Why Women Shave Their Heads
In the spring of 2020, in the throes of COVID, I decided to shave my head. It was kind of an impulse really. The more I thought about it the more I wanted to do it. It’s not like I had the option of going out to a hair salon to get a haircut.
So I got out the dog clippers and cut off my hair. I already had short hair, so it wasn’t that difficult. But having no instructions or a proper electric shaver meant I didn’t do such a great job.
I promptly ordered the electric shaver and got better at shaving my head as time went on.
Now it’s been 3+ years and I still shave my head. Below is a photo I took this morning.
My hair has grown a little bit in this photo, as I shaved it about 7-10 days ago. I tend to shave my head every 2-3 weeks.
“While living in quarantine, women have become obsessed with some unexpected things. For some of us, shaving off all our hair.” – Cosmopolitan
The Advent Of Covid:
COVID was a game-changer in so many ways. We were limited on where we could go. It made many of us feel helpless and afraid. Being housebound was a whole new experience.
Shaving my head gave me back some control in my life. And when I looked at my bald self in the mirror, it made me feel empowered.
When I go out, I don’t really think about it anymore. At first I was a bit self-conscious, but that feeling went away fairly quickly.
There’s a sense of freedom in having a shaved head. I know I never would have done it had COVID not turned the world on its head.
And I know many women are horrified by the thought of shaving their head. And that’s fine. It’s their prerogative.
But it’s just hair. And like fingernails, it grows right back.
“It’s like I am peeling back a layer so that you can see a deeper part of me.”
“We tend to be so attached to our hair as if that’s the only thing that makes us a woman or feminine, and that’s far from the truth,” said the actress and author Samantina Zenon.
It’s not just young women who are shaving their head, it’s older women as well. After years of having to fuss with their hair before they go out, it is a convenience they’ve never known before.
“Being a woman is more than just looking like one. We have so many layers to us, and while some may wear their crown proudly, we also carry a lot of burdens.”
COVID has killed a vast number of people. In 2020, we were wiping down groceries when they were delivered. Because none of us knew how long the virus could live on a surface.
Fear Of The Unknown:
It was the unknown that was so frightening. That and the number of people who have tragically died.
“Life was weighing me down, and I thought my hair could take some of that weight off for a bit.” (New York Times)
Shaving off my hair was a little scary, but once I made up my mind, I was bound and determined to do it.
It takes about 3 minutes to shave my head. And that is a luxury that I love. I no longer have to worry about fixing my hair before going out. I no longer need a hair dryer or a stylist.
Another plus side is that hair can be donated to certain charities for medical wigs. Such as those living with alopecia and other health conditions.
Social Buzz:
There is also social media buzz on Instagram called #girlswithshavedheads along with several other monikers.
My identity and sense of self-worth does not depend on the hair on my head. I am who I am with or without hair. Walking around in public without hair is a form of self-acceptance.
Shaving my head for the last 3+ years has been a sort of liberation. I don’t have to pay someone at a hair salon and deal with making an appointment every month or so. Having a bald head is, in some ways, a self expression of who I feel I now am.
People don’t blink an eye when they see a man with a bald head, so why seem so astonished when it’s a woman?
It took a bit of courage that first time in March of 2020, but after that it was more self-love. Taking this one chore into my own hands meant I no longer needed to purchase shampoo or conditioner.
I know there are probably times people see me and automatically think I’m having chemotherapy. For all of the women who have lost their hair because of cancer, I don’t want people to think that that’s the only reason women would have a bald head. I don’t want to take away from their pain and suffering.
Famous Women Who Shaved Their Heads:
Demi Moore pulled off a shaved head for that movie she was in years ago, and I thought she looked beautiful. I don’t think it detracted from her femininity at all.
Natalie Portman, Cara Delevingne, Charlize Theron, and Kristen Stewart did it as well. And that’s just to name a few.
I think black women look particularly pretty without hair. Grace Jones is one such woman.
Then Britney Spears shaved her head in 2007, and everyone thought she was having a meltdown. Her tattoo artist claimed that Britney told her that she was tired of people touching her head. “I just don’t want anybody, anybody touching my head. I don’t want anyone touching my hair. I’m sick of people touching my hair.”
Shaving her head did not mean she was mentally ill. But still some put that label on her. And I find that very sad.
Why can’t we look at women with bald heads the same way we look at men? It’s not a vendetta against long hair. Some women just don’t want the hassle. And some just like the way it looks and how it simplifies their lives.
I am one of those women.
I admire you for your decision, and applaud any decision a person makes to help them feel empowered. The pictures of you are beautiful!
I have to admit that my hair is the one thing about me that I still love — I may have a muffin top, I may have flabby arms, I may have a turkey neck, but my hair still looks great, lol!
Brenda,
I am glad you like it. Personally, for me NO! It reminds me of : 1. My Jewish relative barely surviving her time in a concentration camp 2. After Chemo; for cancer 3 . A Felon! All negative connotations…
You are so fortunate to have a nicely shaped head and nice ears Brenda!! Being a person who prefers to blend in, and not having a nice shaped head etc, does not give me that option…however I am working on some hats…at least that!!
I’ve gone the other way. I’m letting my grow longer and am enjoying it. To each her own. Yours looks fine.
I’m glad u feel free with no hair Brenda, but I’m like my Nana bc she always had long hair. Although I don’t braid my hair and put it in a bun. When it gets hot out or I’m cooking or baking I always put my hair up then.
When the twins were young I use to sit for hrs and they would comb and braid my hair. They would stay on opposite sides of me, but I wouldn’t sit still if they tried to put knots in my hair or smack my head with a comb bc of tangles! Lol
I use to go to the store many times with different colors of nail polish on. I forgot about it til the cashier looked at me puzzled til I explained why my nails were painted like a 3 yr old did it bc they did! Lol
It’s nice. ,,,, I really like shaved heads.
My sister began doing the same in 2020.
Normally she would go have a clean-up every 3 weeks. That’s all in the past.
It takes no time at all for sis to her thing! Easy & comfortable.
It looks great and I know it fells even better. Mine is getting shorter as I get older and I am not covering the gray. My grandfather was 93 and had 20 gray hairs at his temple. My grandmother was totally white in her late 30s.
Having been “blessed” with the curly red hair and freckles of my Celtic ancestors,I had a love/hate relationship with my hair for most of my life and never was one to fuss with it.
At 67,I keep mine buzzed and spiked,not sure I have the courage to shave it, although it would save me 40 bucks a month!
It suits you well and I’m sure it’s a great time saver!
Sunburns?
Never had it happen, and I don’t wear a hat or sun block.
Wow! I thought you were trimming it very short. I didn’t realize you are shaving it bald regularly.
I went to a pixie cut for the first time the year before the pandemic. It’s so freeing not to spend so much time fussing & styling anymore.
I always thought I couldn’t go short because my hair is fine & straight. But I was wrong! I like to wear hats, too. Anything to just relax & enjoy life more!
And I wish I had done it much sooner 🙂
I wish I’d shaved mine sooner. I love the freedom of it.
I love that you have shaved your head and continue to do so. Certainly frees one up to feel liberated. When I had breast cancer three years ago I asked the Dr if I would lose my hair! We are so often tied to it we don’t realize.
I finished Anatomy of a Scandal last night. Was hoping for a second season but guess that won’t happen.
I watched that last week. I read that viewers were clamoring for more. But it was only meant to be a short series.
I love that you’ve embraced shaving your head. I bet it is very empowering!
I went in the opposite direction – I have not had my hair cut since February 2020 and it’s at my waist. It was easier for me to let it grow and put it up in a ponytail. I’ve continued to let it grow so I can donate it. My second oldest grandson did the same thing. He’s already cut his and is ready to donate. I will be having mine cut very, very soon.
Mine would have driven me crazy had I done that. I have very thick coarse wavy hair. When I was a teenager and let it grow out, it was so thick it was hard to get a brush through it. What a pain that was.
I admire you Brenda for doing your own thing! I wish I had the courage to shave my head!
I really didn’t give it much thought, or time to chicken out. I just thought I’ll do it, and I did that very day.