The Psychological Aspects of Balding

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Article Title:

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The Psychological Aspects of Balding

Article Description:

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Hair loss is a problem for millions of men and women, both young

and old. It can decrease self-esteem and confidence, and limit

the ability to enjoy life to the fullest. Balding affects people

in different ways, but certain emotional reactions seem to be

shared by many.

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733 Words; formatted to 65 Characters per Line

Distribution Date and Time: 2006-08-02 10:24:00

Written By: M. Bernstein M.D., F.A.A.D

Copyright: 2006

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The Psychological Aspects of Balding

Copyright © 2006 M. Bernstein M.D., F.A.A.D

New York Hair Restoration Center

http://www.BernsteinMedical.com

Hair loss is a problem for millions of men and women, both young

and old. It can decrease self-esteem and confidence, and limit

the ability to enjoy life to the fullest. Balding affects people

in different ways, but certain emotional reactions seem to be

shared by many.

Hair Loss and the Mating Game

The most common concern that people have when they begin to lose

their hair is that they will be less attractive to the opposite

sex. The interesting thing is that this is often only the view of

the person that is balding and not that person's partner. The

spouse, or friend of those experiencing hair loss, commonly state

that the only thing that bothers them is that it makes their

partner depressed. The balding does not bother them per se.

It is interesting that women sometimes express that they want

their spouses to look good for the wedding pictures, but once

married, they become far less concerned. In fact, when a married

man suddenly becomes interested in having a hair transplant, we

have seen the spouse become suspicious of extra-marital interests

and object to the procedure.

Balding on the Job

Another concern is that the person with hair loss feels he or she

looks older than they actually are and will not be as competitive

in the work force. Unfortunately, studies have shown that this is

a real concern. When employers are screening job applicants, all

other things being equal, those with hair are viewed more

favorably than those who are bald.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

People experiencing hair loss complain that the way they look

does not fit with their own image of themselves. This occurs when

someone begins to lose hair early i.e., in their late teens or

twenties, but it is as much a problem when someone has had a

full-head of hair for years (and is used to receiving compliments

about their hair) and then their hair thins unexpectedly in

middle age.

Hair loss is a universal marker for aging, with ones locks

gradually diminishing over time. Your body slowly changes as

well, with more sagging and wrinkles and ones muscle mass

decreasing. However, hair loss hair can also occur suddenly at a

young age, making you appear much older than you actually are.

Another aspect of balding is that people feel a loss of control.

Hair is one of the few body parts that you can actually

manipulate yourself. You can grow hair long, cut if off, you can

wave it, dye it, or pull it back in a pony-tail. It serves as a

form of self-expression. As people start to lose this form of

self-expression, they can become depressed and withdrawn. But not

everyone responds this way. People react very differently to

their hair loss, with some considering it only a minor nuisance

and others finding it so debilitating that they won't be seen in

public without their head covered.

So Did You Hear the One About...

One of the things that makes going bald difficult is that, for

some reason, people feel that commenting or joking about hair

loss is " fair game " when they wouldn't dare mention that

someone had bad skin, or had a limp. I often point out to

patients, that just because people chose to comment about

thinning hair, doesn't mean they are judging that person or

really care much about it. It just seems to be a socially

acceptable thing to mention.

He Thinks, She Thinks

Women seem to believe that female hair loss is less acceptable

than hair loss in men. While this may be true, the vast majority

of women have hair loss in a pattern that can be easily

camouflaged. Women are often reassured when they realize that

about 40% of women experience hair loss over their lifetime, but

it is to such a small degree that it is rarely recognized by the

opposite sex.

Mane Options

The important things to remember are that hair loss is very

common, it is much more acceptable as one ages, and it is

generally less important to other people than the person

experiencing hair loss thinks. That said, it is not unreasonable

to be upset about going bald. Fortunately, for those who are

bothered by their hair loss, there are now excellent medications

to prevent hair loss and excellent surgical treatments to restore

hair once it is gone.

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Copyright © 2006, M. Bernstein M.D., F.A.A.D.

Dr. Bernstein is Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at

Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons in New

York and is the Director of Bernstein Medical - Center for Hair

Restoration in Manhattan. Learn more at the New York Hair

Restoration Center at: http://www.BernsteinMedical.com