Seyyed de la Llata, Senior Designer
Alopecia (hair loss) can affect self-esteem, body image and satisfaction in life. Hair is one of the most visible and striking characteristics of a person’s physical appearance. It is an important component of healthy mental development.
Is a bald head a bad thing? It’s not too bad. It’s just the way you are. That’s what I told myself. It wasn’t convincing enough. At 21, going bald is a bitter pill to swallow.
I used to sport a very long mane. It was shiny and silky. I loved the compliments, but suddenly it started to fall at an alarming speed. So fast that I looked for quick fixes.
I tried everything from scalp massage, minoxidil, shampoos, creams, hairstyles and other less orthodox treatments. Nothing worked.
At 25, I accepted defeat and shaved whatever little of the hair that was left. It was a sad day. I stared at the mirror and didn’t recognise myself.
Being bald is not easy. It’s even more difficult to talk about hair loss. And the loss of hair can lead to depression and insecurity. Even while writing this, I have the urge to say: “I know it is silly”, but in reality, it makes my hair stand on end. Hair loss is a traumatic event for men, and the market amplifies and exploits that insecurity.
The media doesn’t help either. In movies and comics, most villains are bald: from 007’s Ernst Blofeld, Lex Luthor to Lord Voldemort, all of them have a gleaming head. Can you imagine a bald Superman and Luthor with a beautiful hair curl on the forehead?
That has changed, of late. Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, and others have made light of their shiny pates and used chiselled physiques, and MMA moves to chart successful acting careers.
Years passed, and I got used to it. Jokes became less hurtful, and I accepted I would be bald for the rest of my life. Some days were better than others; some days, I forgot I once had hair.
Ten hairless years passed before I started seriously thinking about hair transplant. But I found it expensive, risky, complicated, and close friends had very little success with it.
Then around five years ago, I came across a “hair system” on social media. I was stunned; it was like looking at something magical. A hair system is a wig made of human hair that is sometimes custom-made for specific areas of the scalp. It can be small or big, depending on how extensive your baldness is. The hairpiece (wig) is glued or taped on your head, and it looks just as natural as your own. “A scientific miracle,” I muttered!
Yet, I wasn’t fully convinced. It took me another three years and lots of research to give it a try. I saved money (it’s not cheap) and decided that I wanted a new look for a new year. Little did I know that it will lead me to a new life.
I went to a salon, and their discreet approach made me feel comfortable. I was shown a few hairpieces before I decided on one. A specialist explained the procedures, and the hair was fixed.
I almost cried when I looked into the mirror. There he was, the guy I used to know 16 years ago. I remember him very well. Soon I was wearing a huge smile.
As I stepped out of the salon, I stopped to take a selfie and sent it to my family and friends. Then it struck me. “What have I done?” I just spent a lot of money on a silly wig, and who am I trying to fool? I’ve been working at the same place for a decade; everyone knows I am as bald as a billiard ball.
I almost didn’t make it to the office. I thought of calling in sick. “Maybe, I’ll go home, remove the wig and shave,” I said to myself. I feared being ridiculed. “Better bald than being fake”, I thought. But the sheer amount of money spent on the hairpiece gave me strength.
At 6.1 feet, I weighed 100 kg at 38, but I was a quivering wreck. I passed the office gates, masking my fears behind a smile. I walked to my workstation without turning a hair, pretending everything was normal.
My colleagues noticed, but most were incredibly supportive. Some smiled surprised, some bald friends came and asked: “HOW”? That is when I knew I did something good for myself.
Weeks turned into months, months into two years, and I no longer recognise myself without my new hair. It’s been one of the best things I’ve done for myself in my life:
Facing my hair loss, the fact I hated it, and that I did something to make myself happy about the way I look and others look at me, is something that I’m fiercely proud of.
Sneha John: Clinical Psychologist
The onset of hair loss in early childhood may not be apparent, but over time it can produce a rollercoaster of emotions. According to Sneha John, a clinical psychologist at Camali Clinic Child & Adult Mental Health, they include shock, sadness, hopelessness, anger and frustration, embarrassment, and high levels of social anxiety. For people whose hair loss is extensive, the experience could make them feel out of control. This could also impact social and professional relationships. Very often, alopecia is mistaken for cancer. Explaining hair loss to friends and family can be painstaking, which in turn affects a person’s morale, John added.
Hair loss in men and women could lead to depression, lack of confidence and low self-esteem. This affects their relationship with themselves, with others and their confidence in attracting the opposite sex, Mariana Bolívar de la Peña, psychologist, ITESO, Mexico.
Nowadays, there are various treatments and alternatives available to shine with a stunning hairstyle. Men and women share the need to look good and attractive. It is not all about fitness and a muscular body. Hair too is a style statement.
Mariana Bolívar de la Peña: Psychologist
Illustration by Seyyed de la Llata, Senior Designer and Design by Vijith Pulikkal, Assistant Product Manager