As a woman, I'm less likely to achieve the same level of baldness as Stuart Heritage, but I resonate with his sentiment that "bald men are everywhere" (Experiencing hair loss was distressing. Now that I'm as bald as a cue ball, I've never been happier, April 16). Recently, I joined an online meeting feeling self-conscious about my hair still being damp from my shower. However, upon my own observation, there seemed to be more men present who were bald than those with hair, so many of them wouldn't have faced the same concern at all. Interestingly, I was the sole woman in attendance. Hence, my initial worry about everyone noticing my tardiness quickly morphed into a fear that they might mistake my wet hair for grease.
Coincidentally, analogous studies on job applications have examined the differing success rates between identically qualified male and female candidates, and unsurprisingly, men tend to fare better (although, I assume this may vary depending on the job).
Nevertheless, I'm unsure if any research has explored the preference between a bald man and a woman with wet hair... a significant inquiry, in my opinion.
Prof Alice Moncaster
University of the West of England
