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Today in Focus

Going bald in an increasingly hairy world

Feb 7, 2025
Stuart Heritage, a Guardian feature writer and author of "Bald: How I Slowly Learned Not to Hate Having No Hair," shares his candid journey through hair loss. He explores the emotional landscape of undergoing this natural aging process and the societal pressures attached to it. Heritage discusses the rise of hair transplants and reflects on his experience in Turkey, highlighting the community that forms around such transformations. With humor and sincerity, he critiques societal biases and the often-overlooked struggles faced by bald men.
26:56

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The increasing preference for hair transplants among younger men reflects evolving societal expectations regarding masculinity and aging in modern culture.
  • The emotional impact of baldness on men is profound, often inducing feelings of grief and anxiety tied to identity and societal perceptions.

Deep dives

The Evolution of Baldness Perception

Baldness is increasingly seen as a choice for younger men with the means to address hair loss, contrasting with the past when baldness was more commonplace among notable figures like politicians and athletes. Social attitudes have shifted, leading some to view hair transplants as a quick fix to avoid the stigma associated with baldness. The discussion highlights how hair loss is perceived across cultures, often leading to ridicule, suggesting that baldness can serve as a source of shame rather than acceptance. As young men opt for surgical solutions, this raises questions about societal expectations regarding masculinity and aging, ultimately reflecting a cultural shift that has left traditional bald icons less visible.

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