Hair loss is a serious and common problem for both men and women in Singapore. It is an increased fall of more than 100 hairs daily. The loss is spontaneous without effort or combing. Very often this problem does not receive the necessary attention and is approached with the idea that it is a temporary condition that will disappear without special care.
Hair is an important part of our appearance and for this reason, hair fall or baldness worries not only women but also men. Hair loss can lead to low self-esteem and serious psychological discomfort.
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The importance of hair
The hairs in different parts of the body have different lengths, thinness, colour, shape, transverse diameter. The hairs grow inclined to the skin as in different areas these have a different arrangement.
Hair has an extremely complex structure and plays a very important role in humans. The hairs on the head are the most visible that’s why these are defined as the most important from a psychological point of view. Hair is equally important for both women and men. In addition to the aesthetic appearance, hair has other functions as well. It supports the sending of sensory information and has an essential role in determining gender.
What is a normal amount of hair loss for a person?
Normally, every person can lose up to 80 to 100 strands of hair on any given day. At the same time that’s happening follicles that have not been growing will enter a stage of regrowth so day in and day out people really shouldn’t notice any changes in the thickness of their hair.
What is hair loss?
In medicine, hair loss is also known as alopecia and it is used to refer to any type of hair fall affecting any area of the head, limbs, or body. Alopecia is a broad term and involves two types of hair loss – scarring and non-scarring. Baldness can occur for many different reasons such as environmental factors, illness, stress, etc. One of the most common reasons for the condition is androgenic alopecia. Hair loss in men is often hereditary.
The reasons for hair loss can be individual and depend on gender, genetics, and the impact of some damaging factors. Finding how to stop hair loss is not always an easy task. This condition can be due to a large group of diseases, each of which is characterized by different possible factors.
Hair loss in women
While hair loss and baldness in men are considered natural, hair loss in women has always been a major concern for women. Women’s hair is a symbol of their femininity and its loss often leads to reduced self-esteem.
The main types of hair loss in women are telogen effluvium and pattern hair loss. Telogen effluvium can begin after:
- pregnancy and childbirth (postpartum hair loss);
- physical trauma – due to a car accident, stress, surgery;
- hormonal imbalances;
- heavy diet or malnutrition – food has a big effect on hair health.
Usually, these types of hair loss disappear with the passing of the impact of damaging factors.
Female pattern hair loss is very slowly progressive alopecia and the patients normally complain of thinning of hair and scalp. It gets more visible over time and the hair does not grow long anymore.
Some factors such as stress, hormonal disbalance, or infection can cause circular hair loss which is a small circle of baldness on the scalp.
Medications used to treat cancer, heart problems or depression can also cause hair loss.
Stages of female hair loss
The stages can be measured in two scales. The simplest model is called the Ludwig scale and it has three stages.
- Stage one – minimal thinning of the hair at the front part of the scalp that can be easily hidden by hairstyle techniques. It doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be treated.
- Stage two – the thinning is moderate and the mid-line portion of the scalp is wider and more visible.
- Stage 3 – there is visible baldness on the top of the scalp.
The higher the stage the more difficult the healing is.
What is the best treatment for female hair loss?
Telogen effluvium is usually a temporary issue. In most cases, it is enough to wait a while and the problem will be solved on its own.
Circular hair loss or alopecia areata can be treated by various hair loss remedies. Unfortunately, not all are equally effective. Even in some cases, there may be no effective treatments.
The pattern hair loss in women is not the same as in men. Women who suffer from androgenic alopecia have diffuse thinning on all areas of the scalp. This thinning usually begins at the front portion of the scalp. Complete baldness in women is very rare.
The best hair loss treatment can be prescribed only by a specialist.
Hair loss in men
The medical term for men’s hair loss is androgenic alopecia. 95% of male baldness is due to androgenic alopecia. In some men, this condition can begin at the age of 20.
The possible reasons for male pattern baldness are many and include:
- serious illnesses;
- reactions to certain medicines;
- stress;
- fungal or bacterial infections;
- seborrheic dermatitis;
- heredity.
Heredity baldness in men is due to the inheritance of sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) of hair follicles. Some of them are sensitive to DHT and start to shrink. It eventually stops hair formation.
The male type of alopecia begins with thinning of the hair in the upper part of the head. Gradually, it progresses to the visible widening of the top of the scalp. The male pattern hair loss is usually seen at the front of the hairline and the crown
Treatment for hair loss Singapore
Here are some effective hair loss treatments:
Medications
This type of hair loss treatment should be taken only by consulting a doctor. Some medications may cause undesirable side-effects.
Mesotherapy
It is a method that uses injections of medications, vitamins, and other microelements into the scalp according to a certain scheme. The injections are made with a thin needle at a depth of about 1 mm (at the level of the hair follicle), which makes the procedure painless. Mesotherapy normally takes between 15-20 minutes. It can be an effective hair loss cure.
Hair transplantation
If no treatment works the final option is surgery.
Hair loss treatment is a very difficult process. It requires a professional and competent opinion of a dermatologist to determine the type and the cause of hair loss, as well as prescribe the right treatment.
Hair transplant surgery Singapore
Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure that can be performed at many aesthetic clinics in Singapore. The operation involves “relocating” hair follicles from a part of the body, called donor site, to a balding part also known as the recipient site. It is a minimally invasive surgery.
Hair transplantation can be done in earlier stages of alopecia, when the hair becomes thinner, or in the latter stages when there is visible baldness on the scalp. Hair transplantation is a long term procedure and one of the most efficacious treatments for male pattern baldness.
The operation also has very good results for women baldness such as heredity hair loss or scarring baldness from surgery, accident, burns, and so on.
In the first consultation, the surgeon considers the patient’s scalp, discusses patients’ preferences and expectations.
There are two types of hair transplantation:
- micrografts – this type involves 1 to 2 hairs per graft;
- slit grafts – it involves 4 to 10 hairs per graft.
Hair transplantation is performed in a clinic under local anaesthesia. There are two methods for transplanting hair:
- Strip method – the surgeon removes a strip of the skin from the back of the scalp. Then use a microscope to remove the individual hair roots from the strip of hair and then those hair roots are one by one distributed to the area that should be filled in.
- Follicular unit extraction –it is a very popular and less invasive hair restoration technique. The doctor directly removes each root from the back of the scalp one by one. Then those roots are taken and distributed in the front of the scalp.
Hair transplantation procedure normally takes from five to seven hours. It depends on the number of hair roots that need to be transplanted. The recovery time may vary between a few days to one week. Many patients may get some facial swelling after transplantation.
How much does hair loss treatment cost in Singapore?
How much you can expect to pay for hair loss treatment in Singapore? Hair Transplant cost in Singapore depends on the number of grafts technology used. One graft may cost around $5 to $10. Average hair transplant surgery requires about 2,000 grafts.
Consultation with trichologist in Singapore is around $50 to $120.
How to prevent hair loss?
How to reduce hair loss is a common question that can’t be easily answered. Here are some hair loss remedies that may stimulate hair growth.
- Diet. Food and hair loss are narrowly related. A healthy diet is an important factor in hair health. Nutritional deficiency can destroy the structure of the hair.
- Hair loss supplements and vitamins. The best vitamin for hair loss is a B-vitamin also called biotin.
- Shampoo for hair loss. Some shampoos may reduce hair loss. However, some people complain of hair loss from shampoo because many products on the market may have the opposite effect.
- Laser treatments. This is a popular female hair loss treatment in Singapore. Laser procedures reduce inflammation in the follicles, which prevents them from regenerating. Studies show that after half a year of such therapy, hair density increases.
Natural hair loss prevention takes time and requires daily care.
Common questions about hair loss
What doctor do I go to for hair loss?
It’s best to see a dermatologist or trichologist.
Does eating spicy food cause hair loss?
Greasy and spice food are some of the worst culprits or hair loss.
Can hard water cause hair loss?
Hard water usually damages the hair texture but shouldn’t lead to permanent loosing of hair.
Can detoxing cause hair loss?
Detoxing may help rebalance the scalp and stimulate hair follicles.
Can dehydration cause hair loss?
Dehydration can make the hair dry and thinner which leads hair to fall.
Is there any connection between coffee and hair loss?
Drinking too much caffeine can cause hair to fall because coffee decreases the level of iron.
Can bleaching hair cause permanent hair loss?
Bleaching hair damage extremely the texture and leads to hair loss. The fall can be stopped after growing a new hair.
Is there any female pattern hair loss natural treatment?
Products such as eggs, coconut oil, aloe vera, and so on can stimulate hair growth.
Always consult with a specialist trichologist to determine the causes and the type of hair loss. Do not try self-medication.