New data has revealed that every year in the UK, on average 1.28 million Google queries are made for different hair concerns, which is more than 107,000, on average, per month.
To uncover the nation’s most-searched hair care questions, the team at Longevita Hair Transplant investigated more than 150 queries using search trend data, ultimately categorising them into broader topics such as hair loss, hair growth, and hair care.
When broken down, hair loss was discovered to be the most common hair-related concern among Brits, with nearly 26,000 average monthly volume for inquiries.
The UK’s Top 10 Hair Concerns
| Hair Concerns | Total Average Monthly Search Volume | Top Query/Queries | Average Monthly Search Volume for Top Query | |
| 1. | Hair Loss | 25,945 | Why is my hair falling out? | 2,067 |
| 2. | Hair Styling | 21,075 | How to curl hair with a straightener? | 3,325 |
| 3. | Hair Care | 20,992 | Is coconut oil good for hair? / Is rosemary oil good for hair? | 2,900 |
| 4. | Hair Growth | 14,590 | How to grow hair faster? | 3,420 |
| 5. | Hair Transplant | 6,020 | How much is a hair transplant? | 2,400 |
| 6. | Hair Colouring | 5,763 | What hair colour suits me? | 1,900 |
| 7. | Hair Cut | 5,400 | How to cut your own hair? | 4,400 |
| 8. | Hair Wash | 5,067 | How often should you wash your hair? | 4,067 |
| 9. | Hair Products | 1,670 | Is dry shampoo bad for your hair? | 1,300 |
| 10 | Hair Types | 860 | How to care for curly hair? | 215 |
The team at Longevita Hair Transplant utilised their research and interviewed hair transplant surgeon Dr. Çağla, reviewing the most asked questions by Brits and what they should look out for.
1. Hair loss – why is my hair falling out?
Ranked as the leading category among various hair concerns, inquiries about hair loss amassed an average monthly volume of 25,945, with 2,067 searches specifically focused on understanding the causes of hair loss.
According to Dr. Çağla: “Pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss caused by genetics and sex hormones. Unfortunately, it both slows down the growth and shrinks the hair follicles.”
“But then you can also lose hair due to physical or emotional stress, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, medication, and chronic illness in something known as telogen effluvium, which is another type of hair loss.”
“Additionally, anagen effluvium hair loss can be caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy or certain drugs that affect the hair in its growing phase.”
Dr. Çağla also noted that hair loss could increase due to factors such as seasonal change, diseases like thyroid disorder or any other metabolic events that change the biological clock of the hair follicle.
“It’s even possible to lose your hair due to tight hairstyles, hair extensions, and chemical hair treatments or as the result of an autoimmune disorder called alopecia areata,” she further added.
While some types of hair loss don’t cause long-lasting damage, there are others, like scarring alopecia, which can result from things such as infections, trauma, skin diseases, etc., that can permanently damage the hair follicle. In any case, it’s best to consult a board-certified doctor.
2. Hair styling – how to curl hair with a straightener?
Coming in second, questions around hair styling garnered an average monthly volume of 21,075, with the top question on how to curl hair with straighteners leading the data at 3,325 average monthly searches.
To curl the hair with a flat iron, the key is to use one that has a thin body and rounded edges. That way, it’ll be easier to wrap your hair around it and form better curls.
After you’ve dried, brushed and sprayed a heat protectant on your hair, section it so you can easily track your progress and manage your hair. Then there are several ways in which you can do it, such as:
- Clamp the hair in the straightener, slide it down just a little, twist your hair and move it downwards.
- With the straightener wide open, wrap your hair around, in and out of it, then slide the straightener down your hair length. Twist your hair with your finger to set the curl.
- Clamp the hair in the straightener, give it one full twist and then glide it across the entire section.
Repeat until you’ve got all your hair curled up!
3. Hair care – are coconut oil and rosemary oil good for hair?
Earning the third spot with an accumulated average monthly volume of 20,992 were questions specifically around how to care for hair. Notably, consumers were most interested in whether natural ingredients such as coconut oil and rosemary oil were good for hair, each garnering 2,900 searches, comprising over 27% of the total search volume for this category; indicating a growing trend towards natural practices.
“Coconut oil contains essential fatty acids, providing powerful antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. These characteristics can help strengthen the structure of the hair and also contribute to skin health,” according to Dr. Çağla.
“Additionally, coconut oil contains essential vitamins like vitamin K and E, which moisturise the scalp, nourish the hair, eliminate organisms like fungi, and so help with problems such as dandruff, inflammation, and itching.”
“Coconut oil can even prevent protein loss in hair, strengthen brittle and broken hair, and promote faster hair growth. Because it’s easily absorbed, it’s more effective in repairing dry hair compared to other oils,” she further noted.
Rosemary oil, on the other hand, can be quite beneficial for the hair as well but you have to be careful about its usage.
“Rosemary oil can increase blood circulation, providing more oxygen and nutrients to the hair roots. Also, it can help remove accumulated dirt and oil on the scalp, which can make it cleaner and alleviate dandruff issues.”
“However, pure rosemary oil can cause skin irritation, so it should be diluted with another oil before use. For this, you can choose plant-based carrier oils such as olive oil, almond oil, grape seed oil, or coconut oil,” Dr. Çağla advised.
“Approximately, you should add 2-3 drops of rosemary oil to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Mix it thoroughly so the effects of rosemary oil are more balanced, and the potential for skin irritation is reduced.”
“Before applying the mixture to your hair or skin, perform a patch test on the inner side of your wrist or elbow to check for any adverse reactions. Observe for 24 hours. If you experience redness, itching, or irritation, avoid using it.”
If all’s well, she recommends leaving the mixture on for 30 minutes and covering the oiled area with a cap or something similar to enhance the absorption and penetration into the hair. “Use your fingertips to massage the scalp in circular motions gently. This motion aids in better absorption by the hair roots,” she further explains.
Afterwards, it’s crucial to thoroughly clean and rinse the hair. Dr. Çağla recommends applying the rosemary oil mixture 2-3 times a week.
4. Hair growth – how to grow hair faster?
As the fourth most popular category with a 14,590 average monthly search volume for its queries, ‘how to grow hair faster’ was the top question, boasting a significant traffic of 3,420.
For this, Dr. Çağla recommends: “Firstly, make sure there’s no underlying health issue that’s hindering your hair growth.” After that, she suggests:
- Maintain a healthy diet rich in protein and iron
- Avoid hair care products with harmful chemicals to prevent hair breakage
- Don’t excessively straighten your hair at high temperatures
- Refrain from dyeing your hair too frequently, as it’s also damaging
“In addition, treating conditions like excessive oiliness, dandruff, itching, or skin diseases affecting the scalp is crucial for promoting rapid hair growth. After all, healthy hair is achievable with a healthy scalp,” Dr. Çağla advises.
5. Hair transplant – how much is a hair transplant?
Hair transplant inquiries totalled 6,020 average searches per month, with a notable 2,400 specifically seeking information on the cost, reflecting a keen interest in the financial aspects of this hair loss treatment.
In the UK, the average cost of hair transplants can range between £3,000 and £15,000 or even more. There are a number of factors that can affect the overall prices, such as:
- Number of grafts you’ll need. You can use our hair graft calculator to estimate the potential cost of a hair transplant.
- Hair transplant technique (FUE or FUT)
- Location of the clinic
- Experience of the surgeon and the quality of the clinic
On average, a single hair graft might cost anywhere from £3-4, but the balder you are, the more you’ll be expected to pay.
