Emotional effects of hair loss among women

Hair loss among women might seem rare but it is very common. Just because most women facing hair loss do not show their balding spots does not mean that they are not going through hair loss and that it is not affecting them.

The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery cites that hair loss among women occurs at all ages after puberty. However, the onset of female-pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, appears to be most frequent at ages 20 to 30 years and 40 to 50 years. Generally, one in every four women suffers from hair loss and hair thinning, with androgenetic alopecia being the main cause in 95% of these cases. The other causes of hair loss among women include stress (physical and psychological), poor nutrition, poor health and heredity.

According to Anisa Vrabac - Head of Hair Transplant Department at Dubai Cosmetic Surgery clinic - hair loss among females is not noticed by the wider public because most of these women suffer in silence. “In the Gulf region, it is not easy to notice a woman suffering from female pattern baldness, or other forms of hair loss mostly because they cover their head, while others use fancy hair styles to hide,” says Anisa, citing her years of experience within Hair loss and Hair restoration sector.

“Other women make it through the hair loss journey by having a different hairstyle, covering their heads by either a hat or maybe a wig, or simply shaving off their entire head as a way of being “fashionable”,” she adds.

Since most common causes of hair loss among women are often discussed, the sooner a person starts treatment for the reason behind the hair loss, according to Anisa, the better the chances of regaining a full head of hair.

Although it might not be the end of the world to lose hair especially if you are a woman, states the ‘Hair guru’, for most people it might seem so from their perspective. “This is because hair loss among men is more acceptable by society compared with hair loss in women.”

With this kind of perception, women tend to suffer a lot and it affects them emotionally as well as their self-image to a larger extent.

Outlined here are different ways women faced with hair loss suffer emotionally according to Anisa.

Feeling unattractive: The moment a woman starts seeing some changes on her scalp, like thinning or bald spots, the first thing that comes to mind is her level of attractiveness. Women, who have a full head of hair or simply healthy hair, have a way of feeling content with their beauty because it is more a symbol of femininity. So when it starts to fall, every feeling of self-worth starts disappearing which can lead to mental health problems.

Low self-esteem: The next thing to start disappearing with the hair is the person’s self-confidence. The beauty of hair adds on to someone’s self-esteem, and plays a big part in their entire personality. By losing hair, the self-worth also disappears and expressing herself becomes a big problem, leading to insecurities.

Embarrassment: Loss of hair also leads to one being embarrassed. Compared with a man in her position, a woman will not be very confident going out or meeting people because the hair loss she is going through brings shyness to her life. And the result is not wanting anyone to see her balding spots, for fear of it leading to stigmatization or people feeling sorry for her.

Frustration: Like I had mentioned above, hair loss might not seem like the end of the world but for those going through it, it surely feels like the end of the world. Being frustrated for not being able to have your hair in a particular style, or sticking to one style throughout so as to hide a hairless spot could feel more like emotional torture. This frustration is what can also easily drive a woman who is losing her hair into depression.

Feelings of envy: Although the green-eyed monster is a very negative feeling, losing hair can easily lead a person to such feelings. Hair is a sign of femininity and when you start losing it you feel like you have lost the feminine qualities as well. So when you see someone else with a beautiful flowing mane, the feelings of envy start eating away at you, which again adds more to your depressing feelings.

Anisa Vrabac is the Head of Hair Transplant and Restoration department at Dubai Cosmetic surgery.