The Social Stigma Of Hair Loss Treatment

[Guzam]

Does anyone in your social circles, families and friends know about your treatment or, more extensively, about your fight?

No one knows about me. Only a priest, who's a dear friend of mine. I would be really ashamed if anyone found out.

The social stigma about hair loss treatment is probably the primary cause of the very small proportion of men seeking help and treatment (study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16307704). This causes information asymmetries, urban legends, mass hypochondria on the Internet regarding treatments: the fewer people are involved, the less is known about the treatments that work, less is the interest of the wider scientific community in hair loss, the more vulnerable the active hair loss community is to snake oils, trolls, scams and false reviews.

How can the word be spread without ruining our dignity and reputation ('oh you're so vain')?

 

[That Guy]

I simply don't give a f*** what anyone thinks and I will happily argue them as to why it doesn't make sense NOT to treat it.

My grandparents are most supportive; as I'd expect them to be.

I remember when I was a kid, my sister and grandma lost their sh*t on my uncle when he came home with a shaved head one day. They were beyond furious that he had shaved off all his hair. He still does it because it's easier to manage given his occupation.

I asked why it was such a big deal and the reason I got from both was "BECAUSE HE HAS NICE HAIR!"

They made it clear that they f*****g hated his bald head; by choice, no less! So you can imagine what they'd think of him (and me) if we went bald naturally.

An great test that any NW1 coper should try sometime, is to just show up with a shaved head to a family/friend gathering and see the reaction you get. This is what they'll say behind your back when you go bald for real.

 

[GoldenMane]

My parents and brother know. My brother started before me. My best friend knows, and another friend knows because he is balding and I informed him about finasteride and minoxidil and actually gave him a 3 month supply (he's very grateful btw).

 

[1knox1]

I simply don't give a f*** what anyone thinks and I will happily argue them as to why it doesn't make sense NOT to treat it.

An great test that any NW1 coper should try sometime, is to just show up with a shaved head to a family/friend gathering and see the reaction you get. This is what they'll say behind your back when you go bald for real.

Even better; tell them to shave it in the pattern of receded temples and horseshoe.

 

[Guzam]

I simply don't give a f*** what anyone thinks and I will happily argue them as to why it doesn't make sense NOT to treat it.

My grandparents are most supportive; as I'd expect them to be.

I remember when I was a kid, my sister and grandma lost their sh*t on my uncle when he came home with a shaved head one day. They were beyond furious that he had shaved off all his hair. He still does it because it's easier to manage given his occupation.

I asked why it was such a big deal and the reason I got from both was "BECAUSE HE HAS NICE HAIR!"

They made it clear that they f*****g hated his bald head; by choice, no less! So you can imagine what they'd think of him (and me) if we went bald naturally.

An great test that any NW1 coper should try sometime, is to just show up with a shaved head to a family/friend gathering and see the reaction you get. This is what they'll say behind your back when you go bald for real.

You do good to us by exposing yourself. Good luck and don't let anyone shame you because of it. Too bad in the country I live in the stigma is very strong; especially in my social circles.

 

[uhoil]

Only my family knows, my parents and sister.. and maybe the maid given how many pills I have in the kitchen counter lol

Even my bestfriend doesn't know, it would be too embarassing. For me it's like a weakness, and you don't want others to know what your weaknesses are, because then you're vulnerable.

 

[hairblues]

I would never tell most of my family..only my Mother knows.

My Father is extremely vain about his daughters looks (plus he has a full thick head of hair at close to 80) ..when i was a teenager even if i had a rare pimple he was appalled..I know this is weird to most.. But i could not bear for him to know or to deal with him he would find a way to blame me for it and obsess over it. My sibling is just not good at keeping confidences so i don't tell her. Rest of my family I think they have envied me both my career choice and my lifestyle. I noticed over the years every time something is off for me i get the impression they have a little joy over this but give me fake smiles...So I learnt long time ago not to show them any weaknesses.

My mother is an angel and said right away if i ever need finances for treatments of any kind i can count on her..I never asked probably won't need but because it came from her genetics i guess she has this kind of devastated guilt. Which she should not it's not like she knew she was going to have hair loss when i was born.

 

[kj6723]

My social circle in the previous state I lived in knew of my hair loss(some of them loved to bring it up...f*****g pricks), but I wasn't on treatment at the time

My parents know I'm on meds and getting a transplant, my brother also knows as of recently. One of my best friends knows I'm on finasteride....I think that's it

Lots of people are about to find out though when I get my transplant. I'm in a program of study in the medical field that involves lots of up close and personal stuff, can't a wear a hat 100℅ of the time...I will be exposed for sure. All I can do is say f*** it, no way around it if I want to have this procedure done and also move forward with my career aspirations. I'm already coming up with possible come backs at some of the mocking I may face...I think I may get away with it semi unscathed, as I believe my reputation with the other students in my program has them viewing me as funny, cool, and semi self-deprecating. I think I may be able to play it off without much damage to my reputation if I play it off with a "f*** you I'm going to do what I feel like" attitude

 

[Captain Rex]

I simply don't give a f*** what anyone thinks and I will happily argue them as to why it doesn't make sense NOT to treat it.

My grandparents are most supportive; as I'd expect them to be.

I remember when I was a kid, my sister and grandma lost their sh*t on my uncle when he came home with a shaved head one day. They were beyond furious that he had shaved off all his hair. He still does it because it's easier to manage given his occupation.

I asked why it was such a big deal and the reason I got from both was "BECAUSE HE HAS NICE HAIR!"

They made it clear that they f*****g hated his bald head; by choice, no less! So you can imagine what they'd think of him (and me) if we went bald naturally.

An great test that any NW1 coper should try sometime, is to just show up with a shaved head to a family/friend gathering and see the reaction you get. This is what they'll say behind your back when you go bald for real.

well said no doubt in that.
the others won't ever understand what we are going through, it takes a lot of guts to shave your head and face the world.
whether i get back my hair or not, i am already a different person now.
it has taught me a lot of things.
Baldness wudn't have been an issue at all if i looked normal and i wudn't have in this forum if the society didn't behave like this.
Sad but true.
i hope this new treatments come out soon to help me and then i am gonna live a simple and humble life.

 

[Swoop]

My close social circle knows about my hair transplant including my family.

I felt no stigma. Probably cause I live in one of the richest cities of the Netherlands. Surgery to enhance aesthetics is getting normal as f*ck here. I see it all the time.

 

[davesmith420]

I have never told any of my friends about my hair loss/treating it. My parents know though, my dad (who is a pharmacist) always jokes to me "Did that Finasteride grow any peach fuzz on you yet?" He shouldn't talk as he is a diffusing Norwood 2 (but at 60 I think he is doing pretty well). I always want to dab some minoxidil on his crown when he isn't looking...

 

[kj6723]

You know, you should not move out because of hair loss

lol that wasn't the situation. I was in the military at the time and stationed there

I'm now out and I've moved back home

 

[hairblues]

lol that wasn't the situation. I was in the military at the time and stationed there

I'm now out and I've moved back home

You were in military---that's hot.

I mean that is honorable.

 

[kj6723]

You were in military---that's hot.

I mean that is honorable.

a lot of very unattractive people in the military tbh

don't be deceived by hollywood

 

[hairblues]

a lot of very unattractive people in the military tbh

don't be deceived by hollywood

I know i know...I like the fantasy.

 

[Marky]

This is kinda the question I was going to ask sooner or later. In particular if you are a married man with kids - wouldn't it be weird if your kids growing up noticed you rubbing minoxidil in your hair or taking pills for it. And this in addition to using nizoral and other new products that claim to regrow hair.

What would you tell them - don't worry son you'll be there one day too?!

And if you're not at the buzzed or really short hair point, and they notice you spend 15-20 mins combing (a.m hair gymnastics ritual) your hair in the morning to make it look good. Just think for a dad this would be weird.

 

[hairblues]

This is kinda the question I was going to ask sooner or later. In particular if you are a married man with kids - wouldn't it be weird if your kids growing up noticed you rubbing minoxidil in your hair or taking pills for it. And this in addition to using nizoral and other new products that claim to regrow hair.

What would you tell them - don't worry son you'll be there one day too?!

And if you're not at the buzzed or really short hair point, and they notice you spend 15-20 mins combing (a.m hair gymnastics ritual) your hair in the morning to make it look good. Just think for a dad this would be weird.

i think preparing kids for what is most likely to come is better than being blind sided by it..not sure if that is what you mean or not

 

[hairblues]

If I was a man managing to get married and have children without anyone noticing me balding, I would gladly rubb minoxidil on my private parts if I feel like it!!!!

LOL
Private parts?

No....

Manscaping is a MUST

 

[hairblues]

LOL I don't know why I said that

I literally LOLOLOL just now that was so funny!!

Subliminal?

 

[Marky]

i think preparing kids for what is most likely to come is better than being blind sided by it..not sure if that is what you mean or not

Not really. Me for example, I can make my hair look good for someone with fine hair - partly cause it has a natural featheryness and still somewhat wavey - although not what it used to be. But to do this I use 2 different brushes, the right hair spray, sometimes spray gel in some areas and know how to make it sit right so it looks decent, for age 40.

As I said here before, when I go for a hair cut, there is no way in hell the barber can comb it back the way I walked in with it, as opposed to other people who get it cut and walk out with the same looking hair only a shorter version.

I just think if I were a dad it would be weird to put this kinda maintenance daily into ones hair just to make it look good.