Andre Agassi Provides a Powerful and Heartfelt Testimony of Pain about His Hair
Tennis great, André Agassi, came clean this week about a couple of very important things about himself: that he always hated tennis and that he wore a hairpiece during the early years of his tennis career---and hated that, too. He had been known internationally for both of these attributes. His public catharsis provides serious insight into the deep concerns of young men who are losing their hair as well as of the feelings some hairpiece wearers that is both powerful and upsetting.
I have always tried to describe what many of my patients have expressed to me over these last 23 years of practice: that hair loss is a lot more upsetting psychologically to them than it is an issue of vanity. My God, I am so sick and tired of colleagues who ask me what is the big deal is with my patients who are concerned about losing their hair when their cholesterol is good, their blood pressure is great, and they otherwise are healthy. Some tell me to tell them to “just get over it”!
When I explain that hair status is tied to their self esteem and self image, they often don’t believe it. However, I see this connection every day in my practice. Agassi has made several quotes in the media over these last two days that eloquently and accurately describe the feeling of many of my patients.
An early victim of male pattern baldness, Agassi said he was aghast that "every morning I would get up and find another piece of my identity on the pillow, in the wash basin, down the plughole”, writing of his disappearing hair.
Regarding his decision to first put on a hairpiece, he indicated: "I asked myself: you want to wear a toupee? On the tennis court? I answered myself; what else could I do?" This was because he was so ashamed to go bald.
Agassi said he wore the wig at the 1990 French Open. After shampooing the “wig” the night before the final, it started to fall apart, with the young player more worried about that disaster than what might happen on court. His brother suggested that he clamp the hair piece together and not to move so much during the match!
He wrote: "During the warming-up training before play I prayed. Not for victory, but that my hairpiece would not fall off.” And "With each leap, I imagine it falling into the sand. I imagine millions of spectators move closer to their TV sets, their eyes widening and, in dozens of dialects and languages, ask how Andre Agassi's hair has fallen from his head."
Yes, these are words from a well-known world champion superstar, but his feelings are no different than those of the average person who seeks out my expertise and services every day. Regular guys worry about their hair systems loosening up, lifting up, and being discovered as not being their own growing hair. I can’t tell you how many men wearing hairpieces---with the look of a full head of hair---who are still wearing a hat all the time because they continue to be embarrassed with it. It is very common!
Though it is sad that Agassi had to go through this anxiety, it is wonderful that the world has been able to see how hair loss can affect some people.
The best news of all is, though, that I can treat hair loss in individuals just beginning to lose their hair, in those already bald, and in people who are wearing hairpieces with medical and surgical therapies.
Cheers!
Doc