Have you been “pulling your hair out” over hair loss?
You are not the only one. Hair loss has been one of the leading hair concerns in Singaporeans, both men and women. Surprisingly (or not), more than 70% of men and 45% of women have concerns about hair loss. Let’s explore the main symptoms, causes of hair loss and what we can do about it!
Do I Have Hair Loss?
Experts say that it is normal to shed around 100 strands of hair every day. However, more than that number, you might be experiencing some forms of hair loss. Other visible symptoms can include gradual thinning on the top of the head, receding hairline or bald spots.
What Causes Hair Loss?
There are so many factors contributing to hair loss such that it is often caused by a combination of a few. The following lists factors that are more commonly seen to contribute to hair loss.
Hereditary factors: One of the most common causes of hair loss (and we can’t really do much about it, urgh)
Ageing: Typically, hair loss is more commonly seen in older people.
Stress: That could be the reason why new research found that people are starting to lose hair at an earlier age.
Poor diet: Having lack of zinc, iron, protein and vitamins in your diet can contribute to hair loss too!
Bad hair care habits: From tying your hair in a very tight pony tail to showering in hot, scalding water, there are many habits that can heighten hair loss too.
Excessive hair styling: Chemical treatments including perming and dyeing causes additional stress to your hair and scalp.
Diseases/illnesses: Alopecia areata, iron-deficiency anemia, thyroid diseases, diabetes, depression… There’s too many actually but this won’t be our focus in this post!
Hormonal changes/imbalance: These can include pregnancy, menopause etc.
What Can I Do About It?
Because most baldness or hair loss is caused by genetic factors, there is nothing we can do to fully prevent it. However, these tips may help to avoid and prevent the other types of hair loss that are not genetically driven:
Manage stress
Stress is often a huge contributor. Many would mention how hair loss is only a problem when workload piles up during hectic days and season or particularly when a stressful event happened. Knowing your stress factors and managing them can definitely help with overall stress reduction.
Have a proper diet
Rule of thumb - Always have a balanced and nutritional diet. Load up your foods with Vitamins A, B, C, D and E, as well as zinc, iron and protein. Hair supplements can also help to ensure your hair gets their nutrients!
Avoid smoking and alcohol
Toxic chemicals from cigarettes can get circulated in your blood and impede blood flow and thus, restricting hair growth. Both smoking and heaving drinking are factors that can weaken your immune system or nutritional deficiencies, indirectly causing hair loss.
Adopt proper hair care habits
Be gentle with your hair, especially when it is wet. This includes when shampooing, drying, styling or combing your hair. Rubbing harshly adds stress to your hair and causes breakage while combing can cause unnecessary pulling on the hair. Consider a wide toothed comb and treat your hair with care.
Also, shower in cooler water as very hot water and very cold water is harsh on the scalp and hair.
Protect your hair from UV and chlorine
Have fun in the sun - in a safe way for your hair! Prolonged exposure to UV (especially living in hot and sunny Singapore) is damaging to your hair and scalp. Minimise your exposure to direct sunlight (this helps your skin too!).
Being exposed to chlorine from swimming pools might not directly cause hair loss but prolonged exposure to chlorine is often a causal factor to many other hair problems like dry and flaky scalp and split ends. Protect your hair with a swimming cap and be sure to wash your hair thoroughly with a good shampoo after swimming.
Minimise hair styling
Styling your hair in the highest setting might get the job done quickly but it causes damage to your hair easily. Other styling procedures like perming, dyeing and blow drying are also common culprits for hair loss because of the high temperatures involved.
Reduce the impacts of hair styling but handling your hair when it is dry and use your tools at the lowest setting possible. Else, reduce the frequency of heat styling at home. It is best to visit a salon for hair styling services because they use professional tools and products that protect your hair better.
Use suitable products
Try the Biosys Hair Tonic. It’s a favourite among my customers who suffer from hair loss or hair thinning. It has special botanical extracts to help strengthen and revitalize the scalp. Also, it’s a hit because of its lightweight, non-greasy formula, leaving your scalp feeling clean and refreshed.
Consult an expert
Visit a salon or a doctor (for severe cases) to learn more about treatment options. Some treatment plans can include medication, treatments or even surgery, depending on severity. Hence, it would be advisable to visit an expert to explore your options.