:: AREMY HAIR ::

THE SURVEY

A survey regarding hair loss was conducted by iAremyhair by JPG Enterprise Pte Ltd. The survey period was between May 2007 and May 2008. A total of 178 members of the general public responded to this survey. Methods of obtaining respondents for this survey include posting the survey form on local forum websites and on yahoo electronic groups.

This survey was conducted by iAremyhair with the aim of learning more about the perceptions surrounding hair loss in Singapore as well as opinions of the general public regarding hair replacement systems (hairpieces). There were a total of 13 questions in the survey form. The specific questions and more detailed data figures can be found in this Excel File under the sheet titled 'Pie charts'.

KEY FINDINGS

Approximately 71% of the respondents felt that they suffered from hair loss.

From the survey, only 36% of respondents responded that genetics was the main cause of hair loss and only 39% of them were able to correctly respond that that such genetic hair loss cannot be cured completely.

It is alarming that over 60% of respondents were not able to correctly identify the main cause of hair loss. Instead many wrongly indicated that stress is the main factor. As most professionals in the hair industry know, approximately 80% of all hair loss around the world is androgenic hair loss and this is caused by genetics.

Furthermore, while there are many treatments available to decrease the effects of genetic hair loss, there is no solution that can solve it 100%. It is absolutely necessary for such professionals to educate the general public of this. This will ensure that people don't pursue fruitless methods to solve their hair loss problems and instead go about managing the problem with more realistic aims.

From this survey, it can be seen that 34% of respondents felt that they should consult a trichologist if they were to suffer from hair loss. It is likely that these respondents are unaware that trichologists are not medically trained professionals. It is also interesting to note that 23% of respondents would consult their family or friends, indicating how they would turn to their nearest and dearest in times of need.

With regards to how hair loss may affect an individual, 62% of the survey pool was of the opinion that hair loss would have an impact on both their social lives and their careers. This could indicate how hair loss is perceived negatively by colleagues and possibly employers the work world of Singapore society and that there have possibly been previous events which have led to such a conclusion. It could also indicate how hair loss is not accepted by friends or family.

When asked if they were willing to trade a personal possession for more hair, a large majority of 70% of respondents responded that they would, indicating how much they valued their hair. However, when asked what they would be willing to trade, most responded that they would trade cheaper items like mobile phones and only a small percentage were willing to trade more expensive items like laptops and cars. In this manner, it can be seen that though they are willing to sacrifice their possessions for more hair, they are only willing to trade a little and not much. This could be an indication of how Singaporeans tend to be more practical-minded and place importance of comfort/standard of living above importance of personal appearance.

Interestingly, approximately 63% of respondents indicated that, in an ideal world if given a choice, they would not to go out with a bald person. This goes to show how outer appearance seems to count more when choosing a partner and how importantly it is valued.

With regards to the treatments available for hair loss, around 58% of respondents were open to the idea of wearing a hair replacement system. In contrast, when asked whether they would recommend the usage of a hair replacement system to a friend, a much higher percentage (84%) of respondents felt they would. This difference in proportions show that the respondents feel more comfortable recommending the usage of the system as opposed to wearing it themselves. This could indicate that many of them are fearful of having to not just talk the talk but actually walk the walk. They fear actually having to don a hair replacement system themselves, mainly citing that the hairpiece would look unnatural. Hence, it is necessary for hair treatment centres to educate the public about hair replacement systems and how advances in technology has enabled replacement systems to be so natural that they become virtually undetectable to both the eye and hand.

Respondents were divided in their opinions of local hair treatment centres. Some were of the opinion that they were satisfactory while others were dissatisfied. It is important to note that many respondents who thought that local hair treatment centres are satisfactory in their services drew such conclusions from the advertisements put up by such centres and not from direct personal experience with staff members and treatments. Overall, this survey indicates how highly appearance, specifically appearance of hair, is valued by individuals in Singapore. Not only is this an issue in personal life, but it is also an issue in the workforce. Hair is linked with factors like confidence.

QUESTION 1: Age of Respondents

QUESTION 2: Gender of Respondents

QUESTION 3: Main cause for Hair Loss

QUESTION 3 ANALYSIS

Approximately 36% of the respondents thought that heredity is the main cause for hair loss. Almost an equivalent proportion of people thought that stress was the main reason behind hair loss. A poor diet was thought to be the the main cause for hair loss by 14% of the survey pool.

Other reasons quoted by individuals include lack of sleep, lack of nutrients, use of hair iron excessively, and not washing hair properly with shampoo or conditinor.

QUESTION 4: Hair Loss can be cured 100%?

QUESTION 4 ANALYSIS

45% of the survey pool were unsure of whether hair loss can be cured completely.

An almost equal percentage of respondents felt that hair loss cannnot be cured 100%. Some of the reasons they felt this way include that since heredity hairloss is caused by genetic conditions it cannot be easily cured by new methods, that meddling with genes is serious business and that because such hair loss is influenced by the genetic conditions it is not reversible.

A small proportion, 16%, of the survey pool thought that hair loss can be cured 100%.

QUESTION 5: Do you have hair loss?

QUESTION 5 ANALYSIS

71% of the survey pool thought that they were suffering from hair loss.

QUESTION 6: Who to consult first if suffering from hair loss?

QUESTION 6 ANALYSIS

34% of the survey pool thought that they would consult a trichologist or hair treatment centre first if they were suffering from hair loss.

Close to 23% of respondents would consult their friends or family members. A small percentage of the pool ,11%, felt that they would consult a dermatologist if they suffered from hair loss.

QUESTION 7: Do you believe hair loss will affect your social life/career?

QUESTION 7 ANALYSIS

A large majority (62%) of the survey pool felt that hair loss would affect their social life and career. Only a small percentage (9%) of the respondents felt that hair loss would not affect them career-wise or social life - wise.

QUESTION 8: How will hair loss affect you most?

QUESTION 8 ANALYSIS

This was a priority question and was properly answered by only 46.6% of the survey pool. As can be seen, lack of confidence was perceived as one of the highest priorities, when affected by hair loss, by the survey pool. A total of 113 points were accumulated for this scenario. On the other hand, promotion opportunites were deemed as one of the lowest proporites. A total of 332 was accumulated for this scenario.

QUESTION 9: Would you consider wearing a hairpiece?

QUESTION 9 ANALYSIS

More than half the survey pool (58%) felt that they would consider wearing a hairpiece if they faced hair loss. Some of their reasons for this choice include that one will definitely look better with hair, that it is a quick and sure way to solve the problem, that it can help one's self-confidence, that since we are not fully certain of hair treatment solutions one can wear hairpiece in the meantime, and that since it helps one cover up bald parts one can have more confidence and be less embarrassed. Furthermore, some respondents felt that this was a cheaper alternative and that it is a good short term solution, that one can have a variety of hairstyles and cover up the flaws that can be seen.

However, a close proportion (39%) felt that they would not wear a hairpiece. Some felt that they would rather go for for a surgical hair transplant, that its artificial and one may feel weird causing more people to make fun of, that being bald has character, that they would feel fake and that it may be uncomfortable and painful to attach. Moreover, some felt that its ugly and there is definitely a way to treat hair loss, that they would feel even more uncomfortable about someone finding out, that they wouldn't want a situation whereby the wig drops. and that a sudden difference will create more attention.

QUESTION 10: Would you be willing to trade a personal possession for more hair?

QUESTION 10 ANALYSIS

Close to 70% of respondents felt that they would be willing to trade a personal possession for more hair.

QUESTION 11 (follow Q 10): If yes, what item?

QUESTION 11 ANALYSIS

36% of respondents thought that they would be willing to trade a mobile phone for more hair. A much smaller proportion of the survey pool (16%) were willing to trade an expensive car or laptop computer for more hair.

QUESTION 12: Would you encourage a friend to get a hair replacement system?

QUESTION 12 ANALYSIS

A large majority of respondents (84%) were willing to encourage a friend to get a hair replacement system.

QUESTION 13: Would you mind going on a date with a bald person?

QUESTION 13 ANALYSIS

Almost 43% of respondents preferred not to go out with a bald person. They felt that their date would look better with hair, that if it is someone they didn't know, they would reservations about dating him/her because that who they would have to look at, that when it comes to more serious matters like relationships and marriage, baldness is not a problem, they their date wouldn't be as good to show around to friends as if he were not bald and that it could possibly mean that heredity baldness could be passed on to kids if they got married. Furthermore some felt that looks matter and hence they will not be attracted to someone who is bald, they they don't want to be possibly teased by people who know they're going out with someone who is bald, that people might gossip and that physical appearance comes first.

35% of them did not mind going out with a bald person. They were of the opinion that personality of the person matters more, that some people look good bald and more than that they feel it is inner beauty that matters and that It is eventually about one's personality.

QUESTION 14: Impression/Opinion of current hair treatment centres

QUESTION 14 ANALYSIS

An almost equal proportion of respondents were either satisfied or dissatisfied with current hair treatment centres. Those who were impressed with current hair treatment centres believe the testimonials from people who have undergone treatment shows that it works, are only aware of the success of these centres from adverts and publicity efforts and hence these efforts seem to suggest that they are in general successful and that these centres seem to help people gain their hair and confidence.

Those who were dissatisfied with centres felt so because family members who have tried such centres before felt that they did not work. Furthermore, from observations of family members, they believe that nothing seems to work well enough. Many are sceptical of the adverts on hair treatment in the papers and have heard of numerous stories of unsuccessful treatments that had cost alot yet worsened the situation. They also feel that hair treatment services are too expensive and that companies are all out to make money.