Record numbers suffer hair loss

Dec 2007

"Record" numbers of women in the UK are suffering from hair loss and adult acne, with diet and stress from busy lifestyles being linked to appearance, researchers have said.

A study, based on the opinions of 2,052 women aged 18 and over, found almost one in five (19%) suffer or have suffered from hair loss and more than a third (38%) have adult acne.

The research into women's attitudes concerning health, beauty and celebrity culture was carried out by vitamin supplement makers Vitabiotics Perfectil.

It found female hair loss and adult acne have a serious emotional impact on women with almost three quarters (71%) claiming their self-esteem was affected.

When asked what impacts most on the health of skin, hair and nails, almost half (48%) thought their diet had the largest impact followed by more than a quarter (27%) believing their stress levels impacted most.

Kate Winslet, Cat Deeley and Keira Knightley were seen by respondents as the celebrities with the best skin, hair and nails. Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss were ranked at the bottom.

More than three quarters of women feel there is very little information available for them about improving thinning hair, which makes women feel they are suffering alone, researchers said. More than a third of women (35%) have been to their GP about the problem, the study said.

Registered nutritionist Anita Ellis described the results as "extremely worrying".

She said: "I regularly see female clients suffering from hair loss and adult acne and the fact that over a third of women have been to their GPs highlights how serious the problem is. Stress is rife in our busy lives and it inevitably takes a toll on the way that we look.

"There needs to be more information accessible for women on how to deal with these conditions as it is clear that they are having a serious impact on their emotional wellbeing."

As a result of hair loss, more than one in five women have been tempted to resort to comfort eating and almost that number will cancel social arrangements. A similar number would be tempted to postpone an interview, call in sick at work or postpone a date due to bad skin or hair.