Be Bald and Be Free Day – October 14, 2022, history, significance
Be Bald and Be Free Day is on October 14, and we’re here to show you how to celebrate the day in style. There are millions of people who are affected by baldness, either due to natural causes or medical treatments, which is why this day is dedicated to the bald and the beautiful.
HISTORY OF BE BALD AND BE FREE DAY
Shaving heads and beards began a lot earlier than one might think. The early men from the Stone Age used sharpened clamshells and tweezers to shave or pluck out hair. In ancient Rome and Egypt, shaving heads was common amongst priests and also the common folk due to extremely hot climates. Egyptians are said to have developed shaving tools made of gold and copper.
In the late 1950s, shaved heads started becoming a trend. Bald men were seen as more virile, confident, tough, and disciplined. Many actors, politicians, musicians, and sports stars adopted the bald look. In the 1990s, the shaved head style was at its peak with people like Michael Jordan, Evander Holyfield, and Bruce Willis further popularizing the trend.
Since people battling cancer lose their hair due to radiation and chemotherapy, people began shaving their heads, either as a way to show support for the people battling cancer or for fundraisers. Alopecia areata, simply known as male pattern baldness, causes a receding hairline in men and irreversible baldness, and it can cause body dysmorphia and poor self-image among men.
To encourage men and to boost their self-esteem, many campaigns were organized with their primary motto being to show men that baldness was nothing they should be ashamed of, and in fact, men with shaved heads looked more attractive and confident.
One of these campaigns was Be Bald and Be Free Day, which was started by the founders of Wellcat Herbs, Thomas Roy and Ruth Roy. Though it is not known when the day was celebrated for the first time, Be Bald and Be Free Day has encouraged a lot of men and women to shave their heads and be proud of their looks.
BE BALD AND BE FREE DAY TIMELINE
4000 B.C.
Our Ancestors Shave
Our ancestors from the Stone Age shave their heads and beards using clamshells.
27 A.D.
The Romans Invent Novacila
Romans priests, as part of rituals, shave their heads using tools like Novacila and pumice stones.
1950s
Bald is the New Cool
Many celebrities go for the bald look.
1980s
Be Bald and Be Free Day is Created
Thomas and Ruth Roy encourage people to celebrate Be Bald and Be Free Day on October 14.
BE BALD AND BE FREE DAY ACTIVITIES
Shave your head
It would be the most obvious but the best way to celebrate this day. If you have never tried this style, go ahead, shave your head! If you are someone with a bald head already, take a few pictures of yourself with the hashtag #BeBaldBeFree.
Organize a fundraiser
Millions of people lose hair while undergoing cancer or other medical treatments. Show them some love and support by shaving your head and asking people to donate to this cause.
Conduct webinars
There are still many people who feel ashamed of losing their hair and going bald. You can organize events or webinars to help people realize that they have no reason to feel insecure. Make them understand that people with shaved heads are seen as very attractive and desirable and that in the end, it’s the character that matters and not the physical appearance.
5 FACTS ABOUT BALDNESS THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
Egyptians used bizarre medications
The Egyptians used a mixture of fingernail scrapings, ground mice, horse teeth, and bear grease as a treatment for baldness.
Baldness is 80% hereditary
In 1897, it was believed that a newly discovered microbe was the cause of baldness, which was later debunked.
Athletes prefer to shave their heads
Swimmers and runners shave their heads to reduce drag.
Women find bald men attractive
44% of women aged between 35 to 45 find bald men more attractive.
When balding becomes apparent
For anyone to notice you’re balding, you must lose more than 50% of your scalp hairs.
WHY WE LOVE BE BALD AND BE FREE DAY
Baldness is prevalent
85% of men above 50 are balding, which is a lot. Many of these men have low self-esteem because of their condition. Therefore, it is important that we celebrate this day and the beauty of the bare noggin.
Cancer treatment causes hair loss
A common side-effect of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant is hair loss. Apart from the mental and physical trauma of the treatment, hair loss just makes everything more difficult. This day allows us to show support to people battling cancer.
Having a bald head has advantages
This day provides an opportunity to educate people about the advantages of having a bald head. Faster metabolism, less stress, saving a ton of money, and having a cool head during summer are some of the advantages of having a bald head.
