The fact that you landed on this page most likely confirms that you (or a man that you care for) is struggling with hair loss. Many men around the world suffer from hair loss. While it is a common occurrence, this topic is not widely discussed in regular conversations as it can be a source of distress for some. So, if you are looking for useful information, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will unravel the common reasons for hair loss among men and how a Hair loss clinic in Singapore can help you deal with this condition.
Common Hair Loss Causes in Men
Losing hair on a daily basis is natural and normal–as long as it is within the range of 50 to 100 strands a day. No, we are definitely not saying that you should count each strand that sticks to your hand while shampooing your hair in the shower, but occasionally checking for symptoms can help determine when you are excessively shedding your hair.
Symptoms of hair loss in men include:
- Bald spot or thinning on top of the head that happens gradually – Hair thinning can happen across the top of the scalp or in certain areas of the head. You will notice that your hair slowly becomes less dense, finer, and shorter.
- Excessive shedding of hair – Your shower drain, comb, and pillow are the best informants of excessive hair shedding. Always check these to see if there is an unusual increase in the hair that you lose each day.
- Hair texture changes – Your hair undergoes changes before falling out. It can become more brittle, shorter, or finer. This change is due to the shrinking of the hair follicles, which leads to the growth of weaker strands of hair.
- Itching or pain on the scalp – A burning, itching, or tingling sensation on the scalp may also be an indicator of hair loss. This symptom is normally related to a scalp infection or a condition called Alopecia Areata.
- Receding hairline – An “M” or “U-shaped” hairline is a trademark of male-pattern baldness, commonly known as receding hairline. This condition happens when the hair located at the crown and front part of your head begins to thin and gradually moves backward leaving hair on the sides.
If you have these signs of hair loss, the reason may be due to any of the following:
1. Ageing
As part of getting older and the body’s natural wear and tear, your hair follicles become frail, which slows down the pace at which your hair grows. Weak follicles also produce strands that are shorter and thinner. In addition, there is the likelihood that some follicles will eventually stop growing hair completely.
2. Androgenetic Alopecia
Also known as male pattern baldness, androgenetic alopecia is a condition that is passed on through your family’s genes. This is the usual suspect that causes hair loss in men, affecting more than about 30-50% before the age of 50. Androgenetic alopecia often begins with a hairline that recedes and hair that thins on top of your head, which may then progress to complete baldness.
3. Genetics
If a family member has suffered from hair loss, then it is highly likely that you will inherit the genes and experience baldness at some point in your life. Hair characteristics, such as its density and thickness, can be handed-down through genes.
4. Hormonal Imbalances
Your hormones play a key role in the way your body grows and loses hair. Hormonal imbalances, particularly those that affect your thyroid (e.g. hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism) can mess up the hair growth cycle of your body, resulting in hair loss. Additionally, shifts to your hormones that happen significantly due to other factors like illness, stress, or medications can trigger temporary loss of hair.
5. Lifestyle Factors
Consistent stress, alcohol consumption, smoking, unhealthy sleeping patterns, and exposure to pollutants can contribute to your hair’s poor health. These can hinder the body from absorbing the nutrients it needs and delivering a steady flow of blood to the follicles, which can negatively affect its ability to grow a healthy hair. Additionally, not eating a healthy diet can deprive the body from receiving the important vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and D, Iron, Zinc, and protein, which are crucial to your hair’s health.
6. Medical Conditions
Hair loss can also be due to underlying medical conditions like:
- Alopecia areata – This is an autoimmune disorder that happens when your immune system mistakes your hair follicles as harmful to the body and begins to attack them, resulting in patches of hair loss.
- Chronic illnesses – Your natural hair growth can be disrupted if you have been diagnosed with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney failure, or liver disease.
- Lupus – Another autoimmune disease, lupus causes inflammation that has an effect on your hair follicles, causing them to shed hair.
- Scalp infections – The most common cause of scalp infection that leads to hair fall is tinea capitis or ringworm.
7. Medications and other treatments
Hair loss is a side effect that some medications and treatments can cause. These include:
- Antidepressants or medications to stabilise mood
- Blood thinners
- Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors in medications for hypertension
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- Epilepsy and gout medications
Managing and treating hair loss in men
Knowing when to see a doctor is critical to be able to provide timely intervention for hair loss, especially if your symptoms appear while you are still young. Consider visiting a hair clinic in Singapore to get a consultation if you experience the following:
- Abnormal amount of hair fall when washing or combing
- Obvious balding at certain spots on your head
- Sudden loss of hair
- Shedding of hair that happens with itching, pain, or redness
- Shedding of hair in other body parts other than your scalp
A doctor that specialises in hair can provide the proper diagnosis after examining your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan to manage and improve your hair’s health.
Regenera Activa vs FUE Hair Transplant Surgery
The treatments that are commonly used for hair loss in men in Singapore are Regenera Activa and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) Hair Transplant Surgery. Below is a comparison of these treatments:
- How it works
- Regenera Activa: A minimally invasive treatment that uses scalp tissues harvested from your head, stem cells, and growth factors. To perform this procedure, the samples of tiny tissues taken from your scalp are processed with stem cells and growth factors and are then injected into the target areas to rejuvenate the existing follicles of hair.
- FUE Hair Transplant: This is a surgical procedure that extracts hair follicles from the sides or back of the scalp, which are then implanted to balding areas.
- Downtime and Recovery
- Regenera Activa: Downtime is one to two days. Side effects include minimal swelling or redness in the treatment area.
- FUE Hair Transplant: Downtime is five to ten days. Side effects include discomfort, mild swelling, and scabbing. Scarring may also develop in the area where the hair follicles were taken from.
- Results
- Regenera Activa: Can be observed in two to six months, with optimum results occurring a year after the treatment. Results can last for 2 years at most and you may need repeat sessions.
- FUE Hair Transplant: Hair growth occurs between three to 12 months. Complete results are noticeable about a year following the treatment.
- Effectiveness
- Regenera Activa: Expect to see an improvement with the density of your existing hair on the treated areas.
- FUE Hair Transplant: New hair is created in the areas of your head where the follicles were implanted.
- Suitability
- Regenera Activa: Ideal for those who have early androgenic alopecia and hair thinning.
- FUE Hair Transplant: Ideal for advanced hair thinning and baldness that are mild to severe.
Conclusion
Hair loss is more common than you think, especially in men. There are many factors that contribute to excessive hair shedding and, thankfully, there are treatments available to help bring them back. Take the first step to regain your lost mane by scheduling an appointment with a medical professional in a Hair loss clinic in Singapore today.
Terra Medical Hair & Aesthetic Clinic
9 Scotts Road #11-02/03 Scotts Medical Centre, Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210
Phone: +65 6909 0927
