Do you have ferritin face? It’s the question being asked all over social media right now, but what does the term mean, how can you tell and is it even a real concern to begin with?
You may well have seen videos of women talking about how their appearance is acting as an alarm bell for low iron levels, and how it’s something that needs to be acted upon.
But is it genuinely helpful advice? Or simply hype meets hypochondria? To find out more, GH has asked the experts to unpick this trending term, and explain everything you need to know.
What is ferritin and why is it important for women?
Ferritin is the protein that stores iron in the body, explains consultant dermatologist Dr Sidra Khan. ‘Your blood ferritin level is essentially a snapshot of your iron reserves. It matters enormously for women, who lose iron through menstruation for much of their lives, and in the years around the menopause when heavier or erratic periods can run those stores down.’ So women in their 40s and 50s can find their iron stores depleted by heavier flow than usual.
Having enough iron is essential for our energy levels, and a deficiency is something that women commonly feel within their general wellbeing. ‘The classic clues are persistent tiredness, breathlessness, weakness, headaches, poor concentration and feeling the cold,’ says Dr Khan. ‘Some people notice restless legs at night or cravings for chewing ice.’
Can I really see ‘ferritin face’ in the mirror?
Potentially, yes. ‘Healthy iron levels underpin skin health and hair growth, which is exactly why low ferritin is something I see the effects of so often in clinic,’ says Dr Sidra. ‘You may look paler than usual, especially inside the lower eyelid, which looks paler than its usual healthy pink. This is often alongside a generally washed-out complexion and more noticeable dark circles.’
It’s precisely this combination of pasty skin and dark undereyes that is the signature of the ‘ferritin face’ social content doing the rounds
Wondering why low iron might cause these symptoms? ‘Iron is needed for healthy cell turnover and for carrying oxygen around the body, so when stores are low the skin can also look dull and tired, and may heal a little more slowly,’ explains Dr Sidra.
Are there any other visual clues?
Yes, there’s a big one, and it’s potentially more reliable than skin. ‘The effect I see most is on the hair [rather than the skin] because low ferritin is a well-recognised trigger for increased shedding and it can make existing thinning worse,’ says Dr Sidra.
Anabel Kingsley, Philip Kingsley lead trichologist and brand president, says low iron is one of the most common causes of the hair problems she treats. ‘When ferritin levels are low, the body prioritises supplying iron to vital organs over non-essential functions such as hair growth. This can disrupt the hair growth cycle, pushing follicles into the resting phase prematurely and leading to excessive shedding and difficulty growing hair beyond a certain length. Some women may also notice short, wispy regrowth around the temples.’
Low iron certainly adds to the wider issues of female pattern hair loss that she sees affecting women more commonly in their 50s and beyond.
Do I take my pasty skin and thin hair to the GP?
Take all these signs as clues, not a firm diagnosis. Both experts stress that none of these skin or hair signs are exclusive to iron deficiency. ‘Stress, thyroid imbalances, hormonal fluctuations, inadequate sleep and certain medications can also affect hair growth and quality, so it is important to consider the wider picture when investigating hair loss,’ says Anabel, author of new beauty bible Haircare.
Anabel Kingsley Haircare: The Ultimate Guide
The same goes for ‘ferritin face’, says Dr Sidra. ‘These symptoms are non-specific and overlap with many other conditions, and some people have none at all,’ she says. ‘A full count blood test that includes ferritin is the only way to know. See your GP if you have any of these concerns.’
And in the meantime, don't panic over a social media trend. 'My worry is that we risk creating unnecessary anxiety, or encouraging people to self-diagnose based on their appearance, or on overly simplified information online,' says Dr Sidra. 'But equally, I don’t want to dismiss that conversation simply because it’s something that originated on social media. Iron deficiency is genuine, it is identifiable, and it is a treatable medical condition, and women deserve to have their health concerns taken seriously.'
Do you only get signs if you're clinically anaemic?
No, and this is a really important point, says Dr Sidra. ‘You can have depleted iron stores, meaning low ferritin, long before you ever tip into full-blown anaemia, and symptoms like hair shedding and fatigue can appear at that earlier stage. That's why I always look at ferritin specifically, rather than relying on a normal haemoglobin to reassure someone.’
Should I start taking supplements for my ferritin face?
Hold fire. Importantly, you should have a blood test, rather than guessing and DIY dosing with iron pills. ‘I'd strongly avoid self-prescribing high-dose iron supplements, because too much iron can be harmful and it's important to understand why your levels are low in the first place,’ says Dr Sidra. ‘Getting to the underlying cause, whether that's heavy periods, diet or something that needs further investigation, matters just as much as topping the iron back up.’
How do I protect against low ferritin?
Diet is a good starting point, says Dr Sidra. ‘Eat plenty of iron-rich foods, such as lean red meat, pulses, eggs and dark leafy greens, and pairing plant-based iron with a source of vitamin C to help your body absorb it. It's also worth knowing that tea and coffee taken with meals can hinder iron absorption, so spacing those out can make a difference.’
What should I know about supplements?
First, only take them once a diagnosis is confirmed. Always tailor supplementation to your tested levels, and be careful of anything that could hinder absorption. ‘Iron can clash with other supplements and medicines, including calcium, magnesium and zinc, so it is worth checking with a pharmacist or healthcare professional about how best to take it,’ says Anabel.
