Hair Loss and Self-Esteem: How To Keep Your Confidence When Losing Your Hair
Hair loss is not just a male problem. Men and women can lose their hair and the effects extend far beyond a clogged basin. Whether your hair loss is due to genetics, a medical condition, stress, hormonal changes, or simply a result of aging, it’s a drastic change to your appearance and can severely impact your self-esteem. To avoid self-pity and self-consciousness, you need to take steps to keep your confidence when losing your hair and learn how to embrace your new look.
Confidence And Your Crowning Glory
Most people know the difference that a good hair day and a bad hair day can make. Hair is an integral part of how you view and value yourself physically. It’s also a beauty standard that we all ascribe to—thick, healthy hair is an ideal look that everyone should strive to attain. So, it’s no wonder that when you start to lose your hair, you start to lose confidence and develop feelings of anxiety about your appearance.
However, it’s important to remember that hair loss is something that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s a completely normal thing to go through, and you’re not strange or unusual for experiencing it. Hair loss is not a reflection of your self-worth or character and is therefore nothing to be ashamed of.
Nevertheless, just like any insecurity, it takes a little work to get to a comfortable and confident place with it. Consider the following tips on how to keep your confidence when losing your hair.
Understand Why You Are Losing Hair
Try to understand the reasons behind your hair loss. You can do this by consulting a dermatologist or hair restoration specialist who can advise treatment options that may help with hair loss and even stimulate hair growth.
Knowledge is power, and understanding where your hair loss is coming from can help you to take the right steps forward. Postpartum hair loss is very common yet rarely talked about.
Find A Support Group
We’ll say it again. You’re not alone in your hair loss journey. There are many support groups and online communities for people going through the same thing that you are. Joining these groups could be a great source of support during this difficult time.
Leaning on those who understand what you’re going through can have a host of benefits, especially when it comes to learning tips and tricks for things like choosing the right wig or coping with emotions.
Understanding that you are far from alone in this journey will help you to reframe your hair loss as a normal thing, which will only reap benefits for your self-confidence.
Don’t Become A Hermit
Hiding is a natural instinct when you feel self-conscious. But this will only negatively impact the way that you view yourself. You are not something that should be hidden.
Forcing yourself to leave the house can prove that your anxiety about your hair loss is not as real as it may seem in your head. Whether you leave for a five-minute walk, a grocery run, or even meeting friends for a dinner, proving to yourself that you can still have fun in the world around you is crucial to building your self-confidence.
Be Prepared For Negative Comments
While leaving the house is an important part of keeping your confidence during hair loss, it does come with the risk of ignorant comments getting flung your way by curious strangers.
Try to learn an effective way of dealing with these comments. You could blankly ignore them and keep walking, or you could confront the commentator. Whether you choose a passive or an active approach, learning how to stand up to ignorant comments coming from the outside can help you eventually stand up to your internal negative self-talk.
Ultimately, you should consider seeing a therapist if you’re struggling with negative comments, as they can provide you with the correct coping mechanisms.
Give Yourself Space To Feel
Hair loss is a loss like any other loss, and it takes a toll on your psyche. Make sure that you give yourself enough room and time to grieve and come to terms with this loss.
You should prioritize self-care and be gentler on yourself during this grieving process. You can do this by indulging in a luxurious skincare routine, taking the time to relax and unwind, or having regular massages. Whatever you choose to do, allow it to make you feel more comfortable with accepting your new image.
Now is also the time to take care of your mental and physical health. Don’t be afraid to feel all the emotions that come with hair loss and to practice meditation and exercise, as well as to make time for your favorite hobbies. Additionally, eating a balanced diet, ensuring that you’re getting enough vitamins, and getting enough sleep will be beneficial in improving your overall mood and health, and in turn, boost your self-confidence.
Style It Up
Once you’ve grieved your hair loss, try to see it as a new chapter in your appearance journey. View it as a new look that you need to learn how to style.
For instance, sometimes a new haircut can help with the appearance of hair loss or hair thinning. This is because it can be styled in a way that disguises the area that has thinner hair.
A new hair color may also help with building your confidence, as would a good wig or extensions that can conceal balder areas.
Experimenting with different styles can help you to feel as though you have more control over your appearance, which can have great benefits for feelings of empowerment and confidence.
Experiment With Cosmetics And Clothing
Like a new hairstyle, cosmetics and clothing can be powerful tools for building confidence.
A bold lipstick or eyeliner can enhance your best features and make them stand out while at the same time diverting attention from your hair loss. The same goes for flattering or colorful clothing.
Experimenting with makeup and clothing is also a way of showing off your style and personality, which is something you may have felt that you had less control over when you started to lose your hair.
Hair loss and confidence do go hand in hand, but losing your hair doesn’t need to leave you lacking confidence. If you reframe the way you see yourself and embrace your new look, others will see the real, beautiful you, rather than the one that’s hiding behind a head of hair.