BEAUTY & FASHION TRENDS
Society’s Emphasis on Hair by Dorothy S. Flake,PhD
"S
o what if you're going bald—it's only hair!" Statements like that can make your blood boil when you first start losing your hair. Most people are cavalier about hair loss when they're not the ones losing it and are unsympathetic to the plight of the victims of hair loss, but when their hair starts falling out, HOUSTON, TX they'll be looking for miracle cures, too—you can be sure of it. Hair Loss isn't life threatening, but it can be an extreme threat to self esteem. Studies show that hair loss can lead to feelings of shame, depression, frustration, helplessness, and anger. It also can result in feelings of sexual inadequacy and loss of self-confidence. Today, hair is something of a status symbol. You can find thousands of products devoted to hair care from dermatologists, restorative salons, etc., which only emphasize the problem for those experiencing hair loss. Many men now have their hair styled at salons rather than just getting it cut at a local barber shop. Television gives the impression that a full head of luxurious hair is the norm, implying that those who are losing it are somehow abnormal. Hair is also used as a method of self expression, a way to say who you are. A "bad hair day" can ruin your week and a "no hair life" can derail your career, your love life, and self-esteem but so can anything, IF YOU LET IT. Before you can fix a problem, you have to realize you have a problem. Denial is your enemy, you can't fix what you can't admit. The good news is that there are solutions to hair loss, no matter where you are in the hair loss process. Women lose hair, but not in the same way as men do. However, severe hair loss can be even more devastating to women than it is to men. Hair loss may be a serious blow to a woman's self-esteem, in large part because of cultural norms, society concept of femininity and the expectations that a woman should have glossy, luxurious, well-kept hair. Magazines women read tell them just that. ■
WOMEN'S HAIR RESTORATION DOROTHY S. FLAKE, PhD. Salon in the Park/Willowbrook 17776 Tomball Parkway, Suite 106 Houston, TX 77064 BUS: 281-517-6145 FAX: 281-445-1058
TRENDSETTERS TO TRENDSETTERS | MARCH/APRIL 2011
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