Is the swirl on your scalp failing to cover up the shine underneath? Do you have thin, wispy locks resembling Smeagol’s ‘do? Or perhaps you have a dome that some would describe as chrome.
If any of this sounds like you, then, as you probably already know, you’re going bald. Or perhaps you already have been for a while now. Either way, hair loss, while sometimes a joking matter, can be a struggle to live with. And while it’s important to feel your feelings, it’s also important to embrace life’s challenges with humor and grace. So read on to learn about four tips you can use to survive and combat hair loss.
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1. Find The Humor in it
If you’re still reading this even after the initial bombardment of bald jokes, then you’ve got some sense of humor. Even if it’s latent, laughing about your situation has a way of lightening the emotional weight of it. You’ve probably heard the near-Hallmark-level quote that “laughter is the best medicine.” The thing is, it’s kind of true.
Laughter is a great way to flood your system with freshly inhaled oxygen. In turn, that oxygen stimulates your heart, lungs, brain, and more via your blood. The act also triggers your brain to release endorphins, feel-good hormones that boost your mood. Even if you’re already using a proper hair loss treatment like minoxidil or finasteride, supplement with humor.
Again, hair loss can be a challenging experience to endure. That said, it’s often easy to look back on those same experiences with a chuckle. So channel some of that hindsight in your present moment and embrace your situation. How do you embrace your situation? Confidence.
2. Be Confident
Confidence signals the absence of insecurity. Does Mike Tyson seem insecure to you? How about Vin Diesel? Do you think Darth Vader wore the suit because he was embarrassed that his head was paler than the full moon? No, didn’t think so.
Just because you’re going bald doesn’t mean you can’t be confident. And you don’t have to be a stoic badass like one of the aforementioned to feel confident about your ‘do (or the lack thereof). And using humor is an excellent way to project confidence. You can even use humor to acknowledge your situation to defang the bald stigma.
Just look at some famous comedians like Bill Burr, Louis CK, or Tom Segura: they’re bald but don’t try to hide it. In fact, they often go out of their way to make bald jokes about themselves, and with frequency. By pointing the joke at themselves first, they take away the power that joke has in the mouths of others. So if your hairline is starting to look a little funny — embrace it. Crank up the volume and let the world roll out the red carpet everywhere you go.
3. It’s Not Growing, It’s Balding — With Style!
Just because the sheen on your head blinds others in passing doesn’t mean you can’t style out. In the theme of embracing the look, devote some time to exploring your fashion sense. Or maybe go and get one in the first place.
How do you dress for being bald? Well, there’s a lot that goes into fashion sense and personal style. However, there are two major areas you can focus on right away: color and shape. When it comes to color, hair often provides contrast, so without it, the clothing you choose is even more important. Start by wearing colors that contrast your skin in a complementary manner. If you have darker skin, opt for lighter colors. Wear darker shades if your skin is more fair.
Continuing the theme of appropriate contrast, take care with the shape of your clothes, particularly your shirt collar. By wearing weak collars like those on low-hanging t-shirts you run the risk of everything up top “blending together.” Instead, wear well-fitting v-necks, turtlenecks, or collared shirts like button-downs and polos. Oh, and make sure everything actually fits properly! By combining sharp, well-fitting clothes with flattering colors, you can rock a style that will have all eyes on you — for the right reasons.
4. Keep Yourself in Ship-Shape
Improving your style doesn’t only mean updating your fashion sense. You’ll also want to focus on improving your overall health as well. Because it’s one thing just to dress like someone who feels confident. It’s another to actually be someone who feels confident in their own body.
When it comes to improving your health, there are approximately 10,000 niche rabbit holes you can get lost down. You can waste copious amounts of time following the latest juicing trends and super-glute exercise fads. These probably have value for some small percent of people who try them. But when it comes to beginning your individual health journey, start with the basics.
Focus on eating, exercising, and sleeping with regularity. Eat healthy, unprocessed foods as much as possible, getting a variety of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Do exercises that are a blend of cardio and strength training, targeting your body holistically. And go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, to ensure you get 6-8 hours of sleep a night. Use simple guides to start and eventually, you can hone a routine that works best for you.
Top Yourself Off
Here’s an interesting perspective: people with great hair rely on it as a personality crutch. What would happen to a corporate exec if he woke up without his neat, trim, boring head of hair tomorrow? How would the IG supermodel face the day if she suddenly couldn’t rely on her luscious locks?
As someone who’s follically challenged, you don’t have this crutch to lean on. So, instead, focus on developing your personality and personal style to shore up the difference. With a confident smile and a twinkle in your eye, you’ll be a proper Patrick Stewart.
