Study shows bald men are perceived as more attractive

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Shemar Moore. Jason Statham. You probably don’t need science to tell you these guys are handsome. But luckily, research from the University of Pennsylvania will confirm it for you.

Over the course of three studies led by Albert E. Mannes (who, it’s worth mentioning, is bald), 59 participants were shown pictures of men with full heads of hair as well as a set of pictures of men who had their hair digitally shaved off.

The research concluded that the bald versions of the men were perceived by the participants as more masculine, confident and dominant. The participants also thought the men who were bald in photos were taller and stronger than they actually were. Don’t let that go to your heads, guys. 

But seriously, no wonder Hollywood casts so many bald men—like Vin Diesel, Bruce Willis and Statham—in action movies.

The study goes on to say that dominance may be linked with a shaved head because of stereotypes we have here in the United States. Men with shaved heads are often found in traditionally masculine professions like sports, the military and law enforcement.

“Hollywood, moreover, has long featured action-adventure stars with shaved heads,” the researchers pointed out. As a result, we have been culturally conditioned to believe baldness equals toughness and strength.

There is a catch, though, according to the research. To be perceived as having those attractive qualities, the men had to be completely bald. Patches of hair or pattern baldness was seen as less attractive and weak. (Ahem, gentlemen, that’s your not-so-subtle scientific queue to let those remaining patches go and shave it all off.)

So, aside from confirming that bald guys have attractive qualities, what’s the point of the study?

Well, for one, it challenges a lot of the notions behind the lucrative hair-loss industry. Men have been fighting hair loss to the tune of $1 billion a year with hair creams, special shampoos, pills, lotions and hair follicle transplants when in reality, a shiny pate can actually be seen as a good thing.

The scientific evidence suggests guys should just go bald already rather than spending a bunch of money trying to reverse or cure hair loss. After all, going bald could improve a man’s social and economic outcomes, the study points out.

The best gem of the whole study is delivered in the concluding sentence, which says: “These men might better improve their well-being by finishing what Mother Nature has started.”

Alright, guys: your move.

[h/t: Men’s Health]