Do Women Like Bald Men? We Asked Around

Do women like bald men? It’s a tricky question to bring up in casual conversation. Luckily, we’re here to ask the tough questions so you don’t have to.

First, some context. Male pattern baldness is a common condition affecting as many as 50 percent of men by age 50. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean men feel great about it. Research from 2023 found that androgenetic alopecia (the formal term for baldness) is associated with lower self-esteem and poor body image.

But do women feel the same? Not necessarily. Below, you’ll hear from 25 women, ages 25 to 72, from across the U.S., who share their unfiltered thoughts on bald men.

If you’re not ready to embrace baldness, there are plenty of treatment options. Hair loss medications like minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine ^®) and finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia ^®) are readily available and can help slow hair loss and potentially even spur regrowth.

We asked the women we surveyed to share their thoughts on hair loss treatments. Their verdict? Do what makes you feel great about your physical appearance.

• "Women are constantly pressured to maintain their youth. Hair is not someone’s defining quality. Embrace the hair loss or find an alternative that makes you more comfortable: hats, toupee, hair growth products." —Lexi, 28

• "It's easier to preserve the hair you have than to grow new hair. So maybe don't delay buying hair loss products if you're concerned about losing more hair." —Elle*, 42

• "It’s a pretty natural thing. I’m also a woman who deals with hair loss, so I get the struggle, but am a little envious that [men] can just wear a hat or go bald or have a beard, and those options aren’t really available to women. It really depends on the person if the bald look works or not, but it’s 100 percent more attractive if they just own it. I also get that it’s a bit hypocritical not to be super attracted to bald men as someone who is also losing hair, but the heart wants what the heart wants." —Renée, 30

• "Invest in quality hair products, consider minoxidil." —Rachel*, 33

• "Try to do something about it! You’ve got options." —Melissa*, 36

Many of the women we spoke to also preferred a shaved head over thinning hair. Here’s what they had to say:

• "I don’t think women care about balding as much as men think. As long as you own it! Don’t hang onto those last few strands because that’s not the vibe, in my humble opinion." —Ava*, 27

• "Commit to just going completely bald. If you can grow facial hair, go for that. I feel like it is better just to go fully bald rather than hang on to thinning hair." —Kelsey*, 27

• "Shaving your head and growing facial hair, if possible, is a nice trade-off if you are balding. The balding and thin hair bothers me more than if you commit to the bald." —Eliza*, 25

• "It’s okay. It’s a natural process. Don’t fight it, and maybe even shave your head. When too much effort is put into trying to retain thin wisps, it’s probably time to lean in and go super short." —Kirstin, 60

• "I like when balding men deal with hair loss by shaving their heads, in most cases. Women are attracted to your warmth, humor, intelligence, and kindness, and the quality of your hair is not much concern. Embrace it, and don’t overcompensate by trying to hide it. Comb-overs are usually not attractive. Let it be and enjoy your life." —Marlene, 72

• "Embrace it and find the look that works for you! If you are open to shaving, just do it. The in-between stage is bad."— Isabel*, 33

If you’re worried about how a shaved head might affect your dating life, you’ll be happy to hear that several of the women we interviewed had the same advice about men’s hairstyles: it’s best to embrace baldness and move forward.

• "Accept it, buzz it, and rock it." —Hilary*, 36

• "I’m married to a balding man. I can’t imagine my life without him. Smart women don’t judge a book by its cover — or a man by his hair. I’d rather be married to a loving, loyal man than a gorgeously coiffed douchebag." —Angela, 64

• "It’s a natural part of life. Don’t hide it, embrace it." —Julie*, 27

• " We all age." —Marianne, 68

Saved the best for last: Some women love the shaved head look. So, do women like bald men? The answer is yes — some even prefer it.

• "The fully bald head is a complete turn-on." —Kelly, 33

• "Baldness is definitely not a deal-breaker for me. We live in a world where Jason Statham exists, and balding can be really attractive. In terms of physical attributes, other things matter more, like personal style, neat fingernails, and nice skin. On the topic of skin, a shiny bald head can look great. Consider using skincare products, and sunscreen on your scalp to keep it looking its best." —Libby*, 36

• "There’s nothing wrong with being bald. Sometimes it’s the better option!" —Brittany, 31

The most attractive trait a man can possess? Confidence. Own your baldness, and have a sense of humor about it if you feel awkward. Most women like men who are self-assured.

• "Confident men are sexy." —Gaby, 27

• "I think being bald can be very attractive and that most men almost always look better being completely bald and confident than being balding and not having as much confidence." —Brooke*, 30

• "It's not a big deal to be bald, but obsessing over hair loss is not cute." —Alison*, 31

• "Don’t let it impact your confidence, which makes the problem much worse." —Leah, 30

• "A bald man who is confident in himself is more attractive than a man with a full head of hair and little confidence." —Jen, 41

• "There are many factors contributing to attraction other than your hair! How you take care of your body, personal hygiene, personality, and confidence all matter as well." —Laura*, 27

• "There is a big movement in ways to style your hair to look fuller if you’re thinning or receding. If you want to put in the effort to retain your hair or style it differently, then I say go for it! But if you make that choice to shave your head and rock it bald, I assure you someone will find that attractive. I also think toupees should be normalized. Girls get extensions and have thinning hair underneath. Let guys do it too! Whatever makes you happy and confident is what you should do, but someone will love you no matter what that choice is." —Elizabeth, 28

If you’re still stressing about what women might think of you going bald, here’s something that might help: A survey by skullshaver.eu showed that 87% of women say they like bald men. 

And it’s not just about the look of a clean shave. A 2012 study from The Wharton School found that men with shaved heads were perceived to have higher masculinity than other men. In fact, photos of men with digitally removed hair were rated as more dominant, stronger, and taller (by a whole inch!) than their unaltered photos.

When it comes to whether women like bald men, the truth is, it depends. Everyone has different tastes.

Let’s recap:

• If you’re nervous about trimming your hair off, there are ways to help make the look work in your favor. Grow out a beard, make sure your scalp is clean and moisturized, and put effort into your overall appearance.

• Confidence is more attractive than a full head of hair. Owning your look (whatever that looks like) goes a long way.

• That said, if hair loss is bothering you, you’ve got options. FDA-approved treatments like minoxidil and finasteride are proven to help.

• Not all hair loss is the same. A healthcare provider can help figure out what’s going on and recommend the right treatment options for you.

Whether you choose to treat hair loss or own your baldness, the key is feeling good in your own skin.

Want to learn more about your hair loss treatment options? Think about taking our quick hair loss quiz.