Development of the Hair and Scalp Care Questionnaire: Measuring the Impact of Hair and Scalp Issues on Psychological Wellbeing in Healthy Populations

April 2025 in “ International Journal of Cosmetic Science ”

Alice Newton‐Fenner, William M. Hirst, Thérèse Jones, Margaret Scott, Carl Roberts, Monique A. M. Smeets, Jeremy Shen, Anna Thomas, Timo Giesbrecht

hair and scalp issues psychological wellbeing hair and scalp wellbeing cosmetic products

Studysummary This research found that the Hair & Scalp CARE questionnaire is an effective tool for assessing the impact of scalp and hair condition on psychological wellbeing, and suggests healthier hair and scalp are linked to lower stress and better sleep. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study developed and validated the Hair & Scalp CARE questionnaire to assess the psychological impact of hair and scalp issues on wellbeing in healthy populations, involving 1,184 participants from diverse backgrounds in the USA. The 23-item scale, created through expert consultations and qualitative interviews, focuses on hair and scalp concerns and their emotional effects. The findings indicate that hair and scalp wellbeing correlates with sleep and stress levels, affecting psychological health. The questionnaire showed strong reliability and validity, revealing that hair and scalp problems significantly impact confidence, attractiveness, and anxiety. It serves as a useful tool for future research on consumer experiences and the effects of cosmetic products, with recommendations for further validation in different countries and languages.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

12 / 12 results

research ScalpEye: A Deep Learning-Based Scalp Hair Inspection and Diagnosis System for Scalp Health

74 citations , January 2020 in “IEEE Access”

This study reports that the ScalpEye system accurately diagnosed dandruff, folliculitis, hair loss, and oily hair with a precision range of 97.41% to 99.09%.

research The Psychological and Aesthetic Impact of Age-Related Hair Changes in Females

6 citations , April 2019 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This review discusses the impact of age-related hair changes on perceived attractiveness and self-perception, emphasizing the need for holistic anti-aging consultations that include hair preservation strategies.

research Compared to Controls, Individuals with Lichen Planopilaris Have More Depression, Lower Self-Esteem, and Lower Quality of Life

16 citations , January 2019 in “Neuropsychobiology”

This study found that individuals with lichen planopilaris reported lower quality of life and self-esteem and higher depression scores compared to healthy controls.

research Comorbid Conditions in Lichen Planopilaris: A Retrospective Data Analysis of 334 Patients

21 citations , September 2018 in “International journal of women’s dermatology”

In this study, patients with lichen planopilaris showed higher prevalence of autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism compared to those with seborrheic dermatitis.

research Hair Biology

33 citations , August 2018 in “Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America”

This review discusses various biologics for hair aging but reports no agent capable of reversing the natural aging process of hair.

Perception of Hair Loss and Education Increases Treatment Willingness in Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia: A Population-Based Study

research Perception of Hair Loss and Education Increases Treatment Willingness in Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia: A Population-Based Study

9 citations , January 2018 in “Annals of Dermatology”

This study found that patients with a greater awareness and understanding of androgenetic alopecia were more likely to seek treatment, suggesting that education may increase treatment willingness.

research Age, Health, and Attractiveness Perception of Virtual Human Hair

11 citations , December 2016 in “Frontiers in Psychology”

In this study, researchers used computer-generated models to demonstrate that subtle changes in hair diameter, density, and style significantly affect perceptions of age, health, and attractiveness.

research Pattern Hair Loss in Men: Diagnosis, Genetic Link, Clinical Features, and Treatments

58 citations , September 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This article reviews current knowledge on the causes, diagnosis, and medical treatments for androgenetic alopecia, particularly in men, and reports no new findings.

research Stratum Corneum Dysfunction in Dandruff

93 citations , April 2012 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science”

This article discusses the role of stratum corneum disruption in dandruff and suggests that treatments improving scalp barrier integrity along with antifungal activity may be beneficial; it reports no new research findings.

research Characteristics of Androgenetic Alopecia in Asian Populations

51 citations , January 2012 in “Annals of Dermatology”

This review discusses characteristics of androgenetic alopecia in Asian patients and includes algorithmic management guidelines, but reports no new clinical findings.

research Assessment of Hair and Scalp Disorders

24 citations , November 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

This article discusses using cosmetic hair products alongside medical treatments for hair conditions to enhance patient self-esteem and quality of life, without reporting new clinical results.

research Psychological Characteristics of Women with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Controlled Study

58 citations , September 1991 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that women with androgenetic alopecia reported more psychosocial problems and lower self-esteem than women with non-visible skin conditions and men with androgenetic alopecia, which they attributed to their hair loss.