Young men turning to hair transplants at the first sign of hair loss

Report reveals one in five men under 24 get a hair transplant at the first signs of hair loss

• Almost a third of those experiencing hair loss aged 16-24 get body modifications to distract from their hair loss 
• Almost one in six men aged under 24 experiencing hair loss have cancelled a date out of nervousness of revealing their lack of hair 
• One in five men aged under 24 experiencing hair loss has had someone use their hair loss as an excuse to not go on a second date

Over half  (58%) of young men experiencing hair loss have faced some sort of negative prejudice whilst dating, according to a new report. 

The UK Male Hair loss report conducted by LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor surveyed 1,503 Brits who use dating apps,to reveal how men in the UK are coping with hair loss and how it is affecting their personal relationships.  

The report reveals that just one in four (24%) of men aged 16-24 showed their lack of hair on their first dating profile photo. The research found that typically men were more likely to reveal their lack of hair on their third dating profile photo. 

These attitudes within the dating space towards those dealing with hair loss are contributing to almost three in four (72%) men aged 16-24 feeling unattractive and self-conscious and ultimately looking for ways they can distract or disguise their lack of hair.  

Over one third (35%) of 16-24 year olds use working out to distract from hair loss

The most common way those aged 16-24 try to distract from their hair loss is by working out (35%), followed by wearing a hat (33%).

Almost one in four (23%) changed their diet at the first signs of hair loss, making this the age group most likely to adopt a new lifestyle when they first notice they are losing hair.  

However, under a third of men experiencing hair loss under 24 chose more permanent changes to distract from their hair loss as 16% reveal they got tattoos and 12% got piercings as a distraction.  

The findings also reveal that men aged 16-24 are the most likely to seek out medical treatment for their hair loss, as more than two-fifths state they were worried when they noticed they were losing hair.

13% said they tried an over-the-counter hair loss treatment at the first signs of hair loss and over a fifth (21%) tried a prescription hair loss treatment such as minoxidil. 

One in five (19%) of those aged 16-24 opted to get a hair transplant at the first signs of hair loss, making this age the most likely to have a surgical procedure when they first notice they are losing hair.

Almost a third of men aged 16-24 admit to getting tattoos or piercings in correlation with the physical changes associated with hair loss

When it comes to dating for those aged 16-24 year olds experiencing hair loss, almost one in six have cancelled a date out of nervousness of revealing they have no hair, as more than one in four (28%) choose to hide their hair loss on a date by wearing a hat. 

The fact that men feel this way could be down to almost a fifth (19%) of those aged 16-24 experiencing hair loss having experienced someone speak negatively about people with no hair on a dating app. 

This negative prejudice continues as over one in five (21%) men under 24 state they have had someone cancel a date with them after finding out they have no hair. 

Dr Sameer Sanghvi, GP and Clinical Technology Lead at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor shares their advice for those aged 16-24 experiencing hair loss: 

“Typically, when you think of male hair loss, we tend to think of the older generations, but hair loss can, start as early as 16 for some. 

Nearly nine in ten of those surveyed said they think there is a stigma attached to hair loss, which correlates to feelings of self-consciousness and perhaps leads to men seeking ways to disguise their hair loss rather than embrace it.  

While it’s great to see those aged 16-24 choosing to adopt a healthier diet and begin working out, lifestyle changes will solely not slow down or stop the process of hair loss so it’s important to embrace it as a natural part of human life.” 

More findings from the UK Male hair loss report are available to view here.