Back in the day, men went bald and no one blinked—Now? It’s a punchline online

Hair loss can be a sensitive topic—especially when the solution becomes the punchline of a viral moment.

A seemingly light-hearted social media video has sparked a heated debate about body image, judgement, and double standards.

What began as an ordinary flight ended in a conversation that has divided viewers around the world.


Hair restoration tourism has become so common in one particular country that even flights home have started to look like waiting rooms at a clinic.

But when one traveller spotted a particularly telling sight while boarding a plane, her attempt at humour quickly turned into an online storm.

Anna Malygon, a content creator from Kharkiv, Ukraine, was heading home on a Turkish Airlines flight on 6 May after visiting Turkey—a country now synonymous with affordable cosmetic procedures.


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Viral video sparks debate over hair shame. Image source: TikTok/maligoshik


As she took her seat, something caught her eye: rows of male passengers ahead of her, each with shaved, inflamed scalps marked by tell-tale signs of recent surgery.

She filmed the moment and uploaded it to social media, jokingly referring to the airline as ‘Turkish Hairlines’. The clip quickly spread across platforms, with viewers torn over whether her caption was playful or mean-spirited.

Turkey has earned a reputation as a global hub for hair transplants, reportedly accounting for nearly 60 per cent of the worldwide hair transplant tourism market.

Over 1 million people visit the country each year for procedures, according to the Turkish Healthcare Travel Council, with that number projected to climb in 2025.

In the short video, Malygon panned across the aircraft cabin as men with clearly fresh transplant work settled into their seats—some wearing post-op headbands, others showing scalp incisions still healing. Her amused tone sparked mixed reactions online.


Source: TikTok/maligoshik​


Some social media users didn’t hold back. One viewer wrote, ‘Bodyshaming is OK now?’

Another said: ‘So happy for these men. It’s a courageous thing to do because of people who judge and shame them.’


Others, however, saw the humour in the situation. One person commented: ‘She’s just making a funny observation. I don’t sense any shaming.’

Another added: ‘Oh come on, I used to see this all the time when flying to Istanbul and it’s hilarious. Can’t we have a laugh about this?’

But not everyone was laughing. ‘As a mom to two, now grown men, this is so offside. Women underestimate how devastating hair loss feels to men,’ one person wrote.

Another user added pointedly: ‘So women can get fake everything but men can’t fix a hairline? Got it!’


While the debate around the video continued to unfold, an earlier story from the same field resurfaced—one that was far from funny.

Triplets from Wales made headlines after deciding to undergo matching hair transplants together to preserve their identical appearance. Julian, Eliot and Ryan Gregory, all aged 40, were losing their hair at different rates and felt the change threatened their visual bond.

The plan, spearheaded by Julian after a trip to Thailand left him feeling self-conscious, saw all three brothers undergo the same treatment in what was believed to be a world first. Their goal? To restore not just their hairlines, but the identical image they’d shared since birth.

Between the viral flight footage and the triplet transformation, it was clear that hair loss—and the way society reacts to it—remained a topic that could spark everything from humour to heated debate.


Hair loss can be a sensitive issue—especially when even someone like John Cena ends up in the spotlight over it.

If you've ever copped comments for trying to feel better in your own skin, you'll want to see what happened next.


Source: Youtube/Entertainment Tonight​


Key Takeaways
  • A video of men with fresh hair transplants on a flight from Turkey sparked online debate after a woman jokingly called it ‘Turkish Hairlines’.
  • Turkey leads the global market in hair transplant tourism, with over 1 million patients annually and more expected in 2025.
  • Viewers were divided, with some accusing the video of body shaming and others defending it as harmless humour.
  • The clip resurfaced a previous story of Welsh triplets who underwent identical transplants to maintain their matching appearance.

With more Aussies travelling overseas for medical procedures, would you ever consider jumping on a flight for a little cosmetic touch-up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In a previous story, we looked at a surprising in-flight habit that’s stirred just as much debate—clapping when a plane lands.

For seniors who’ve spent decades flying, it’s a familiar gesture, but one former flight attendant revealed a reason you might want to think twice before doing it again.

If you’ve ever joined in or rolled your eyes at the sound, this one’s worth a look too.

Read more: Never Clap When a Plane Lands? See the Shocking Reason Why an Ex-Flight Attendant Warns Against It!
 
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I simply don't understand why men feel shame about being bald. My husband of 57 years is as bald as a billiard ball and I couldn't care less. I've met men with full heads of hair who really are horrible people. The lack of hair doesn't mean men are bad people.

I can't vouch for the accuracy of this information, but I have read that bald men have more testosterone than men with lots of hair.
 
I simply don't understand why men feel shame about being bald. My husband of 57 years is as bald as a billiard ball and I couldn't care less. I've met men with full heads of hair who really are horrible people. The lack of hair doesn't mean men are bad people.

I can't vouch for the accuracy of this information, but I have read that bald men have more testosterone than men with lots of hair.
Dear member Joydie, I respect your opinion totally. However, the reason why you probably dont understand why men feel shame about bring bald, is because you are not bold yourself, you have your beautiful hair, and can not feel the shame that they are feeling. When you are aware that people are ashamed of a part of their anatomy, or any part of their appearance, you need to be mindful and try and show empathy, and not look at the issue with, if you will pardon, with ignorance. People have feelings, and can be self-conscious about the way they look. Growing up with a full head of hair, and then all of a sudden, finding that over night, one has gone bold, can be quite traumatic, in particular for young men, who don't know how to deal with the unwelcomed change of appearance. Good Karma to you always, God bless, 🙏🦋
 
I simply don't understand why men feel shame about being bald. My husband of 57 years is as bald as a billiard ball and I couldn't care less. I've met men with full heads of hair who really are horrible people. The lack of hair doesn't mean men are bad people.

I can't vouch for the accuracy of this information, but I have read that bald men have more testosterone than men with lots of hair.
Dear member Joydie, I respect your opinion totally. However, the reason why you probably dont understand why men feel shame about bring bald, is because you are not bold yourself, you have your beautiful hair, and can not feel the shame that they are feeling. When you are aware that people are ashamed of a part of their anatomy, or any part of their appearance, you need to be mindful and try and show empathy, and not look at the issue with, if you will pardon, with ignorance. People have feelings, and can be self-conscious about the way they look. Growing up with a full head of hair, and then all of a sudden, finding that over night, one has gone bold, can be quite traumatic, in particular for young men, who don't know how to deal with the unwelcomed change of appearance. Good Karma to you always, God bless, 🙏🦋
Dear member Joydie, I respect your opinion totally. However, the reason why you probably dont understand why men feel shame about bring bald, is because you are not bold yourself, you have your beautiful hair, and can not feel the shame that they are feeling. When you are aware that people are ashamed of a part of their anatomy, or any part of their appearance, you need to be mindful and try and show empathy, and not look at the issue with, if you will pardon, with ignorance. People have feelings, and can be self-conscious about the way they look. Growing up with a full head of hair, and then all of a sudden, finding that over night, one has gone bold, can be quite traumatic, in particular for young men, who don't know how to deal with the unwelcomed change of appearance. Good Karma to you always, God bless, 🙏🦋
Joydie, You probably don't understand because you might not have been the brunt of endless mockery and criticism. I can take a joke at my expense, but it becomes really tiresome when there's a comment about being bald every single time you meet up with people. Making fun of someone's appearance is just juvenile, whether one is offended by it or not. After all, one could make a comment about Anna Malygon's chin?
 
I simply don't understand why men feel shame about being bald. My husband of 57 years is as bald as a billiard ball and I couldn't care less. I've met men with full heads of hair who really are horrible people. The lack of hair doesn't mean men are bad people.

I can't vouch for the accuracy of this information, but I have read that bald men have more testosterone than men with lots of hair.
It's great that your husband is comfortable being bald and for me I don't look at a man being bald or with hair but rather the person they are.
Unfortunately it doesn't change how a lot of men feel and how self conscious they are.
I have a male friend who went bald in his late 20s and he has tried everything to grow hair. He is very self conscious even now that he is in his late 50s. He has also tried taupes which made him itchy.

When I go to an event I need my full make up. Hubby says to ne that I really don't need make up but to me I would never dream going to a wedding or even out to dinner without it.
 
Ik
Joydie, You probably don't understand because you might not have been the brunt of endless mockery and criticism. I can take a joke at my expense, but it becomes really tiresome when there's a comment about being bald every single time you meet up with people. Making fun of someone's appearance is just juvenile, whether one is offended by it or not. After all, one could make a comment about Anna Malygon's chin?
body shaming of either sex is stooping to a low point. Everyone has a mirror and knows their flaws. Self esteem is so important in life. If you have the money and inclination to fix it good, for those that don’t, keep your thoughts to yourself. .
 
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It's great that your husband is comfortable being bald and for me I don't look at a man being bald or with hair but rather the person they are.
Unfortunately it doesn't change how a lot of men feel and how self conscious they are.
I have a male friend who went bald in his late 20s and he has tried everything to grow hair. He is very self conscious even now that he is in his late 50s. He has also tried taupes which made him itchy.

When I go to an event I need my full make up. Hubby says to ne that I really don't need make up but to me I would never dream going to a wedding or even out to dinner without it.
Dear member Suzanne rose, beautifully stated, good Karma to you always, God bless, 🙏🦋
 
Dear member Joydie, I respect your opinion totally. However, the reason why you probably dont understand why men feel shame about bring bald, is because you are not bold yourself, you have your beautiful hair, and can not feel the shame that they are feeling. When you are aware that people are ashamed of a part of their anatomy, or any part of their appearance, you need to be mindful and try and show empathy, and not look at the issue with, if you will pardon, with ignorance. People have feelings, and can be self-conscious about the way they look. Growing up with a full head of hair, and then all of a sudden, finding that over night, one has gone bold, can be quite traumatic, in particular for young men, who don't know how to deal with the unwelcomed change of appearance. Good Karma to you always, God bless, 🙏🦋
Oh how wrong you are! I was bullied relentlessly for the 12 years I attended school because I was skeletally thin, was covered in freckles and had frizzy curly hair.

Then, at 35, I developed lipodaema, a metabolic disorder which causes the body to deposit the fat you eat on your hips, legs and upper arms, while your trunk, lower arms, hands and feet stay thin. It doesn't matter how little fat you eat, the body doesn't excrete it, instead sending it to the areas mentioned. It means you look very lopsided and people do stare. Diet and exercise have no effect. Look it up, you'll find I'm not just making excuses for being overweight now.

Then, joy of joys, in my early 70s, I began losing my hair. It's now extremely thin on top and at the back, and my scalp is clearly visible in these areas. I tried covering it with hats for a few months, but then decided that if people wanted to judge me by my weird body shape and lack of hair, I don't care to know them anyway.

This is the very reason I don't assume things about people online. I have no idea if someone is having the best day or the worst day of their life or something in between. I find your saying I look at things 'with ignorance' very interesting. I'm acutely aware of how people allow themselves to feel when faced with difficulties, whether physical or otherwise. I worked in medicine for 42 years. I've helped people through horrific trauma, and celebrated the joy of a birth with the parents, and everything in between. What I've experienced in my almost 80 years on this earth has helped me see things in perspective. I've never felt the need to see a therapist, choosing instead to rely on my own inner strength to get me through some pretty horrible stuff.

I have a wonderful mate by the name of Dr Anthony Dillon. Anthony taught me years ago that offence cannot be given, it can only be taken. I choose not to take offence at your riot of presumptions about me, because I think you really believe you're helping. I'm not responsible for your thought processes, so I choose not to take them on board. Please don't judge people in future unless you're in possession of all the facts. Assume nothing.

Incidentally, I stand by my original comment.
 
Joydie, You probably don't understand because you might not have been the brunt of endless mockery and criticism. I can take a joke at my expense, but it becomes really tiresome when there's a comment about being bald every single time you meet up with people. Making fun of someone's appearance is just juvenile, whether one is offended by it or not. After all, one could make a comment about Anna Malygon's chin?
Sorry, who? I've never heard of this woman.

Please read my comment above in reply to 7777 and you'll realise that I've been bullied - not joked about - on and off since I was five. I'll be 80 in November. The only thoughts and opinions I have control over are my own, and that's the right of everyone. I choose not to take on board derogatory opinions of others, especially those who wouldn't know me from a hole in the wall.
 
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Oh how wrong you are! I was bullied relentlessly for the 12 years I attended school because I was skeletally thin, was covered in freckles and had frizzy curly hair.

Then, at 35, I developed lipodaema, a metabolic disorder which causes the body to deposit the fat you eat on your hips, legs and upper arms, while your trunk, lower arms, hands and feet stay thin. It doesn't matter how little fat you eat, the body doesn't excrete it, instead sending it to the areas mentioned. It means you look very lopsided and people do stare. Diet and exercise have no effect. Look it up, you'll find I'm not just making excuses for being overweight now.

Then, joy of joys, in my early 70s, I began losing my hair. It's now extremely thin on top and at the back, and my scalp is clearly visible in these areas. I tried covering it with hats for a few months, but then decided that if people wanted to judge me by my weird body shape and lack of hair, I don't care to know them anyway.

This is the very reason I don't assume things about people online. I have no idea if someone is having the best day or the worst day of their life or something in between. I find your saying I look at things 'with ignorance' very interesting. I'm acutely aware of how people allow themselves to feel when faced with difficulties, whether physical or otherwise. I worked in medicine for 42 years. I've helped people through horrific trauma, and celebrated the joy of a birth with the parents, and everything in between. What I've experienced in my almost 80 years on this earth has helped me see things in perspective. I've never felt the need to see a therapist, choosing instead to rely on my own inner strength to get me through some pretty horrible stuff.

I have a wonderful mate by the name of Dr Anthony Dillon. Anthony taught me years ago that offence cannot be given, it can only be taken. I choose not to take offence at your riot of presumptions about me, because I think you really believe you're helping. I'm not responsible for your thought processes, so I choose not to take them on board. Please don't judge people in future unless you're in possession of all the facts. Assume nothing.

Incidentally, I stand by my original comment.
 
Dear member Jodie, I respect your opinion. However, that what I have stated is not there only for you to read, but for everyone who thinks it's ok to mock, ridecoul, or make fun of people who have gone bold not by choice, but either family genes or an illness. I stand by what I have said 100 percent and on the same token, I hear and respect what you say that have experienced in your life. Good Karma to you always, God bless, 🙏🦋
 
Joydie, You probably don't understand because you might not have been the brunt of endless mockery and criticism. I can take a joke at my expense, but it becomes really tiresome when there's a comment about being bald every single time you meet up with people. Making fun of someone's appearance is just juvenile, whether one is offended by it or not. After all, one could make a comment about Anna Malygon's chin?
Who 😳
 
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Dear member Jodie, I respect your opinion. However, that what I have stated is not there only for you to read, but for everyone who thinks it's ok to mock, ridecoul, or make fun of people who have gone bold not by choice, but either family genes or an illness. I stand by what I have said 100 percent and on the same token, I hear and respect what you say that have experienced in your life. Good Karma to you always, God bless, 🙏🦋
Please don't lose sight of the fact that my opinion is based on many years of personal experience. Karma hasn't really been good to me for the last almost 80 years, so perhaps my turns coming.
 
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Please don't lose sight of the fact that my opinion is based on many years of personal experience. Karma hasn't really been good to me for the last almost 80 years, so perhaps my turns coming.
🙏🦋
 

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