Why Aren’t Men Embracing Their Baldness in a Positive Way?
Dear Dr. Rassman,
You are clearly at the top in the field of hair transplant surgery and not only that, you are also a public figure due to your extraordinary efforts on this blog. However, I cannot help but think that your efforts are actually making the problem of male pattern baldness worse for many men.
Baldness is not a modern problem; it has been around for as long as history can record. Many of the greatest figures in history were bald men: Socrates, Shakespeare….Larry David… So why must we persist in seeing this harmless condition as a problem? Many would doubtless answer that it is not harmless because it effects a man’s confidence. However, it is only because of the stigmatization of baldness and the various attempts of Hollywood actors and other public figures to hide their baldness that this is a problem. The more people that come to you to ‘fix’ their baldness, the more baldness becomes a problem.
It is the equivalent of breast enhancement surgery for women. Women are led to believe that only large breasted women are attractive and the more women that get surgery, the worse the problem gets. Why must we seek a media generated image of a perfect male or female appearance?
I am 20 years old and beginning to (very slowly) recede at the hairline. Yes, it is a little scary and unpleasant – isn’t any dramatic change to our person? Yet, I know I can maintain my confidence knowing that self-worth comes from more than simply a rock solid hairline. It comes from treating others well, following one’s ambitions, intellectual fortitude and enjoying life’s pleasures.
Plus, on a purely superficial level, anyone can look good bald providing they are healthy, fit and well dressed. Dr. Rassman, you do fine work on those who are genuinely effected negatively by baldness. For most though, I would like to see them embrace baldness positively rather than resort to surgery.
Bald is beautiful, and I do believe that there are many men who embrace their balding in a positive way, accepting their fate as their genetics intended. I do not think I am making the stigma of balding worse for men.
On the contrary, I do provide a professional medical service to educate and address hair loss issues to men and women. It is true, I perform hair transplant surgeries, but the decision to have the surgery is made by the individual with a consultation with a doctor. After all this is a cosmetic elective surgery.
If you are balding and you don’t find the need to have hair transplant surgery, I think that is great and it is your prerogative! But there are many men and women that are bothered or concerned by their hair loss, and I am here to help them as much as I can.
I think some men absolutely suit baldness and shouldn’t worry in the slightest but in the same way as I wouldn’t tell a woman she needs to conform to some big breasted ideal I wouldn’t tell a woman who wanted implants she’s naive and perpetuating a stereotype. It’s what the individual wants.
And to be honest there have been balding ‘cures’ in literature dating back to the ancient Greeks so clearly even some of Aristotles peer group worried about losing their locks. Perhaps because it’s associated with ageing – unlike breast implants which are not age specific. So for men perhaps the general pressure is now to look younger for longer.
But all power to those who rock the bald look. Long may it continue even if there is a cure one day!
You are in fact correct that this blog is making the problem worse. As a marketing strategist who spent some time working for a number of pharma clients and now refuses to work for clients in that industry, research paper after paper confirms that raising awareness of a medical conditions with a psychological trigger such as stress, almost always increases the incidence of that problem.
This is a fundamental human condition that psychologist know well. Want someone to change their behaviour, focus on the outcome and the thoughts that prevent one from moving to the desired outcome, but not the problem or you will reinforce the behaviour. Whilst the doctor may be helping the public through education, this blog is also part of the problem on a deeper psychological level, regardless of intentions.
That’s hilarious….pathetic…
Lol. Psychobabble. I guess we shoud stop educating men that hypertension should be treated to minimize heart disease, as it is another condition that can be adversly affected by stress. I don’t think reading about treatment options for a cosmetic condition increases the stress level beyond that already existing for those seeking options. In marketing language, it’s called self-selection segmenting.
True. Erectile dysfunction is often caused by stress. Maybe we should NEVER EVER MENTION IT AGAIN. ;) personally reading Dr Rassmans blog has reduced my stress. He has very calmly told everyone to see a competent surgeon and get accurate assessments – when I’ve been terrified my hair loss has increased I’ve remembered those words, seen my hair surgeon and he’s shown me the bulk measurements and images detailing my regrowth. I think being informed generally reduces stress to be honest. Being lost in confusion is more stressful. Pretending hair loss doesn’t bother anybody is not going to help. I still think some men suit being bald (or mildly balding) and to them more power to their hair choices. But the issue is personal vanity which existed long before transplant surgeons even existed.
I think this post illustrates the general bias many people have against cosmetic surgery in general. Many people think that cosmetic surgery is not helpful in improving the appearance of an individual, is outraeously expensive, and is simply for individuals who are vain. None of these things are true.
People who go in for cosmetic surgery have REAL problems, they get them fixed, and then they are happy. They don’t come back for more and more plastic surgery. I see that as a positive thing.
I’ve had 3 rhinoplasties, a facelift, and a hair transplant procedure of 3,175 grafts a year ago (by the strip method). I’m having another 3,000 grafts to complete the hair transplants, and it’s all been worth it.
The easiest of all cosmetic surgical procedures is hair transplants (far earlier than a rhinoplasty or facelift). To me, they are only a step above going to the spa. Recovery is fast and simple. And they WORK. Within 4-5 months you and others see growth, you see recovery of hair. It raises self-esteem.
I cannot understand why more men don’t go in for them, unless it’s out of fear and ignorance.