Hidden numbers of Ulster women battling hair loss

Dec 2007

Northern Ireland has the second highest rate of hair loss among women in the UK, a new survey has revealed.

And the province also has a record number of females suffering from adult acne.

According to the findings, almost a quarter (23%) of women in Northern Ireland are either suffering or have suffered from hair loss - putting the province just behind Scotland; while more than a quarter said they had experienced adult acne.

Of those, around 75% said they had suffered severe emotional distress from developing the conditions and 14% even said they would be tempted to cancel social engagements or call in sick at work if they were having a bad skin or bad hair day.

More than three quarters of Ulster respondents said they felt there was very little information regarding thinning hair for women, saying that it was more commonly accepted as a problem for men and that it made them feel like they were suffering alone.

And the problem is so distressing for Ulster females, that more go to seek medical advice regarding hair loss than anywhere else in the UK.

Registered Nutritionist, Anita Ellis, said the results were "extremely worrying".

"I regularly see female clients suffering from hair loss and adult acne and the fact that 45% of women in Northern Ireland have been to their GP's 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 well-being."

The survey, which was commissioned by vitamin supplement manufacturer Vitabiotics Perfectil, also found that almost three quarters (74%) of women in Northern Ireland believed the main cause of female hair loss was due to high stress levels and that 30% believed their diet had the biggest impact.

Around a third (37%) resorted to comfort eating to cope with the condition and one in five said they would postpone a date because of either.

Kate Winslet, Cat Deeley and Keira Knightley were seen by respondents as the celebrities with the best skin, hair and nails. But Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss, who have been photographed numerous times with bad skin just like Charlie's Angel Cameron Diaz, were ranked at the bottom.

Television presenter Gail Porter lost her hair due to alopecia, after the breakdown of her marriage to musician Dan Hipgrave.

Psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos said: "Hair loss is a taboo subject amongst women as it is still largely seen as a male problem.

"As a consequence women suffering with hair loss will find themselves trying to hide or conceal their condition, thus not getting the emotional support they may need.

"The fact is, we live in a very appearance driven society and unfortunately far too many women are made to feel inadequate or even ashamed when faced with a condition like hair loss."