Hyderabad: A recent comprehensive study undertaken by a health and hair-care brand has revealed more than 50.31 per cent of Indian men, below 25 years of age, are facing hair loss.
A high percentage of young adults are experiencing advanced stages of hair loss, because of the lack of awareness about the root causes of hair fall and delaying professional diagnosis and treatment.
Due to the stereotypical societal expectations revolving around an individual’s beauty and external appearance, premature hair loss, which includes thinning, loss of volume and balding has a significant effect on the psychological and social well-being of people.
It affects their self‐esteem, confidence, and overall mental well-being. Dealing with it can cause additional stress and anxiety. Therefore, early interventions can help address the underlying issues, potentially check hair loss, and prevent emotional distress.
5 lakh men participated in survey
According to the extensive study involving over five lakh men, the data highlights that around 50.31 per cent of Indian men, experiencing hair loss, are under the age of 25 years.
As per the study, 25.89 per cent of the respondents below the age of 21 are already at stage 3 of hair loss and beyond. As the age bracket shifts to 21 to 25 years, this number increases to 33.35 per cent. As the average age of customers of the brand is around 28 years, it is an indication that hair loss has become a serious concern in this demographic.
Dandruff, stress major causes of hair loss among men
Hair loss can be triggered by a singular primary factor or a combination of multiple underlying root causes.
The study highlights that one of the major causes of male hair loss is dandruff. Findings indicate that 65 per cent of Indian men under 25 years, experiencing hair loss, suffer from dandruff. This scalp condition leads to itching, inflammation, and irritation, ultimately causing hair loss.
Stress and anxiety emerge as another leading cause of hair loss in men. Due to the pressures of modern life, six out of 10 young Indian males experience hair loss under heightened stress levels.
Poor gut health, a lesser-known cause
The study also brings to light a lesser-known fact: among various health concerns, young men dealing with gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, gas, and related problems are also prone to experiencing premature hair loss.
The study reveals that 37 per cent of men across ages, experiencing hair loss have compromised gut health.
Furthermore, the study delved into the impact of sleep on hair loss and disclosed that irregular sleep patterns contribute to hair loss in three out of every 10 young Indian males under the age of 25 years.
Referring to the study, Saloni Anand, co-founder of Traya, a company that treats male hair loss, said, “Hair loss is often seen as a cosmetic concern but it is a symptom of internal health issues. Given our modern lifestyle, many young people are facing premature hair loss. However, they begin seeking solutions only after consistently facing it for a couple of years. Lack of knowledge about the various stages of hair loss, lack of awareness regarding its root causes and numerous misconceptions around treatment are the reasons why people do not seek help sooner. A delay in addressing hair loss early may allow it to progress to stage five, making reversal challenging, especially for hairlines. Hence, we need to create as much awareness as possible and encourage people, especially the youth, to seek treatment early on.”
Hair fall impacts psycho-social health
A couple of years ago, a questionnaire-based study conducted by doctors on 800 adults (442 males and 358 females) in the age bracket of 18 to 30 years across various metropolitan cities of India showed that nearly a third of the patients with hair fall issues suffered from various psycho-social and behavioural problems.
The study was published in the journal of Dermatological Reviews and was conducted on patients visiting hair clinics in different metro cities.
Hair loss has been found to cause a lot of psychological damage and intense emotional suffering. Psychological counsellor Puja Roy said, “Extensive studies have shown that hair loss and balding are closely associated with psychological and psychiatric problems such as depression, anxiety, anger, frustration, fatigue, low self-esteem, embarrassment, humiliation, annoyance, discomfort with appearance, self-consciousness, diminished interest in sex, decrease in academic and professional performance or household activities, social withdrawal, and even suicidal ideas and behaviour.”
