You know Romeo, right? He’s usually so calm, quiet and friendly - one of the most likeable doctors around! However, he’s been looking down and worried lately.
“I’m barely reaching my 30s, but I’m starting to lose hair recently. What’s wrong?” muttered Romeo when I tried to talk to him this morning.
Despite being an excellent doctor, hair dermatology isn’t really Romeo’s forte. Fortunately, I do have shifts working with dermatologists, so I’m able to help Romeo out here!
*Generally, hair loss is the loss of hair from the scalp (on our head) or other body parts. Hair loss can include excessive shedding, hair thinning, receding hairline, patchy bald spots, or excessively oily or dry scalp. Hair loss differs between men and women, and can also be different according to region and race (a topic still under research!).
Am I getting old?
Age is certainly a factor, though not the ultimate one. Hair loss is more likely to affect males, elder people, and highly stressed individual. Fewer than 45% of women go through their lives without any hair loss problem at all, while 50% of men have been found to have mild hair loss, and 75% with moderate to severe hair loss.
Hair loss in men is more of an expectancy compared to that for women. By the age of 80 years, 80% of men are affected by hair loss. Besides, 25% of men start showing hair loss signs as early as in their 20s!
For women, about ⅓ of women experience hair loss at some point in their lives, and ⅔ women experience hair loss after menopause. However, hair fall is actually extremely normal for both women and man. Losing up to 250 strands of hair when you shampoo is normal for women with long hair!
Aging is no doubt the most common cause of hair loss. However, did you know that you aren’t actually ‘losing hair’, but more on reduced hair growth during old age? On average, our hair grows up to 1.5 inches every month. The process of aging slows down the hair growth (which is unavoidable). So when your hair growth is slower than your hair fall, you start to notice less hair on your head.
However, you may want to see a specialist when you experience the following conditions:
- Rapid hair loss
- Hair loss accompanied by itching, skin irritation, pain etc.
- Hair loss happens after consuming certain foods or medication
Is it from my genes?
While hair fall is generally normal, sometimes we notice our hair falling at different rates from our friends. Is hair loss hereditary?
The simple answer is yes - but not exclusively. According to a study conducted on hereditary hair loss, out of the people involved in the study who had parents with hair loss problems, 58% of them who had more than 90% heredity from their parents also suffered from hair loss problems. However, it is not the volume of hair loss that is affected, but rather the speed of hair loss and when it starts. Some people experience hair loss in their 40s while some as early as in their 20s.
Can I eat my way out of this?
It is important to maintain a healthy diet to avoid (or delay) hair loss. Some nutrients play major roles in hair growth.
Sometimes, a lack of iron or protein (especially iron for women) can lead to hair loss. When our body experience a lack of protein, our body rations the protein in its operation - by stopping hair growth. So don’t forget to load up with proteins - moderately, of course (did you know that a protein-exclusive diet can actually lead to bad breath? Find out here).
Anaemia is also more prevalent among women who have iron deficiency, which can lead to hair loss. Studies in the American Academy of Dermatology have also found that the excessive intake of vitamin A can actually cause hair loss, so eat in moderation!
Nevertheless, hair loss or any impairment to hair growth caused by diet is usually temporary, and normal hair growth usually resumes after a re-adjustment of diet and nutrients.
Hormones seem to always be involved
Hair loss caused by hormonal changes are usually temporary. This is a usual case for women after childbirth or menopause, when severe changes to the hormones are experienced. Hair loss is also normal after giving birth due to the trauma suffered during natural labour causing hormonal spikes.
Our thyroid gland (on our necks) plays a significant role in hormone production and balancing. Underactive or overactive thyroids can affect hormone production, metabolism, and impair hair growth as a result.
Stop pulling your hair
Did you know that there is a psychological symptom called Trichotillomania? This is an impulsive disorder in which one suffers from compulsive urge to pulls one’s own hair from time to time! Even if you are not Trichotillomania-positive, you should avoid pulling your hair - this includes other people pulling it!
Excessive hairstyling like the excessive use of hairspray or tying our hair too tight can also lead to unnecessary hair fall, further burdening our body’s hair growth in catching up with the speed in which we’re losing our hair.
Is my stress making me bald?
Major psychological distress like traumas or extreme emotional spikes have been found to affect hair growth. Our hair growth works in cycles - the growth phase (when our hair grows in length and volume), the rest phase (when our hair relaxes on our head), and the shedding phase (the dreaded hair fall stage). However, stress or traumas disturb our hair growth cycle, and in some cases, stress pushes hair into the shedding phase prematurely, causing hair loss. The state of psychological distress causing hair loss is also known as Telogen effluvium.
This is usually temporary, and normal hair growth can be resumed after a period of time without too much stress or emotional spikes.
Infections and medications
Other lesser known hair loss causes are scalp infections like fungal infections or skin disorders. These can usually be treated with medicines or medical treatments, allowing hair to grow back after treatment.
Some medications or treatments can also lead to hair loss, especially those involving cancer (chemotherapy and radiotherapy), diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, or high blood pressure. Hormonal medication, birth control pills, steroids and acne medications affect our hormonal balance and may also lead to hair loss.
It's normal, but not untreatable
Treatments are aplenty these days for hair loss, so even though your hereditary hair loss can be unavoidable, it is certainly treatable. From topical medicines to treatments and procedures, find your preferred treatment at your preferred clinic, here. Leave an enquiry and expect a reply from the clinic within 3 working days!
Fun Fact: In the year 1890, Van Gogh drew a painting of a man sitting in a chair, face buried in his hands with a bald head. The room he was in was bare, with empty floors and walls. He was wearing solemn, blue clothes. Does this show that the concept of hair loss and negative image goes way back in time?
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