Human beings are blessed with the completeness of body and that includes hair, which is as important as other parts of the body. Just as a person has inferiority complex because of non-existence of any part of the body, the occurrence of hair loss despite having completeness of the rest of the body will still cause the person to feel incomplete among society.
Throughout history and until today, hair continues to be an important symbol of social, gender, religious and professional status. For both men and women, hair is important to one’s self-image, social perception, identity, and psychosocial functioning.
The above importance is reflected in our day-to-day routine whereby the hair is given the most attention by both males and females in its upkeep, styling, and maintenance. In fact due to its dynamic need for attention and importance, society has coined the term “Bad Hair Day” and it is used regularly as a form of expression and perception. Until today we have not heard of other terms such as “Bad Nose Day” or “Bad Skin Day” or “Bad Body Day”.
Many researches and surveys regarding the psychology of hair loss have been published and consistently it has shown that over 70% of men and women reported hair to be an important feature of image, and over 60% agreed that hair loss could affect self esteem. Losing hair can be very challenging if you are the one going through it. Apart from the physical loss, you may go through severe emotional changes and stresses that are listed below:
1. The end of youth / pre-mature ageing
It is a simple perception that a head full of hair signifies youth, while hair loss is a feature of ageing. This aged look is made worse when you are still in your twenties or thirties, or when you do not go through other signs of ageing such as sagging skin, wrinkles and decreasing muscle bulk.
2. Low self-esteem
Physical beauty and image is one of the important pillars of self-esteem that is also very vulnerable. The onset of hair loss can cause your self-esteem or self-worth level to drop significantly. This occurs when you prematurely lose your hair before your thirties, or if you have had a full head of hair (especially when you receive compliments about your hair) and suddenly the hair begins to thin in your middle age.
3. Loss of personal attractiveness
Hair loss severely affects your feeling of attractiveness and frequently causes you to feel dissatisfied with your image. You may find yourself limiting your social activities because it is a common practice for society to notice your hair upon first impression or meeting with others.
4. Lost of control
Hair is one of the body parts that you are able to manipulate yourself daily. As much as it is an expression of your image, it is also an expression of your need to be in control. You are in power to decide the length of your hair, dye it, cut it, curl it, tie it up, and style it to suit you. Hair loss causes you feel lost of control and for many people they can end up being depressed or withdrawn.
While there are many causes of hair loss, the most common cause affecting more than 90% of men who are undergoing hair loss is Androgenic Alopecia (male pattern hair loss), whereby it is an inherited condition that occurs even when the androgen (male hormone) is present in normal amount. This gene can be inherited from either the father or mother’s side. The age of onset, rate of loss, and severity is very unpredictable. However what is known is that the severity increases with age and once it has started the hairless is progressive and relentless.
Many treatments are present in the market to treat hair loss with variable results and with little or no guarantee. Most of these treatments create hope for new hair. However what is not properly mentioned to you is that it will only take effect on hair follicles that are weak but still present. It will almost not work on follicles that have miniaturised or become inactive.
If you have been in such a situation as above, spending valuable money on hair treatments on inactive or areas without hair follicles, then hair transplant is a vital option to consider whereby healthy follicles are carefully extracted and subsequently implanted into the balding areas to recreate a new lease of hair life for your crowning glory.
To know more about your hair and scalp health, consult a properly trained and certified doctor or trichologist to determine the type and stage of hair loss you are undergoing. Only through sound knowledge and understanding will you be empowered to make a wise decision.