Introduction
Pattern hair loss in women continues to be on the rise at an exponential rate. In-depth studies can help understand better methods to manage the same. For this study, data was collected and analysed from a whopping 283,539 females across India who took the Traya hair test. Our initiative aimed to gain unprecedented insights into hair health problems faced by Indian women.
Heavy hair fall, partition widening and hair thinning are common concerns amongst women of all ages. However, the problem is often marketed and treated as a cosmetic concern rather than being viewed as a symptom of underlying health issues. Recognising the urgent need for a better understanding of Indian women’s hair health, Traya embarked on this mammoth task of reviewing the hair tests of 2.8 Lakh+ women. Let us go through the significant findings from the study.
Key Takeaways
- The most common root causes of hair fall in women are internal health problems like stress, low energy levels and hormonal issues.
- Partition widening is a hair issue that 71% of women from the study face.
- One in two women aged 36-40 face from medium to advanced hair widening while experiencing female pattern hair fall.
- Stress and depleted energy levels were some of the most common root causes of hair fall.
- Besides hair fall, 70% of women also experienced dandruff while 72% felt their hair was damaged.
Methodology
With the help of medical experts and AI technology, Traya’s Hair Test was developed as a comprehensive diagnostic tool for identifying root causes of hair fall. Traya’s “health first, hair later” approach prioritises accurate information about hair fall. It ensures that people take Traya’s Hair Test to discover the real reason behind their hair fall and adopt a holistic approach to treating it while addressing the cause.
Hair Test Questions
Our Hair Test asks participants questions about their hair and overall health. These questions cover topics like hair quality, scalp health, hormonal issues, family medical history and lifestyle.
We also ask for a picture of their scalp, wherever required, to help identify their correct hair fall level. Such a comprehensive Hair Test ensures that Traya’s regime is personalised to each individual’s specific condition. Traya aims to directly address each individual’s root cause of their hair issues and offer a holistic solution accordingly.
Findings
The study focused on the hair health of Indian women and the results have helped unveil some interesting insights into female pattern hair loss.
Visible signs of hair fall
71.19% of females across age brackets show signs of early medium to advanced hair widening. This is a clear sign that hair fall is a primary hair concern for women of all ages and needs early intervention.
Widening broadens with age
The study also identified that as women age, their hair fall also increases. Close to 51% of women between the ages of 36-40 were found to have medium and advanced widening, which was less prevalent in younger women.
Increased stress levels
The most startling discovery from the study was that 88.6% of the women who completed the test suffered from moderate to high levels of stress. Stress management should be considered as an important element when controlling hair fall.
Poor sleeping habits
48.14% of women struggle with getting adequate sleep or timely sleeping habits, which could also be linked to the high-stress levels they experience.
Severe case of dandruff
Over 70% of women had their hair fall attributed to dandruff of which, 22% deal with a severe case of dandruff. Addressing dandruff is paramount to help reduce hair fall issues.
Depleted energy levels
90% of the 2.8 lakh women who were a part of the Traya study have complained of low energy levels. This data point underscores the importance of addressing hair fall internally.
Damaged hair
Besides dealing with hair fall, close to 72% of women felt their hair was damaged. This suggests a connection between hair treatments and hair quality, which may affect overall hair health.
Low hair density
60.8% of women complained of dealing with low hair density or volume. It was found that 63% of women under 30 also face the same issue.
Rise of PCOS in young women
The study also identified an alarming trend of PCOS-related hair fall in women between the ages of 18-25.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hair fall is a complicated issue for women while damaged hair strands and low hair volume can be attributed to poor hair health. There have also been psychological implications linked to hair fall. In a study conducted in 2014, it was found that heavy hair fall can lead to an increase in depression, anxiety, and stress.
Limitations
The study focused on women who took the Traya Hair Test. This could introduce a sampling bias. Moreover, as the study relied on participants self-reporting their hair health issues, the data can be subject to inaccuracies, as individuals may not always be inclined to be completely honest. The study primarily focused on stress, diet, energy, dandruff and hormonal issues related to hair health. It did not delve deeper into medical conditions or medications that may also impact hair loss. This limited scope might miss potential underlying causes of hair issues.
Takeaways
One of the most significant takeaways from our study was the prevalence of internal root causes of hair fall such as stress, low energy levels and PCOS. Poor hair health and partition widening issues are also known to cause psychological and psychiatric problems such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, discomfort in appearance or body dysmorphia and low self-esteem. What is further concerning is the fact that 71% of the women are experiencing a severe case of hair fall. This proves that despite awareness, women cannot take timely action to address their hair health.
Traya consistently advocates that a single product cannot solve hair fall as it is not a cosmetic issue. Hair fall requires a multifaceted solution that targets the root causes. Recognising that hair fall is a complex problem with no one-size-fits-all solution is crucial. Our findings emphasise that a personalised and holistic approach is necessary. Our three science-driven formulas and regimes can help address these issues comprehensively and have been found to deliver results for 93% of our users* (as per an internal study conducted in December 2022).
