British superbike champion Dan Linfoot is different from most people. He’s a top competitor in his chosen sport, someone who makes a good living doing a job he loves. Few people are so fortunate. In other ways, Linfoot is just like so many of us in that he suffers from pattern baldness, a condition which has affected his mental health. So bad did things become that the champion biker was more worried about losing his hair than losing his life on the racetrack.
This article will look at the fear some people have of losing their hair and the lengths they will go to hide that loss. Keep reading!
What’s Your Phobia?
At what point does a fear or dread of something become a phobia? Estimates suggest that something like nineteen million people in the United States suffer from some kind of phobia, such as arachnophobia (fear of spiders), acrophobia (fear of heights), agoraphobia (fear of public spaces or open areas) and cynophobia (fear of dogs). Not so many experience phalacrophobia, or the fear of baldness.
Many people fear baldness because it is often associated with ageing and can be seen as a sign of loss of vitality and masculinity. It can also be a source of social stigmatisation, leading to feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem. Additionally, hair loss can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, which can be a source of anxiety. Some people may also simply have a personal preference for having hair.
Hiding Hair Loss
Whether or not Linfoot’s fear of baldness amounted to a phobia or not, it certainly had a devastating effect on his life. Things got so bad, he resorted to keeping his helmet on to hide the fact that he was going bald. He also disliked looking in the mirror, as he felt that his hair loss greatly changed his appearance. He felt ‘low, embarrassed, and ashamed’. That a healthy, successful young man like Linfoot could feel like this illustrates the extent to which hair loss can affect people. That’s why many try to hide it when it occurs.
There are several ways to disguise hair loss that stop short of surgery, including:
Hairpieces or wigs: Modern wigs can be a realistic and natural-looking option for disguising hair loss. Made from synthetic or human hair, they come in a variety of styles and colours.
Hair thickening sprays: These sprays can be applied to the scalp to create the appearance of thicker hair. They work by using fibres made from natural keratin that stick to the hair. The fibres are available in a variety of colours that can be matched to the colour of your natural hair.
Hair cutting and styling: Some hairstyles, such as a short, layered do or a buzz cut, can make hair look thicker. Additionally, colouring or highlighting the hair can also help to make the hair look fuller.
Micro scalp pigmentation: This is a non-surgical hair loss treatment that uses micro needles to deposit ink on the scalp, creating the appearance of a shaven head or buzz cut. It can also be used to add density by filling the space between thinner, longer strands.
Hair loss medication: products such as finasteride and minoxidil can help in hair loss treatment, but it can take time to see results.
Long-Term Solution
Linfoot tried finasteride for a while but decided that he wanted a permanent solution to his hair loss problem. It was seeing the impressive results a fellow racer achieved with his hair transplant that set Dan on the road to surgery. He had one procedure to address his hairline before returning for a second to sort out the thinning on his crown. He is delighted with the outcome and feels a million times happier.
He has been open about his hair transplants because he wants to encourage others who feel the same as he did.Top of Form As he explained, he knows how devastating hair loss can be, so he hopes to help others by telling his story.
Final Thoughts
Hair loss affects a great many people in a way that goes far beyond mere vanity. It is a condition that strikes at the heart of an individual’s identity, eating away at their self-confidence and self-esteem. It’s little wonder, therefore, that so many take steps to disguise the loss.
If you’re worried about hair loss or thinning, talk to a hair expert as soon as possible. Your fears may be groundless, but if you do have a problem then the sooner you start tackling it the better. Vinci Hair Clinic is one of the world’s leading hair restoration companies with clinics all over the globe. Even better, we offer a free consultation to all our new clients. This can happen in person or over the phone using photographs. Get in touch and make an appointment today!
