Self-esteem is what we believe about ourselves and how we think others see 
us. Self-esteem can be high and accompanied by a sense of pride, or low and accompanied by feelings of shame. For those who experience thinning hair or baldness, such unexpected changes in appearance can have a serious impact on self-esteem, especially when health, beauty, and youth encapsulate one’s perspective on strength. The impact of hair loss on self-esteem can be severe.
Everyone loses hair. In fact, the average person sheds between 50 and 100 hairs per day. However, for the more than 50 million Americans suffering from hair loss, this little factoid offers little comfort. For some, hair loss can be temporary and caused by changes in medication, hormone imbalances, stress levels, or poor nutrition. But for the many who are genetically predisposed to hair loss, it’s permanent.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most common type of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, or genetic hair loss. The experience can be passed down from your parents, especially if both have lost some or all their hair. And while hair growth slows down as we age, some men with a history of hair loss can start balding by age 25.
Here are just a few ways that thinning hair or baldness can negatively impact you:
Perceived loss of physical attractiveness
Our society places a lot of value on attractiveness and youthful appearance. Just turn on the TV or flip through a magazine and you’ll no doubt find ads for anti-aging serums, hair color, and a slew of other products promising to help you defy aging. So, when a person begins to lose hair, it can prove traumatic and knock down their self-confidence a peg or two.
Depression, anxiety, and feelings of embarrassment
Research shows that individuals suffering from alopecia have higher levels of depression, anxiety, and helplessness than the general population. One method of coping is to hide the hair loss under baseball caps and other means.
Effect on social life
Some may avoid social situations and interactions because they feel embarrassed by a certain lack of hair. A once social, active individual may become withdrawn, avoiding social settings and, in extreme cases, even their jobs.
No one can tell you how you should feel about losing hair. But here at DiStefano Hair Restoration Center, we can give you back a full head of hair and, along with it, some much needed self-esteem. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation so you can learn more about our hair transplant procedures – and results!
