On the first day of 2018, a Filipino man made a bold New Year's decision: he shaved his head completely bald. This personal choice marked the beginning of a journey of self-acceptance and sparked reflections on family, culture, and societal perceptions of hair loss.
A Family History and a Liberating Choice
The decision to embrace baldness was met with immediate approval from his family. This was not surprising, as male pattern baldness runs in their lineage. Both his late grandfather and father had shiny, hairless heads. The move to shave off his thinning hair ended years of frustration. He recalls the constant struggle of styling his hair to cover the ever-widening bald spot, a hassle familiar to many experiencing hair loss.
The reaction at his workplace was one of great excitement. The attention even reached national television, leading to a congratulatory call from officials in the capital who saw his interview. For him, being bald offered significant advantages: no more stress trying to follow hair trends and freedom from the daily camouflage routine.
The Futile Search for a Cure and Cultural Perspectives
The article delves into the often-hopeless quest for a hair loss remedy. His father and grandfather had tried traditional methods, like boiling leaves to use as a hair wash, and even the folk practice of crushing a fly and applying it to the scalp—none of which worked. Today, the market is flooded with anti-baldness products—soaps, shampoos, creams, oral medicines, and topical applications—yet he claims never to have met a single bald person whose hair fully regrew because of them.
The perception of baldness varies widely across cultures and history. He points out that it is not inherently negative. Ancient Greeks and Romans held bald men like Socrates in high esteem for their wisdom. Monks also shave their heads as part of their religious practice. However, he acknowledges that some cultures do view baldness negatively.
The Modern Shift: Bald is Confident
Today, the common view of baldness has significantly changed. The author highlights a roster of confident, bald celebrities who have reshaped the image. In entertainment, figures like Derek Ramsey, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Bruce Willis, and Jason Statham sport the look with pride. In sports, legends Michael Jordan and Mike Tyson are icons. Even in politics and business, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos are prominent bald figures.
This modern acceptance empowers his final message. He strongly encourages those still hesitating to take the plunge and shave their heads. His advice is direct: stop delaying, face the truth, and embrace it. The journey from insecurity to liberation, as detailed from a personal Filipino perspective, shows that confidence often shines brightest on a bare scalp.
