Female Hair Woes

Nioxin has recently carried out a survey to discover more about female hair woes.

More than four in 10 women have suffered from hair loss – despite millions believing it is something that ‘only happens to men’. 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. But with 79 per cent of women admitting that their locks are a huge part of who they are, more than one in 10 sufferers have sought professional help due to the impact it had on their mental health.

Others have refused to look in mirrors (14 per cent), edited pictures before posting on social media (12 per cent) and cancelled dates (seven per cent). The study, by Nioxin, also found 72 per cent of all women believe there is a stigma around hair loss in females. As a result, 59 per cent would hide the condition from strangers, work colleagues and even their own friends and family. This means many are suffering in silence, despite 38 per cent feeling that thinning hair would impact their mental health, and 29 per cent going as far as to say it would likely leave them feeling depressed. Made in Chelsea star Liv Bentley first started to notice signs that her hair was thinning at the age of 16 after spotting 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 so I panicked and started crying. I didn't really know what it was. “There’s no doubt that when my hair was thinning and I had bald patches, my confidence was greatly impacted. “My hair has always been so important to me and it’s just such a major part of any woman’s appearance, so 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 nearly one in 10 (11 per cent) noticed it as young as 18.

While 45 per cent put it down to general stress, more than one in 10 (12 per cent) believe it was a result of having Covid-19. Others blamed their thinning hair on pregnancy (19 per cent), a poor diet (20 per cent) or a separate health issue (25 per cent). But nearly one in six (15 per cent) still believe hair loss is something that is only suffered by men, with 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 considered 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 is designed to help those with thinning or fine hair, so that you don’t have to hide it from others or suffer in silence.”

XPERT PROFESSIONAL appoints Brand Specialist for ALTERNA and R+Co

Xpert Professional Ireland is delighted to announce the appointment of Audrey Shanley as Brand Development Manager for ALTERNA and R+Co. Audrey will support and educate salons and develop the brands nationally. Audrey brings over two decades of executive-level experience in the beauty industry, predominantly in the premium luxury haircare sector. Having begun her career with L'Oréal Professional Products, she moved on to become National Sales Manager for Kérastase and successfully drove the range of brands there. As part of the overall L’Oreal brief, she launched shu uemura as a luxury exclusive professional brand available only in selected stockists. She recently launched and distributed the Italian brand, Davines, to the Irish market, once more winning market share as well as many awards, including IMAGE’s Business of Beauty ‘Most Innovative Hair Brand ‘. Like the best of her profession, Audrey is committed to working with beautiful products and creative individuals to deliver amazing results for the consumer, and sales for the salons. She knows and operates on the basis that this can be done – and is being done – within an ethos that rests on environment, pure ingredients, eco packaging and free of chemicals and cruelty. She subscribes completely to XPERT’s focus on professional education, advanced training and upskilling. “Consumers are hungry for advice; they want to know what the professionals recommend and the sacred relationship between a woman and her stylist depends on that absolute trust that what the stylist is recommending comes from deep technical knowledge and training. Xpert Professional understands that this special relationship depends on continuous professional upskilling and technique.”