How socially acceptable is it for a girl to have a shaved head...any better ideas?

Question

So, I have had a hair pulling problem (trichotillomania) since as far back as 5th grade (if I remember right, maybe longer), I'm 26 now, so it has been a problem for a long time. It's been bad lately- stress maybe- and I feel like the only way to stop myself from this is shaving my head. I'm, IMHO, a pretty girl otherwise and think it could pull it off- does anyone have a better suggestion?

Also, i've had long hair and short hair and all types of styles, the pulling goes thourgh phases. I wonder if insuranse would cover seeing a therapist for this...I'm not in any immediate medical danger, just in danger of really crappy hair days:(

Answer 1

Who cares if it's socially acceptable?? It's YOUR LIFE! I just shaved my head the other day because I felt like it. It was a hot day and I didn't want to be bothered with my long hair sweating me up while walking outside. Do people stare? You bet. Do they giggle behind my back? Who cares!

Like my mom always told me when I used to get my hair cut and cry in the barber's chair: IT WILL GROW BACK

If you think it can help your problem and you have the confidence to do it, then I say, "Man the sails, captain, full speed ahead!"

And remember, people will be shocked for all of ONE DAY and then they'll adjust. And maybe you will see a different side of yourself that will help you deal with your own issues.

Good luck!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I have never heard of ''trichotillomania''. I didn't know there was a mania with hair pulling. It must be awful. Does it hurt a lot? Is the pain part of the appeal as it is for those who cut themselves just to feel something?

IMHO, there are not that many bald headed women (other than those with cancer) and it would be hard to pull off. I guess it would depend on how it looked. I mean, I have three friends who have shaved their heads. One looks great, one looks OK and the other just doesn't look good at all. Before you shave your head why don't you just cut it short enough to prevent you from pulling it. At least with the short hair it would give you a pretty good idea as to how you would look bald. I think the important thing would be you being comfortable with a bald head. Eventually people would grow accustomed to it and it would be that huge of a thing. If you do shave it then be proud of it. Wear scarves and bandannas. If all else fails and you just hate it you could wear a wig till it grew back. It's a BIG step for a woman to shave their head. At least with men it is more socially accepted. Are you a risk taker?

Try the short hair first. Then shave it. If you don't like just wear a wig till it grows out. Did you watch any of the Star Trek movies? There was a woman in one of them who had a shaved head. I thought it looked good on her. I say go for it. At least when your 40 you can look back and say, ''I actually shaved my head one day.'' Now how many women do you know that could say that. 8~) GO FOR IT!!

Answer 4

Ok, I have the same disease and also have had it throughout my life, i am now 29 and still deal with it.
First off, when I go through a really bad phase and end up with bald spots I get a cute pixie/fairy cut. Then the hair is too short to pull!!!
Then, I go and get acrylic nails put on. This has seemed to help alot with the pullling, as I can really feel the texture of the hair, because the nails are in the way of the sensitive parts of your fingernails.
I hate this battle and have seen doctors about it. There is a medication for it, but I have never tried it as of yet.
I am in the process of growing my hair back out. I started really short and now it is below my earlobes by about an inch.
I informed my husband of my problem and if he sees me pulling or even touching my hair, he pulls my hand away.
Another thing you might try is to keep your hands in fists. This seems to help when I have the urge!
But, anyway, back to your hair. You need to start over and try some of the tricks I have told you about, If not get a bunch of really cute hats.This also will help prevent you from pulling.
Just know that you are not the only one out there!!! :)

Answer 5

Have you tried some therapy, going to the doctor, etc, to see if there is another option to solve it? It would be up to you if you'd want to shave your head, if you think it's the only thing that would work, then go ahead, but you should try fixing the problem, because you may not want to shave your hair for the rest of your life.

Answer 6

My friend and I both shaved our heads, I was 7 though and bored, my friend lost a bet and she pulled the look off. If you dont want to go shaved completely, trying cutting it really short so even if you try pulling it, you won't have much of a grip and can't pull any.

Answer 7

Oh, girl. I am so with you on this one. I am 17 years old and have had trichotillomania ever since I was 10--same age as you were when you began. You've suffered with trichotillomania nine years longer than I have, so I hope my answer helps you at least a little.

Trichotillomania is an obsessive-compulsive disorder that pops up most often when you're stressed or relaxed (total extremes, I know). Say you're watching television. Your hands are free and bored, so they might automatically roam up to your head and start pulling at your hair. I know, I do this too and hate it. Today I had an insanely difficult calculus test and couldn't stop pulling my hair out for the life of me. Pulling, for me (and possibly you too) eliminates some of my stress temporarily because of the pain.

So there's a few factors contributing to that nagging little urge to pull:

1) stress
2) nothing to do with your hands

Saying is easier than doing, but I'm going to give you a few tips.

Try to get yourself out of your stressful rut. I hadn't studied for my calculus test, so of course I was stressed and pulling like heck at my hair. I'm not sure what stressful situation you're in, but try to get yourself out or relieve the stress as much as you can.

If you've got nothing to do with your hands, try investing in one of those squishy ball things or a gripper for your muscles. It'll keep your hands occupied while, say, you talk on the phone or watch television.

Here are two nifty psychological tricks I'll share with you. When you feel the urge to pull out your hair, squeeze your fingers together in the way you squeeze them to pull out a hair. This will give your brain the illusion that you're pulling, and might satiate the urge sufficiently. Another trick is to put a rubber band on your wrist and snap it whenever you want to pull. The pain will train and discourage you from pulling.

Yet another trick to try: wearing gloves. When your hand comes up to pull, your fingers won't be able to grip the hair to pull it out.

Above all: willpower. If you have the willpower to follow through with these tricks and whatnot, you'll definitely succeed. I've tried these tricks and I once stopped pulling for at least four months. One hair makes all the difference--one pull and I'm hooked again. It's as addictive as cigarettes and maybe harder to get off of.

I wouldn't recommend shaving your head. I don't know what your pulling patterns are, but I personally attack shorter hairs on my head when I pull. If you want to, it's up to you--hair does grow back.

Best of luck!

Answer 8

I would check into getting some professional help. Only because if you get rid of pulling out your hair, you might start in on eyebrows/eyelashes. I think that you might benefit from a cute short cut. Maybe if you really liked your style, you'd be less likely to pull it out?
Good luck~

Answer 9

I think for a woman to shave off her hair takes a lot of Guts. Whenever I see a female with a shaved head, I always look up to her.

Answer 10

maybe try carrying around a little stress ball? shaved head is cool, but everyone will stare- but if youre prepared for that, good for you. i'd just get a nice short cut, - feminine but not too drastic!

have a look at the first cut on this page....