For the majority of men (and millions of women), hair loss is just an inevitable part of getting older. And while it certainly affects some people more than others, there’s more to it than initially meets the eye. Going bald may be frustrating, especially if you love your hair or if you’re self-conscious about aging, but there are also some important benefits you shouldn’t forget.
If you’re losing your hair, and you hate the idea of being bald, there are some options available to you. For example, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has the potential to stimulate your hair follicles so you can regrow your hair naturally. You can also try over the counter medications and creams, or take advantage of hair transplant surgery.
Remember, you may not like the idea of going bald, but it's not the end of the world. There are many hidden advantages to having a bald head. That said, if you find baldness detestable, or if you just want your old look back, there are options available to you to fight back against hair loss.
Fighting Back Against Hair Loss
First, understand that different people are going to see baldness in different ways. Some people intentionally shave their heads because they love the feeling of being hairless. Others find baldness to be depressing.If you’re losing your hair, and you hate the idea of being bald, there are some options available to you. For example, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has the potential to stimulate your hair follicles so you can regrow your hair naturally. You can also try over the counter medications and creams, or take advantage of hair transplant surgery.
The Benefits of Going Bald
Baldness actually has a number of benefits:- No need for hair care. For starters, there's going to be no more need for hair care. You won't have to spend time in the shower shampooing and conditioning. You won't have to visit the barber for haircuts. You won't have to comb your hair in the morning. Ultimately, that's going to save you a lot of time and money, not to mention stress.
- Greater heat dissipation. What are the primary functions of hair is to serve as an insulating layer. Mammals have thick coats of fur so they can stay warm in winter, and the hair on our head functions in a similar way. But that can also be a problem, especially in summertime or when you're having a challenging workout. When you're bald, that hair will no longer interfere with your ability to dissipate heat, meaning you'll stay cooler and feel better.
- Visual distinction. Some people hate the idea of the bald look, but you have to admit, it's distinctive. Some people are especially attracted to bald men (or bald women), and if you find the right style for your look and your personality, it can actually work for you. In fact, some research shows that being bald can actually give you an advantage in business negotiations.
- No more stress. When men start losing their hair, they tend to face a lot of stress. They know they've begun the balding process and they have no idea how far it's going to go or when it's going to end. That's a lot of uncertainty, and a lot of hassle if you're trying to preserve the hair you have left. Once you're fully bald, all that stress will go away. It's over, and that's a relief.
- Hat potential. Being bald gives you a good excuse to experiment with hats. There are dozens of types of hats to consider and all of them lend a distinctive appearance and style to your ensemble.
- The age cap. For many people, full baldness serves as a kind of age cap. As you lose your hair, you'll look older and older. But once you're fully bald, in some ways, the aging process seems to stop. In time, you'll even start to look younger than your actual age.
The Downsides of Going Bald
Of course, there are also some downsides to going bald, even if you like the look:- Less flexibility with hair styles. One of the great things about having hair is that you can style it to look however you want. You can keep it relatively short and use products to style it in a particular way. You can grow it out. You can try something truly experimental, like dreadlocks. The point is, your image is in your control. And when you're bald, that flexibility disappears.
- Sunburn potential. The heat dissipation of baldness in summer is great, but there's a creeping problem you'll have to contend with: sunburn potential. Fortunately, a bit of extra sunscreen is all you need to guard against this.
- Colder winters. Remember how hair serves as an insulating layer? You might miss that layer come wintertime. Again, this problem is easy to solve with a warm hat.
- Lower confidence. Many people suffer from lower confidence when they start to lose their hair, but this isn't mandatory, nor is it a direct byproduct of baldness. It’s all about your own feelings and your personal attitude toward being bald.
Remember, you may not like the idea of going bald, but it's not the end of the world. There are many hidden advantages to having a bald head. That said, if you find baldness detestable, or if you just want your old look back, there are options available to you to fight back against hair loss.