Author: Linzi Beuselinck
When I was first invited to take over this column, I was very excited because there were a myriad of topics that I wanted to cover, none more so than one on hair loss. My main reason for wanting to do so was the fact that I myself have been greatly affected by the loss of my hair due to an under-active thyroidand Sjorgen's syndrome.
I suppose I should consider myself lucky as my hair loss isn't apparent to anyone but me but that doesn't help my confidence one bit. I can no longer wear my hair down.The luxury of wearing different styles has been taken out of thee quation. As kids, I remember my older sister Jeanne producing apair of thinning scissors in the school playground and a frisson of excitement that ensued.
I was the first in the queue as I used to think my hair was too thick and unruly. I gamely let her cut away not knowing what she was doing. Finally, as I ran my hands through my hair, I felt a surge of contentment as finally I had what I'd always wanted - thinner locks! Most recently, I came across an article written by the broadcaster and author Jenni Murray on how she took the sudden loss of her hair whilst having treatment for breast cancer.
She decided to precipitate this eventual catastrophe by shaving off what was left. I read with interest how it wasn't the breastcancer that shook her but the fact that she was going to lose her hair due to chemotherapy. On hearing the news she burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.
She soon found that her reaction was common amongst women. Another well-know television presenter who found herself in similar circumstances is Gail Porter whose hair-loss was caused - like mine - by alopecia. Gail also has a problem with her thyroid and takes daily medication. Hertroubles started when she awoke one morning to find clumps of hair strewn across her pillow.
This continued for a further four weeks until she ended up completely bald. To make matters worse,she went on to learn that there was only a 10% chance that her hair would grow back. This must have been a particular blow to her as she once had such beautiful long hair.
So far she has steadfastly refused to wear wigs or scarves. Every year thousands of women lose their hair as a result ofalopecia or chemotherapy treatment. What are the psychological and emotional effects on a woman of losing her hair and how important is our hair to our sense of identity? In some cultures long hair is seen as a symbol of fertility,desirability, identity or good health or status.
So, the inferences being that without hair women are no longer sexy,attractive or aesthetically pleasing. The shaving of one's hair is also seen as a sign of penitence, renunciation or piety asopposed to a mark of vanity. Historically a shaven head hasalways had meaning - and in a woman's case, mostly negative.
Men of war would often cut a lock of hair to give to their love dones. The significance being that their silky locks left apositive, romantic impression in their absence. Nature also plays a role as people are programmed to take notice of hair because it is a secondary sexual characteristic.
You only have to look at shampoo advertisements which feature young,nubile women with their long, flowing hair that scream of desirability. French women who were known to fraternise with German soldiers during World War II had their heads shaved and were paraded in the streets as a form of retribution. It is also said that humans rely on visual cues to make snap decisions.
People lead busy lives and like anything that allows them to make judgments quickly, hair being an important cue. I can think of some women who to my mind look absolutely stunning with their hair shorn. Natalie Portman who shaved her head for her part in 'V for Vendetta', Sinead O' Connor who looked both militant and awkward and Demi Moore for her part in the film 'G.I. Jane'.
To me none of these women's sexuality was compromised, if anything their shorn locks added to their allure. So if you are still not convinced that being bald can be attractive, then the wearing of a wig could be the answer and the master of wig cutting is Trevor Sorbie.
With his 'My New Hair' network Trevor has helped several hundred women suffering from baldness through illness. 'Giving women back their hair -hair that looks natural, attractive and feminine gives them back a little of the confidence to face the world in their darkesthour'. Linzi Be use linck http://www.femininezone.com About the author:Columnist
