The psychological aspects of hair loss - Ethnic differences.

[DHI]

After 42 years of commitment to the field of hair restoration, Mr Giotis has met and worked with many top experts in the field of hair restoration.

This is a very interesting paper on the psychological aspects of hair loss & Ethnic differences. A 5000 patients research in 10 countries (2011-2012 period).

 

[topccat29]

Thank you very much for posting this very thought provoking study. Hmmm €¦ €¦ €¦.42 years that is a very long time certainly could be close to some kind of record for sure.

The psychological aspect of hair loss is a very interesting subject indeed. Of the dozens of books I have read on the subject focusing on body image specifically I would highly recommend €œThe Adonis Complex: The Secret Crisis of Male Body Image € by Pope & Phillips. I would also especially recommend €œLooking Good: Male Body Image in Modern America € by Luciano. The second recommendation covers much on hair transplantation itself. In fact I got a little bit of a giggle from some of the pictures I viewed. One picture in particular had about 100 or so nails sticking out of a ht patient €™s head keeping the recipient sites open. Then I read the picture credit Elliott/True €¦ €¦lol €¦ €¦ €¦ €¦hmmm Elliott that was the guy that used the janitor to place my grafts here in Chicago €¦ €¦ €¦..lol €¦ €¦ €¦.amazing. I gave a speech once using that Pinhead character from the movie Hell Raiser as a prop. It was a doll of his likeness with pins coming out of its head. The audience must have thought I flipped my wig when I used a quote from the character €œPain has a face I am that face I am pain € €¦ €¦ €¦..lol €¦ €¦ €¦ €¦.I can €™t believe I did that but it was very theatrical. I have that on video tape, I need to get that on the Youtube one day €¦ €¦..but I digress.

I find the psychological aspect of the industry that treats hairloss even more interesting. Of course many have performed very ethical and aesthetically pleasing work over the years but what about these clinics that did unethical crap work as long as they were pulling in the money. I mean it €™s like I want to open up the top of their head and take a peek inside, you know kind of figure out what makes them go tick tock.

I have read plenty of books on this specific aspect and one very interesting recent read is €œThe Lucifer Effect € by Zimbardo. It €™s based on the Stanford University prison guard study. I highly recommend this book also as the flip side of the coin.

 

[Hattingen Hair]

topccat29 wrote:

Thank you very much for posting this very thought provoking study. Hmmm €¦ €¦ €¦.42 years that is a very long time certainly could be close to some kind of record for sure.

Will a hair transplant make you happy? Big question!

Maybe the question should be is a HT suitable for anyone losing hair?

A 24 year old losing hair since he was 20 will say yes he is a good candidate, his life is dissolving, and it has to be taken seriously, but at the same time in context to what the person may get into.

To ask someone losing hair can be subjective and give answers that are very emotive. For example, anyone on this site reading this is probably concerned with hair loss and improving their life in some way.

It is always good to read polls as it gives an opinion, it is also good to understand the realism of HT and make a decision based on reality.

 

[DHI]

Topcat29 please respect the thread.


Dear Hattingen, thank you for your comment. This study is about the reasons someone want's to undergo with an HT. It's not about the candidate it's about the person. That's why it's so subjective if an HT is suitable for anyone losing hair. It seems that the psychological part is the motive, as for almost any aesthetic surgeries. Even a 20 year old kid may be a candidate if this will really change his self esteem and his life.

 

[Hattingen Hair]

Why it may effect a person can be for many reasons, the feeling of youthfulness, perceived attractiveness to a potential partner, the fear of looking older, cosmetically unattractive, just to name a few. Hair has been a part of life since time began, and has played a part in society and how we feel others perceive us, good and bad.

The younger we are generally we are more risk takers in life and decision making, thinking less of consequences and looking for a remedy fast. It would probably improve a young mans self esteem and his life at say 20, and that person would for sure say it would improve his life; but does that make him a candidate. The phrase cruel to be kind comes to mind, short term a clinic turning someone away is not going to be liked by the say 20 year old, maybe even a little angry, but long term it could be the best thing someone has done for that person, even though at the time they are devastated and cannot agree.

 

[topccat29]

I believe my responses are always respectful. Yes sometimes the content does not please the industry but what is most important is that we are helpful most especially to that young man experiencing psychological distress because of hair loss issues He must understand that there are those that will prey on that distress because it can easily be seen and taken advantage of and that in fact is the most important point of the psychological topic itself.

I also believe my suggestions on just those 3 books alone will help them through the process of understanding their distress and strategies for coping. Would you not agree that this benefits the patient €™s welfare which should always come first? Before anything even something that might be considered a negative post by those in the industry?

As I have stated it is a very respectable and positive post for the patient.

Hattingen €œyou have to be cruel to be kind € I could not have stated it any better than that and others should pay close attention to what you have written. I wish I could be as polite when I write. I do have a tendency to just write as I have seen and experienced it which may be a little rough for some but I don €™t think there is one person who has met me that would not agree that I am nice, honest and respectable.

 

[Young Guy]

What about a 23 years old kid who has been losing hair since he was 17 and is now a full-blown NW5?

I've been turned down by two clinics. But I'm still going to do it in a few months. There's nothing left, I get mocked at the bars, people think I'm on chemo if I shave. I just want a frame for my face, the rest doesn't matter, I'm bald, I'm suffering and I shouldn't have to.

 

[topccat29]

Fred I listed 3 very good books and that is a great place for you to start. I would also add €œLearned Optimism € by Seligman as many just do not understand that their own thought process is often causing them the most harm.

Why in the world would you let anyone mock you and let it go unanswered? Why in the world would you be hanging out in a place where people mock you in the first place? Those are very important questions to be answered. Sometimes you have to learn to help yourself and not count on others to do it for you. The world is full of Wolves and Sheep. It €™s always good to be nice but sometimes nice doesn €™t work when you are dealing with a Wolf.

I will try and start another thread on this subject that is directed towards helping the patient, when I have time.

 

[Pelekis]

FredtheBelgian i am 29 and i am desperate. I agree with you it is our youth. Can't be like this now. We should be bald on our 50s..

 

[Young Guy]

I don't know who to believe. Dr. Bisanga told me it would be hard to even reach 2000 grafts with me, De Reys told me he could go up to 4500 grafts, prohairclinic told me to just get a wig (how nice, just what I need to hear).

In the end, I want to do something, and a FUE is all I can do. I hate all those before/after with 40 years old NW3 on finasteride getting a HT. They don't need a HT, they need perspective.

 

[DHI]

Dear FredtheBelgian, you may upload a photo (donor area too) or send a pm so as to estimate your case.