Hair Loss Taboo: Why Men and Women Hide Hair Loss Treatments

hair lossMost people will experience at least some hair loss during their lifetime, so why is still a taboo topic for many men and women? Researchers know that two-thirds of all men will experience a noticeable amount of hair loss by age 35, while 40 percent of women will experience it by the time they’re 40. Despite these statistics, people still hesitate to admit that they are losing their hair or they need to seek treatment for it.

Why Hair Is Important

In Western culture, hair has a symbolic value that makes losing it particularly painful. For men, having a full head of hair represents youth and virility. Studies have shown that women prefer thick hair on a man. Plus, a man’s hair loss is often a source of comedy: men are often ridiculed for wearing toupees or trying to cover it up.

For women, hair is tied to youth and femininity. The Bible calls hair a women’s “crowning glory,” and throughout history, women’s heads’ have been shaved as punishment. Many women and men also tie long hair to female physical beauty. Some scientists speculate that men might have an evolutionary reason for preferring women with long, thick hair: long, thick hair can be an indicator of health.

Because hair is such a significant part of culture and sometimes individual identity, men and women can experience shame and anxiety when they start to lose their hair. For these people, admitting that they are using a hair-loss treatment requires that they have to admit they are losing their hair. President Trump, for example, takes hair restoration medication according to some reports. However, he seems embarrassed by his obviously thinning hair and has tried to hide the fact he’s taking a drug commonly prescribed for hair loss.

Why Younger Generations Care Less About Hair It

While some members of the older generations may still embrace the comb-over, younger generations are more open about hair loss and hair restoration treatments. Part of their openness is due to the prominence of social media and blogging. Many people aren’t afraid to be honest about less-than-flattering aspects of their lives. They’re happy to review hair loss treatments or share pictures of their successful hair loss transplants.

Younger generations may also be less concerned about male hair loss. They’ve watched bald action stars, such as Bruce Willis and Jason Statham, save the day, and seen sports stars, such as Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, lead their teams to victory. They consider the idea that a man needs hair in order to be attractive or successful as outdated.

Women’s hair loss is less accepted, but there are still cultural indicators that this is changing. The body positivity movement has encouraged women to be less critical of their physical appearance. The popularity of the pixie haircut, sported by A-list actresses such as Jennifer Lawrence and Natalie Portman, has also demonstrated that long, thick hair isn’t a necessary component of an attractive woman.

Hair restoration treatments are also more effective than they once were. Between hair restoration products, laser treatments and hair transplants, men and women have plenty of options to restore their thinning strands. As doctors and hair loss specialists begin to understand the underlying causes of hair loss, they can also recommend shampoos, conditioners and other treatments that can slow normal hair loss. These treatments allow younger people to consider hair loss a medical problem to solve, rather than a shameful secret.

Hair loss may still be a taboo topic for some, but more people are recognizing it as a common problem that can be fixed. There are multiple hair restoration solutions that can solve hair loss problems for many men or women.

For over 42 years, Van Scoy Hair Clinics has provided clients and patients with the latest in men’s and women’s hair restoration and hair loss treatment solutions, including hair transplantation, non-surgical hair restoration and replacement, laser hair therapy, and hair loss prevention programs. To schedule a free consultation call (419) 289-6665 or to contact us via email click here.

 

 

Photo Credit: CC0 Public Domain Via Pixabay

 

Source list:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lucinda-ellery/hair-history-why-hair-is-_b_5567365.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/5065461/Women-prefer-men-with-a-full-head-of-hair.html

http://www.americanhairloss.org/men_hair_loss/introduction.asp

http://www.beautyworldnews.com/articles/10893/20140808/female-hair-loss-facts-statistics-about-women-who-have-thinning-are-losing-their-hair-kim-kardashian-hair-extensions-traction-alopecia-weave-weave-bundles.htm

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/02/health/trump-drugs-propecia/

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