Nutrifol delves into link between hair thinning and emotional struggles in women

17 Aug 2023 --- Hair supplements brand Nutrafol has unveiled new research on the prevalence of hair thinning in women and its emotional impacts. The study was conducted with efforts to destigmatize an issue affecting a broad demographic. According to the survey, almost one-third of women have never openly voiced worries about their physical hair issues. 

The research, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Nutrafol, was launched to mark Hair Loss Awareness Month in August and sought to examine how female hair struggles and other wellness concerns can extend beyond physical effects, to feelings of embarrassment, self-doubt and loss of confidence.

In the study, when asked which issues the participants are most uncomfortable with, weight issues (23%) and hair thinning (23%) tied for the number one spot. Of those women who have experienced thinning hair, many reported feeling sad (46%), embarrassed (43%) or even scared (42%).

“More than half of women will experience hair thinning during their lifetime, and for years we have been hearing from our community about the emotional toll this was taking on them – but until now, it had not been quantified nor formally recognized by society,” says Giorgos Tsetis, Nutrafol co-founder and CEO. 

“Now with this new data, we can further shine a light on the prevalence of this issue and put real numbers behind the broader impact that hair thinning can have. This is an important next step in our ongoing journey to destigmatize the conversation and let women know they are not alone.”

Crippling self-confidence and relationships
This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 American women was commissioned by Nutrafol between July 19 and July 25, 2023.

In the study, when asked which issues the participants are most uncomfortable with, weight issues (23%) and hair thinning (23%) tied for the number one spot.The survey evidences that thinning has crippled many, with women reporting negative impacts on their self-confidence (45%), professional career (33%) and even their personal relationships (30%). The effects of hair thinning run so deep that women also reported no longer feeling like themselves (39%) or even feeling less like a woman (32%).

“Physical changes are a natural part of the aging process, but for many women, this can cause new insecurities related to appearance or anxieties around not feeling like themselves,” says dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry, MD. 

“I commonly see patients who are experiencing hair thinning and are unsure how to address it, or where to turn to for support. It can be an incredibly isolating experience.”

Women in different life stages shared different attitudes and beliefs around hair thinning. Millennials were more likely than any other generation to not like talking about their hair thinning with other people (44%, compared to 37% of Gen X and 36% of baby boomers). 

They were the most likely to say their professional career has been impacted by their hair thinning (41%, compared to 27% of Gen X and 11% of baby boomers).

Hair changes everything
Two-thirds of respondents agree that on any particular day, the way their hair looks can completely change how they feel about themselves. Nutrafol finds that the average woman experiencing hair thinning is preoccupied with thoughts about the issue about 15 different times each day.

However, Nutrafol concedes this doesn’t mean women aren’t optimistic. Compared to five years ago, one-third feel the same way about their hair now and 31% feel better. In another five years, an additional one-third expect to feel better about it.

Regarding hair thinning and other physical problems women find embarrassing – such as acne, cellulite and even chronic fatigue – the survey found that 19% would prefer to not talk about it at all, compared to 34% that would tell only their doctor and 16% who would consider joining a private support group.

First launched in fall 2022, Nutrafol’s Shed the Silence platform aims to create a supportive and empowering space for women to share and normalize their experiences with hair thinning and shedding – including a private Facebook community to facilitate these conversations. By shining a light on the prevalence of this issue, the initiative aims to “collectively destigmatize female hair thinning.”

Expanding options of hair loss solutions
Androgenetic alopecia is an endemic issue faced by many, brought on by stress, hormonal shifts, tobacco consumption, predisposed conditions and other factors.

Solutions to prevent this are proliferating as the gap between beauty and pharmacy closes, with new introductions of personalized treatment plans, such as “human-to-human compatible” cell-based topical solutions and supplement launches targeting hair loss.

Among other recent hair loss advancements, Personal Care Insights reported on Chinese research that leveraged AI to predict compounds that could neutralize reactive oxygen species that cause balding in the scalp. Animal tests were carried out on mice which proved to be successful in regenerating hair.

US-based University of California Riverside researchers shed light on developments to “potentially end baldness” and hasten wound healing, through research that investigated a protein called TGF-beta regulates the process by which cells in hair follicles, including stem cells, divide and create new cells or plan their death.

Additionally, Gencor’s HairAge-Vitae – a herbal extract of Ageratum conyzoides (A. conyzoides) – was found to “considerably” increase hair density and decrease the hair loss ratio of patients with alopecia. Following topical administration of A. conyzoides, the Gencor study observed a net increase in hair growth.

By Benjamin Ferrer