27/02/2022
Hair Loss and Self-Esteem
“Hair loss has been affecting men’s self-esteem for centuries, if not longer,” general practitioner and medical advisor Nikola Djordjevic, MD, tells WebMD Connect to Care. “Long thick hair during ancient times was a symbol of masculinity and vitality, so it makes sense that men are psychologically affected by hair loss nowadays as well. Hair loss symbolizes aging and debility, which is why I think that men start feeling more depressed as their hair starts falling out.“
Multiple studies have linked male pattern hair loss to lowered self-esteem and decreased confidence. A 2019 study in the International Journal of Trichology found that androgenic alopecia lowered the quality of life for many men, with particular effects in the areas of self-perception and interpersonal relations. 2018 research in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology identified low self-esteem in many patients with androgenic alopecia and found that confidence can improve after hair transplantation treatment.
“Hair loss in men can affect self-esteem to the extent that a man believes his appearance to be an important part of what makes him a worthwhile or valuable person,” psychologist Paul Greene, PhD, says. “For men who are very invested in their appearance and who identify as a younger-looking man, hair loss can significantly impact self-esteem.”