Head shaving
Head shaving is a form of body modification which involves shaving the hair from a person's head. People throughout history have shaved all or part of their heads for diverse reasons including as a rite of passage, practicality, convenience, fashion, style, religion, aesthetics, culture, and punishment. Early history. The earliest historical records describing head shaving are from ancient Mediterranean cultures such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The Egyptian priest class ritualistically removed all hair from head to toe by plucking it. As a symbol of subordination. Enslaved peoples. In many cultures through-out history cutting or shaving  hair in men has been seen as a sign of subordination. In ancient Greece and much of Babylon, long hair was a symbol of economic and social power, while a shaved head was the sign of a slave. This was a way of the slave-owner establishing the slave’s body as their property by literally removing a part of their personhood, and individuality. Military. The practice of shaving heads has been used in the military. Although sometimes explained as being for hygiene reasons, the image of strict and disciplined conformity is also accepted as a factor. Upon the Allied  invasion of Normandy during World War II, many soldiers chose to have their heads completely shaved to deny the defending Nazis something to grab onto if they found themselves in hand-to-hand combat. For the new recruit, it can be a rite of passage, and variations become a badge of honor. Prison and punishment. Prisoners commonly have their heads shaven to prevent the spread of lice, but it may also be used as a demeaning measure. Having the head shaved can be a punishment prescribed in law. The Nazis punished people accused of racial mixing by parading them through  the streets with shaved heads and placards around their necks detailing their crime. During and after World War II, thousands of French women had their heads shaved in front of cheering crowds as punishment for either collaborating with the Nazis or having sexual relationships with Nazi soldiers during the war. Some Finnish women also had their heads shaved for allegedly having relationships with Soviet POWs during the war. Religious significance. Many Buddhists and Vaisnavas, especially Hare Krishnas, shave their heads. Some Hindu and most Buddhist monks and nuns shave their heads upon entering their order, and Buddhist monks and nuns  in Korea have their heads shaved every 15 days. Muslim men have the choice of shaving their head after performing the Umrah and Hajj, following the tradition of committing to Allah, but are not required to keep it permanently shaved. Hasidic Jewish men will occasionally shave all of their head except for the sides to emphasize their payot (sidelocks). In certain Hasidic sects, most famously Satmar, married women shave their head every month before immersion in the mikveh (ritual bath). Practicality. Sport. Competitive swimmers often shave their body from head to toe to reduce drag while swimming. The same may  also be true for sprinters, joggers, and other runners. Baldness. People suffering from hair loss may shave their heads in order to look more presentable, be more convenient, or adhere to a certain style or fashion movement. Those with alopecia areata or pattern baldness often choose to shave, which has rapidly become a more common choice since the 1990s. It has also become more common for bald men to accessorize with small hoop or stud earrings, a look famously adopted by figures such as basketball player Michael Jordan and professional wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin upon shaving their heads in  the 1990s. Notable people. "This list focuses only on individuals who are notable in mainstream pop culture and for whom a shaved head is an important part of their public image."