Aunty headshave for treatment

 Hello everyone, I am Ravi. Today, I am sharing the story of my Aunt's (Pinni, Latha) head shave. My uncle (Babai, Raghu) is a software professional, and I was staying at their house for my coaching classes. My Aunt, Latha (38), was deeply attached to her long, thick hair; she hadn't cut it in almost 10 years and had last shaved her head when she was a child in the sixth grade.

1. The Hair in the Curry and The Doctor's Appointment

The main story begins when Aunt Latha started having severe hair fall issues. The fallen hair would often end up in the food, which my uncle found frustrating. Although Uncle Raghu loved her long hair, he was meticulous about hygiene. One evening during dinner, a strand of hair was found in Uncle Raghu's curry.

Uncle (B): "Latha, Latha! What is this?" (He picked the hair from the curry and showed it to her.)

Aunt (P): "Oh, sorry, Raghu. I didn't see it." 

B: "I told you to wear a cap when preparing food!" 

P: "I know, sorry, Raghu. I forgot. The hair fall has been much worse lately." 

B: "It's difficult if this continues, Latha."

  P: "I know, but no matter how many shampoos or oils I use, nothing helps. What do you want me to do?"

Me (R): "Uncle, you should consult a hair specialist. They will tell you the exact problem." 

B: "That's a good idea, Ravi." 

P: "Ravi, do you know any specialists?" 

R: "Yes, Aunt. I do." 

B: "Then book an appointment for tomorrow. We will go."

I immediately called and booked the appointment.

2. The Doctor’s Verdict: Shaving is Mandatory

The next day, the three of us went to the specialist. The doctor examined Aunt's hair and scalp thoroughly. We went back in after the tests.

Doctor (D): "Mrs. Latha, I believe you have used many hair products over the years." 

P: "Yes, Doctor."

D: "The core issue is that your scalp is severely damaged due to those products. That's why you are experiencing hair fall." 

B: "What is the solution, Doctor?" 

D: (Looking at Aunt) "Mrs. Latha, how long has it been since you last shaved your head?" 

P: (Hesitantly) "About fifteen or sixteen years." 

D: "Look, human hair damage is natural, but the products you used have caused excessive damage. We have a treatment, but it is somewhat expensive." 

B: "Money is not an issue, Doctor."

D: "There is another point: We cannot perform this treatment effectively on long hair. Even if we try, the medicine won't penetrate to the roots, rendering it useless." 

P: (Fear starting to show) "So, you are suggesting a haircut, Doctor?" 

D: "Yes, a very short one. We need to clear the scalp." 

P: "Is there any alternative method?" 

D: "No. Your scalp is almost closed due to chemical residue and dandruff. If you do not undergo this treatment now, there is a serious risk of permanent baldness ('Batta Talla')."

P: (Tears welling up) "Permanent baldness, Doctor?"

B: "We are ready for the treatment, Doctor. How short should we go?" 

D: "Normally, a boycut or buzzcut is sufficient, but since your wife is in the third stage of damage, the shorter the hair, the better the results. If you ask me, head shaving (Gundu) is the better option." 

P: "Head shave?" 

D: "Yes. For men, it's not a problem as their hair is short, but for women, getting a head shave at least once every six or seven years clears the scalp. That is why I asked how long it has been since your last tonsure."

I was overwhelmed with excitement, unable to speak.

P: "Okay, Doctor. We will decide and come back."

3. The Final Pressure and The Funny Cap Torture

We returned home, and the intense discussion began. Aunt Latha held her hair protectively.

P: "I cannot agree to this head shave. I will not go bald. Raghu, let's find an alternative. I'll get a very short haircut." 

B: (Softly, but firmly) "Latha, a haircut won't work. The Doctor said a shave is the only option. I don't want you to suffer." 

P: "I cannot live without this hair! I'll look funny, and people will stare!" 

B: "Then forget it. In a few years, you'll be permanently bald, and then don't complain to me."

Hearing the words "permanent baldness," Aunt Latha started to cry.

B: (Holding her face gently) "Latha, look. We have that vow (mokku) we made to Tirumala, remember? We can kill two birds with one stone. The vow will be fulfilled, and your treatment will begin. Agree, Latha." 

P: (Tears rolling down, defeated) "Okay, Raghu. It's your wish." 

B: "Good. Since I have next week off, we will go then. What do you say?" 

P: "Okay. Ravi, will you come with us to Tirumala?" 

R: "Yes, Aunt, I'm coming! (I thought to myself: If you give me the chance to see you bald, why would I say no?)"

We called the Doctor to confirm the treatment start date. That Friday night, Uncle Raghu brought a bright blue, oversized cap to tease Aunt Latha.

B: "Latha, here! Wear this so you won't feel bad until your hair grows back!" 

P: (Slightly irritated, but managing a smile) "Raghu! Stop teasing me! It's so big!" 

R: "It's funny, Aunt! It's the perfect solution to prevent people from seeing your bald head!"

4. The Double Shave at Kalyanakatta

Sunday night, we started for Tirumala. On Monday morning, we booked a room and went out to eat. Seeing many women with shaved heads there instantly lifted my mood. Uncle Raghu kept teasing Aunt Latha, saying, "In a little while, you'll be bald too!" Aunt was smiling, but tension was visible on her face. We took some "last long hair" photos before heading to the Kalyanakatta.

A woman approached us in line.

Woman: "Is it a tonsure or a haircut?" 

B: "Tonsure."

Woman: "Go wet your heads over there."

Uncle Raghu helped Aunt Latha thoroughly wet her hair. Aunt's two long braids were tied up for the shave.

Barber (M): "Tonsure, right? Please sit down." 

P: (Quietly sitting) 

B: "Anna, please shave slowly. It's her first time, and she's nervous. She also has a scalp infection, so we need to avoid nicks." 

M: "Okay, sir. But that will be 500 rupees for the care." 

B: "Done. But please be slow."

I stood close, my heartbeat racing.

The Shave: Sensory Climax

M: "Amma, bow your head." 

P: (Bows her head, eyes closed) "Raghu... I'm scared. Govinda."

The razor went down the center: "SARRK!" A patch of super white skin appeared. My breath caught. The barber then gently pulled her face forward with his hand and began shaving the right side, starting from the roots. Aunt Latha kept her eyes closed, occasionally letting a silent tear slip out.

M: (Shaving the right side) "Amma, turn to the right." 

P: (Turns with her eyes still closed, thick black hair falling onto her lap.)

The Teasing:

B: "Latha, look how clean it is! You look great, even half-shaved!" 

P: (Opens her eyes, sees the half-bald reflection on a nearby mirror, and manages a shy smile.)

The barber finished the back, and the hair was removed. Aunt Latha saw the long, heavy braid lying in her lap and touched it sadly. Uncle Raghu quickly hugged her, and the barber shaved the rest.

The Husband Joins In

P: (Touching her smooth scalp) "Raghu, wait. Since we are here and you mentioned the vow... I think it would be good if you got a shave too. We will both be clean for the treatment." 

B: (Shocked) "Me? I don't have hair problems!" 

R: "Come on, Uncle! You'll look super cool! For solidarity!"

Uncle Raghu conceded, sat down, and the barber quickly finished his short hair. Uncle Raghu was cold and shocked by the speed but laughed, "We look the same, Latha!"

We applied sandalwood paste to both their smooth heads.

5. The Return and The Weekly Reshave

After darshan, we returned home. Along the way, Aunt Latha tried on a few caps but felt awkward, ultimately leaving her head uncovered. Her friends, seeing her bald head, were shocked but called her 'Bald Queen,' which made her happy.

The next day, we visited the Doctor.

D: "Mrs. Latha, your scalp is accepting the medication well. Your hair loss will stop, and your hair will grow back much thicker." 

P: "Thank you, Doctor! But what about the ongoing treatment?" 

D: "For the best results, for the next one or two months, you need to clean your scalp three times a week." P: "Clean the scalp? I don't understand." 

D: "Simply put, to ensure maximum absorption, the scalp must remain clean. You need to re-shave your head regularly for the next two months."

Uncle Raghu was stunned: "Weekly head shaves? Latha, are you okay with that?"

P: (Calmly, surprisingly) "Yes, Doctor. Weekly once is enough, right?" 

D: "Yes, if you shave the day before treatment, that will suffice."

We left. Uncle Raghu was confused: "Latha, you were scared of one haircut! Now you agree to a weekly shave?"

P: (Smiling) "I was scared of losing the long hair. Now that it's gone, what's the difference? It's just a clean head now!"

For the next two months, Aunt Latha continued her weekly reshave, sometimes done by a parlor lady at home, sometimes by Uncle Raghu, and sometimes by herself. She was often seen open-headed, even at family events. At one wedding, Uncle Raghu's mother even applied kohl (Kajal/Kataka) to Aunt Latha's bald head to protect her from the evil eye!

During those two months, I often rubbed oil or natural packs (curd) onto her smooth scalp. Two years later, her hair is now thick and healthy. Aunt Latha and Uncle Raghu have decided to get a tonsure every five years. I am already eagerly waiting for the next one.