Hair Loss 101: Your Top 10 Questions Answered by Experts
Hair Loss 101: Your Top 10 Questions Answered by Experts
Introduction
Have you noticed more hair in your shower drain lately?
As aesthetic professionals who see hundreds of customers at Wellaholic dealing with hair concerns, we understand the worry and confusion around hair loss. Through our combined experience at both Wellaholic in Singapore and Laser Clinics Australia, we’ve seen how hair loss affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Many of our customers come to us with the same questions about their thinning hair, from wondering if stress is the real culprit to asking about the best treatments.
We’ve put together this guide to answer the most common questions we hear in our consultation rooms, backed by our clinical expertise and real results we’ve observed in our practice.
A study conducted by Wellaholic revealed that 70% of Singaporean men with androgenetic alopecia feel self-conscious about their hair loss.
Question 1: Am I losing more hair than I should be?
At Wellaholic, we often hear this concern from our customers. Here’s what we tell them: It’s normal to lose between 50 to 100 hairs each day. You can check this by gently pulling a small section of hair while combing – if more than 2-3 strands come out, you might be experiencing more hair loss than usual. We also suggest looking at your pillow in the morning or checking your shower drain – large clumps of hair in these places could signal excessive shedding.
If you notice sudden or unusual hair loss, we recommend getting it checked. Through our experience at our aesthetic centers, we’ve seen that early detection leads to better outcomes. Hair loss can happen for many reasons – from simple stress to medical conditions – and knowing the cause is the first step to finding the right solution.
Please see the table below for the main types of hair loss as well as their prevention and suggested treatments.
Type of Hair Loss | Prevention | Treatment |
---|---|---|
Androgenetic Alopecia (male and female pattern baldness) | – Avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the hair – Use mild shampoos and conditioners – Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine | – Topical minoxidil solution or foam – Oral finasteride – Microneedling for scalp – Hair transplant surgery |
Telogen Effluvium | – Manage stress – Eat a balanced diet – Avoid harsh hair treatments – Get adequate sleep | – No specific treatment – Hair usually regrows on its own once the underlying cause is addressed |
Alopecia Areata | – No known prevention method | – Topical or injectable corticosteroids – Topical immunotherapy – Oral immunosuppressants – Microneedling for scalp – Hair transplant surgery |
Traction Alopecia | – Avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the hair – Alternate hairstyles to reduce tension on the hair – Use gentle hair care products | – Discontinue tight hairstyles – Massage scalp to improve blood flow – Topical minoxidil solution or foam – Microneedling for scalp |
Scarring Alopecia | – No known prevention method | – Treatment depends on the underlying cause – May include topical or oral corticosteroids, antibiotics, or immunosuppressants – Microneedling for scalp – Hair transplant surgery |
Anagen Effluvium | – Avoid harsh hair treatments such as chemical relaxers or dyes – Avoid exposure to radiation or chemotherapy drugs | – No specific treatment – Hair usually regrows on its own once the underlying cause is addressed |
Question 2: How do I know if I am getting stronger hair?
At Wellaholic, we use several methods to check if hair treatments are making your hair stronger. The most basic test we do is the water test – we place a few strands in water to see if they float. When hair floats, it means the outer layer is healthy and keeps water out. We also look at how well your hair holds its style and handles humidity. Strong hair keeps its shape and doesn’t get frizzy when it’s humid outside. Many of our customers come to us worried about hair breakage, so we pay close attention to how much hair falls out during brushing or washing. Less breakage is a clear sign that your hair is getting stronger.
We also check if your hair has good elasticity by gently stretching a strand. Healthy hair should stretch a bit and bounce back to its original shape. This is especially important for our customers who use heat styling tools or chemical treatments. When we see improvements in these areas, we know the treatments are working to strengthen your hair from the inside out.
Question 3: How do I know if my Hair Loss is due to Main Pattern Baldness?
At Wellaholic, we help many customers understand if they’re experiencing male pattern baldness. The signs are quite clear – you’ll notice your hairline starting to move back at the temples, forming an “M” shape. You might also see thinning hair on the crown of your head. Over time, these two areas may join together, creating a U-shaped pattern of hair around the sides of your head.
We often explain to our customers that male pattern baldness follows a steady pattern. It doesn’t cause sudden patches of hair loss or pain in the scalp. If you notice your hair falling out in clumps or feel scalp discomfort, it might be due to other causes like stress or medical conditions. In such cases, we recommend seeing a doctor for a proper check-up. Remember, early detection helps – the sooner you spot the signs, the more options you have for treatment.
Question 4: Is Hair Loss Permanent?
At Wellaholic, we often hear this concern from our customers. The answer isn’t simple – some types of hair loss are temporary while others can be permanent. In our experience treating thousands of customers, we’ve seen that conditions like telogen effluvium (caused by stress, pregnancy, or illness) usually resolve on their own within 6-9 months once the trigger is removed. However, genetic hair loss, known as androgenetic alopecia, is typically permanent without intervention.
We’ve noticed that early treatment makes a big difference in outcomes. When customers come to us at the first signs of hair loss, we have more options to help stop further loss and even stimulate regrowth. That’s why we always tell our customers not to wait – whether it’s temporary or permanent hair loss, getting proper assessment and starting appropriate treatment early gives the best chance for maintaining healthy hair.
Question 5: Will colouring my hair make it fall out or cause hair loss?
At Wellaholic, we often hear concerns from our customers about hair colouring and hair loss. Here’s what we know: Hair dye itself doesn’t cause permanent hair loss because it can’t reach the hair follicles under your scalp. However, the chemicals in hair dye can weaken your hair and lead to breakage. We see this most often when customers use harsh dyes with high levels of ammonia and peroxide, or when they bleach their hair from dark to light colours.
We recommend using semi-permanent colours instead of permanent dyes because they’re gentler on your hair. Through our experience at Wellaholic, we’ve noticed that spacing out coloruing sessions every six to eight weeks helps minimize damage. For the best results, we suggest choosing a colour that’s close to your natural shade and using professional-quality products with lower chemical concentrations. Remember, what looks like hair loss after colouring is usually just breakage, which you can reduce with proper hair care and the right colouring techniques.
A study by Wellaholic on 100 women with female pattern hair loss found that scalp RF microneedling led to a notable increase in hair growth after 6 months of treatment.
Question 6: What are the foods that can cause hair loss?
At Wellaholic, we often see customers who are surprised to learn that their diet can affect their hair health. Through our experience treating various hair loss cases, we’ve noticed that certain foods can trigger or worsen hair loss. The main culprits include dairy products, sugary foods, and refined carbohydrates. These foods can disrupt proper blood circulation to hair follicles and increase inflammation in the scalp. We’ve also observed that fish high in mercury, like swordfish, can lead to hair problems by depleting the body’s zinc levels.
We tell our customers that greasy foods and diet sodas can be particularly problematic for hair health. Excessive consumption of oily foods can lead to an overly greasy scalp, which interferes with healthy hair growth. Diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners that can affect insulin response and reduce blood flow to hair follicles. These insights come from our daily work with customers at Wellaholic, where we help them understand the connection between their diet and hair health.
Question 7: Does frequent combing cause hair loss?
At Wellaholic, we often hear this concern from our customers who worry about losing too much hair when combing. Here’s what we know: combing your hair is good for scalp health, but too much of it can lead to hair damage. The average person loses 50-100 hairs each day as part of the natural hair cycle, and some of these will come out during combing. However, aggressive or excessive brushing can cause more hair loss than normal.
We advise our customers to be gentle when combing and to avoid brushing wet hair, which is more prone to breakage. From our experience at our aesthetic centers, we see that using a wide-toothed comb and brushing only when needed (once or twice daily) helps maintain healthy hair. Remember, you don’t need to follow the old myth of brushing your hair 100 times a day – this can actually harm your hair more than help it.
Question 8: Understanding Dandruff: The Impact of Flaky Skin and Excessive Scratching on Scalp Health and Hair Loss?
At Wellaholic, we see many customers who worry about hair loss due to dandruff and constant scratching. Through our experience, we’ve noticed that severe dandruff can lead to temporary hair loss when people scratch their scalp too much. The scratching damages the hair follicles and can cause inflammation, making existing dandruff worse. We often explain to our customers that while dandruff itself doesn’t directly cause permanent hair loss, the constant urge to scratch can create a cycle of scalp irritation that affects hair growth.
We’ve helped many customers break this cycle through proper scalp care. The key is to treat the underlying cause of dandruff, whether it’s dry skin, oily buildup, or a fungal issue. At our clinics, we recommend using gentle, medicated shampoos and avoiding harsh scratching. Instead, we teach our customers to massage their scalp gently during washing. This approach helps remove flakes while protecting the hair follicles from damage.
Question 9: What is the best treatment for hair loss?
At Wellaholic, we recommend Minoxidil as the most effective treatment for hair loss. Through our experience treating thousands of customers, we’ve seen that Minoxidil works for about two out of three people who use it. The treatment comes in both 2% and 5% solutions, and we often suggest the 5% formula for better results. We also see great success when combining Minoxidil with other treatments like microneedling, which helps the medication penetrate deeper into the scalp.
For our female customers at Wellaholic who struggle with hair loss, we often prescribe a combination approach. This typically includes topical Minoxidil along with supplements to address any nutritional gaps. We’ve noticed that many women respond well to this dual treatment strategy, especially when we catch the hair loss early. The key is to start treatment as soon as possible – waiting too long can make it harder to regain lost hair.
Question 10: How long does it take to see results from a hair loss solution?
At Wellaholic, we often explain to our customers that hair growth is a gradual process that requires patience. Most people start seeing initial improvements after 3 to 6 months of consistent treatment. During this time, you might notice less hair falling out when you shower or brush your hair. The full results typically become visible after 9 to 12 months of regular use.
We recommend taking monthly photos to track your progress since daily changes are hard to spot. Many of our customers at Wellaholic get better results when they combine different treatments, such as using both oral medication and topical solutions. Remember that results vary from person to person – some see quick improvements while others need more time. What matters most is sticking to your treatment plan, even if you don’t see immediate changes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can traction alopecia be reversed if caught early?
Traction alopecia is often reversible when detected in its early stages. At Wellaholic, we’ve observed that discontinuing tight hairstyles and starting treatment within the first few months typically leads to hair regrowth. The key is changing hair habits immediately – avoiding tight ponytails, braids, and extensions. We recommend combining this with scalp treatments like microneedling and topical minoxidil for optimal results.
How does stress affect hair loss differently from genetic hair loss?
Through our experience at Wellaholic, we’ve noticed distinct differences between stress-related and genetic hair loss. Stress-induced hair loss (telogen effluvium) typically causes uniform thinning across the scalp and usually resolves within 6-9 months once stress levels normalize. Genetic hair loss follows a specific pattern and is progressive. Understanding these differences helps us provide more targeted treatment approaches for our customers.
What role does scalp health play in preventing hair loss?
At Wellaholic, we emphasize the importance of scalp health in maintaining healthy hair growth. A clean, well-nourished scalp creates an optimal environment for hair follicles. We’ve seen that customers who maintain good scalp hygiene and use appropriate scalp treatments experience better hair growth results. Regular scalp exfoliation and proper pH balance are crucial factors in preventing hair loss.
How effective is PRP treatment for hair loss compared to other treatments?
Based on our experience at Wellaholic, PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) treatment shows promising results when combined with other hair loss treatments. We’ve observed that customers who undergo PRP alongside microneedling and topical treatments typically see better results than those using single treatments alone. The treatment works best for those with early-stage hair loss or thinning.
Does hair loss treatment work differently for men and women?
Through treating numerous customers at Wellaholic, we’ve noticed significant differences in how men and women respond to hair loss treatments. Women often experience more diffuse thinning and may require a more comprehensive approach combining topical treatments, supplements, and lifestyle changes. Men typically respond well to targeted treatments focusing on specific areas of loss.
What lifestyle changes can help prevent premature hair loss?
At Wellaholic, we advise our customers that preventing premature hair loss involves multiple lifestyle factors. Regular exercise improves blood circulation to the scalp, while adequate sleep helps maintain healthy hair growth cycles. We’ve seen that customers who maintain a balanced diet rich in proteins and vitamins, manage stress levels, and avoid harsh hair treatments experience better hair health outcomes.
Serene Chiam, Aesthetic Director (LinkedIn)
Serene Chiam, the Aesthetic Director at Wellaholic in Singapore, is a highly experienced and knowledgeable professional in the field of hair regrowth and aesthetics. With over a decade of expertise, including her previous role as a Clinical Aesthetics Manager with Laser Clinics Australia, Serene brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to her clients. Her CIDESCO certificate in skin care and Bachelor of Health Science (Aesthetics) from Torrens University of Australia further demonstrate her commitment to providing the highest quality hair regrowth treatments and aesthetic services.
Contact Serene at [email protected]
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