The impact of male hair loss can be profound and journalist Michael Segalov recently delved into his own fear of losing his locks in the Guardian‘s Observer Sunday paper. In his in-depth dive into male pattern baldness, Michael spoke to experts and scientists including hair restoration expert Mr Michael Mouzakis.
Michael is only 27 but has spent years obsessing about the future of his follicles. His own dad, plus his mother’s father and brothers all ranged from receding to totally bald and even though he acknowledges he’s barely balding now, he can see two distinct gaps appearing in the top corners of his frontal hairline.
The psychological impact of male hair loss
In his article, Michael drew attention to the findings of psychologists Sue McHale and Nigel Hunt who ran ads in national newspapers, requesting readers share their hair loss accounts. “What we have since found,” explains McHale, a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, “is that whether it’s sudden hair loss or male pattern baldness, the consequences are the same.”
“When someone looks in the mirror,” she says, “often the person they see is someone they no longer recognise. It can leave your self-image fractured, dramatically changed.” The result, she adds, is often varying degrees of anxiety and depression, with men struggling with the impact of hair loss – at whatever stage – regularly too ashamed to express how they felt.
As part of his investigation, Michael also had a consultation with hair transplant surgeon Michael Mouzakis at the Private Clinic in Harley Street.
Mr Mouzakis’ view: “Yours is a typical pattern for male hair loss at an earlyish stage.” He advised Michael of his options. He could buy Minoxidil over the counter, a liquid or foam that is proven to help invigorate the follicles, but warned that consistency is key. Prescription medication known as finasteride is another option, but it works by reducing testosterone levels so a common side-effect is reduced libido.
The permanent hair restoration option
Mr Mouzakis then confirmed that Michael was suitable for a hair transplant: “We take follicles from a healthy area less prone to hair loss, generally the back of the head, and put it into the recipient area at the front.
“Hair loss is a medical condition you can fight, but you cannot win; it’s in our nature,” Mr Mouzakis explained. “Baldness you can delay and keep at bay, but for now there’s no turning back the clock.”
To find out if you’re a suitable candidate for a hair transplant, call us on 020 3325 6540.
