As ever, Stuart Heritage supplies probably the most reliably humorous writing within the Guardian (Shedding my hair made me depressing. Now I’m as bald as an egg, I couldn’t be happier, 16 April). Nonetheless, sadly I believe on this case Mr Heritage continues to be in denial of his true bald standing, regardless of his conclusions. Let’s not beat concerning the bush right here: I’m speaking about compensatory facial hair syndrome (CFHS). Admittedly it’s gentle in contrast with some upside-down heads – often paired with a lumberjack shirt, a method of blouse that I can clearly see in Mr Heritage’s now redundant profile image. I suspect he’s within the first levels of CFHS.
How do I do know? I too suffered from this debilitating affliction. I additionally endure from compensatory thick-rimmed glasses syndrome (CTRGS). Now, I’ve stored CFHS in verify by trimming my facial hair to grade 3, however I’m advised there’s nothing I can do about CTRGS.
Mr Heritage would do effectively to make use of his platform for public info to deliver these additional side-effects to the general public’s consideration. On quite a few events I’ve tried to quietly dwell my life, solely to have somebody shout at me on the street “Oi, Gregg Wallace!”
Anthony Nash
Beckenham, London
Welcome, Stuart! I’m so glad he’s lastly made the transition to completely dedicated baldness, and written concerning the course of so insightfully as effectively. My early 20s had been among the many most angst-ridden years of my life as I watched my hair slowly however inevitably abandon me. Like Stuart, after I lastly shaved my head and accepted my destiny, the sense of launch was overwhelming. Now in my mid-30s, I’ve buddies who’re on to their second or third hair transplants, and the thought that they’ve been in bald purgatory all this time makes me actually unhappy. The hair-growth business has no everlasting options to baldness: it can solely lengthen your distress.
Hugo Legge
London
Stuart Heritage’s article precisely mirrors my expertise, with one notable exception – I embraced the baldness on the earliest alternative, after I was 26. I had the advantage of at all times having hated my dead-straight hair for so long as I may keep in mind, so whipping all of it off was an absolute pleasure. Now in my late 40s, I sit within the ready space of the native barber whereas my two younger sons have a trim and assume: “God, I’m glad I’m not in that pneumatic chair, and I hope they received’t should be at my age both.” My spouse by no means knew me pre-egghead, and after sniggering at my hirsute college images, she is glad that she didn’t.
Mike Wayne
Cranleigh, Surrey
After two or three a long time as a bald chap, I can affirm Stuart Heritage’s discovery that there are various benefits. One of many foremost ones is that you just get to shed any residual worries over what different folks consider your look – they actually don’t care. Just about the one drawback is that you just bang your head extra typically. Hair acts as an early-warning system. With out it, the primary you realise that the shed door is a bit decrease than you assume is once you smack into it. However the occasional scab on the highest of your head is a small value to pay as compared with the huge financial savings to be made in having zero hair upkeep prices.
Paul Dixon
East Hagbourne, Oxfordshire
As a now practically utterly hairless man with alopecia areata, I can attest to the next positivities of my situation: 1) I get out of the bathe, I’m dry; 2) no extra faffing about in hairdressers; 3) in the event you discover a hair in your meals, it’s not mine; 4) I swim sooner; 5) my legs look good in a costume.
And there’s additionally the great second after I inform folks I’ve received alopecia and also you see them questioning whether or not to ask if it extends to the nether areas. Principally they don’t ask, however when they do, I by no means inform!
Sam Heath
London
I’ve been fortunately bald for greater than 20 years. As is so typically the case, a random remark modified all the pieces for me. I used to be chatting anxiously with the hairdresser about my hair loss, and he stated: “Don’t fear, you have got a stunning formed head.” This may occasionally or might not be the case, however I have lived hair-and worry-free ever since.
Simon Ashby
London
Could I remind Stuart Heritage that God made just a few good heads; the remainder he coated with hair.
David Shannon
Ashton underneath Hill, Worcestershire
