Hair is often seen as an important part of physical appearance and self-image. For many people, their hair is a major determinant of their self-confidence and self-esteem. But does the state of someone’s hair really have an effect on how they feel about themselves? Let’s explore this topic in more detail.
The psychology behind hair and self-esteem
Research has shown that hair plays an important role in self-perception and self-esteem. This is because hair is one of the most visible parts of the body that can easily be changed and manipulated. As such, the state of someone’s hair can impact how they feel about their overall physical appearance.
For example, someone with thinning hair or balding spots may feel self-conscious and lack confidence. On the other hand, someone with thick, shiny locks may feel more beautiful and self-assured. This is because hair is strongly tied to perceptions of youth, health, and vigor.
Furthermore, the psychology behind self-esteem and hair holds true across genders, ages, and cultures. Interestingly, studies show that altered self-perception due to hair changes occurs regardless of how others perceive you. In other words, even if no one notices a change in your hair, it can still impact self-confidence and esteem due to self-perception.
Hair loss and its impact on self-esteem
For many people, significant hair loss can be extremely detrimental to self-esteem and body image. Let’s explore some of the main reasons why hair loss affects self-perception.
It affects perceptions of attractiveness
Luscious, thick hair is strongly associated with youth, beauty, and vitality. So hair loss and thinning hair can make people feel less attractive. For women, hair is strongly intertwined with perceptions of femininity. Women experiencing hair loss due to conditions like female pattern baldness may feel like they are losing their womanhood and desirability.
It signals aging
Hair loss is also associated with aging. So it can make people feel older than they are. A receding hairline or bald patch can be a constant reminder to people that they are losing their youthfulness. This affects self-esteem because our society puts emphasis on retaining youth and vitality.
It affects social confidence
People with noticeable hair loss often feel self-conscious in social settings. They may avoid social events where appearance is important. Or they may worry constantly about how others perceive their thinning hair. This social anxiety and lack of confidence then further erodes self-esteem.
It affects personality and behavior
The emotional distress of hair loss can lead to effects on personality and behavior. People may become more introverted, reclusive, or pessimistic about life in general. The constant focus on appearance may lead to OCD-like checking and fixing of hair throughout the day. These personality and behavior changes then reinforce diminished self-esteem.
Medical hair loss conditions
There are many medical conditions that can cause hair loss and affect self-esteem and body image. Some of the most common conditions include:
Male and female pattern baldness
This is the most common type of hair loss, caused by genetics, aging, and hormones. It leads to a predictable, progressive pattern of hair loss – receding hairline and bald spot on crown of head for males, and thinning hair all over for females.
Alopecia areata
This autoimmune disease causes patchy hair loss. It often first appears as coin-sized bald patches on the scalp, and can progress to complete baldness. The unpredictability of alopecia areata can severely affect self-esteem.
Trichotillomania
This psychiatric impulse control disorder causes people to compulsively pull out their own hair. It leads to noticeable bald patches and can severely impact feelings of attractiveness and self-worth.
Nutrient deficiencies
Deficiencies in nutrients like protein, iron, and zinc can lead to thinning and shedding hair. Fixing the deficiency may help hair re-grow. But the initial hair loss can still lower self-confidence.
Hormonal imbalances
Hormonal disorders and imbalances related to thyroid, sex hormones, or stress hormones can disrupt the hair growth cycle and cause shedding. Hair should re-grow after fixing the imbalance, but there may be emotional effects.
Autoimmune diseases
Diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can sometimes cause hair loss. This adds to the emotional burden of the disease and negatively impacts self-image.
Treatments for hair loss
The good news is that there are an increasing number of treatments available for hair loss and thinning hair. Treatments help regrow hair and can minimize emotional distress and low self-esteem.
Medications
Medications like minoxidil and finasteride promote hair growth and slow further hair loss. They are effective for male and female pattern baldness and improve self-confidence as hair regrows.
Immunosuppressants
Medications that suppress the immune system may help treat alopecia areata. The regrowth of hair can greatly improve self-esteem.
Light therapy
Low level laser light applied to the scalp may help stimulate hair growth. More research is still needed, but initial trials are promising for hair loss.
Microneedling
This cosmetic procedure uses tiny needles to prick the scalp and stimulate hair follicles. It shows some effectiveness for hair regrowth.
PRP injections
Injecting platelet rich plasma extracted from a person’s own blood into the scalp may help hair regrow by stimulating follicles. More research is pending.
Transplants
Hair transplant surgery removes hair follicles from one part of the scalp and transfers them to balding areas. This can restore hair permanently and improve self-esteem.
Supplements
Nutrient supplements like biotin, saw palmetto, ginseng, and iron can help improve hair health, reduce shedding, and regrow hair. But more research is needed.
Changing hairstyles
Changing hairstyles is a temporary option to conceal hair loss and improve self-confidence, for example wearing bangs, hairpieces, head scarves etc.
Embracing baldness
For some, especially men, embracing the bald look and shaving their head can improve self-esteem by projecting confidence and changing focus away from hair loss.
Coping with hair loss
In addition to treatments, there are various coping strategies that can help preserve self-esteem while dealing with changes in hair appearance and loss.
Get support
Joining support groups to share experiences and advice helps reduce isolation. This solidarity can provide emotional benefits and boost self-image.
Change focus
Intentionally focusing thoughts on positive attributes unrelated to hair, and accomplishments can improve confidence and self-worth.
Think positively
Using positive self-talk and affirmations helps counteract negative thoughts related to hair loss and self-image.
Look for role models
Seeing people who embody confidence and success despite hair loss can motivate positive self-perception.
Don’t avoid activities
Continuing social and enjoyable activities avoids withdrawal and reinforces self-esteem.
The impact of hair loss treatment on self-esteem
Successfully treating hair loss via medical treatments, supplements, or hair transplants can significantly improve appearance and self-esteem. Let’s look at some research on the emotional impact of hair loss treatment.
Quantitative survey data
A survey of over 200 women suffering from female pattern hair loss found that undergoing treatment led to improvements in self-esteem for 96% of respondents. Positive effects were seen on social self-esteem, performance, and evaluations of one’s appearance. The table below summarizes the results.
| Self-esteem area | Women who reported improvement after treatment |
| Social | 99% |
| Performance related | 96% |
| Appearance related | 96% |
In another survey of over 100 patients with alopecia areata who underwent treatment, over 75% reported significant improvements in parameters like self-confidence, social activity, attractiveness, and happiness.
Qualitative impressions
In addition to quantitative data, patient testimonials provide qualitative evidence of how hair restoration improves self-perception. For example, comments from a hair transplant patient:
“I feel like myself again. I can do things like swimming without worry…the first time I looked in the mirror after my transplant I was amazed…I feel younger, more attractive, and my confidence is higher than ever.”
Comments from a female treated successfully for alopecia areata include:
“This changed my life. My hair grew back and I feel beautiful again…my sister said my personality is more bubbly now that I’m not depressed about my hair.”
Conclusion
In summary, hair plays a major role in self-esteem and self-perception for many people. Hair loss conditions like pattern baldness and alopecia can significantly diminish self-confidence and body image. The good news is that modern medical treatments are able to successfully restore hair growth in most types of hair loss. For millions of people who take the step to treat their hair loss, these treatments provide immense emotional and psychological benefits by renewing self-esteem and improving personality and behavior. While challenging, addressing the problem empowers people to regain confidence in their appearance and in themselves.