Barber Punishes Naughty Kids By Giving Balding Haircuts

Barber, Russell Frederick, aka Rusty Fred, has become an internet sensation after posting a picture of his disciplinary children's haircut, the 'Benjamin Button Special', on Instagram.

Haircuts offered free

The picture of Fred's cut (right) went viral almost as soon as he posted it to his salon's Instagram account. It featured a young child who had been misbehaving, so was given an "old man" style hairstyle shaved to look like a balding pate, as a punishment. As explained by the caption: 'So you wanna act grown... well now you can look grown too'

Although the boy pictured here apparently learned his lesson and was given a new haircut a couple of days later, this method of discipline has proved divisive.

Good discipline or bad for self-esteem?

Whilst some found it hilarious, other commentators felt that using a child's hair to cause embarrassment at such an impressionable age is unacceptable.

Speaking about the controversy, Fred told the Washington Post: "There are a few people that are saying it’s emotional abuse; but on average, everyone is applauding the mother that brought the child in - and applauding me as well. Parents are at a loss, when you go to discipline kids these days, they can’t necessarily use physical punishment the way parents did in the past, but they have to do something."

"I hope that most people won’t have to do this unless it’s an extreme circumstances and nothing else is working. First, you talk or implement your restrictions. But when the conventional ways don’t work these days, you have to get creative."

Emotional effects of hair loss

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Click on this client's images above to view his full photoscans and review

Whatever your views on this unique approach to child discipline, it does highlight the impact hair loss can have on a person. Losing your hair can be an emotional experience for men as well as women. It can make the sufferer feel vulnerable and unattractive, with studies showing those with hair loss worry a lot about what others think of their appearance.

Whatever the hair loss condition causing the shedding, it can be difficult to handle on an emotional level. For this reason it is important to seek help from an empathetic professional who can help you to come to terms with your hair loss, whether that means accepting it, concealing it or looking into treatment options.

Here at Belgravia we often hear from our clients how their hair loss treatment has given them their confidence back as well as their hair. You can find numerous examples of patients explaining how much they appreciate the boost in self-esteem that their regrowth provides, in our Hair Loss Success Stories. One of those featured is this Belgravia client, pictured above, who told us, "Hair is a lot thicker and seen considerable re-growth, especially noticeable to the front hairline.  Not only has my hair re-grown, my confidence has too!".