Hair Loss Can Trigger Devastating Psychological Effects, Study Says; How To Prevent And Treat Hair Loss

Hair loss or alopecia is thought of by some people as an insignificant change in a person's physical appearance. However, a new research says that hair loss can also cause the development of devastating psychological effects on some people.

According to the report from Huffington Post, a new study shows that some people find hair loss to be a very upsetting experience that could result into blown-up feelings of being ugly and even cause dysmorphic disorder or feelings of severe anxiety over one's physical appearance. "Doctors found that the 'enormous emotional burden' of going bald could lead in some cases to low self-confidence, mental disorders and even impaired quality of life," the report states.

The study was conducted by a research team from Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin. They were also able to learn that hair loss can even cause depression, social anxiety and trichotillomania -- a condition that involves self-inflicted hair loss through twisting and pulling of hair.

Fortunately, there are some ways to prevent hair loss. Hot oil treatments, rubbing the scalp with garlic juice, onion juice or ginger juice; head massage, application of antioxidants such as green tea on the scalp and regular meditation can help prevent hair loss as reported by Times Of India.

There are also some available treatments for hair loss. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two drugs for hair loss: Minoxidil (Rogaine) and Finasteride (Propecia). Hair loss can also be treated through hair transplant, hair restoration surgery, laser therapy, wigs and hairpieces as published in Mayo Clinic.

Hair restoration surgeon Dr. Robert Leonard told Medical Daily that patients need to be patient with their hair loss treatments. "Everything takes at least four months to show results but I have patients who stop after a few weeks because they don't think anything is happening," Leonard said. "I always tell them that it didn't take two years for your hair to fall out for it to just reappear in a few weeks."