4 Ways Your Hairstyle Affects Social Perception

Most guys don’t think much about their hair — are you one of them? Your hairstyle of choice can communicate more than just your aesthetic. It can also affect other people’s social perception of your actions and lead them to make inferences about your values. If your purpose for getting a haircut is to just get it out of the way, this article might prompt you to give it a bit more thought. Here are five ways it can sway society’s opinion of you.

An overgrown hairstyle can send the wrong message to other people, especially in the professional context where appearance is still a factor. If you haven’t had a haircut in a while (and it shows), managers may generally perceive it as sloppiness and associate this with how you work. It can also reflect your grooming habits, especially if there is no effort to appear tidy.

Unfortunately, the idea that long-haired guys are slackers still stands in some circles. Non-creative industries prefer clean-cut hairstyles for men because it makes them look more grown-up and potentially responsible. On the other hand, people see men with long hair as non-conforming, rebellious, free-spirited, and artistic. Choose your fighter!

Here’s a fun myth: Bald men are more virile. According to a controlled study published in the Medical Journal of Australia, baldness has no significant association with virility. Nevertheless, the notion persists. If you are bald, you can thank Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, and Dwayne Johnson. Social perception is on your side. You can still appear stronger and more masculine than the average dude.

When you don’t have a hair out of place, you come across as a person who has his ducks in a row. It makes a good first impression. A survey published in the Canadian Review of Sociology identifies men’s hair as their “link to youth and attractiveness.” Men who are clean-cut with a full head of hair are generally more relaxed and personable, which makes them seem more confident. In the same survey, they are also the most satisfied with their appearance.

Whether you have long or short hair, keep it clean and healthy with the right products. Try CLEAR Cool Sport Menthol Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Men to get rid of flakes and scalp oils. For stronger hair, use Dove Men+Care Refreshing Clean Shampoo to fortify each strand while removing all traces of dirt. It has caffeine and menthol to revitalize hair and keep your scalp cool.

Social perception is a personal manner of interpreting other people’s cues, but you have the power to sway their opinion with a change of hairstyle. That is if you care. Some assumptions can be more damaging than others, such as those related to professionalism and trustworthiness. It is just a reminder to be more mindful of what energy you put out in the world.