The repercussions of hair loss on women’s emotional and mental health can be devastating, especially in today's image-obsessed culture. Seeing once luscious locks fall out in large clumps can be deeply unnerving, especially for women whose long tresses have traditionally been regarded as a source of pride, a symbol of femininity.
Unfortunately, some women even lose their hair permanently in extreme cases. A traumatic experience that is almost akin to being stripped of one's identity. Hence, the adverse impact of hair loss can be more profoundly demoralizing in women whose self-worth hinges heavily on their physical attributes.
Society’s Unrealistic Standards of Beauty
Being rejected because of one's appearance can be excruciatingly painful for most women. It is unsurprising that many gauge their worth based on their physical features. The need for approval even drives some women to go to great lengths to measure up to society's beauty standards.
Eliminating or obscuring what is perceived as an imperfection becomes a necessity, even at a staggering financial cost, and for some, even at the expense of their own lives.
We can attribute this flawed mindset to society's preoccupation with unrealistic beauty ideals. It is an unfortunate reality that puts women under tremendous pressure to look their best to feel valued and favored.
(Note: There is nothing unethical about having cosmetic procedures to correct physical disfigurements, particularly when the sufferer is subjected to distress, taunts, and mockery due to the condition.)
Social Media Exacerbates the Pressure to Appear Flawless
It is disconcerting to witness how social media has deeply ingrained a distorted perception of beauty into our consciousness. For this reason, today, more than ever, women are more vulnerable to enduring mental anguish due to the social stigma surrounding hair loss, among other perceived inadequacies.
The beauty industry's unprecedented growth into a multi-billion-dollar global business bears witness to this seemingly insatiable desire for perfection to gain acceptance.
Christians Aren’t Immune to Society's Pressure to Conform
Even Christians, who know full well that their intrinsic value emanates from God, can succumb to such a crippling mindset.
Nonetheless, Christians should not be vilified for holding such views. Humans are sensitive creatures, after all. We take it to heart when we’re deemed unworthy or devalued because of apparent flaws in our appearance.
This is why knowing who we are in Christ is paramount. The realization that we are God's beloved children helps us transcend our insecurities, overcome our self-doubts, and prevent us from conforming to society's inappropriate norms and expectations.
The True Essence of Beauty According to the Bible
Rather than seeing ourselves from the perspective of men, let us see ourselves through the eyes of God. The heart is what God sees, not the superficial appearance that society favors.
As it is written in 1 Samuel 16:7 [ESV], "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'”
Proverbs 30:30-31 [KJV]: “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”
The fear of the Lord and total obedience to God's words make a woman beautiful in God's eyes.
Easier Said Than Done
Hair loss sufferers often wear hats or wigs to stave off ridicule and scrutiny. Nevertheless, regardless of how adept we are at covering up our thinning hair, losing one's hair can still leave a deep emotional scar.
I have read several accounts of people who suffer from permanent hair loss shedding tears in the shower, some as young as twenty. For others, such a traumatic event feels like the end of the world due to their damaged self-esteem.
As such, there needs to be a healing process, much like healing from a traumatic event.
Because of this, reading God's words cannot instantly make you at peace with your condition or transform you into a confident woman following a life-altering hair loss diagnosis. Nobody can dispute the power or sufficiency of God's words; however, as human beings, we are at times bound and constrained by our fallen nature.
As Jesus said in Matthew 26:41 [NIV], “The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
It is God’s way of saying that if we live in the Spirit, we can overcome everything.
Can a Woman Who Lost Her Hair Live a Life of Joy And Confidence?
We cannot do it on our own strength, but with God's help, we can.
How?
By living in the Spirit.
As fallible human beings, we may not always do the right thing or have the right emotions. We are inclined to succumb to our flaws, fears, and insecurities now and then. Nevertheless, we can rise above our human frailties and insecurities more easily as we consistently allow the Spirit of God to rule over us.
Knowing our weaknesses, limitations, and the trials we would go through on this earth, God sent us the Holy Spirit to empower us.
2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
We Can Triumph over Life's Challenges
My experience has taught me that I fail miserably when trying to overcome my weaknesses or deal with emotional turmoil through my own efforts.
However, when I saturate my mind and heart with God's Word, pray more frequently than usual, and set aside time for worship even in the darkest of times, His presence fills me with peace and strength, enabling me to face my trials with courage and grace.
As Christians, we have witnessed how the power of the Holy Spirit within every believer has enabled many of us to forgive the unpardonable, love the unlovable, demonstrate confidence despite ridicule, and remain steadfast in faith despite insurmountable hardships.
Therefore, when you are demoralized by feelings of insecurity, feeling unworthy because of how you look, cling to God and witness how the passage in Philippians 4:7 gives you a new lease on life amid your suffering: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
And in Philippians 4:13 [NIV]: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
And in times of adversity, let us not lose sight of the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit to help us live an empowered life despite our immense challenges. We just need to grab hold of these gifts as wholeheartedly as we can and use them to live our best lives for Christ
There Is a Reason Why God Allows Adversity to Fall Upon His Children.
The peace that comes with accepting what cannot be changed is a gift from God.
If your hair follicles are permanently impaired, and hair loss becomes irreversible, accepting the dire nature of the condition is necessary. The acceptance process might take a while, but it will eventually happen.
You may struggle to understand why God allows such unfortunate events in your life, but as Christians, we must remain confident in the knowledge that God always acts on our behalf and that He always has our best interest at heart.
Be comforted in knowing that for every child of God, there is always a divine purpose for every sorrow.
We need to let go and let God.
Believing in the Healing Power of God
Medical intervention is an option if you’ve been diagnosed with chronic alopecia or baldness, but not all women are eligible for treatment. If you fall into the latter category, do not lose hope. Because if it is within God's plan to heal you, He will do so in His perfect time.
God has healed people with terminal cancer and other fatal diseases, people who were given months to live yet were miraculously cured and lived long and healthy lives. You can also be healed if restoring your health is part of His plan for your life.
When God Won't Heal
In Christianity, suffering can be a blessing.
Nothing is impossible with God. But at times, God will not heal, not because He wants you to suffer but to fulfill His greater purpose for your life through your suffering.
Thus, our faith must remain firm and unwavering when our prayers turn up empty for years on end. Because as we navigate through these tumultuous seasons of life, God will be our strength. We will be sustained by the peace and joy we have in Christ.
We can take comfort in the words of Isaiah 40:31 [NIV]
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”
You Are Beautiful, And You Are Enough.
The willingness of Jesus to die for you on the hills of Calvary is a testament to the unfailing love He has for you.
Hence, if you ever feel unattractive, inadequate, and unloved, remember what Christ did for us on the cross. You'll realize you're much loved and deeply treasured beyond anything you can imagine.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Thomas Barwick