Flow it, show it
Long as God can grow it
My hair
-Refrain from “Hair”
Remember the good old days of Hair and The Age of Aquarius? When hair was an act of rebellion?
Some things never change.
Hair (or lack of it) helps shape who we are. 13th century Lady Godiva rode her horse through the streets of Coventry, dressed only in her long hair. Rapunzel let down her golden tresses so her prince could climb up her tower. Lucy’s red head was her trademark while Marie Antoinette’s lavish mane was her undoing.
The human scalp has roughly 100,000 to 150,000 hair follicles. Hair grows nearly half an inch each month or six inches a year; 10-15% faster in summer than winter. Each day you lose about 50 to 100 hairs – unless there’s nothing left to lose.
Ask Patrick Stewart.
For most of us that means frequent haircuts. 61 million Americans get four or more professional haircuts every year – a lot of dollars and tips. It’s no surprise that hair and beauty is a multi-billion dollar industry. The average woman spends 2 hours a week and $50,000 during her lifetime on hair and beauty.
Good hair days don’t come cheap.
Hair stylists charge an average of $90 – $160 (not including add-ons like glazing, baby lights, and keratin). Cheap haircuts in storefronts range from $14 to $34 (not including tips).
The most expensive (and infamous) haircut was in 1993 when then-President Bill Clinton shut down two of the four Los Angeles Airport runways for a haircut. He delayed flights for an hour while he sat inside Air Force One with celebrated hairstylist Cristophe of Beverley Hills. The “cut” cost $200 – equivalent to $347 today.
Even Samson and Delilah would have cringed.
Haircuts and styles have stretched the imagination. From The Flapper Bob and Afro to Dreadlocks and Kate Middleton’s Princess Hair, they’ve been endlessly drawn, photographed, and copied. Consider the Simpson family.
You can’t miss Marge’s brilliant blue top knot.
Clearly, color counts. Clairol offers 70 different shades just for blondes. 46% of women highlight their hair. Some chemical bloopers turn innocent hair into rocker pink. If you’re blonde (natural or otherwise) your hair can go green when you spend too much time in the swimming pool. Iconic blue, yellow, and purple often mysteriously creep into dyed gray hair. Even with all these risks, nearly 75% of women dye their hair at some point in their lives. Only 11% of men join the statistic – probably because salt-and-pepper and Bill Clinton grey is very popular.
Who knows that better than The Orange Man in The White House?
The Donald colors his locks in a fire-and-brimstone shade that simulates international crisis. Leaked strategies include comb-overs, scalp reduction surgery, Just for Men hair color, transplants, and CHI Helmet Head Extra Firm hair spray.
Earlier White House chief-of-staffs also indulged in strange coiffures. Eighth President Martin Van Buren’s mop speaks for itself.
Second President John Adams made a timely impact on political hair history.
Even Honest George struggled with hair issues.
Our Presidents often demonstrate that unlike diamonds, hair is not necessarily forever. 35 million men and 21 million women experience hair loss – usually coinciding with age. The older you are, the slower your hair grows, and the greater likelihood of thinning or falling out. When you reach afterfiftyliving age, 50% of women have some hair loss while 85% of men have obvious receding hairlines, Trump thinning, or baldness.
That supports the very lucrative business of hair restoration, from transplants and laser rejuvenation to meds that rarely work and snake oil potions. Many products promise a 20-year old’s mane on a 60-year old head. It’s like trying to find truth on Fox News.
Accept the facts. Hair (or lack of) is like wrinkles – your purple heart.
You earned it.
