Half of all British adults are experiencing hair loss, which has been shown to affect mental health
Half of all British adults are experiencing hair loss, which has been shown to affect mental health
Morgan King Content Creator
16:54, 26 Apr 2026
A Liverpool business owner has revealed a surprising tip for women whose hair is thinning or shedding, as YouGov research shows half of all British adults are experiencing some form of hair loss.
Huda Hayel, who practises scalp micropigmentation (SMP) treatments at Hair Transform on Queen Avenue, told the ECHO that hair loss affects women more than previously thought – and can be caused by a number of factors.
SMP – often referred to as scalp tattooing – is a non-surgical procedure that involves inserting pigments through the dermal layer of the scalp to create the illusion of a thicker head of hair, and is used by those experiencing hair loss or those wishing to cover up scarring.
Huda, 41, from Wavertree, said: “Some of the causes [of hair loss] can be if you smoke or drink, if you don’t look after your health and that, but also eating processed foods; and then you’ve got your genetics and hormones, because your hormones change – especially with women who are in perimenopause or menopause, maybe experiencing stress with work or the kids, etc.
“So you’ve got all that to deal with. And, obviously, hair styling, hair products, tying hair back and extensions. I could go on for days, but there’s many causes for it.”
The YouGov survey, published in August last year (2025), also showed that 35% of all adults surveyed were experiencing bald spots or a receding hairline, with a further 46% experiencing hair thinning to a greater or lesser extent.
It revealed that 37% of British women are worried about future hair loss, with hair transplant experts at UK Hair Transplants arguing this creates a vicious cycle when it comes to the issue. Data published in the British Journal of Dermatology in July 2025 showed that 85% of women with hair loss reported reduced self-esteem.
A UK Hair Transplants spokesperson said: “These figures reveal that hair loss isn’t just a cosmetic concern. When nearly half the population is affected and the majority report serious impacts on self-esteem, we’re looking at a significant wellbeing issue.
“The stress-hair loss cycle is particularly concerning because anxiety can trigger telogen effluvium (TE), a condition where stress pushes hair follicles into a resting phase, causing increased shedding months later.”
According to national hair loss charity Alopecia UK, the resting phase (telogen) occurs naturally in hair, and usually lasts two to four months after a hair is fully grown – after which the hair falls out to be replaced by a new one. In TE, the charity says, “more hairs than usual enter the resting phase” – leading to hair loss up to three times as rapid as in healthy hair.
Hair loss in women is now understood to be more common than previously thought. Research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2015 approximated that 40% of women are affected by female pattern hair loss (FPHL) by the age of 50.
While genetic factors are unavoidable, Huda stressed that all is not lost for women experiencing FPHL, and that steps can be taken to mitigate it before the need for treatment.
Huda emphasised the importance of iron intake for preventing hair loss. Low levels of ferritin – a naturally-occurring protein in the body – and vitamin D – produced when sunlight hits the skin – both affect the body’s absorption of iron, a deficiency in which is considered a primary cause of TE.
She went on to explain that one common breakfast habit could be affecting iron absorption regardless of what’s on the plate, even as many health-conscious eaters switch to healthier options.
Huda told the ECHO: “Eat clean and make sure you’re getting plenty of protein and iron. The one thing I didn’t do, because I never knew, is avoid having coffee with food. If you’re eating as well as drinking coffee, it draws the iron out.
“You should wait an hour at least. So even if you’re having an iron-rich breakfast with – let’s say – spinach and eggs, you’re not getting the nutrients from that if you’re drinking coffee with it.
“So I would suggest: save caffeinated drinks until an hour after your food, eat more protein, eat clean and eat foods containing plenty of iron.”
Caffeine binds to non-heme iron (found in vegetables and eggs amongst other foods), blocking its absorption, but studies suggest it has a lesser effect than polyphenols such as tannin, which is also found in both coffee and tea.
If you believe you are experiencing stress-related hair loss, the first step should always be to consult your GP to rule out underlying medical conditions, including thyroid problems or nutritional deficiencies.
The NHS stresses that there is no cure for hair loss, but treatments available through a doctor include steroid injections and creams, immunotherapy treatments, ultraviolet light treatment and hair transplants.
Regular exercise, a healthy sleep schedule and mindfulness are all proven to help to reduce stress levels, while the NHS and organisations like Mind can signpost to further support for any psychological distress caused by, or contributing to, hair loss.
