The Quality of Life and Psychosocial Impact on Female Pattern Hair Loss

Abstract

Background Alopecia, a benign dermatologic condition affecting both genders, particularly harms female patients due to psychosocial effects. Female pattern hair loss (FPHL), the primary cause of hair loss in women, lacks sufficient Korean epidemiological studies examining its psychosocial aspects. Objective This study aimed to explore FPHL’s psychosocial impacts, including quality of life (QoL), depression, anxiety, medical consumption, and hair loss factors in Korean women. Methods A total of 202 patients with FPHL were interviewed using a validated questionnaire to assess the QoL, psychological impact, and pattern of medical consumption. The severity of hair loss was evaluated using the “basic and specific (BASP) classification” by dermatologists. The Hair-Specific Skindex-29 (HSS29) was used to assess the QoL and Beck depression inventory (BDI), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) to evaluate psychological aspects, and medical expenses and the number of clinic visits to determine medical consumption. Results The global HSS29 score of FPHL was 40.97±18.92, indicating a notable impact on QoL. The mean BDI and BAI scores were 14.47 and 10.06, respectively. In multivariable regression analysis, HSS29, BDI, and BAI scores were most affected by the severity of hair loss ( p <0.001). Conclusion FPHL damages the psychosocial aspects of patients, such as QoL, depression, and medical consumption, according to the severity of hair loss.

Regenerative Cosmetics: Skin Tissue Engineering for Anti-Aging, Repair, and Hair Restoration

“…The condition of our skin and hair significantly impacts our psychological well-being and social interactions [4,5]. Radiant and healthy skin and hair can boost our confidence and self-esteem, contributing to a positive self-image [6].…”