Alopecia by the Numbers
Alopecia by the Numbers
When one thinks of thinning hair or complete baldness a female is not whom first comes to mind, yet many sources have reported that around 40% of women in the United States suffer from some form of hair loss, but it's still a topic that is not discussed.
Our study revealed that at least 45% of women have endured some form of alopecia
for 11 years or more with more than half reporting they have lived with hair loss for over 21 years. Thirty-eight percent of the women were between the ages of 35-44 when their hair loss began which was the largest group followed closely by 24% of those 18-24 years old. The majority of the women about 50% wear wigs to conceal their hair loss while 28% are still able to hide any hair loss they may have with their remaining hair. Less than 2% have chosen to live bald while 17% switch between wearing a wig or some other form of head covering.
Concealed or not many women revealed that they experience a myriad of emotions regarding their hair loss with feeling self conscious, lack of confidence, unattractive, and depression at the top of the list.
It is vital to acknowledge the psychological impact of Alopecia and it should never be taken lightly, dismissed as pure vanity nor a condition that can be remedied simply by wearing a wig or another type of head covering, the anguish is real.
A 2015 report on hair loss by doctors Katya L. Harfmann & Mark A. Bechtel states, “It is important to not underestimate the emotional impact of hair loss…because studies have demonstrated that the burden of hair loss may be comparable with chronic or life-threatening diseases.”
Are you a U.S. female 18 & over who
has or had hair loss?
Please share your experience by taking our survey.
