It is estimated that 530 million American men and women suffer with signs of thinning, shedding, or balding. According to recent statistics gathered by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), a majority of individuals choose to accept the state of their hair and live a life plagued with the unhappiness, social anxiety, and diminished self confidence. Yet statistics gathered by the ISHRS demonstrate that individuals who suffer with hair loss are ready and willing to make serious sacrifices to regain the hair of their youth. These hair loss statistics also illustrate that hair transplant surgery might be Americans’ best bet for overcoming the profoundly negative side effects of hair loss.
Below are the top hair loss statistics presented by the ISHRS in the publication, 2010 Hair Transplant Challenge Survey. For a full copy of this report, readers are invited to visit the URL in the Sources section at the end of this article.
Hair Loss Statistics Every Man and Woman Should Know
1. About 25% of Americans said that hair loss made them feel either less attractive or self conscious.
When it comes down to it, both men and women feel the social insecurity of hair loss. According to the ISHRS report, men were more likely to feel “less attractive” because of hair loss. Overall, younger people were most likely to feel either “less attractive” or “self conscious” with visible signs of balding.
2. Less than 5% of respondents said hair loss did not bother them.
It’s no surprise that so many men and women do feel bothered by hair loss. Hair is one of the first things we notice about another person, and many individuals associate attractive hairstyles with the formation of a good first impression. What is surprising, however, is just how small the percentage of men and women who are not bothered by hair loss at all. At 5%, this statistic demonstrates how far-reaching the negative mental and emotional side effects of hair loss can be.
3. About 73% of respondents said they would trade a personal possession for more hair.
It’s clear that men and women are prepared to make serious sacrifices to preserve their luscious locks, as evidenced by the 7 in 10 (73.1%) respondents who said they would trade a “treasured personal possession” for a shot at more hair.
4. About 50% of men and women say noticeable hair loss is a physical trait that makes them feel the most self conscious.
A majority of both men and women agree that signs of thinning, shedding, or balding hair make them feel more self conscious than most other traits. Specifically, respondents said hair loss made them feel more self conscious than being overweight, having skin or complexion problems, or having crooked teeth.
5. Nearly half of respondents would rather have more hair than friends or money.
When it comes to making serious life changes, nearly half of men and women agree they would rather have more hair (43.2%) than money or friends.
6. A majority (61.9%) of men and women felt having more hair would translate to greater success in advancing their career.
Whereas most of the aforementioned statistics have illustrated how men and women feel about their own hair loss, this statistic demonstrates how individuals feel they are perceived by others. When asked whether or not more hair might lead to a more successful career, 67.6% of younger respondents and 59.3% of older respondents said yes.
7. Of all respondents, only about 26% cited unnatural appearance as the reason they would hesitate to have a hair transplant procedure.
If you’re concerned that a hair transplant might look unnatural or “pluggy,” it’s probably the result of 1980s and 90s pop culture. Americans are beginning to understand that hair restoration and transplant technologies have significantly evolved since the 80s, as evidenced by this particular statistic. To learn more, readers may wish to read our article on the evolution of hair loss treatment.
8. Over 85% of respondents could not identify a patient who had a transplant operation.
This statistic illustrates a vital truth: Most Americans cannot tell whether or not a person has received a transplant, even if the photos are displayed right in front of them (as they were in this study). This is encouraging for individuals who may quickly dismiss the idea of a transplant for fear public embarrassment or ridicule, demonstrating instead that today’s technologies and procedures are nearly undetectable.
9. Over 65% of participants said patients who had a transplant procedure looked younger, healthier, and more attractive.
In addition to being nearly undetectable, hair transplants seem to produce results that are aesthetically pleasing. When presented with patients’ before and after photos, a majority of respondents (65%) said patients looked “younger,” “healthier,” and “more attractive” after their procedure.
This health report has been produced by the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami. For additional information on our Institute, including hair loss evaluation and consultation services, readers are invited to contact our office directly at 1-877-443-9070.
Sources for this report include:
(i) “2010 Hair Transplant Challenge Survey.” International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery. Accessed 17 June 2013.