One of my favorite baseball players doesn’t have any hair on his head. But that’s not the reason I’m a fan. I appreciate his ability to pitch, his work ethic, and his attitude. His name is Justin Masterson. Twenty-five to thirty years ago, an athlete sporting a shaved head would have been an absolute pariah. He would have stood out as “that bald pitcher.”
A lot of people credit Michael Jordan with introducing the shaved head look to professional sports. Whether it started with him or not, this much is clear: it is now a completely accepted look for athletes.
Many professional athletes deal with their hair loss by shaving their heads. Their approach to hair loss carries weight. Athletes, like musicians and actors, are cultural icons. Their decisions can shift popular opinion. They help to determine style and image values. Right now, they are helping to change how society feels about hair loss.
Athletes like Justin Masterson, musicians like Chris Daughtry, and actors like Jason Statham are shifting the tide. They are planting the seed that says going bald, shaving your head – it’s ok. In fact, it’s more than ok. It’s a look to embrace, a look that goes hand in hand with confidence.
They are planting the seed, but it’s people like me and you that are doing the heavy lifting. Next time you are out in public, take a look around and notice how many people have a buzzed or shaved head. Consider that thirty years ago, you probably wouldn’t see a single person rocking this look. In fact, you’d probably be more likely to see someone wearing a hairpiece or a combover.
It won’t be long before the only people unable to accept hairloss are the employees of hair club for men and rogaine. As I’ve said before, these companies will become increasingly desperate as more and more people learn that the best way to come to terms with hair loss is not to fight it, but to accept it, to conquer it by showing the world that it’s not a big deal.
If you are struggling with hair loss, you know what to do. If you’re not ready to take the clippers to your head, you will be soon. As the tide continues to shift, this look will be normalized further. The decision will become easier. This post may not convince you single handedly, but hopefully it pushes you in the right direction.
If you need some extra inspiration, poke around on this site. Join the email list. Check out my ebook on dealing with hair loss. Join the forum at Sly Bald Guys. Whatever you do, understand that 1. things are changing and 2. you are not alone.
Also, as always, feel free to reach out to me. There is a form on the contact page with which you can send me a message.
Tide photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/duncanh1/
If you enjoyed this post, check out my How to Deal with Hair Loss ebook. It details my personal story of beating male pattern baldness, explains all the options for dealing with hair loss, and offers concrete tips and strategies for getting over it and building confidence.
Hi, I'm Phil. I started losing my hair when I was 19. After years of anxiety and stress caused by losing my hair, I realized how to get over it. Now I'm helping others do the same.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Dude, if they ever come up with a truly effective, one-dose cure for male hair loss… you’ll see the “acceptance ” go out the window. Same with obesity, or having to wear glasses/contacts, or any other life-diminisher you wish to name.
The primitive “treatments” currently available for all these things and more suck; but that will change (I hope.)
P.S. I’m thinning on top and considering shaving my head (I’ve always hated clowns, so why would I want to look like one with “puffs” of hair on the sides of a chrome dome?) but I know it will be an onerous look to maintain (having to shave your head every couple of days is a lot of work!) Give me the pill as soon as they invent it!
You are right. Most people who are just dealing with hair loss will of course opt for the “one dose cure.” If I went back in time to when I was still struggling with hair loss, still trying to cover it up, I would have definitely taken it myself!
At the same time, I can tell you that many guys who have embraced this look would not opt for the cure. While I would have opted for the cure, I certainly wouldn’t opt for it now. I have grown into the look. It has changed my life for the better. It feels like part of my identity and I am more confident than ever.
Maybe a cure will come, maybe it won’t. Either way, your life is happening right now. Some guys actually really get into the shaving experience and find it therapeutic. Whether they do it every few days or even more frequently, it doesn’t have to be something to dread. Personally, I go a bit longer than a few days, but I have no problems with a bit of stubble showing. I also don’t use a razor, I use electric clippers as I discuss here: http://younghairloss.com/2011/07/the-best-clippers-for-shaving-your-head/ Quick and easy.
I would also add that obesity or poor eyesight are different than male pattern baldness. The fact is, as many more guys adopt the shaved head look, including celebrities and cultural icons, it becomes more accepted, more women become interested in guys with the look etc.. If losing your hair is a “life-diminisher” now, I think we are moving to a point where it won’t be.
It is a matter of perception. Obesity and poor eyesight on the other hand are health problems. Male pattern baldness has nothing to do with your health. It’s harder to imagine a woman becoming interested in someone who is obese because that actually corresponds to poor health.
{ 7 trackbacks }