Mr Greg Williams and psychologist Kimberley Cairns argue why some patients with BDD should still be entitled to hair loss treatment
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a psychological condition where an individual has a pathological relationship with their appearance, which results in intrusive and obsessive thoughts that interfere with self-esteem and daily life.1 Individuals diagnosed with BDD experience a disconnect between their perception of reality and actual reality, which for male patients can be attributed to hair loss.2
In such patients, even if the hair loss is observable to the consulting practitioner and others, it is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) to avoid offering hair transplant surgery if the patient is exhibiting signs of BDD.3,4
However, we argue that male patients whose BDD does not focus on hair may still benefit from hair transplant procedures.
The root of hair loss insecurities
Male pattern hair loss is extremely common – with an estimated 50% of 50-year-old men presenting with symptoms – and most men will experience some degree of it during their lifetime.5 Hair transplant…
