# What do you think of women who shave their heads? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 26, 2011, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772 "2011-04-26T14:55:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Toastmaker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Toastmaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toastmaker)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772/121 "2017-12-03T00:05:25Z")
I think the same of women who shave their heads (for no medical reason) as I do of men who shave their balls. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772/122 "2017-12-03T02:27:14Z")
> [@lilsmolbean](#): > > ive just gotten out of an abusive situation recently and have shaved my head completely skin bald to start over, I’m planning on growing it long again, I just don’t want the hair that I had when I was in that situation. If that makes any sense? Do you think I look or would look terrible to guys or girls? I understand completely. I had a friend in my twenties who said she could always tell when I was about to break up with a guy, because I’d go and get my hair cut short. (“Short” for me was shoulder length at the time, but same principle.) It wasn’t a conscious thing, just something I did when I felt the need to break free. Now short means a pixie. And even though I’m not dating anyone, there is still a sense of relief as the hair falls to the floor when I go get it cut. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772/123 "2017-12-03T07:20:50Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > … > Because as soon as my hair grows over an inch **(long enough to color)**, I’m ditching the hats. … This caught me up some how, though my answer is “It’s her hair.” Maybe I think coloring hair indicates a type of vanity the rest your post belies? Whatever the reason, I surprised myself there. I hope things work out for the best, and I’m sure you look striking now. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772/124 "2017-12-03T14:35:40Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > snip > > If there are women who have been physically and mentally healthy who shaved their heads, I haven’t met them. Wesley Clark meet Mrs. Guest, Mrs. Guest this is Wesley Clark from the SDMB…😃 ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772/125 "2017-12-03T17:08:55Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > \*\*My assumption is she either has medical issues or psychological issues. \*\*Or wants to avoid being seen as a woman who would be a target for harassment (I believe this was sineads motivation, to avoid sexual harassment). Or wants to avoid a drug test (Britney spears). > > If there are women who have been physically and mentally healthy who shaved their heads, I haven’t met them. Might that be because you assume they are physically or mentally unhealthy? ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772/126 "2017-12-03T18:51:05Z")
I’m always a bit surprised how invested in other people’s hair. A friend of mine had waist-length hair not because she liked it, but because her parents would go ballistic even if she trimmed it to even the ends, and she was in her 20s. They didn’t leave her alone about it until after she married, when they decided it was now her husband’s call, not theirs (or apparently, hers). I’ve been taken to task often for liking all sorts of hair or lack of same, as I’ve never felt strongly about it, while some people are in the “short/no hair = bad, period” camp (one of my sisters is one of these). Some people look good bald, or with shorter hair, or with purple or whatever. Persis Khambatta looked fine in Star Trek, as did Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One. I really liked Natalie Portman’s look from when her hair was shaved for **V for Vendetta** until it grew back in. But I also like the shimmering waves they somehow achieve for every Pantene commercial ever made. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772/127 "2017-12-04T01:53:44Z")
Not many women can really pull off the full bald look, [some can.](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/93/8f/5f/938f5f934fd006fcf6d5d9865a4084c4.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772/128 "2017-12-04T15:19:57Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > Not many women can really pull off the full bald look, [some can.](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/93/8f/5f/938f5f934fd006fcf6d5d9865a4084c4.jpg) Well, opinions do vary. I would have to say no, she does not pull off that look. **Persis Khambatta** did look good in that awful first Star Trek movie. So there is at least one exception even for me. Probably many others, but whoever is pictured in the link above could really use some hair. Maybe a different angle or less bold makeup, don’t know, but that shot is off-putting. Almost uncanny valley. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772/129 "2017-12-04T15:36:53Z")
First, it’s six years later, what did **Rachellelogram** do; shave it or not? Second, I agree with **Princhester** , the choices are poor & skewed towards the positive. & **Nuts** was right > [@Filbert](#): > > Except the poll actually asks ‘what do you think of women who shave their heads’, rather than ‘do you like the look of shaven heads on women?’, though most of the options seems to actually answer the second question. Given the above, shame on the 55% of you who voted _“I don’t care, it’s her hair”_, that’s like voting for the nonsensical “\_\_\_ Pie” options in other polls. Of course it’s her hair & she can do what she wants with it. Oh wait, no, that’s not right; random females are supposed to have an appearance pleasing to _me_ on the off chance we meet. :rolleyes: **Put up or shut up, Spidey** Unless you have a medical condition (undergoing chemo, alopecia, etc.) or are doing it in solidarity with someone who is (these folks are _awesome_!) I’d vote somewhat close to “_Women with shaved heads look ridiculous, why would anyone do that to herself?_” but if you remember how to take standardized tests, you almost always rule out any answer that contains “always” or “never” & I just listed two exceptions to why someone would do that to themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772/130 "2017-12-04T20:34:27Z")
Another example of how we judge women by their looks. Bald women = weird, crazy, sick. Bald men = no big deal. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772/131 "2017-12-05T01:53:40Z")
I am astonished at the hostility here, even stronger than the hostility to the man bun. “Why would anyone do that to herself?” has three obvious possible answers, none of which is outrageous. 1. She wonders what it’s like and decides to try it 2. She likes it (the look, the feel, the savings in time and money …) 3. She is crushed by grief and has a classic education ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2017, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772/132 "2017-12-05T02:20:31Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > Another example of how we judge women by their looks. Bald women = weird, crazy, sick. Bald men = no big deal. This has nothing to do with the fact that men have been going bald since the beginning of humans and women being bald is pretty rare? Are you really being fair now? ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2017, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772/133 "2017-12-05T03:02:49Z")
**PunditLisa** , sorry about the cancer and chemo; cancer sucks. The opinions of random strangers on the Intertoobz are of course worth precisely diddly-damn-squat, but, for what it’s worth to you, my mother lost most of her hair when she was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. When she finally finished her course, her hair started growing back in; and soon she had a very short, fine crop on the top and sides - almost a military high-and-tight. And it was the most flattering hairstyle she’d had in _years_. My father and I still occasionally suggest to her that she cut it back that low. So you may very well look fantastic with it grown out just a bit. Hell, you probably look fantastic now, bald, since you are clearly rocking the “aw-screw-it” attitude that is so appealing. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2017, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772/134 "2017-12-05T04:11:39Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > This has nothing to do with the fact that men have been going bald since the beginning of humans and women being bald is pretty rare? Are you really being fair now? Well, first, we’re not talking about going bald, but about shaving the head as a hair style … hair non-style? non-hair style? Whatever, very different things, and shaving the head is a relatively new look for both. And, second, of course women go bald, just later than men, and they curl it instead of doing comb overs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-women-who-shave-their-heads/579772.md?page=6)