In our youth, hippies—including some of us—sported long hair as a symbol of rebellion.  The 1967 musical Hair tells the story of the movement’s nonconformity, sexual revolution, and loathing for the Vietnam War and its horrifying draft lottery.  Young men waited in immense anxiety and fear as birthdates were pulled from a bin, mandating who would be forced to put on a uniform and cut off that long hair!

A line from Hair’s title song is our mantra today: “Give me a head with hair.” 

Hair is important!  It plays an essential role in regulating body temperature.  It’s linked to self-confidence and self-esteem, intimating youthfulness in women and virility in men.

Wow.  Statistics indicate that women commonly start experiencing hair loss between the ages of 40 and 50.  For men, it’s worse!  Hair loss can start in their late teens.  A quarter of all men show signs of male pattern baldness by age 30 and those numbers hit 50% by age 50.  Hair-raising stats!!!!  Covid didn’t help; caused hair shedding.  And, there’s even a term for those of us losing hair or balding.  We are follically-challenged. 

So, what are we ladies to do??  AI thinks the bob is the best haircut for 70-year-old and older women.  Our movie star idols sure agree.  Gone are their long tresses.  Most now have a “curly” bob.  A son recently commented at dinner that his mom’s new bob was an old lady “do.”  He was right.  But, no dessert for him!

Men can get away with shaving their heads and looking cool.  A comb over?  NEVER!  They can grow facial hair to distract from their baldness.  Forget the facial hair option for we women! 

We always thought having our hair cut often would make it grow faster.  Nope!  Also thought rigorous brushing would stimulate blood flow to the scalp and boost hair growth.  Nope!  Neither is true.  In fact, brushing causes friction, leading to cuticle damage and hair breakage.

The global market for hair loss treatment products was about $10 billion in 2024.  Yikes!  Americans obviously aren’t the only ones who are paranoid about losing their hair!  Rogaine.  Propecia.  Something called Peptides??  Can’t forget the supplements—vitamins, minerals, and herbal blends.  The FDA has even approved several low-level laser devices to restore hair.  One company sells a cap with lasers inside for $1,699.00!  We didn’t budget for that.

There are shampoos, conditioners, serums, and oils galore that claim to promote hair growth.  Some even contain caffeine.  No, having your cup of coffee in the morning won’t help hair growth, but there are studies indicating that applying caffeine topically could be beneficial.  Taking a pass on that. 

Then there is PRP, platelet-rich plasma. A doctor takes your blood, which is processed to concentrate platelets, and then injects it into your scalp.  OUCH!  Don’t forget hair plugs.  Well, not the old kind of plugs that are passe due to their unnatural appearance, scarring, and limited density!  Doctors now offer FUE or FUT hair grafts.  Know your stuff before the doc pulls out the scalpel.

With these countless products on the market to grow hair, you would think that if one delivered miracle results, we would all know about it.  Oh, the thing experts do agree on?   Loosen that ponytail!!  Excessive pulling and tension on the hair shaft causes hair loss. So, our Wrinkled Wisdom for today?  Brush your hair just a tad.  Don’t wash it daily.  Counterintuitively, start using baby shampoo.  Eat omega-3 foods…nuts, fish, and avocados.  Yes, wigs are a last resort but hats work on bad hair days.  When out for drinks, have a friend keep an eye on that “hot spot” in the back of your head and have a comb handy.   You know what we’re talking about.  Remember, you can’t control everything—your hair was put on your head to emphasize that!