Several young men have dealt with the dilemma of hair loss, but there are many who are not bothered by the condition. CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, along with several of his fans, does not consider it to be a burden and has embraced his gray hair since it began to sprout throughout his brown hair at age 20. He became completely gray by age 35.
Vin Lee and Aden Ramirez, both freshmen undeclared majors, find no shame in going bald or gray.
“I wouldn’t mind either way,” they concurrently agreed.
If a day were to come when he would begin to go bald, junior philosophy major Jake Read comes up with his own practical solution: “I’d just shave it all off.”
For those unwilling to embrace the effects of graying or balding, there may be ways to lessen the possibility and impact of both. It is important to realize that graying and balding are two separate things.
What they do have in common, though, according to WebMD.com, is that the largest determinant of these two conditions is genetics, whether it comes from aging or prematurity. If there is a member of a person’s family, namely a parent or grandparent, who is bald or has gray hair, chances are he or she will be too.
But there is a huge market that advertises products to treat balding and graying, and most of them are available in local pharmacies. One of these is called Propecia, which reportedly reduces hair loss in 80 percent of men who use it and causes re-growth in about half of them.
A more popular hair loss remedy is Rogaine, whose manufacturer said that 40 percent of men using it experience re-growth, while a higher percentage experiences a slower rate in hair loss.
“I wouldn’t feel too good about going bald or graying. It would make me feel self-conscious,” said freshman Matt Lara.
Graying is a different story than balding and an even more unclear mystery to the health community. While it is known that graying is a deficiency in melanin, a pigment substance that tints hair, the causes are yet to be specified and the solutions are yet to be clearly outlined.
Some drugs like vitamin E and Echinacea are said to cause graying or a lack thereof, such as vitamin B12 deficiency. Studies like the one published in the Dec. 21, 1996, issue of the British Medical Journal suggest a connection between smoking and gray hair (as well as between smoking and male baldness).
Whether it’s Phil Donahue gray, Anderson Cooper salt-and-pepper, hair loss or balding, just give in and take Cooper’s advice: “Make the most of it while you’re still young.”
