Going bald is one of the most disturbing experiences a person goes through, and just like major life changes, a lot of people go through the 5 Stages of Grief when their hair starts falling out. Here are some words of advice for people going through this process and what they can do to get to the next stage.
Table of Contents
Denial
A lot of people make the mistake of not seeing the signs of balding early on, or they just ignore it. But let me tell you: hair loss is real, and you need to see the signs. Unfortunately, but understandably, a lot of people are going to ignore the signs and try to cover it up with comb-overs or toupees.
Bad news if you do these though: everyone notices it and it makes your hair look even thinner and more balding. Word of advice: once you start seeing some scalp without you having to comb your hair, it’s time for you to start accepting the inevitable.
Anger
Once people start realizing their bald, they tend to start getting angry and defensive about it, and it’s understandable: the right hairstyle can change the way a person looks and this can have positive or negative effects on a person’s self-image.
Here’s the thing, though: roughly 70% of men (and a large percentage of women, too!) around the world are either balding or have thinning hair, with many going completely bald by the time they get to their 50s. Let go of that anger: don’t lose it over losing hair.
Bargaining
This is that point in your balding depression where you start considering painful and expensive hair transplant procedures -which, unfortunately, aren’t an assurance that you’ll go back to your thick hair. Some people might even consider hormone therapy to combat the dreaded imbalance of testosterone and estrogen, a prime suspect in hair loss.
Here’s the problem: neither of these things can assure hair regrowth, no matter what their marketing says.
Depression
A lot of people get to this stage and either stay here or go back to denial in a vicious cycle of a toupee, getting angry, and reconsidering surgical options. It’s one of the most difficult stages to get out of, but when you do, I promise you: there’s light at the end of your bald spot’s reflection.
Acceptance
Finally, acceptance. Some people will get to this stage and just shave off their heads completely, or they start caring for their thinning hair and giving it the best care it ever received. Some people might start using natural anti-hair fall shampoo to help retain some hair while keeping it healthy, or they’ll start taking rogaine or Propecia as a health supplement.
Some people might even start focusing on other parts of their hair: men with long eyelashes will start grooming their brows to accentuate or grow a beard to frame their faces better, while women might try out different hairstyles to make the best out of their situation.
Hair loss is inevitable for many people and it’s important you retain your confidence all throughout your journey. And remember: going bald isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it might just be the start of a brand, new look!
