Long before the discovery of clinically proven hair loss treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride, ancient cultures grappled with baldness in curious ways. Some embraced it, others would spread all manner of weird concoctions onto their bald spots in a bid to halt their faltering hairlines.
Here are some fun facts about the ancient history of hair loss you can bring to your next pub chat.
Hair loss in Ancient Egypt
The ancient Egyptians were meticulous about grooming and personal appearance. Hair was often seen as unclean, and many shaved their heads for hygiene. However, baldness that wasn't by choice was another story.
Medical papyri from as early as 1500 BCE, like the Ebers Papyrus, include remedies for hair loss. Crocodile, porcupine hair steeped in water, tomcat and fat from a hippopotamus were all recommended remedies.
Wigs were also popular in Ancient Egypt. Predominantly worn by the elite of Egyptian society, wigs served a dual purpose - signalling high rank in Egypt's strict social hierarchy and helping protect shaven scalps from the sun. Wigs also helped maintain hygiene levels by reducing the incidence of head lice.
Greece and Rome: Philosophical and Practical Approaches
In 420 BC, the Ancient Greek philosopher Hippocrates made the first known association between testosterone and hair loss, observing that eunuchs did not experience baldness.
Experiencing baldness himself he famously recommended a mixture of opium, horseradish, pigeon droppings, beetroot, and spices applied to the head. Needless to say, it wasn’t very effective.
Interestingly, his baldness inspired the name of the "Hippocratic wreath", a pattern of hair loss where hair remains on the sides of the head but disappears from the crown.
Roman emperor Julius Caesar - also balding - tried to conceal his own hair loss by combing his remaining hair forward and wearing laurel wreaths - making them as much a fashion statement as a political one.
Hair Loss Through the Ages
Across the ancient world, hair loss was never just about appearance. It was connected to health, status, and masculinity. While the “cures” may not have stood the test of time, the cultural responses to baldness show how deeply personal and symbolic hair has always been.
Today, modern science offers advanced solutions like the clinically-proven medications Minoxidil and Finasteride, but the emotional weight of losing hair remains much the same. So, while a lot might have changed in the thousands of years since, the impact of hair loss on our confidence has stayed much the same.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
