Why Is Getting a Haircut So Difficult? Exploring the Hairdressing Quandary for Seniors and Unveiling the Secrets Behind Hair Health

Why Is Getting a Haircut So Difficult? Exploring the Hairdressing Quandary for Seniors and Unveiling the Secrets Behind Hair Health"Ugh, why is getting a haircut so difficult?!" Old Zhang sighed in frustration. He thought a simple trip to the barbershop would suffice, but he ended up discouraged by the prices on the signboard, confused by the array of services, and ultimately left empty-handed

Why Is Getting a Haircut So Difficult? Exploring the Hairdressing Quandary for Seniors and Unveiling the Secrets Behind Hair Health

"Ugh, why is getting a haircut so difficult?!" Old Zhang sighed in frustration. He thought a simple trip to the barbershop would suffice, but he ended up discouraged by the prices on the signboard, confused by the array of services, and ultimately left empty-handed. Back home, he asked his wife to give him a quick trim, but she sternly informed him that cutting hair required careful timing cutting hair at night was an absolute no-no.

Old Zhang's predicament isn't unique. In reality, many seniors grapple with the "getting a haircut" dilemma. They often shy away from high-end salons, preferring the traditional street vendors. Why is this the case?

I. Street Stalls: A "Safe Haven" for Senior Haircuts

As we age, many seniors' hair inevitably thins, but they still view haircuts as a top priority. According to the "Beijing Elderly Home Care Service Needs Survey Report," elderly people have a strong demand for daily care services, with hairdressing needs reaching 26.6%.

However, in modern society, the hairdressing industry has entered a phase of "premiumization." According to the "2020 China Beauty Salon Industry Development Report," the average cost of a haircut for women is 137 yuan, while for men it's 95 yuan. What was once considered a daily routine has unwittingly become high-end and even "luxurious."

In contrast, street stalls offer haircuts at affordable prices, as low as 2 yuan, providing seniors with a neat and tidy hairstyle.

1. Affordable Price: Meeting the Economic Needs of Seniors

"The prices at salons are outrageous these days. Just a shampoo can cost you one or two hundred yuan," sighed Zhao, a senior citizen living in Beijing. He feels helpless about the high cost and difficulty of getting a haircut for seniors.

For many elderly individuals, their economic resources are limited, and they're reluctant to spend excessive amounts on haircuts. The low prices offered by street stalls perfectly cater to their economic needs.

2. Convenient Location: Facilitating Senior Mobility

Yao, a nearly 70-year-old woman who has operated a hairdressing stall on the street for 40 years, shared that many elderly customers choose her because her shop is just a short walk from their homes.

Senior citizens often have limited mobility and are unable to travel long distances. Street hairdressing stalls are conveniently located, easily accessible within just a few minutes' walk, eliminating the need for arduous journeys.

3. Simple Service: Aligning with the Actual Needs of Seniors

Seniors don't require elaborate hairdressing services. They value convenience and practicality. Street stalls offer quick and easy haircuts, no reservations or waiting required, completed within just a few minutes. Moreover, street barbers often possess traditional hairdressing skills, creating simple and practical hairstyles that better suit the needs of seniors.

The affordability, accessibility, and straightforward service of street stalls make them the preferred choice for seniors, becoming an indispensable part of their lives.

II. "Five No-Cut Days, Cutting Brings Bad Luck": Exploring Folk Beliefs about Hair Cutting

In Chinese traditional culture, hairdressing carries beliefs about fate and fortune. There's a widely-held saying: "Five no-cut days, cutting brings bad luck." Which five days are deemed inauspicious for haircuts?

1. First Lunar Month: Cutting Good Fortune or Violating Natural Laws?

Some regions believe that the character " (jin)" for "cut" sounds similar to " (jin)" for "reduce." Cutting hair in the first lunar month is thought to cut off good fortune or wealth, deemed inauspicious. Traditional Chinese medicine holds a similar view: Spring is a time of growth, and hair should also grow naturally, not be cut. Cutting hair against the natural growth cycle is considered unfavorable.

However, these are merely folk beliefs without scientific backing. The first lunar month is traditionally associated with happiness and good fortune. Many people choose not to cut their hair during this period to maintain the festive spirit of the New Year. Whether or not to follow this custom is up to personal choice.

2. Tomb-Sweeping Day (Qingming Festival): Respecting Ancestors or Diminishing Vitality?

Tomb-Sweeping Day is the day for ancestral worship and tomb sweeping, a time for remembering and honoring ancestors. Cutting hair during this solemn occasion is seen as disrespectful to ancestors. Furthermore, in certain traditional cultures, hair symbolizes vitality and health. Cutting hair on Tomb-Sweeping Day is associated with diminishing vitality and is considered unlucky.

3. Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang Festival): Disrespecting Parents or a Prohibited Health Practice?

In Chinese traditional culture, the Double Ninth Festival is a celebration of longevity and health. In ancient times, people believed that bodily hair and skin were gifts from parents and should not be carelessly damaged. Cutting hair on the Double Ninth Festival would be considered disrespectful. Additionally, according to health preservation principles, the Double Ninth Festival falls in autumn, a time for preserving energy and vitality, making it inappropriate for activities like cutting hair.

4. Seventh Lunar Month: Breaking One's Aura or Affecting Luck?

In Chinese traditional culture, the seventh lunar month is deemed the most yin-energy-abundant period of the year. Folklore suggests that getting a haircut during this time can disrupt one's aura, attracting negative energy, thus affecting luck.

5. Night Time: Affecting Blood Circulation or Sleep Quality?

Traditional health preservation practices believe that nighttime is for resting and restoring the body. Cutting hair at night is thought to disrupt blood circulation. From a health perspective, it's generally advisable to avoid haircuts at night.

III. Hair Health: What Secrets Are Hidden?

The meticulousness surrounding haircut timing stems from our profound regard for hair. Many rumors circulate about hair, and today we'll debunk them one by one.

1. Rumor One: Can Hair Length Reveal Longevity?

Kurt Stenn, professor of dermatology and pathology at Yale School of Medicine, points out that hair is not only a rich reservoir of information but also a reflection of our bodily state, containing numerous clues related to health.

Generally speaking, healthy individuals have hair with these characteristics: good shine, minimal hair loss, no dryness or split ends, and clean and free from dandruff.

2. Rumor Two: Do People with Gray Hair Have a Lower Cancer Risk?

The notion that "people with gray hair are less likely to develop cancer" is incorrect. It stems from a misunderstanding of scientific findings by the media.

Japanese scientists conducted an experiment on mice. They discovered that when the DNA of melanocyte stem cells in mice is damaged, these cells mature, causing hair to turn gray. The "Daily Mail" misrepresented this finding, linking it to human cancer risk, claiming that those with gray hair are less likely to develop cancer.

However, it's crucial not to dismiss gray hair altogether. In addition to aging, gray hair can also be linked to thyroid issues, anemia, vitiligo, and other health problems.

3. Rumor Three: Is Hair Dyeing Really Carcinogenic?

A 36-year study published in the "British Medical Journal" by Harvard Medical School found that women who frequently use hair dye have an increased risk of basal cell carcinoma, certain types of breast cancer, and ovarian cancer compared to those who don't use dye. This indicates that frequent hair dyeing can pose significant health risks.

Wang Yanyun, chief physician of the Dermatology Department at Zhengzhou Central Hospital, affiliated with Zhengzhou University, reminds us to avoid frequent hair dyeing, as frequent use can cause scalp inflammation. Over time, this may lead to dry, dull hair, even abnormal hair loss.

IV. Conclusion: Hairdressing Freedom, Health First

Ultimately, when to get your hair cut and how to cut it are matters of personal preference and needs. The priority remains maintaining hair health.

Whether it's the budget-friendly services at street stalls or the personalized experiences at high-end salons, the ultimate goal is to achieve a satisfying hairstyle and maintain healthy hair.

The challenges faced by seniors in getting a haircut reflect their pursuit of quality of life and their concern for their health. When it comes to hair health, we should be rational about folk beliefs and use scientific knowledge and methods to care for our hair, making it a source of confidence and beauty.

References

[1] Street Barbering: A World of Its Own. New Lifestyle Research Institute. 2022-04-15.

[2] What? These Four Hairstyles Can Actually Harm You? Many Barbers Dont Know. Science China. 2021-07-27.

[3] New Year Starts with a Perm and Dye? Doctors Remind: Be Aware of These Things to Reduce Harm from Perms and Dyes! Health Times. 2024-02-07.

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