We know that not everyone is blessed with a headful of thick, luscious locks. It takes effort to maintain one’s crowning glory despite having a head of hair. Fortunately for those who desire their once hair-proud days, help is possibly at hand. Firstly, let us understand how hair loss occurs.
How do we lose hair?
Hair loss is a gradual development and both men and women suffer similar fates. As we all know hair takes time to grow and unless there are “miracle drugs” invented, we wouldn’t have to be content with just approximately 1 centimeter per month of growth. About 10 percent of the scalp is in a resting phase and new hair is regenerated after 3-4 months. It is normal to shed hair each day. However, some people may experience excessive hair loss. Alopecia is the medical description for loss of hair from the head or body, occasionally to the extent of baldness. Losing 80 to 100 hairs per day is normal.
Having a “root” shock?
If you are starting to count the number of hairs you have been shedding recently and it’s making you worry, losing up to 100 hairs a day is normal but it can be worrisome for some. Let us understand the difference between male and female hair loss.
Male hair loss
Male hair loss, also known as Androgenic Alopecia or male pattern baldness, is caused by increased sensitivity to male sex hormones (androgens), and is passed on from generation to generation. Androgens shrink the hair follicles and disable the follicles from replacing lost hairs. Men will then begin to notice a receding hairline with hair at the top gradually thinning out, and finally end up with two balding areas that form a typical U-shape around the back and sides of the head.
Female hair loss
Fortunately for women hair loss tend to occur at later ages. They may not have apparent heredity association or the noticeable thinning over the top of the scalp. Likewise for women, the usual suspect for hair loss is Androgenic Alopecia albeit without the typical true balding pattern males develop. In this form of hair loss, the hair can become thin over the entire scalp.
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| Different stages of hair loss, with the left being the most early. (C) http://ipaki.com/content/html/16/149.html |
What causes excessive hair loss?
There are a plethora of reasons why hair is being lost each day. If you still are unsure if you’re indeed shedding hair due to certain reasons, you may wish to seek professional help and get advice. Some reasons for hair loss are:
- Improper hair cosmetic use or improper hair care
- Diseases like diabetes, lupus and thyroid disorders
- Poor nutrition
- Medications
- Shampooing, combing and brushing too often
- Genetic
- Scalp conditions like dandruff or psoriasis
- Aging/menopause
- Stress
- Iron deficiency
What treatments are available in the market?
Currently, only two treatments have proved effectiveness against hair loss. Propecia (Finasteride) and Minoxidil (Growell) when used together, produce significant improvement in treating hair loss. Propecia is an oral medication that stimulates hair growth and is prescribed to males only. Minoxidil is topically applied to the scalp and is generally more effective in women than in men. Both treatments are medically approved by the FDA.
How can you care for your hair?
To keep the hair you have strong and healthy, try these tips before if you haven’t decided to engage professional help just yet.
- Take extra care when washing thinning hair. Avoid aggressive scrubbing. Instead, gently massage a mild, volumizing shampoo into the scalp and followed by a light conditioner. Gently towel dry.
- Look for a plastic brush with rounded tips when choosing a brush for thinning hair.
- Protect hair and scalp from UV exposure. Use UV protectant styling products or wear a hat when out in the sun.
- Eat a balanced diet and take multi-vitamin every day. Choose high protein foods (fish, eggs, beans and yogurt).
With the right treatments and self-care, you can still get to keep most hair on your head. Our team of specialists from Medical Aesthetics will be able to prescribe treatments for both male and female pattern balding. Success rates for hair growth, ranges between 60-75% with medical intervention. For enquiries you may contact us directly for after office hours (any time from 9am to 9pm) at 93387432.
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