The Psychological Aspects of Balding
Robert M. Bernstein M.D., F.A.A.D

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 (c) 2006, Robert 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