Viral Facebook Test Reveals What You Would Look Like Bald
A Facebook test entitled 'What Would You Look Like As A Bald Person?' has gone viral. The image-generator is a useful tool for people curious to see how they might look in the advanced stages of hair loss.
The user chooses a picture of themselves and the app applies a filter which simulates the visual effects of the hereditary condition Male Pattern Baldness. However, due to the un-scientific nature of the simulator, the results frequently have unintentionally comical results, especially when women take the test.
Other apps in the past have attempt to mimic baldness, particularly #NoHairSelfie, which was released in conjunction with World Cancer Day in 2016.
The test introduction reads, 'Your hair is an essential part of your identity, but have you ever wondered what you would look like without it? We'll show you!'
Whilst the app may show users what they'd look like bald, it skips the steps along the way which tend to involve developing a receding hairline and thinning on top.
An episode of the BBC documentary series Horizon tried to find out what makes our hair so important to us, particularly on first impressions. It discovered that fuller, thicker hair is perceived of as more youthful than ageing or thinning hair.
Numerous other pieces of research have explored the importance of hair to men, asking participants what they would be willing to give up to maintain a healthy head of hair: examples have included eyesight, employment, and a longer life.
Given the role hair can play in a man's identity, the process of losing it can be incredibly traumatic, and has long been associated with a decrease in self-confidence and self-esteem.
However, going bald is a statement of confidence for others, and studies have revealed that bald men appear 'tougher and more powerful' than those with hair. Numerous celebrities are highly identifiable by their smooth look, in particular Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Bruce Willis.
Admittedly, the balding look isn't for everybody, and some try to conceal hair loss using inventive hairstyles or cosmetic products. The lack of hair density caused by Male Pattern Baldness can also draw attention to the ears. This is one of the reasons given for the recent increase in otoplasty (ear-pinning) procedures.
For men worried about hair loss, restoring it can provide a huge boost to their confidence.
Though some opt for a hair transplant, many men don't realise that hereditary hairloss can be managed effectively without resorting to surgery. There are already two clinically-proven male hair loss treatments, which are both MHRA-licensed and FDA-approved for this purpose.
Finasteride 1mg is an oral tablet which helps to block DHT, the hormone that causes thinning hair and receding in cases of Male Pattern Baldness, while high strength minoxidil is used topically to open up the scalp's potassium channels and encourage new hair growth.
Additional hair growth supporting products can be used in tandem with these primary pharmaceutical treatments; these range from targeted food supplements, such as Hair Vitalics for Men to low-level light therapy.
It must be noted that once absolute baldness, as depicted in the app, has set in and the skin takes on a smooth and shiny appearance, this is a sign that the follicles in question are no longer capable of producing hair. In these cases, treatment is futile. However, a professional consultation can help people to work through any potential queries, and simply discussing the options available with a hair loss specialist and understanding what's available, can be a huge relief.
The user chooses a picture of themselves and the app applies a filter which simulates the visual effects of the hereditary condition Male Pattern Baldness. However, due to the un-scientific nature of the simulator, the results frequently have unintentionally comical results, especially when women take the test.
Other apps in the past have attempt to mimic baldness, particularly #NoHairSelfie, which was released in conjunction with World Cancer Day in 2016.
Hair and identity
The test introduction reads, 'Your hair is an essential part of your identity, but have you ever wondered what you would look like without it? We'll show you!'
Whilst the app may show users what they'd look like bald, it skips the steps along the way which tend to involve developing a receding hairline and thinning on top.
An episode of the BBC documentary series Horizon tried to find out what makes our hair so important to us, particularly on first impressions. It discovered that fuller, thicker hair is perceived of as more youthful than ageing or thinning hair.
Numerous other pieces of research have explored the importance of hair to men, asking participants what they would be willing to give up to maintain a healthy head of hair: examples have included eyesight, employment, and a longer life.
Given the role hair can play in a man's identity, the process of losing it can be incredibly traumatic, and has long been associated with a decrease in self-confidence and self-esteem.
However, going bald is a statement of confidence for others, and studies have revealed that bald men appear 'tougher and more powerful' than those with hair. Numerous celebrities are highly identifiable by their smooth look, in particular Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Bruce Willis.
Admittedly, the balding look isn't for everybody, and some try to conceal hair loss using inventive hairstyles or cosmetic products. The lack of hair density caused by Male Pattern Baldness can also draw attention to the ears. This is one of the reasons given for the recent increase in otoplasty (ear-pinning) procedures.
Treatment options
For men worried about hair loss, restoring it can provide a huge boost to their confidence.
Though some opt for a hair transplant, many men don't realise that hereditary hairloss can be managed effectively without resorting to surgery. There are already two clinically-proven male hair loss treatments, which are both MHRA-licensed and FDA-approved for this purpose.
Finasteride 1mg is an oral tablet which helps to block DHT, the hormone that causes thinning hair and receding in cases of Male Pattern Baldness, while high strength minoxidil is used topically to open up the scalp's potassium channels and encourage new hair growth.
Additional hair growth supporting products can be used in tandem with these primary pharmaceutical treatments; these range from targeted food supplements, such as Hair Vitalics for Men to low-level light therapy.
It must be noted that once absolute baldness, as depicted in the app, has set in and the skin takes on a smooth and shiny appearance, this is a sign that the follicles in question are no longer capable of producing hair. In these cases, treatment is futile. However, a professional consultation can help people to work through any potential queries, and simply discussing the options available with a hair loss specialist and understanding what's available, can be a huge relief.
The Belgravia Centre
The Belgravia Centre is a world-renowned group of a hair loss clinic in Central London, UK. If you are worried about hair loss you can arrange a free consultation with a hair loss expert or complete our Online Consultation from anywhere in the world for home-use treatment.
View our Hair Loss Success Stories, which includes the world's largest gallery of hair growth photos and demonstrates the level of success that so many of Belgravia's patients achieve.
