Tendency to Underestimate the Severity of Androgenetic Alopecia

June 2005 in “ British Journal of Dermatology ”

Antonella Tosti, Sara Bellavista, Savino Longo, Massimiliano Pazzaglia

androgenetic alopecia AGA hair density reduction medical consultation psychological attitude lifestyle behavior hair loss baldness

TLDR People often underestimate hair loss severity, with fewer seeking treatment, and it's more distressing for women.

A study found that both young men and women tend to underestimate the severity of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), with 40% of boys and 50% of girls not seeking medical consultation being unaware of their hair loss. However, only 16% of boys with AGA were under medical observation and receiving treatment, compared to 35% of young women with hair density reduction. The study suggests that AGA is more distressing for women than for men, as women consider alopecia as a medical problem, while men consider it as a genetic state. The authors suggest administering further questionnaires testing psychological attitude and lifestyle behavior in young people affected by AGA.

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Research cited in this study

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