Effect of Hair Loss on Appearance and Self-Esteem

When people realise they are suffering from some form of hair loss, people instantly wonder what effect this will have on their appearance and whether this means they will look unattractive or older as a result.  It is no wonder then that plenty of men and women will consider hair transplantation to overcome what they perceive to be an age-inappropriate appearance.

People that unfortunately suffer from hair loss do not want to appear older than they, or even older than they wish to portray.  This is not necessarily people being vain and many factors may affect their decision to take such a step.

Reasons for people to get a hair transplant to avoid age-inappropriate appearance can be personal, work-related, or a combination of both. In both personal and work environments, age-inappropriate appearance can substantially influence one's self-regard, self-esteem, interpersonal and work-related relationships.

A person’s age is objectively measured in years, however a person’s appearance can lead to people making assumptions as to how old they may be. 

Most people who are encountered in the workplace or in social environments probably do not know your calendar age unless you revealed it to them, but they quickly make judgments regarding your appearance of age. Along with their assessment of your apparent age as seen through their eyes, they may make some judgments regarding what may be called age-related values.

Believing that people may be making these assumptions have a dramatic impact on us and the way we feel.  Believing that people may deem us to look older or less attractive can cause us to have lower self-esteem and in some cases can cause us to withdraw into ourselves. 

The emotional aspects of living with hair loss can be challenging. Discovery of hair loss is a stressful experience for both sexes, but substantially more distressing for women.

Physical beauty is one of the cornerstones of self-esteem and it is one of the most vulnerable. The self-esteem levels and other measures of self-worth drop significantly when hair loss occurs.

Hair is an important determinant of physical attractiveness and a mean of expressing individuality. Hair loss affects the individual’s feelings of attractiveness. For balding women it is especially hard to live in a society that places great value on youthful appearance and attractiveness.

Because women are famous for spending a lot of time and money grooming, dying, curling, drying, and styling their hair to make it look its best, when they begin to lose their hair, it is extremely traumatic. This cosmetic setback is quite intense when a woman is used to having hair and suddenly finds herself losing it. They can have a lot of trouble dealing with the reality of hair loss.

In extreme circumstances, some people really take hair loss badly and get highly distressed about it, up to the point of getting into depression.

Some people make assumptions that they are losing something about their control of their life, things they really can not reverse when they start losing their hair.

Correcting hair loss may not be merely a matter of halting loss of hair or replacing lost hair. Well-planned and long-term management of hair loss requires professional attention such as that offered by a physician or hair restoration specialist.

If you are suffering from hair loss, and are concerned at all about the effects this may have, it is essential that you consult your GP for their diagnosis as to whether it may be temporary or likely to continue to and progressively get worse