Terri Ramsey Beavers Androgenetic alopecia (hair loss) affects an estimated 80 million people in the US. That’s 30 million women and 50 million men suffering from pattern baldness.
As if that’s not bad enough, many other people have telogen effluvium or alopecia areata, too. Some also experience hair loss due to infections, genetic conditions, or hair abnormalities.
Either way, hair loss is more than just an aesthetic concern, as it can lead to psychosocial problems. They can result in negative self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and poor quality of life.
For the same reasons, hair regrowth may bring about emotional benefits. We’ll go over some of the positive effects of regrowing your hair in this guide, so be sure to keep reading.
One Less Aging Sign to Worry About
Many changes in hair, from thinning to graying, are common indications of aging. The thought of aging, in turn, can bring about anxiety or even fear in people. These emotions can keep piling up each time you look in the mirror and see how your crown loses its glory.
While you can’t turn back time, you can control or even reverse some of the signs of aging, including hair loss. This can help you feel less stressed or anxious about your age.
Fortunately, there are hair loss drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These include minoxidil and finasteride, which the FDA has approved for pattern baldness.
Other treatment options for hair loss include hair replacement procedures. These include hair transplantation and scalp reduction.
You can also find the best dermatologist near you to administer corticosteroids or topical immunotherapy practices such as squaric acid, dibutyl ester, or diphencyprone. There are also newer treatments such as Janus kinase inhibitors.
You might want to consider the procedure called platelet-rich plasma (PRP), too. A study’s findings suggest that it may be more effective than minoxidil. However, the results also showed dependence on the quality of the patient’s plasma.
Some vitamin supplements may also be helpful for hair growth or preventing hair loss. These include vitamins A, C, D, E, and the entire B vitamin complex. If you do decide to take supplements, be sure to take the time to read an unbiased, honest hair vitamins review.
Less Stress Helps Reduce Further Hair Loss
Just as hair loss can trigger stress, high levels of stress can also lead to hair loss. Telogen effluvium is one form of stress-related hair loss. It can result in the scalp shedding as much as 70% of existing strands.
Stress from hair loss alone may not be enough to trigger telogen effluvium, but it can add to your stress levels.
Now, keep in mind that stress is a natural bodily response that everyone experiences. However, many people experience significant pressure from work, school, or life changes. Personal, health, and financial problems also contribute to elevated stress levels.
There’s also the future of the US, a major stressor for eight in 10 Americans.
If you’re already feeling stressed out, seeing your hair thinning out can be the final straw. This can push your hair into the resting phase, and from there, they’ll fall out in large numbers after a few months.
So, seeing your hair grow back before it causes more problems can be a good first step to controlling stress.
May Help Bring Your Confidence Back
Hair has always been a traditional indicator of one’s health, beauty, status, and even power. While not everyone agrees to that, the truth is, many people, if given a chance, would want healthy hair. After all, there’s a strong association between hair, a positive mindset, and self-confidence.
There’s even one study that suggests how bad hair days can alter one’s life. Perceiving oneself as attractive can make them feel more highly of themselves. This perception can then be a key player in improving self-esteem and self-confidence.
Unfortunately, hair loss doesn’t only cause a few bad hair days. Even temporary hair loss can last several months or even years. However, that can be enough time for emotional turbulence and depression to sink in.
Regrowing your hair is one of the things you’re free to do to enhance your appearance. By believing your hair looks awesome, you may find yourself more attractive. This can then help give your confidence the boost it needs.
Develop Positive Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Yourself
When you feel attractive, you’re more likely to develop a positive self-image. With this, you may find it easier to celebrate your unique assets and potentials. For example, you might rediscover how having thick, healthy hair complements your eyes.
Being positive about yourself can also help you recognize and acknowledge your faults. However, instead of being negative, your positivity can drive you to find ways to improve them. Your desire to have healthier locks may even help you kick bad habits, such as smoking.
Do note that research suggests a link between smoking and balding. It appears that balding scalps have heightened sensitivity to oxidative stress. Smoking, in turn, delivers chemicals that can cause oxidative stress to the bloodstream.
More Reason to Smile and Be Happy About
If you desire to have a full head of hair, achieving that can make you more prone to smiling. Smiling, in itself, can make you look even more attractive, young, and approachable. However, psychologists say that the act of smiling can really be a happiness booster.
The happier you feel, the more stable your emotional and psychological health can be. You may feel less stressed or anxious, and you may even find it easier to sleep at night.
All those mental health benefits can also do wonders for your physical health. For example, lower stress levels and proper sleep can give you healthier skin. They can also help cut your risks for conditions such as hypertension and heart disease.
All in all, your well-being depends on both your mental and physical health. As such, addressing what’s affecting your mental health, such as hair loss, may benefit you from head to toe.
Enjoy These Emotional Benefits of Regrowing Your Luscious Locks
As you can see, the health and quality of your hair can affect more than just your appearance. It can either make or break your self-confidence and, in the long run, your overall health.
So, as early as now, talk to your doctor about regrowing your hair. The sooner you do, the sooner you can enjoy the physical and emotional benefits of doing so.
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