More Singapore women suffer from hair loss than men - study
 

By Ken Teh, Channel NewsAsia

Singapore News

SINGAPORE : It is a hair raising fact - a survey of 1,000 people found that more Singaporean women are suffering from hair loss compared to the men.

According to a recent study on hair loss, nearly half a million Singaporeans do not have a choice.

And what is shocking is that 51 percent of them are women!

"I think it makes me look very awful."

"I think it is due to the increasing stress that women get from work and on top of that they have to cope with problems in the family so maybe that's the reason."

"I do not think guys will like 'botak' (bald) women."

The survey also found that 70 percent say they will not date someone who is losing their hair.

One Chinese woman in her 20s said: "Some guys are attracted to girls with long hair, more hair, fluffy hair that's why girls have all sort of hair, like even rebonded hair!"

One Chinese man in his 40s said: "It's a matter of how you believe in yourself, not so much how much hair you have on your head."

One Caucasian man in his 40s said: "Women here never found me attractive so I don't think that having more hair will help."

Dr Eileen Tan, Dermatologist at Changi General Hospital, said: "The most common is endo-genetic or hereditary hair loss.

"There are other causes of hair loss like reactive hair loss in women. It could be typically due to pregnancy, or post-menopausal women experience intensive hair fall. Of course stress, inadequate nutrition or excessive dieting can actually induce hair loss."

But it is not just women who are in the spotlight.

The ACNielsen study also found that balding is now hitting Singaporeans as young as 15!

Yet 84 percent of all those who suffer hair loss seem resigned to their fate. They have not bothered to try any sort of remedy.

There are plenty of myths about hair loss.

Some believe that rubbing brandy on their scalp or even standing on their head helps cure hair loss.

Others swear by the belief that shaving their head makes their hair grow back thicker.

Scientific studies have found these to be mere superstitions.

Dr Tan added: "There are oral medicines...or topical solutions...which comes in different percentages and of course they can think of hair transplant surgery if they have lost a great deal." - CNA