Common Hair Concerns – HairDays App Can Help

Our hair is more than just bundles of protein or a structure that helps to keep our heads warm. Hair is an important part of human self-expression and plays an important role in how we present ourselves to the world. In many cultures, hair rituals are integral to societal bonding and socialization. For example, in Chad, long hair is viewed positively. Women apply chebe powder, which comes from the leaves of the chebe plant, to help promote hair growth. The application can take many hours and gives the women of this culture a chance to spend time with one another.
It is for these reasons that many people who experience hair loss or other hair or scalp concerns may feel self-conscious or experience lower self-esteem. Although many people do not openly discuss their hair or scalp concerns, they are actually very common.

According to an article from the New York post summarizing a hair poll conducted by OnePoll and Hairmax, the average American experiences 96 bad hair days a month. Common hair concerns include hair loss, frizzy hair, and oily hair. Eighty percent of the people polled stated that they have not left their house because of a bad hair day [1]. This emphasizes the value that people place on their appearance and on their hair.

People frequently experience other hair issues, including dry hair, which is common in those individuals with curly or coily hair, damaged hair and breakage, as well as hair shedding and hair loss. Many women experience increased hair shedding after giving birth. Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals experienced stress-related hair loss.
Over fifty million Americans experience hair loss. According to the American Hair Loss Association, about 40% of Americans experiencing hair loss are women. While people discuss male hair loss very often, the discussion regarding female hair loss is not as open [2].

In a world that places value on youth, graying hair is also a major concern for many people. Per Grandview Research, the global hair coloring market will be worth over $34 billion by 2028 [3]. Graying typically begins in or before the fifth decade of life and is often dictated by genetics, but other medical conditions can also impact the timing. Gray hair is also thinner than pigmented hairs and is more prone to breakage. One caveat is that frequent chemical treatment of hair may promote hair damage.

Many different types of interventions are available to address some of the most common hair and scalp concerns. These can range from changing hair care routines and hair care products to medical therapies. Additionally, there are many different specialists who can help people with these issues, from dermatologists and hair transplant surgeons to hairdressers to trichologists.
The Hair Days app can help navigate these issues. As one goes through their hair care journey, logging hair and scalp symptoms, as well as adjustments made to hair hygiene can be a useful way to track progress. It’s a great tool for hair tracking. It is also helpful for those who are caring for or are transitioning to natural hair. The app also allows for photo documentation; one can take selfies to evaluate one’s transformation and assess results. The app also provides educational content that reviews frequently searched hair topics, from how often a hairbrush should be cleaned to how someone can mitigate the seasonal environmental stressors placed on hair to how one can transition to natural hair.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, and is not meant to be used for diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment purposes.  This is not medical advice.  Please see your physician or care provider with any questions or concerns.

Sources

1. Z. Gevis.  (2020, February 5).  This is how many bad hair days most Americans have in a year [Online].  Available: https://nypost.com/2020/02/05/this-is-how-many-bad-hair-days-most-americans-have-in-a-year/
2. Women’s Hair Loss [Online]. Available: https://www.americanhairloss.org/women_hair_loss/index.html
3. Hair color market worth $34.13 billion by 2028 [Online].  Available: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-hair-color-market