Near the Austrian-Italian border, a Neolithic man was discovered frozen in a glacier in 1991. When this 5,300 B.C. man got his hair trimmed, it was done spotlessly and accurately. He placed a high value on how his hair looked.
Samson and Delilah’s story is fascinating. Samson was endowed with superhuman stamina, which he channeled via his hair. With his hair shaved off, Delilah’s strength was gone.
Psychology of Hair Loss in History
Hair has attracted humans since dawn, and it is normal to be concerned if your hair is thinning. Men who lose their hair are more likely to suffer from masculinity concerns. Many people wonder if ladies will find me unappealing. Is my age a factor in my chances of getting a promotion at work? Do folks think I’m “over the hill”? You may feel like your life is over when you lose your hair. As a result, baldness is a sign of impending death.
An excellent piece about the psychology of a good hair day can be found in Psychology Today. Dr. Harris’ blog piece on the psychology of balding at a young age is a must-read for young men who are losing their hair.
Let’s dissect the various facets of male hair loss psychology. How many have you had the pleasure of witnessing in your own life?
Denial
A man’s reactions and emotions concerning his hair loss stem from denial. When it comes to hair loss in men, they want to deny it all—that they are losing their hair, that they find it unpleasant, and that they are emotionally unable to cope.
It lurks around every corner and even in the most basic of conversations.
Understanding the psychology of baldness necessitates first acknowledging and then dealing with one’s denial, which is a lie said to oneself. How do you get to the truth if you’re starting with a falsehood in your mind? Refusal makes it difficult to accurately appraise the severity of baldness and the range of available treatment options, which can lead to ineffective solutions. How much money do you believe is spent each year on phony hair loss treatments?
Humiliation
Many of the men who come to us with complaints about their thinning hair feel like they’ve become the punchline of their jokes. When their “best friend” stated that they were balding in the locker room, other men looked at and taunted them. Many men said they discovered they were losing their hair.
As a result of his fear and worry, the balding man has taken a defensive stance. The same can be said about him. Any reaction other than silent acceptance will make him appear less than masculine, precisely what his receding hairline makes him feel. As so, he has little choice except to accept the taunting “like a man” and begin wearing hats.
Jealousy
Bald men are prone to feeling envious of their non-bald brothers, which can lead to feelings of resentment and resentment. Conscious or unconscious, this may be the case. As Super Bowl XXIII commentator, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw blasted Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway for being “spoiled, overpaid, and overrated.” He calmly said, “Bradshaw was only jealous since Terry’s salary was much lower while he was playing.”
Almost a decade later, in 1998, Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway and the team won Super Bowl XXXII. In his commentary role, Terry Bradshaw regretfully confessed that he envied John Elway’s income and hair.
Isolation
Even though balding guys have a shared experience, each one feels isolated even though they are all experiencing the same thing. It is essential to know that you are not alone. Thousands of men of all sizes, shapes, and colors have been interviewed regarding hair loss.
All of them share the same worries, ambitions, and needs. Unfortunately, social constraints dictating that males should not overtly express any sentiments, much less concern about their appearance, made these men feel even more restricted and alienated. For many men, it’s anathema to express their emotions because it’s seen as a sign of weakness.
Ultimately, their attempts to appear powerful only separate them from each other. Women, on the other hand, are not subject to the same emotional restraints. They aren’t afraid to show their emotions in front of the world, and they can do so while still maintaining their natural beauty.
If you’ve had enough of pretending that your hair loss doesn’t bother you emotionally and psychologically, contact us to organize a personal consultation or to discuss your particular reactions to hair loss.