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One In 10 Online Daters Claim To Have Been 'Hatfished'

One In 10 Online Daters Claim To Have Been 'Hatfished'

Sixteen percent of people admitted to using a hat to try and conceal thinning hair or baldness

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Another day, another bizarre dating phenomenon - this time it's 'hatfishing', the act of concealing one's baldness with a hat in photos for dating apps and a new study suggests its on the rise.

Research carried out by Simone Thomas Wellness, found that 21 percent of those who are bald or have thinning hair have attempted to conceal it - with 16 percent opting to use a hat.

With those numbers, it's no surprise that a survey of 1,000 adults found that one in 10 claimed to have been hatfished while online dating.

Of course, whether all of these people are deliberately trying to cover up their lack of hair or are just wearing hats in their photos because they like hats (or have cold heads), remains to be seen.

Simone Thomas Wellness

Either way, plenty of daters are not happy - with 40 percent of women saying they'd go no further with a potential match if they had been hatfished.

And more than a quarter of Brits said while scrolling on dating apps, the first thing they make judgement on is the person's hair.

Of the women who took part in the poll, 56 percent said they'd prefer to date a fella with a full head of hair, and 45 percent admitted they would lose interest in their date if they had a combover.

Meanwhile, three-quarters of men said they would prefer to date a woman with a thick head of hair rather than thinning locks.

Simone Thomas, founder of Simone Thomas Wellness, which commissioned the research, said: "Our clients are from various backgrounds with hair loss issues, scalp conditions and skin conditions.

Pexels from Pixabay

"Most recently, we've seen a huge number of Covid-19 patients suffering with health issues and hair loss.

"We have treated children as young as five 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."

The survey also found that Brits reckon bald people are discriminated against by reality shows such as Love Island.

Thirty-nine percent of those asked said they believe that reality dating shows discriminate against balding men.

While a further 45 percent said they thought that women with thinning hair are discriminated against on reality TV.

Featured Image Credit: Szilárd Szabó/Pixabay

Topics: UK