I'm a female who wants to shave her head?

Question

I've been having hairloss due to hypothyroidism (low thyroid) which I've been treating it for 3 mths. My doctor said it could take 1-2 yrs for the hair loss to stop completely. I've medium length hair but it's very evidently thinning and I'm "shedding" a few hundred strands a day all over my home, car & workplace. The reasons why I want to shave my head: (1) I spend too much time cleaning my home; (2) Social embarassment (e.g. hair falling in my food) (3) Spending $100 a month on cleaning supplies (lint brushes, drain declogger, etc.), would probably save money on hair products too; (4) The bald patches may get larger anyway; (5) My hair seems to grow fast (3/4" a mth); (6) I have mild acne on my scalp which could be easier to treat without hair. Other than a wig & head coverings, what repercussions, social or otherwise, should I worry about, as a 30-year old female living in a small college town with a shaved head? What should I worry about as my hair starts to grow back?

Wow 10 answers in 13 mins. I am planning on donating the shaved hair to "Locks of Love" (http://www.locksoflove.org/). I actually do it almost every 18 months or so (that's how fast my hair grows). Hair has to be at least 8 inches though and I'm not sure if I have that much right now, I probably do if I get it cut off right at the scalp. My boss' wife, whom I was also pretty close to, died of breast cancer last thanksgiving. It's more of a convenience thing, not vanity. But I guess I do care a lot about what people think and I may have to look for a job sometime in May-June and I'm not sure whether it'd have grown out enough by then.

Answer 1

I say if you feel comfortable with doing it,then go for it,Good Luck!!

Answer 2

I spent most of my younger years 25 to early 30's with a shaved head or hair just growing in.

There's a reason Buddhists shave their heads (even the women) and you've listed them all. Hair is just hair and really means very little to kind intelligent people. I recommend everyone do it at least once in life.

It's very cold without any hair, so always keep a hat handy even in the summer, and carry sunscreen. Your head will be very very sensitive but not in a bad way. In my experience, skull caps that fit tightly and have cute beaded designs make you trendy, oversized velvet hats with flowers make people think you have cancer.

Reactions from Other Women:

Envy! They would tell me all the time that they wished they could be that liberated or wished that men would still like them or wished that their employer would let them. It's like they were taught that having long hair makes you a woman but they knew in their hearts that isn't so. :)

Reactions from Men:

I'm average looking at best and had no trouble finding a boyfriend or getting asked out. Most men found longer hair on women to be more appealing but it didn't stop them from dating me. Men always asked to pet my head when my hair would start to come in. I always thought it was a good way to tell if someone was really sincere about their feelings for me.
One guy I dated actually had hair all one length down past his butt. We made an interesting couple and people would stare.

Reactions in Public:

Most people automatically assumed I had cancer or HIV and so they were actually *more* polite. They were kinder and more attentive at the grocery store. Some people would stare but that didn't happen very often.

My employers never really cared and it's a good thing too because that could easily be viewed as a form of discrimination.

Wigs look like wigs, can shift, and can come off. Scarves make you look like you're terminally ill and trying to cope. The hair will grow faster than you think and on it's own grow into a nice pixie cut. You can treat the acne even when the hair is very short so you don't have to keep shaving if all off. Hair clippers is all you'll need.

You may wish to dress more feminine because we tend to associate our gender with our hair. Without it, we wonder, how can we still be pretty? You are though. Live your life, be bald and bold and brave, and be happy.

Answer 3

If you think that thin hair is annoying or embarrassing you, you may opt to shave your hair but you have to think first if you really can live without hair and settle for wigs or hats. You may consult a dermatologist on how to avoid (since you mentioned that it will take 1-2 years for hair loss to stop completely) and to cure the acne. I've seen a lot of chemo patients (those with cancer) live with balding spots on their hair, but they readily accepts it, since they know that their hair will grow back-even shinier and healthier! So, do not worry so much on bald patches, that is just temporary event. Always keep a happy and lively spirit.

Answer 4

just shave it now. from what you have written it seems that there are many, many advantages to doing it now. my mom had cancer and went through chemo which caused her to lose her hair. it fell out obviously faster that yours has, but she bought a wig. she had it cut about the same way her natural hair was. when she wore the wig, she just told people that she dyed her hair. [her hair was greyish and her wig was blondish]. when her real hair grew back [long enough that she didnt need the wig anymore] she just dyed her hair to match the wig and told people that she cut it.



EDIT:
i read your additional details about donating to locks of love, but you dont think you have enough. go ahead and donate anyway, they will sell the hair to offset the cost of making the wigs and whatever else theyll need money for. ive donated my hair twice already, [oh yeah, are you sure its only 8 inches? i think it might be 10...] and in about a year and a half ill do it again!

Answer 5

Hi, I would suggest that you do shave it. You're totally right for your numbers.

If you do shave your head, wear a wig.
This will keep people from staring and pointing.
Unless you don't care what people think--be yourself.

There's nothing to worry about when your hair grows back.
It will only be fuzzy at first.

Good luck.

Answer 6

I say if you want to go for it! Do what you want and don't let others infulence you. Maybe you might set a trend by doing this. Bald can be beautiful! Be yourself, or make it work. I have always been worried about what people think about me and the other day I got a rude awakening! I hope everything goes well for you!

Answer 7

I would get your head shaved and donate it to cancer. Then you can be the hero and it is none of anyone's business why you did it. You donated it. That is a worthy cause. Then you will have pride and not feel embarrased

Answer 8

I say go for it.I shaved my head once.I liked it.At least I didn't have o worry about combing my hair everyday.I just brushed it everyday and I was on my way.And It wasn't so bad.

Answer 9

Go ahead and shave it, don't care what people say. You can always buy a wig.

Answer 10

what i would do is shave it to where i had a little girly mohawk! i've always wanted one myself....it would be really cute. who cares what everyone else thinks about it. do whatever feels right to you .....not them...good luck