Female hair loss is a major issue. More than four in ten women have suffered from it; despite millions believing it is something that ‘only happens to men’.
With August being Hair Loss Awareness Month, Nioxin has recently carried out a survey to discover more about female hair woes. A study of 2,000 women aged 18 and over found that while 31 per cent experienced ‘mild’ hair thinning; nearly one in 10 have lost whole clumps of hair in one go or noticed bald spots.
79% of women admitted that their locks are a huge part of who they are. Furthermore, more than 10% of sufferers have sought professional help due to the impact it had on their mental health.
Others have refused to look in mirrors (14%). They have also edited pictures before posting on social media (12 per cent) and cancelled dates (7%).
The study by Nioxin, also found 72% of all women believe there is a stigma around hair loss in females.
As a result, 59% would hide the condition from strangers, work colleagues and even their own friends and family.
This means many are suffering in silence, despite 38% feeling that thinning hair would impact their mental health. Meanwhile, and 29% going as far as to say it would likely leave them feeling depressed.
Made in Chelsea star Liv Bentley started to notice signs that her hair was thinning at the age of 16. She had spotted a bald patch about the size of a two pence piece while on holiday in Majorca.
She said: I assumed I probably ripped it out by brushing too hard. So, I left it as I thought it was normal.
“A few weeks later at school, I was brushing my hair in the shower and more had come out; I panicked and started crying. I didn’t really know what it was.
“My hair has always been so important to me and it’s just such a major part of any woman’s appearance. When it’s not at its best, it really does affect you.
“My advice is always to not ignore it as it is unlikely to go away without help and treatment.”
The study found that of those who have suffered hair loss, they first spotted signs of the condition at an average age of 34, but just over one in 10 (11%) noticed it as young as 18.
45% put it down to general stress; more than one in 10 (12%) believe it was a result of having Covid-19.
Others blamed their thinning hair on pregnancy (19%), a poor diet (20%) or a separate health issue (25 per cent).
But nearly one in six (15%) still believe hair loss is something that is only men suffer from. Nearly three quarters claiming there is more of a stigma around it in women.
Almost two thirds (64 per cent) put this down to hair being such an important part of a woman’s appearance, while 44 per cent believe it’s because it’s not as common in women as it is men.
More than half (55 per cent) also blame it on a lack of women who have thinning hair, or hair loss, appearing on TV.
Mark Blake, Nioxin trichologist, added: “Hair loss in women is not something that should be kept quiet and is more common than you might think.
“But the stigma around it and the belief that it is only a ‘male condition’ is stopping women from seeking help which could not only improve their hair, but also their confidence and mental health as a result.
“Demand in our clinics from women suffering from hair loss has increased by 200 per cent, so you really are not alone.
“There are options out there if you are struggling with hair loss, such as Nioxin’s range which helps those with thinning or fine hair, so that you don’t have to hide it from others or suffer in silence.”
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