“I Started Losing My Hair At 20” | Listen Up | ABC Science

ABC Science

27 Sept 202104:28

Summary

TLDRChris, a 29-year-old former contestant on 'So You Think You Can Dance,' shares his struggle with hair loss since the age of 20. Initially, he felt ashamed and worried about his appearance, affecting his life significantly. After trying various treatments with limited success, a hair growth cream helped temporarily, but stress from his mother's passing caused a relapse. In the entertainment industry, where appearance is paramount, Chris faced typecasting and decided to shave his head. Ultimately, he embraced a hairpiece, which has restored his confidence and sparked a desire to normalize the conversation around hair loss and the use of hairpieces.

Takeaways

💔 Chris began experiencing hair loss at the age of 20, which deeply affected his self-esteem and daily life.
🎭 As a contestant on 'So You Think You Can Dance,' Chris faced the added pressure of maintaining a certain appearance in the entertainment industry.
🔍 The cause of Chris's hair loss was unclear, with doctors suggesting it could be hereditary or spontaneous.
💊 Medication options for hair loss were fraught with side effects, causing Chris to question their worth.
🌱 A hair growth cream eventually provided some relief, taking about six months of consistent use to show results.
🌪️ The death of Chris's mother and the associated stress led to a resurgence of hair loss, exacerbating his feelings of shame and worry.
🎩 Chris resorted to wearing hats constantly to hide his hair loss, which became exhausting and affected his quality of life.
💇‍♂️ Shaving his head was a last resort for Chris, influenced by the difficulty of constantly hiding his hair loss.
🎬 After shaving his head, Chris was typecast into 'dad' or 'old man' roles, which was disappointing and a final straw for him.
🤔 Chris highlights the stigma surrounding hair pieces and toupees, drawing parallels to women getting hair extensions.
💬 He advocates for more open conversations about hair loss to normalize the topic and reduce the associated stigma.
🦲 Despite the hair piece not being his natural hair, Chris feels amazing and confident, forgetting most of the time that it's not his own.

Q & A

What was the initial impact of hair loss on Chris's life?
-Hair loss controlled Chris's life, causing constant worry and thoughts about it, and making him feel ashamed of his appearance.
At what age did Chris start experiencing hair loss?
-Chris started losing his hair at the age of 20.
What was Chris's occupation when he first noticed his hair thinning?
-Chris was a contestant on 'So You Think You Can Dance' and was starring in the show when he first noticed his hair thinning.
How did Chris's hair loss affect his self-esteem and daily activities?
-Chris was ashamed of his hair and couldn't handle the thought of anyone looking at or touching it. He felt the need to hide it constantly, even for simple tasks like going to the mailbox.
What were the possible reasons doctors suggested for Chris's hair loss?
-Doctors suggested that the hair loss could be either hereditary or just happen without a clear cause.
What was the treatment method that Chris found effective in combating his hair loss?
-Chris found a hair growth cream effective, which took about three months to kick in and helped his hair grow back by the time he was 22.
How did Chris's mother's passing affect his hair loss?
-The stress from his mother's passing caused Chris's hair to fall out again, leading him to believe it would not grow back.
What was the impact of Chris's hair loss on his career in the entertainment industry?
-After shaving his hair off, Chris was mostly given roles as 'dad' or 'old man' characters, which was disappointing for him.
What solution did Chris eventually find to address his hair loss?
-Chris found using a hair piece to be a simple and effective solution that he wished he had known about earlier.
How does Chris feel about the hair piece not being his natural hair?
-Chris doesn't mind that the hair piece isn't his natural hair and often forgets it's not his own because it feels connected to him.
What is Chris's perspective on the stigma around hair pieces for men?
-Chris believes there should be no stigma, comparing it to women getting hair extensions and stating it's the same thing.
What message does Chris want to convey about discussing hair loss openly?
-Chris feels that talking about hair loss more openly will help normalize the conversation and remove any associated stigma.
What does Chris believe is required to seek help for hair loss?
-Chris believes it takes courage and strength to ask for help regarding hair loss.

Outlines

00:00

😔 Struggle with Hair Loss

Chris, a 29-year-old former contestant on 'So You Think You Can Dance,' shares his emotional journey with hair loss, which began at the age of 20. He describes the profound impact it had on his self-esteem and the constant worry about his appearance. The rapid hairline recession and the lack of clear medical explanations added to his distress. Despite trying various treatments with mixed results, including a hair growth cream that eventually worked, the stress of his mother's passing triggered another episode of hair loss. Chris highlights the difficulty of dealing with hair loss in the entertainment industry, where appearance is paramount, and the societal stigma associated with hairpieces and toupees.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Hair loss

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, refers to the falling out of hair from the scalp. In the video, it is the central issue that affects the speaker's life, causing him emotional distress and impacting his self-esteem. The speaker, Chris, begins to experience hair loss at a young age, which he describes as rapid and uncontrollable, leading to feelings of shame and the need to hide it.

💡So You Think You Can Dance

So You Think You Can Dance is a popular television dance competition. Chris mentions being a contestant on this show, indicating a time in his life when he was in the public eye and the onset of his hair loss became particularly distressing. This context highlights the pressure of maintaining a certain appearance in the entertainment industry.

💡Hereditary

Hereditary refers to a characteristic or condition that is passed down from one's ancestors. In the script, doctors suggest that Chris's hair loss might be hereditary, implying a genetic predisposition. This term is relevant as it explores one of the potential causes of his hair loss, adding a layer of complexity to his situation.

💡Medication side effects

Medication side effects are unintended consequences of taking a drug. Chris expresses concern over the potential side effects of hair growth medication, questioning whether the risks are worth the potential benefits. This highlights the difficult decisions one must make when considering treatments for hair loss.

💡Hair transplant

A hair transplant is a surgical technique that moves hair follicles from one part of the body to another to restore hair growth. Chris mentions this as an option for addressing his hair loss, but also acknowledges that it is not a guaranteed permanent solution, reflecting the uncertainty and potential disappointment associated with hair restoration procedures.

💡Hair growth cream

A hair growth cream is a topical product applied to the scalp to stimulate hair growth. Chris found success with a hair growth cream, which took several months to show results. This example from the script illustrates an alternative, non-surgical approach to dealing with hair loss.

💡Stress

Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. The script mentions that Chris's mother passed away, and the stress from this event caused his hair to fall out again. This demonstrates the connection between emotional stress and physical symptoms like hair loss.

💡Hiding

In the context of the video, hiding refers to Chris's attempts to conceal his hair loss by wearing hats or other means. This action reflects the self-consciousness and embarrassment he feels about his appearance, which is a significant theme in the video.

💡Entertainment industry

The entertainment industry encompasses areas such as film, television, and theater, where appearance often plays a critical role. Chris discusses the judgment he faces in this industry due to his hair loss, which underscores the societal pressures and stereotypes associated with physical appearance.

💡Hair piece

A hair piece, or toupee, is a covering for the head made from hair or synthetic material to conceal hair loss. Chris eventually decides to get a hair piece, which he finds liberating and simple. This term is significant as it represents a turning point in his story, where he embraces a solution that improves his self-image and confidence.

💡Stigma

Stigma refers to a mark of disgrace or a negative stereotype associated with a particular characteristic. Chris talks about the stigma around hair pieces and toupees, suggesting that society's judgment can make people feel ashamed or uncomfortable about using them. This term is important as it addresses societal attitudes towards hair loss and solutions for it.

💡Normalizing conversation

Normalizing conversation means making a topic more acceptable and less taboo by discussing it openly. Chris feels that there isn't enough talk about hair loss and believes that by speaking about it more, it can become a normal part of conversation. This reflects his desire to reduce the stigma and encourage open dialogue around the issue.

💡Courage

Courage is the ability to face difficulty, danger, or pain without fear. In the script, Chris mentions the courage it takes to ask for help, which is a key part of his journey in dealing with hair loss. This term highlights the emotional strength required to confront personal challenges and seek solutions.

Highlights

Chris began losing his hair at 20, which greatly affected his life and self-esteem.

Hair loss made Chris feel ashamed and self-conscious, especially during his time on So You Think You Can Dance.

Chris struggled with the rapid thinning of his hairline and the fear of others noticing or touching his hair.

Doctors suggested hair loss could be hereditary or just happen without a clear cause.

Most hair loss treatments had side effects that worried Chris about their long-term impact.

A hair growth cream provided Chris with some relief, taking three months to show results.

The death of Chris's mother and the stress from the event caused his hair to fall out again.

Chris felt exhausted from constantly trying to hide his hair loss, even for simple tasks.

Being in the entertainment industry exacerbated Chris's insecurities about his appearance.

After shaving his head, Chris was typecast into 'dad' or 'old man' roles, which was disappointing.

Chris felt stigmatized by hair pieces and toupees, but saw no difference between them and women's hair extensions.

Chris found a hair piece to be a simple and effective solution that he wished he had known about earlier.

Wearing a hair piece made Chris feel amazing and improved his self-confidence both externally and internally.

Chris believes that open conversations about hair loss can help normalize it and reduce stigma.

Chris encourages others to seek help for hair loss, emphasizing the courage it takes to ask for assistance.