A single healthy hair has a life span of 2 to 7 years. As the hair falls out, new hair will grow and replace it. Each hair shaft is equal in size with up to 3 strands of hair per pore. Hair thinning occurs when the density and diameter of the individual hair strand shrink, resulting in the hair to appear thin and limp. The hair follicle closes up until the hair becomes fine, causing the scalp to become visible.

Androgenic Alopecia is the most common form of hair loss for adults, affecting 70% of men and 40% of women.

Male pattern hair loss is frequently due to genes and male sex hormones. It affects 3 in 5 men and as early as age 20 to 30 years old. This typical pattern begins with the receding hairline until it forms an M shape. Gradually, it recedes to the crown and forms a horseshoe shape, before deteriorating quickly till most parts of the head are bald.

Female pattern hair loss is usually associated with ageing and hormonal changes. It is characterised by overall thinning of the hair on the scalp and does not lead to complete baldness.

Why do women lose hair?

Hair loss can be a frustrating experience for many women in this cosmopolitan society. Especially in this modern age, women have to juggle between career and family, which often leads to a stressful lifestyle.

What is female pattern hair loss?

Among women with hair loss problems, the most common type of problem is scientifically known as the Female Pattern Hair Loss. Not to be confused with the Male Pattern Hair Loss, the hair thins at the crown area and over the head while the frontal hairline is maintained. Generally, those with the Female Pattern Hair Loss experience more diffused and broader area of hair loss than those with Male Pattern Hair Loss.

Women can take advantage of long hair and fringe to hide their thinning problem. It is hard to recognise as it is not as visible. Nonetheless, it can be observed through a smaller ponytail, broader part line or excessive shedding when brushing and showering.

Women have a higher risk of hair problems with frequent chemical processing on their hair or having a lifestyle that causes an imbalance of hormones.

Women also face Post-Partum (after childbirth) hair loss. The movement of estrogen level in pregnancy is quite a toll on women. Estrogen level is the primary female sex hormones. It increases during pregnancy and slows down after birth before entering a resting phase. During this phase, many will experience tremendous hair loss. Post-natal hair fall is a temporary phase. Taking good care of your scalp can avoid a permanent hair loss situation.

What is male pattern hair loss?

If you see a man with noticeable hair loss, chances are, he is suffering from the Male Pattern Hair Loss, also known as Androgenic Alopecia.

As the most prevalent type of hair loss amongst men, Male Pattern Hair Loss begins after puberty in the twenties. It then advances rapidly until all parts of the head, other than the sides and the back, become bald.

The male hormone, testosterone, is usually the cause of the Male Pattern Hair Loss. An enzyme found in skin cells and hair follicles converts this hormone into the more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

DHT forms in the scalp and thins the hair at varying rates of speed, preventing blood circulation on your scalp.

Eventually, the hair follicles remain dormant as they are not replaced with new hair growth, resulting in hair loss.

Once Male Pattern Hair Loss is detected, you should seek hair care treatment as soon as possible to prevent irreversible hair loss. Once the hair follicles are dead, it is nearly impossible to grow hair from it again.

What is children hair loss?

There are many differences between children and adults in the causes of hair loss. It can be physiological, anatomical, cognitive, social or emotional.

Hair loss caused by genetics does not affect children as it will not show until a later age. Nonetheless, children can still experience hair loss like adults because of unbalanced diet, stress or improper hair care.

Alopecia Areata can occur at any age but most cases first develop in children and teenagers. Alopecia Areata is a disorder that causes sudden hair loss on the scalp due to stress. The body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss. It is not permanent but may be psychologically damaging for children to cope with baldness.

Improper maintenance like neglecting protection against frizz and static cling, traction from a tight ponytail, or massive pulling of hair, are all possible factors of children hair loss. The epidermis in children is thinner and under-keratinized too, compared with adults. As a result, children are at risk from increased absorption of agents through the skin. Thus, shampoo should be carefully selected as children respond more rapidly to chemical shampoos.

Trichotillomania is another common cause of childhood alopecia. It is a form of traction hair loss caused by the compulsion to pull out their hair unconsciously, like while they are studying or distracted in their leisure time.

This condition mainly appears among women and is reversible. With a significant increase in hair follicles entering the resting stage prematurely, this results in massive shedding. The main reason for this hair loss is due to drugs and medical treatments.

Alopecia Areata can be easily distinguished as the hair fall occurs in one or multiple circular/oval patches. It can be a temporary condition, yet at times it may spread to other parts of the body.

Alopecia Areata happens due to an abnormality in the immune system, which may cause one group of white blood cells to attack some of the cells of the hair bulb. Stress is another contributing factor; both physical and mental stress can induce such a condition.