Nine out of ten young adults are anxious about losing their hair

New research from leading hair loss centre Harley Street Hair Clinic has found that there is rising anxiety about hair loss, especially among young adults and women, before individuals even start to exhibit symptoms.

Conducted in partnership with the research company Mortar, the survey polled 2017 adults in the UK, between February 21 and 27, 2023. The research found that younger adults were particularly anxious about potential hair loss, including the possibility of their hairline receding, thinning or balding. Nine out of ten young adults were worried about losing their hair, with hair loss reportedly also triggering anxiety and contributing to depression amongst 18–24-year-olds.

In total, three-quarters (76%) of the men and women surveyed who reported having a good head of hair were worried about losing it, with eight out of ten women (82%) expressing concern about hair loss specifically. Moreover, nearly a third (30%) of those asked had started worrying about losing their hair from a very young age, in their teens or early twenties.

At the same time, the study suggests that hair loss could be on the rise. Three-quarters of men (73%) and nearly two-thirds of women (61%) in the UK reported that they were experiencing some sort of hair loss. Two-thirds (66%) of 18-24-year-olds across the genders reported symptoms too.

Unfortunately, there is still a huge taboo around the subject though, with over a quarter (27%) of respondents who reported losing their hair saying they felt embarrassed about it. Just less than a quarter (24%) felt that they have no one they can talk to about their concerns either.

Despite that, the research revealed that worrying about hair loss is occupying a lot of peoples' time, with a third (34%) of all those surveyed stressing about it every time they wash or comb their hair; a quarter (26%) every time they look in the mirror; and a sixth (14%) every time they go out in public.

Women’s self-confidence was especially affected, with 38% of women feeling embarrassed by their hair loss, and 34% reported that it deteriorated their confidence. This increased anxiety is suggested to be, at least partially, due to nearly half of women (44%) having seen others go through hair loss, commonly due to post-pregnancy, during menopause or other hormonal changes.

Moreover, anxiety around hair loss is having an impact on people’s self-image. Of those surveyed, four in 10 (43%) women thought their hair loss makes them feel less attractive, alongside 35% of men, while a third of women (33%) felt less feminine and nearly one in ten (7%) of men felt emasculated.

A quarter of all people surveyed (23%) also no longer like having their photo taken, a fifth (19%) have become obsessed with how they look, and a sixth (15%) even go so far as to avoid looking in mirrors. Again, the problem was especially acute among women. A third of women (32%) stated they are more stressed, and a quarter (24%) are more anxious since experiencing hair loss symptoms.

Once again though, it was younger adults that appear to be hit the hardest. A third (31%) of this age group reported increased levels of stress because they are losing their hair and a quarter (26%) have had a knock to their confidence. Furthermore, more than a tenth (12%) believe their hair loss has triggered feelings of depression.

In response to the survey results, Harley Street Hair Clinic has launched the world’s first-ever hair-tracking app, Hair Track, which enables people to monitor their hair loss over time and speak directly with one of Harley Street Hair Clinic’s world-class doctors for tailored advice.

This could prove especially helpful considering the survey found that a key reason why people worry about hair loss is because it runs in their family (25%); however, nearly a quarter of those who are worrying about hair loss wish they had done something about it sooner.

“We’re all under pressure to look and feel our best - young people in particular who are inundated on social media with photos of influencers and celebrities with a thick and luscious mane of hair,” explains the chief executive of Harley Street Hair Clinic, Nadeem Khan. “It’s not surprising then that people are becoming more anxious about losing their hair and confidence. That’s why we’re so excited to launch our hair tracking app, giving people from anywhere in the UK the chance to seek reassurance and guidance from our world-class doctors about their hair.”