Hair Loss In Culture

By Author: Thomas Strickland
Total Articles: 102
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At the dawn of time, we all had more hair and lacked the means to cut it. The only way the mass of hair reduced was through aging. Sadly, hair loss has always been the first sign of growing old. And in this simple truth, we probably have the reason for our modern preoccupation with maintaining a full mane. It needed young men to go out into the world of dangerous predators and forage for food or hunt. The tribe depended on their skills and strength. Once someone grew too old to provide food or defend against wild animals, they had to hide in the caves with the women. This was a significant reversal in status. One minute, you're the leader of the gang. The next, you're a worthless dependent. You can imagine how these early go-getters felt when they were no better than women.

Looking at this first paragraph, little has changed except we now have scissors, razors and other effective ways of taming the hair, and keeping it neat and tidy. For those first signs of snow on the mountain, dyes are available in almost every shade you care to think of. No one need ever see that first whitening. But hair loss is more difficult to ...
... hide. Although the technology for wigs and toupees has improved significantly, they remain something of a joke. Culture can create conditions making life difficult for those who fail to live up to expectations. If "young" men start losing their hair, they are still considered little better than women. Wearing anything to cover it up does nothing except draw attention to the "problem".

It would be better if we had advanced as a species. Yet, for all our civilization, we still refuse to accept people for who or what they are. We must always find ways in which to judge each other. What should be insignificant differences become major social problems. The result is a mass market for products supposed to inspire our heads to keep on growing hair. There were people selling magic remedies back in Ancient Rome two thousand years ago. Fear still drives the sales of the modern equivalents. We have learned nothing about being kind to each other. Except in one small way. One manufacturer has developed a product that really works (although, truth be told, it was an accidental discovery). Propecia has been through all the clinical trials and now carries the full approval of the Food & Drug Administration. In every post-marketing survey carried out, men confirm the initial tests. It really does work. So, despite all the claims and promises made by the "rest" of the products, none of which have ever been through full clinical trials - one other drug with FDA approval lists hair growth as an undesirable side effect and its use to stop hair loss does not have FDA approval (it can also be fatal to your pets). So Propecia is the best (and kind to your pets). Ignore all the marketing slogans for the magic products. They did not work in Ancient Rome. They do not work now.