MALE BALDNESS: Psychological Effects

Male baldness can prove to be a traumatic and disheartening experience for some. With some conditions taking men by surprise, various forms of alopecia can cause depression and lower self-esteem. But what are the psychological effects of male baldness?

Hair loss is commonly referred to as alopecia. There are a variety of different forms of alopecia, with each of the different strands of the disease carrying different symptoms and different severities. Alopecia in extreme cases can spread to all hair on the human body, where it is then known as alopecia universalis.

Checking the hairline is another important way of monitoring balding. A hairline working its way up to the crown is known as anterior recession. This is the second of the two main measurements of baldness recognised scientifically.

Androgenic alopecia is the medical term for common male-pattern baldness. The condition can usually lead to complete baldness, with hair principally thinning at the crown of the head. Scientists believe this form of alopecia to be a result of the combination of various genetic and environmental factors.

On average, 50 to 100 hairs are lost a day to be replenished by new hair. There are over 100,000 hairs attached to the scalp with the average lifespan of an individual hair between 5 and 7 years before replacement.

Total baldness seen in males is typically diagnosed as alopecia totalis. The condition’s cause has been recognised by doctors as an autoimmune disease, which are diseases caused by an overactive immune system. Stress is also recognised to account for a large majority of the cases of alopecia totalis seen.

A question to consider is: Do members of my family suffer from hair loss of baldness? If the answer is yes, the chances of you being affected by hair loss are increased. It is scientifically proven that hair loss can be passed on genetically from any member of your close family.

Confusion can arise when the person in question asks family and friends for their opinions, thoughts and advice. It is likely for everyone to have something different to say. This can worsen the uncertainty the person feels and can cause more upset.

Increases in dandruff or problems with your scalp could also be the onset of hair loss. Consider using dandruff-eliminating shampoo to see if the problem stops. Failing that, consult your doctor.

It is difficult for some people to discuss their problem properly. Sometimes, an individual can be their own worst enemy when it comes to thinking about a problem and can always jump to the worst conclusion. Talking to a doctor or a trusted figure can help a great deal.

It is believed that the hormone DHT establishes the beginning of the process of follicular miniaturisation. This indicates the transition from the pigmented, thick hairs normally seen in healthy hair to vellus hairs of which growth is not affected by hormones. The three types of hair seen on the skin are known as terminal, intermediate and vellus.

With all of these different types and causes of male baldness, there has been a requirement for a baldness classification system. In the 1950s, this was founded with the Hamilton Scale. After revision in the 1970s, the naming was changed to the Hamilton-Norwood Scale to account for the improvements made by the Dr O’Tar Norwood.