"Still Young but Losing Hair Frequently" 20s and 30s Sigh Over Hair Loss

Lower Age of Hair Loss Due to Stress
Experts Say "Various Stresses Like Employment and Marriage Cause Hair Loss"

Recently, the number of young people in their 20s and 30s experiencing hair loss has been rapidly increasing. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] "My hair is falling out in handfuls, and it's stressing me out.", "I didn't take care of my scalp because I was young, but now I regret it."

Recently, more young people in their 20s and 30s have been complaining about 'hair loss,' a condition where hair falls out abnormally. Unlike in the past when hair loss naturally occurred with aging, stress, lack of sleep, and poor eating habits are now considered major causes. Experts analyze that hair loss among young people is related to rapidly changing environmental factors.

On popular hair loss-related online communities such as 'Daedamo' (Gathering of Bald Heads), 'Chotalmo' (Early Hair Loss Prevention Group), and 'Samtalmo' (Hair Loss Group for People in Their 30s), it is easy to find posts expressing the concerns of young people suffering from hair loss.

A member who identified herself as a woman in her 20s posted a photo of her crown area, asking, "Is this a serious level?" She wrote, "I have never cared about my hair volume in my life, but this is very stressful. I even cried loudly seeing the hair falling out when washing or drying my hair. If this is hair loss, I wonder if I should go to a hospital."

The situations of other members were not much different. Members in their 20s and 30s worried about hair loss commented, "I'm in my late 20s and think I have alopecia areata," "It's hard to believe I have hair loss while still young," and "Will using anti-hair loss shampoo and eating a lot of black soybeans help?" The stress caused by hair loss is considerable among young adults actively engaged in social activities.

In fact, the proportion of young people among the hair loss population in Korea is confirmed to be high. According to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, 230,000 patients visited hospitals for hair loss last year. Nearly half of them (44%) were in their 20s and 30s.

Hair loss occurs due to various and complex causes, but environmental factors such as stress and irregular eating habits also have a significant impact on hair loss.

Recently, the number of "young people with hair loss" in their 20s and 30s who are concerned about hair loss or taking hair loss medication is rapidly increasing. Photo by Getty Images Bank

Recently, the Korean Hair Research Society surveyed 390 hair loss patients about their 'awareness and management status of hair loss diseases,' and 44.8% of respondents cited stress as the main cause of hair loss.

Han Mo (26), a job seeker preparing for employment for three years, said, "I think I have stress-induced hair loss due to job hunting. I am not getting a job, and now I am under even more stress because of my hair. As a job seeker, I don't have money to go to a hospital. I am using shampoo recommended by friends that is good for hair loss, and I hope my hair will become thick again like before," she appealed.

However, the rate of hospital visits for treatment is very low. Although 86.9% of respondents answered that hair loss is a disease requiring medical treatment, only 26.9% chose hospital visits when asked about methods they tried to overcome hair loss. This suggests that while the recognition of hair loss as a disease has increased, it has not translated into treatment.

The tendency of patients to rely on products such as shampoos rather than hospital treatment is also reflected in related surveys. According to Gmarket's big data analysis of hair loss care products from January to July this year, the purchase share of people in their 20s and 30s was 46%, up 7 percentage points from the same period last year and 10 percentage points from five years ago.

Experts analyzed that stress from social activities could be a cause of hair loss among young people. Professor Kwak Geumju of Seoul National University's Department of Psychology explained, "One reason for the rapid increase in hair loss patients among young people in their 20s and 30s is the competitive society. The pressure from questions like 'Where did college go?' to employment and marriage has deepened young people's depression. Hair loss can be seen as one of the problems arising from this."

There is also an opinion that early diagnosis and treatment of hair loss are necessary. Kang Hwawon, president of the Korea Hair Loss and Scalp Specialist Association, said, "Hair loss is a disease and requires treatment," adding, "Especially since hair loss is externally visible, it inevitably causes tremendous stress." He continued, "It is important to receive treatment as soon as possible to stop the progression of hair loss."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.