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The Leading Causes of Hair Loss
4 Ways To Treat These
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Losing up to 100 strands of hair a day is perfectly normal. However, if you lose more than 100 strands of hairs a day, you may be suffering from a hair loss problem.
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This is a common problem that affects between 50 million people globally.
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It may seem that hair loss loss is more common in men than in women because of the way it presents itself.
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In men, hair loss typically starts above both temples with the hairline slowly receding upwards. On the other hand, women experience diffused hair thinning. Scientists believe that the female hormone, estrogen, prevents male pattern baldness.
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What are the causes of hair loss and the common treatment options available?
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Common Causes of Hair Loss
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HEREDITARY FACTORS
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Despite keeping a healthy diet and lifestyle, you notice that your hair is still falling. One of the leading causes of hair loss is due to poor genes. It is safe to say to attribute your hair loss problem to your parents.
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Hair loss is one of the issues that is strongly linked to your family history. However, several other factors also play an important role in determining the density of your hair.
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PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS
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Some illnesses such as thyroid disease, scalp infection, and alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease that attacks hair follicles) are often due to a weakened immune system. These can affect healthy hair growth.
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If you suspect that your hair loss problem is directly caused by certain medical conditions that you have, look for a doctor to determine the root cause. He may also be able to recommend treatments to curb the hair loss issue.
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STRESS
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In an environment where stress plays a major part of our lives, an extended stressful period of time may potentially destabilise the balance of the hair lifecycle by pushing a large number of hair follicles into the resting phase.
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In the space of just a few months, you may notice that the affected hair might fall out suddenly simply by combing or washing your hair.
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HAIR PRODUCTS
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Hair products don’t directly cause hair loss. They only cause problem if they are not properly removed before you go to bed.
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Most hair products such as gel, wax, hairsprays have chemicals that may stick to the scalp, prevent your hair follicles to regulate and purge toxins and dead skin cells from the scalp.
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MEDICATIONS
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Some medicines are known to potentially lead to hair loss. They are: Anticoagulants, gout medication, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, Vitamin A and derivatives, anti-depressants, anti-convulsants.
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If you suspect that your medication falls into one of the categories above, consult a doctor to discuss your options.
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Effective Hair Loss Treatments
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1. TOPICAL TREATMENT
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For people who are unwilling to undergo medical treatment, there is a topical treatment called minoxidil. It is a medication applied directly onto the affected area.
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In 2006, minoxidil was approved by FDA for the non-prescription treatment of androgenic alopecia of the vertex of the scalp. It works by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicles so as to supply more nutrients to the root of the hair and the scalp for healthy hair growth.
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Although there are no known serious side effects, the problem with minoxidil is that you have to use it on a daily basis to maintain the benefits.
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2. LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY
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Known as LLLT or LED Light Therapy, it is a painless, convenient way to prevent hair loss. This non-surgical treatment is a useful treatment for those who are not willing to undergo long-term medication.
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LED Red Light Therapy stimulates cell metabolism and increase blood flow in the scalp. A laser comb was approved by FDA in 2007 to treat male and female pattern hair loss. Alternatively, in-house LED Light Treatment is also available at most aesthetic clinics.
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3. STEM CELL SUPPORT
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The use of stem cell therapy is not a new concept. Stem cells have the incredible ability to replicate themselves into any type of stem cell, and renew tissues and organ parts to their original pristine condition.
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Premium stem cell supplements have the amazing ability of stimulating the bone marrow to produce new stem cells which can help reverse your hair loss problem, and make your hair grow again like when you were young.
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4. COMBINATION MEDICAL TREATMENT
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A proprietary, unique hair loss program was designed by Dr. Siew, from Singapore, in December 2017 to treat hair thinning.
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Combining a special hair loss laser treatment with PDRN therapy, Hair Restoration Program works has created miracles for many clients who experience moderate to severe hair loss.
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Hair loss laser treatment is a rather new concept that leverages on an advanced cosmeceutical delivery system that creates micro-channels on the scalp to increase the absorption of hair serum and to increase blood flow. At the same time, the micro-channels created on the scalp stimulate the follicles to produce stronger, thicker hair.
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PDRN treatment is then administered into the superficial layer of the scalp to repair and rejuvenate the scalp at the cellular level. It activates dormant hair follicles and improves the scalp foundation to provide an ideal environment for hair growth.
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Post by Dr. Siew Tuck Wah
Medical Director and co-founder of Radium Medical Aesthetics, Singapore
