Hair loss isn’t just cosmetic. Researches from the University of Texas recently concluded that hair loss might be a source of debilitating afflictions, as well as an indicator of serious illnesses.
The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 14 different papers that focused on the psychological effects of androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness). This netted the following results:
- Both men and women view balding men as less physically attractive than non-balding men.
- Men affected by androgenic alopecia “consider it a serious condition with damaging effects, such as feelings of reduced attractiveness, teasing, anxieties about others’ perceptions of them, and self-conscious preoccupation with current and future alopecia.”
- Balding women not only experience higher levels of dissatisfaction with their hair, but with their body image overall when compared to non-balding women.
- Androgenic alopecia prompts increased social isolation: balding individuals avoid locations and environments that they feel highlight their condition.
- Alopecia may affect physical and mental functioning in degrees similar to that of psoriasis, a skin condition.
These are all risk-factors that put hair loss in line with serious psychosocial and psychiatric illnesses.
The researchers also collected a number of physical results associated with androgenic alopecia:
- The presence of angrogenic alopecia is correlated with that of cardiovascular disease; the researchers recommend including hair loss as a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease.
- People with androgenic alopecia have an increased chance of metabolic syndrome.
- Treatments of androgenic alopecia may reduce the risk of negative cardiac events.
This means that hair loss is not just a cosmetic affliction. These studies show a deep and complex link between hair loss and serious psychological and physical illness. For more information, contact the Gabel Center, a provider of hair transplants in Portland.
