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Hair
Loss is No Joking Matter
-
New research highlights men’s concerns about going bald
27 June 2005 -
Hair
loss is a major worry for many men, ranking amongst their top three
concerns about ageing and even more concerning than memory loss
according to the results of new research.1 Those affected by
hair loss can feel less attractive, as well as older and are more likely
to be the butt of jokes from other people. Despite this, only a minority
of those suffering from hair loss seek help for their problem even
though effective treatments are available. The new research is
sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited. “I
started losing my hair when in my early twenties and I still feel
self-conscious about it. People think it’s funny to make jokes
about my bald patch and I always try to laugh along, but underneath it
really knocks my confidence,” explains Marcus Radmoor, a golf
professional from Onga, Essex. British
men are taking a greater interest in their appearance, as demonstrated
by the rise in sales of male grooming products and the increasing
popularity of beauty treatments amongst men.2 Hair
appears to be a major priority when it comes to personal grooming,
coming second only to personal hygiene with clothing/fashion in third
place. More than a third (36%) of men questioned spends at least £10
every month on hair care products and styling. More
men surveyed are worried about hair loss (13%) than losing memory (10%),
impotence (5%) or wrinkles (3%). Hair loss is closely identified with
ageing. Of those surveyed who are not currently affected by hair loss,
almost half (44%) are worried about the prospect of looking older with
any future hair loss. Of
those participating in the survey, 58% have experienced some form of
natural hair loss, with many of them noting a negative attitude towards
them from other people: almost a third (31%) say they have to put up
with jokes about their hair loss, while 20% find that other people often
overestimate how old they are and 11% believe that others see them as
less attractive. Dr
Hugh Rushton, one of the Clearly,
hair loss can have a negative impact on a significant proportion of men
and yet it is interesting to see that only 4% of men affected who took
part in the research have sought medical advice from a GP, pharmacist,
trichologist (hair specialist) or dermatologist. Of these, 29% feel that
their concerns have not been taken seriously and only 58% have been
offered treatment, even though effective treatments are currently
available on prescription or over the counter. Despite this, 36% of men
in the survey were offered herbal remedies. Finally,
the survey reveals that men would like to be better informed about MPHL,
with more than half believing there is not enough information available
about hair loss, its causes and possible treatments. Anyone
concerned about MPHL should seek advice from their doctor or pharmacist.
Note
to editors:
The
male pattern hair loss survey was conducted by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS)
Direct Services amongst 1,000 British men aged between 16 and 50. Male
pattern hair loss (MPHL), also known as androgenetic alopecia, affects
half of all men by the age of 50.3 It is so common that some
degree of hair loss is considered normal in adult men. An estimated 6.5
million men are affected by mild to moderate MPHL in the UK.4 References:
1.
A
survey of 1,000 males aged between 16 and 50 conducted by TNS Direct
Services in May 2005 2.
Health
and Beauty Treatments – 3.
Sinclair
R. Male pattern androgenetic alopecia. BMJ Sept 1998;
317: 865-869 4.
(30/6/05) |
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