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Journalism of Courage
Chhaava actor Akshaye Khanna once spoke about how premature balding at a young age affected his self-confidence. “It started happening to me at such a young age. For me, it was like a pianist losing his fingers. It almost felt like that in those days. Till you come to terms with it. It then starts bothering you less. It’s heartbreaking,” said Khanna.
“You might lose a year or two years of your career. Because the way you look as an actor is very important. Especially the face. The body can still be covered a bit. At 19-20, it is devastating. It is heartbreaking. It can mentally kill you,” Khanna told Mid Day in 2020, adding that it did “affect my self-confidence a lot as a young actor.” “It did affect more than I would like to admit,” he expressed.
Premature balding at 19-20 years of age can be caused by genetics, family history, hormonal changes, and lifestyle factors like stress, alopecia areata, nutritional deficiency, weight loss, certain medications, supplements, excessive hairstyling, and treatments, or thyroid problems, said Dr Shareefa Chause, dermatologist at Dr Shareefa Skin Care Clinic, Mumbai.
The most common cause is male pattern baldness, which is driven by sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that shrinks hair follicles over time. “The symptoms of excessive hair loss are excessive hair shedding, hair coming out in clumps, a receding hairline, or thinning at the crown,” explained Dr Chause.
As pointed out by Khanna, early balding can take a toll on one’s mental and emotional well-being.
“One can feel ashamed, embarrassed, frustrated, and avoid socialising too. This can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and frustration,” expressed Dr Chause.
She stressed that optimism and acceptance of the changes, understanding that self-worth is beyond the way your hair looks, can be helpful. “Remember, confidence comes from how you feel from the inside out, not just how you look,” said Dr Chause.
While there’s “no overnight cure,” treatments like biotin supplements and lifestyle changes such as a nutritious diet and de-stressing through yoga and meditation can help slow or even partially reverse hair loss.
“A diet rich in proteins, vitamins like biotin, and proper scalp care can also support hair health. Consulting an expert is key to identifying the cause and getting the right treatment plan before hair loss progresses further,” said Dr Chause.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
