The fact that many men prefer spotting a bald head as a statement of style does not mean that hair loss does not affect them. Christopher Mugisha began balding in his early 20s in his Senior Six vacation.
“At first, I had spots of grey hair but then I realized I was going bald. It made me very uncomfortable. I was asking why it had to be me and I wondered how girls would perceive me. It prompted me to search the Internet for answers.”
With time, Mugisha began to notice other young men who were balding. And then, his father told him he had also gone bald in his youth.
Possible causes
The hair we have all over our bodies is made up of keratin produced in hair follicles. As new hair cells grow in the follicles, the old cells are being pushed out. Since each follicle has its own life cycle, that can be influenced by age, disease, or genes. Losing hair from your head is a normal occurrence. Male pattern baldness is a real threatening factor for men as young as 23 years old. It is characterized by a receding hairline at the frontal scalp or the crown. Hair experts agree that stress, poor nutrition, and hormonal changes, although, in younger men, genetics are more to blame for early hair loss.
Psychological effects of early balding
Since hair is our crowning glory men who suffer from male pattern baldness can be uncomfortable about their situation. Researchers at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin found that the impact of hair loss can have far-reaching and devastating consequences on the individual. Some young individuals facing early baldness feel that this signifies the end of youth, desirability to the opposite sex, and personal attractiveness. If the person affected works in the public relations industry or screen media, the effects are more profound.
Culture says…
Ali Male, a counseling psychologist, says that early baldness will affect a man depending on his age and how he associates the baldness to his life. “In some of our cultures, early baldness is a sign of richness in the near future. So, it is something to be proud of. People who belong to such cultures are more open to the condition and even other people envy them. However, on the other hand, other cultures may treat early baldness as an unfortunate occurrence.”
Confidence hit
Men attach a lot of importance to their hair, as is evidence by the fact that some of them have to go to the salon to shave it every week or so. For those who plait their hair into dreadlocks, the vanity is even higher. So, when they begin to lose it there is a lack of confidence and anxiety, thus affecting their psychological wellbeing.
A 1992 study by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that almost 75 percent of men feel less confident about themselves when they begin to lose hair and 60 percent of men who have endured hair loss said they have been ridiculed for their baldness at some point in their lives.
Peers respect
In Mugisha’s case, after scouring the Internet, he came across positive aspects of being bald. “To some communities, it is a sign of future wealth. Now, at 28, I’m more respected than my peers. People think I’m established and place in me at a higher level. When they see me, they say, ‘How are you, sir,’ because of my bald head. Even people who are older than I respect me.”
Besides accepting his situation, Mugisha has come to terms with having to shave his head every few days so that he does not look shabby.
Tips on coping with early balding
• Convince yourself that your hair does not define who you are.
• Remind yourself that hair loss is not life-threatening. There are worse conditions.
• True family and friends love you for who you are, not for the amount of hair you have.