When you have a public profile, there’s nowhere to hide when your hair starts to disappear. The UK’s Prince William has been finding this out recently. Photographs taken around the time of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral prompted some unkind comments in the press and on social media about the prince’s thinning hair. Some wondered why the prince didn’t take steps to fix this by getting a hair transplant. It’s a question that many men face whether they have a famous face or not.
This article will look at some of the reasons why men hesitate about getting a hair transplant or dismiss the idea completely.
The Decision
There could be plenty of good reasons why Prince William has not had a hair transplant. It could be that he simply hasn’t had one yet. It often takes men many years of thinking about a hair transplant before they finally decide to take the plunge. Why is that the case? There are a variety of reasons.
Many guys still have in their heads a mental picture of hair restoration work as it was fifty or sixty years ago. Those were the days when ill-fitting wigs were commonplace and hair transplant surgery was in its infancy. Some of the results were not impressive. Clients were often left with a head full of what looked like a doll’s hair, with tufts sticking out at funny angles.
Then there are the horror stories of surgery that has gone wrong. The advent of ‘hair transplant tourism’ has thrown up tales of people travelling across the world to get their surgery at rock-bottom prices only to return with a botched job that costs thousands to put right. Reputable hair restoration companies find that the trust and confidence they have built up with the public over many years can be set back by the publicity surrounding these cowboy outfits.
Cultural Stigma
However, perhaps the most important reason why men hesitate about a hair transplant is that there is still a stigma attached to the whole idea. From an early age, men receive the message our culture puts out that caring for your appearance is somehow not proper masculine behaviour. Men fear being labelled vain or frivolous for wanting a full head of hair.
Progress has been made in recent years to break down this outdated stigma. Footballers like David Beckham have helped with this by showing that ‘real men’ can care about fashion and their appearance without compromising their masculinity. Other male athletes have also nudged things forward by being open about their decision to have a hair transplant.
Scottish rugby international, Stuart Hogg, is just one example of this. He admits that he got a bit of ribbing from his teammates when he announced his decision, but he didn’t let this put him off. He is quoted as saying, ‘I bit the bullet and had it done and I got a bit of stick for it. But I’ve got a strong lid now and who cares?’ This illustrates the point, however, that a man can still expect to hear some negative comments when he announces his intention to get a hair transplant.
Healthcare
There is little doubt that the growing number of athletes, actors and musicians who have spoken publicly about their hair loss issue is helping break down barriers. Hearing celebrated people talking about the impact hair loss has had on them undoubtedly resonates with many private citizens. It has helped remove some of the stigma and brought hair restoration into the mainstream of healthcare.
That, surely, is where it belongs but more still needs to happen. There is growing recognition that hair loss can have a devastating impact on an individual’s mental well-being, seriously affecting their self-esteem and confidence. There is evidence to show that it can negatively affect careers and relationships in some cases. Telling men that it is somehow not masculine to be concerned about hair loss is, in effect, to ignore this reality.
Conclusion
Choosing to have a hair transplant is undoubtedly the smart move for many men, but there are still enough outdated attitudes out there to make it far from a straightforward decision. These attitudes are changing and not before time. Men shouldn’t have to think twice about, or put off altogether, a simple surgical procedure that could transform their life.
If you want to know more about hair transplants or are concerned about hair loss or thinning, get in touch for a chat with Vinci Hair Clinic. With clinics in many different countries, we are one of the largest hair restoration organisations in the world. We’re offering a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our hair experts to all our new clients. Get in touch and book your appointment today!
