Brits believe reality shows such as Love Island discriminate against bald people. The smash-hit TV series has NEVER featured a bald or balding contestant in the UK.

A new survey by Simone Thomas Wellness and OnePoll has revealed that Brits believe beauty standards are NOT inclusive of bald and balding people… while more women than men confess thinning hair has had a negative effect on their confidence.

A shocking 39% of Brits believe that reality dating shows like Love Island discriminate against balding men, whilst a further 45% believe that women with thinning hair are discriminated against on reality TV.

An incredible 33% of women want to see a balding man or woman win a TV reality show rather than a luscious-locked winner.

Furthermore, 48% of Brits feel that beauty standards are not inclusive of balding/bald people.

This is having a huge effect on our confidence with 61% of women confessing that hair loss/thinning hair plays a huge role in negatively affecting their confidence while 41% of men say the same.

The poll of 1000 participants, which surveyed a cross-section of bald/hair loss sufferers and those without hair loss issues found that 75% of Brits felt that social media and dating apps have had a direct role in damaging their self-esteem, with further 57% admitting that social media and dating apps have made them more worried about their hair and losing their locks in the future.

Furthermore, many see the importance of a full head of hair outweighing social media fame with 59% of those polled revealing that they would much rather have a full head of hair than 1 million followers on social media.

DATING

In a new dating phenomenon, ‘hatfishing’ is a term used for someone who conceals their baldness under a hat on social media or dating apps.

One in 10 Brits claim they have been hatfished while 40% of women would feel they would go no further with a potential love interest if they were hatfished by them.

Of the women polled in this research 56% admitted that they would prefer to date someone with a full head of hair, with 45% admitting that they would completely lose interest if their date had a combover. In fact, they would rather have a partner who has a low-paid job or a partner who can’t cook rather than one with a combover.

But 77% of men admitted they would prefer to date a woman with lustrous locks rather than thinning hair, while more than a quarter of men and women say when scrolling through dating apps or meeting for a first date, they make a judgment on the person’s hair first.

HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS

Nearly half the Brits polled (48%) stated they would like to have hair loss treatment, while  12% have used home remedies such as essential oils, 9% olive oil, 5% egg whites.

One in five people say they would consider having hair loss treatments as a solution to thinning hair after seeing celebrities having successful results.

Simone Thomas, Founder of Simone Thomas Wellness commented: “We treat thousands of people a year at my clinics from the UK, Europe and the Far East, including royalty, who are desperate for a solution and I’m not surprised after seeing these stats. We must be kinder and more inclusive when it comes to casting television shows and prove the point that baldness can still be viewed as attractive.”

“Our clients are from various backgrounds with hair loss issues, scalp conditions and skin conditions. Most recently, we’ve seen a huge number of Covid patients suffering with health issues and hair loss.  We have treated children as young as 5-years-old with hair loss issues, right up to people in their 90s. There is no limit when it comes to hair loss and how it makes you feel. But we can all do with working on our self love more and boosting self confidence, now more than ever.”

Marvin Brooks, former Love Islander (2019) and personal trainer, commented: “The beauty standards are high in reality TV. Although I believe more programmes are taking the necessary steps to ensure they’re more inclusive, I’m yet to see balding or bald men represented. In my experience it’s actually after the show that the pressure is cranked up. More and more people feel they need to do all the things that are considered ‘celebrity’, which is a real shame as many walk into the show happy the way they are!”

“I think bald people or those who suffer from balding or thinning aren’t represented as much as they should be on reality TV shows. I think the more people identify with the people they’re seeing on screen, the more people would have the confidence to apply.”

Excessive hair loss is a problem that affects large numbers of men, women, and children for a number of reasons. Factors that can induce unwanted hair loss include: genetics, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, illnesses, certain medical treatments, extreme stress, trauma, medications, pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage, menopause, and harsh hair care products, to name a few. Hair loss, and hair thinning can have a devastating effect on your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.