The psychological effects for individuals experiencing hair loss vary widely. Some people adapt to the change comfortably, while others have severe problems relating to anxiety, depression, social phobia, insecurity, isolation, panic, a sense of loss, and in some cases, identity change.

Some balding men may feel proud of their baldness, feeling a kindred relationship with famous charismatic bald men such as Telly Savalas, Patrick Stewart, Sean Connery, Yul Brynner, Billy Corgan, Vin Diesel, Michael Chiklis, Michael Stipe, Ross Kemp, Jason Alexander, Paudie Fitzmaurice, Larry David, Danny DeVito, Ben Kingsley or Bruce Willis; or politicians such as Ed Koch, John Reid, Menzies Campbell and James Carville; or sportsmen such as wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin, footballers Zinedine Zidane, Bobby Charlton or tennis star Andre Agassi. Much of these celebrities’ perceived masculinity and handsomeness derives from their most obvious distinguishing feature.

Female hair loss can be even more troubling than for men. Female thinning hair is not generally accepted as part of the normal aging process. Society has come to expect a thick, luxurious head of hair as part of the attractiveness in women. For a woman, more so than for a man, hair is a defining point of personal style and once tagged as "the crowning glory." For female, losing hair is a traumatic experience. While male hair loss is seen as inevitable for a large proportion of men in the community, female hair loss is far less common and therefore less culturally acceptable, which only adds to the stigma for those experiencing it. In many cases, the damage to a woman’s self-confidence can affect her whole quality of life.

Today, we value hair for other reasons. Whether we admit it or not, good hair still is associated with power, virility and youth.