The Importance of Hair to Men

Nora Ephron once said that height is to men what breasts are to women. However, American magazine editor Art Cooper disagreed: “I think baldness is more important. Nothing is more important to a man than his hair. Nobody wants to be bald. Nobody wants to be like Sean Connery unless they could have his other accolades.”

Societal Observations and Data Support

Cooper made this statement in 1986, and thirty years later, we have data to support it. According to Google search data, last year, more than 6% of men searched for hair issues on search engines, surpassing women, though some searches were for the trend of men wearing long braids.

Negative Associations with Baldness

Nobody wants to be bald, as the association is often negative. A survey showed that bald people were associated with being unfriendly, unattractive, and having a bad temper when participants voted on first impressions from different male photos. Another survey from the U.S., among individuals aged 21 to 35, showed that 65% felt bald people lacked masculinity, 77% thought they lacked attractiveness, 75% considered them not as smart, and they even appeared older than their actual age.

Psychological and Social Impact of Baldness

“The more hair you lose, the more money you have to throw at your psychologist,” said psychologist Thomas Cash in Kerry Segrave’s book. His own research suggested that baldness leads to a poor first impression, diminished athletic abilities, less self-control, and even decreased social attractiveness. Compared to those with thick hair, bald individuals tend to be less successful in personal and professional life. Some surveys have even equated hair density with the confidence derived from male genital size. Most CEOs have thick hair. The last British Prime Minister with a noticeable balding pattern was Winston Churchill, and the U.S. hasn’t elected a bald president in nearly 60 years. Aside from Michael Stipe (who had thick hair in his heyday), it’s hard to name a bald rock star. Bald individuals seem to fare better in movies, often in villainous roles. Sean Connery, a pioneering bald actor, once asked if he could wear a wig in his last Bond film, but the answer was no.

Leadership, Appearance, and Success

Interestingly, 25% of men start losing their hair by the age of 25. By the time they reach 50, half of all men experience hair loss. This number increases to 75% by the age of 60. Starting to lose hair at twenty can lead to a lot of reflection in the mirror during showers. Men often express annoyance or fear upon noticing their hair loss, a phase seemingly unavoidable. Even wearing a hat out seems to signal a bald man trying to hide something.

Cultural Acceptance and Baldness in the Media

Women can easily discuss each other’s fake nails, hairdos, skincare, teeth whitening, cup sizes, high heels, and makeup techniques; but for men, talking about their new wig is much harder. “The issue has been around for a long time, and male ego has always been a sore spot,” says Mark Simpson, a writer and journalist focusing on men. “When it comes to men’s vulnerabilities, whether it’s about hair or sexual performance, we like to snicker. It’s a perfect opportunity for jokes and crude comments.”

Prevalence and Personal Impact of Hair Loss

Simpson proudly identifies as a “bald” man, suggesting that baldness has become a minimal-impact way for men to express themselves. “It becomes a very direct way for men to express themselves, embracing baldness and turning it into a fashion statement. It becomes an attitude. The gay culture and youth culture converged in the eighties, but Bruce Willis made a significant contribution to this.”

Men’s Self-Esteem and Social Conversations

In the eighteenth century, people also tried to cover their hair issues. French King Louis XIV began balding at 27 and hired 48 wig makers to serve him. Afterwards, wearing wigs became a trend, with all men donning them when going out.

Historical Attempts to Conceal Baldness

In the mid-1950s, a Hollywood survey showed that about 10% of men over 35 wore wigs. Today’s Hollywood Museum still displays wigs that belonged to various celebrities. In New York, there were barbers specifically serving bald men, and by 1970, two and a half million American men wore wigs.

Modern Wig Convenience and Acceptance

Compared to the past, the convenience and improved quality of today’s wigs might be the reason they have become “quieter.”