The reality of life is that our society has the habit of instantly judging any sign of weakness in men! Not surprising, seeing that men are type-casted as the stronger gender. So, the impact of Hair Loss on Male Mental health is silent, yet devastating!
Hair loss, thinning hair, and baldness are much more than just physical changes. They can have a profound impact on a man’s mental health.
Though few hair loss conditions are curable, few conditions like Male Pattern Baldness and Alopecia Areata do not have a definite cure.
In a society where appearance plays an important role, the emotional toll of hair loss is often underestimated. The hours one spends examining his scalp in a pained silence, the agonising screams he stiffies, and the desperate way he seeks solutions, are all lost in the melle of everyday life. The emotional turmoil will eventually eat him from inside.
Though there are many hair treatments for men, some invasive and some purely cosmetic, the time and cost involved makes them an optional choice.
The society as a whole needs to understand the connection between hair loss and mental well-being in men. And, we have done our best to shed light on it.
Understanding the impact of Hair loss For the greater good!
Body image and Self-esteem
Society can make or break us! Though the talk about living for ourselves is good on paper, the societal pressure to conform to certain beauty standards impacts and creates a negative perception when hair loss occurs. Men may start experiencing a decline in self-esteem, and start feeling less confident in both professional and personal fronts.
Anxiety and Isolation
There is a profound relationship between confidence and one’s ability to gel with society. So naturally, the fear of judgment or ridicule due to hair loss can lead to one shunning social gatherings. They might even isolate themselves to escape the potential embarrassment or teasing. This withdrawal will eventually contribute to feelings of loneliness and depression.
Impact On Relationships
Though they say that love starts in the heart, the basis of most romantic relationships is undoubtedly visual. Men fear loss of attractiveness when they encounter hair loss. Even if their partner accepts it as a part of their persona, some men withdraw into their cocoon. This can lead to strained relationships and intimacy issues.
Might Affect Career Prospects
In some professions, a youthful and vibrant appearance is considered imperative to create impacts that last. Balding might give the perception of being older or less energetic, thereby influencing workplace dynamics. Even if the workplace doesn’t discriminate, one’s own anxiety might make him hold back. So, hair loss might impact opportunities and chances for career advancement.
Unfavorable Comparisons
With the whole world fixated on social media and entertainment, the standards of beauty are often idealised based on what one sees online or on-screen. Constant exposure to images of men with full, luscious hair can evoke feelings of inadequacy in the minds of men encountering hair loss. When this leads to unfavorable comparisons and taunts, the impending emotional toll is a silent killer.
Coping Mechanisms
Coping with hair loss is easy for anyone if he understands the vital fact – HE IS NOT ALONE!
Devising effective strategies to manage the emotional upheaval and seeking support from friends and family are the first steps to maintain a better mental health. One can also seek support from certified mental health professionals and therapists.
Some opt for Hair Transplantation or other invasive medical procedures to address hair loss. Though these treatments are effective, they involve considerable pain, cost, and recovery times.
If one doesn’t have the necessary time and resources to undergo these treatments, there are some medications like Minoxidil to stimulate hair loss. There is also a revolutionary non-invasive and painless cosmetic procedure to gain a fuller hairline – Scalp Micropigmentation.
But in any case, accepting oneself is the key to emerge unscathed! Additionally, embracing new hairstyles or undergoing hair loss treatments will positively impact too.
Changing Perspectives
It’s high time the society accepts that hair loss is a natural part of aging for most men. Wholehearted acceptance and promoting diverse representations of beauty can help reduce the stigma associated with hair loss. If each of us starts accepting that everyone is unique in their own special way, the society will automatically transform into an inclusive haven!
I think the changes are already creeping in at a steady pace. As far as the entertainment industry goes, people who are bald or sport a trimmed hairline are considered super sexy and attractive! The proof is here to see.
Movie stars like Jason Statham & Stanley Tucci, Musician Kanye West, Footballer Sofyan Amrabat, to name a few, show us new beauty standards by flaunting either a shaved look or a closely trimmed hairline. And suave celebrities like Vin Diesel and Jamie Foxx proudly flaunt their SMP treated full hairlines. So, always remember that hair loss is not the end of the world! But, just a chance to think different and emerge as a better version of yourself.
Concluding this blog with a much needed pep talk!
For all men battling hair loss, we have only one thing to say – It’s time to shift your mindset and start accepting yourself as you are! Infact as per popular opinion, a bald or shaved shadow hairstyle gives you a sophisticated and groomed look!
Hair Loss is not the end of the world, but a way to foster self-love and acceptance! Society will eventually change when you look it in the eyes and say “I am what I am. I have accepted myself and it’s high time you do!”
