved head is altogether a better look and much less distracting than all of the expensive, painful and high maintenance treatment options. Having a closely trimmed or shaved head is hip too. Many men shave their heads just for the look.
Think Twice
However, if you are contemplating surgery, wigs or any other alternate ways to deal with your dwindling hairline, you may want to think twice about it. Once you have had surgery, it is difficult to shave your head or just go bald due to all of the scaring. Good hairpieces cost thousands of dollars which you could otherwise invest or take a great vacaion with. Treatment drugs can gave unpleasant side effects. I imagine no one wants to run around feeling self-conscious about their hairpiece, or go through painful surgery or spend all of that money for an uncertain result. You don't need hair to be happy in life.
For more information there are loads of websites and resources. Here are a few I particulalry like:
Facts About Hair Loss Treatments from About's Dermatology site.
Online community for the balding: Sly Bald Guys
And for lots of interesting facts: www.battleagainstbald.com
