A good head of cabbage: why women prefer bald men
Women all over the world consider bald men to be the most eligible suitors. Bruce Willis once set the trend for a smooth, unencumbered head with curls. When he decided to shave off his rapidly thinning hair, his popularity skyrocketed. Almost four decades have passed since then, and this image is not losing popularity — the Russian actor Yura Borisov is another confirmation of this. Is it true that bald men have higher fertility, which women are chosen by the brutals themselves, and whether hairy men need to shave their hair for the sake of fashion? — in the Izvestia article.
What is sexuality?
The perception of sexuality is usually often associated with cultural peculiarities, and each culture has its own stereotype at a certain time — what exactly is considered attractive, says psychiatrist and sexologist Alexey Vilkov. Bald men belong to this stereotype, which is why they are called more brutal and masculine.
— Men copy this brutal image, as it is considered dominant in our era. Many people really believe that this type is more sexually attractive, although, of course, sexuality is very selective — some people like this type, and others not so much. In this regard, everything is always very individual," says Vilkov.
Some people believe that bald men have higher levels of sex hormones. Allegedly, this is why their sexual capabilities are potentially higher than those of other representatives of the stronger sex. Alexey Vilkov notes that this is not a paradigm, and it does not make sense for men with good hair to shave their hair just to appear more brutal.
— We need to accept ourselves, our appearance, and not copy the images that we see on TV screens, on the Internet, in advertising. Individuality is the most valuable thing. And sexuality is always individual, too," says Alexey Vilkov.
Does testosterone affect hair loss?
Anna Matveeva, a trichologist at the Scandinavian Health Center, explained to Izvestia why men go bald and whether fertility can be judged by the condition of their hair.
Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss in men. It develops due to the sensitivity of hair follicles to dihydrotestosterone, the active form of testosterone, which is synthesized by the enzyme 5—alpha-reductase (an enzyme that converts testosterone into its more active form, DHT). In the presence of a hereditary predisposition, the receptors in the parietal and frontal zones react especially acutely to this hormone. As a result, the hair growth phase shortens, the follicles thin out, and the hair gradually stops growing," Matveeva said.
According to the trichologist, testosterone levels in most men with alopecia are within the normal range or even below average. Some patients also have reduced levels of free testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-C), a hormone from the androgen group that is the basis for the production of testosterone (the male hormone) and progesterone (the female hormone).
— This indicates that baldness is not associated with an excess of hormones, but with how sensitively the tissues react to them. The main role is played by the sensitivity of the follicles," the trichologist comments.
Thus, according to Anna Matveeva, the widespread myth that baldness indicates hormonal changes has no scientific basis. Hair loss does not reflect the level of testosterone or other androgens, the expert emphasizes.
— Alopecia is a reaction of the follicles to dihydrotestosterone and depends on the individual sensitivity of the scalp. And thick hair before old age does not indicate low hormone activity. The condition of the hair is determined only genetically — from the level of enzyme activity to the sensitivity of the receptors, — says Matveeva.
The fashion for baldness is complemented by the fashion for beards. But men who don't want to keep up with the trends worry that active facial hair growth may be associated with baldness. However, the expert does not advise to be afraid that the beard "pulls over" the force that would go to the growth of hair on the head.
— Although the growth of hair on the head and face is regulated by the same hormones, the hair follicles in these areas react to hormones in different ways. In men with severe baldness, beard growth is usually not impaired. This is due to the fact that the receptors of the facial skin are less sensitive to dihydrotestosterone. The loss of hair on the head and the growth of a beard are two independent processes," the trichologist reassures.
Bondarchuk, Nagiyev, Burunov
One way or another, some women really consider bald men to be reliable, brutal and promising in terms of family and career. Such men are on trend now, says professional matchmaker Anna Osipova.
— We have a lot of bald celebrities who literally radiate masculinity and sexuality, brutal and confident. Many people in the country like Dmitry Nagiyev. And Fyodor Bondarchuk is a man who undoubtedly attracts attention to himself. Gosha Kutsenko is gorgeous and charismatic. And if you look at and compare how Sergey Burunov used to be with his hair and how he is now, then you can say that without hair, this actor is just handsome, although he doesn't have classic beautiful facial features," the matchmaker comments.
Dmitry Nagiev
The matchmaker also cites Bruce Willis, Mikhail Shufutinsky, and Alexander Rosenbaum as examples of bald, brutal men.
— Joseph Prigozhin does not have a toned figure, but even next to his beautiful wife Valeria, he does not get lost, he looks luxurious. Igor Krutoy, the composer and author of great hits, is a brutal man with an incomparable squint. You can talk about bald people for a long time, because they are beautiful," the expert summarizes.
Singer Anna Asti and composer Igor Krutoy at the Russian National Music Award "Victoria-2025" at the concert hall "Live Arena"
But the matchmaker warns that we are talking about a well-groomed, clean-shaven bald spot, polished to a shine. The notorious "clearing in the forest" (bald spot surrounded by a crown of hair) does not add sex appeal.
— I had a wonderful client: wonderful, cool, but with a "glade". I carefully hinted to him that such an image smelled like mothballs. And she advised me to shave my head in order to lose 15 years at once. It would be better to have a bald head than some kind of incomprehensible hair," comments Anna Osipova.
Which women do bald men choose?
The matchmaker shares the observation that there are more and more bald men and they certainly capture women's attention. Sometimes there are queues for such candidates in marriage agencies, but there are not so many of them in the file cabinets.
— When I provide women with profiles of bald men, I have no refusals from such applicants for a hand and a heart. Everyone says, "Oh, how brutal, how interesting." These men always attract attention, and such a "hairstyle" can even be called a kind of act of courage," continues Anna Osipova.
Paradoxically, despite the fact that women prefer bald people, they do not initially look for bald people in dating questionnaires. Everyone needs fit, handsome men with thick hair and a classic profile.
"But the universe is a girl with humor,— the matchmaker sneers. — And if someone wrote that you need "a groom who is not fat, without a belly" or "just not bald, just without a beard," then believe me, that will be exactly the case.
Girls who are still looking for their partner, of course, it is interesting to know who the brutal bald men themselves prefer.
— I won't say that they are selective, but for bald people, a woman's inner world is just as important as her attractiveness, — informs Anna Osipova. — They don't get hung up on the beauties that are trending. They are not only interested in the "facade" — long legs, big breasts, hair like a mermaid. For bald people, content is important, for which I respect them very much.
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