Hair Loss

What is Botox?

Botox, or botulinum toxin, is an injectable treatment that is primarily targeted to treat wrinkles, fine lines and creases on the face. It can also be used as a non-permanent facial contouring treatment to slim down your profile. Botox is more widely known as an effective anti-aging product for improving the appearance of your skin. Botox is able to treat signs of advanced aging as it promotes collagen production and skin elasticity. In Singapore, Botox is used to temporarily give patients a younger and tighter look.

What is Hair Loss?

As an adult, it is normal to lose about 50-100 strands of hair a day. While it may sound like a lot, losing 100 strands a day will not cause a noticeable difference because new hair is supposed to be growing at the same time. However, if the rate at which you are losing hair outstrips the rate at which new hair is growing, then that becomes a case of hair loss.

What are the common causes of Hair Loss in Singapore?

Hair loss can be the result of one or more of factors including:

Heredity
Hormonal changes or imbalances
Medical conditions affecting your immune system
Side effect of certain medications such as those used for cancer, depression, and high blood pressure
Radiation therapy to the head
Stress
Hairstyles that pull your hair tightly

Types of common Hair Loss in Singapore

Hair loss can be broadly classified as scarring and non-scarring. Non-scarring types of hair loss are temporary and can be treated. Scarring types of hair loss, on the other hand, result in permanent hair loss.

Non-scarring

Androgenic alopecia is a genetic condition. In men, this condition is otherwise referred to as male pattern hair loss/male pattern baldness and in women, this condition is referred to as female pattern hair loss/female pattern baldness.

Involutional alopecia is a type of hair loss that occurs naturally with age.

Telogen effluvium is temporary hair loss that happens due to changes in the growth cycle of hair.

Alopecia areata is characterised by patchy hair loss, affecting mostly children and young adults. In about 90% of these cases, though, the hair regrows on its own within a few years.

Scarring

Inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, cellulitis, and folliculitis, and other skin disorders, including some forms of lupus and lichen planus, can permanently damage hair follicles, causing them to lose their ability to grow hair completely.

Other unassuming ways that can damage hair follicles indefinitely include using hot combs or irons, and tying or pulling hair back too tightly.

Stages of Hair Loss

In women, hair loss typically occurs in their 40s or later and presents as a general thinning over the entire scalp, with the most extensive hair loss at the crown.

In men, hair loss occurs over 7 stages as defined by the Nordwood Scale:

Stage 1

There are no obvious signs of thinning or hair loss but if you observe that you are losing more than 100 strands of hair a day, it is time to seek professional help.

Stage 2

More strands of hair fall out when you comb or shampoo your hair. As a result of increased hair loss, especially along your temples, you may notice a receding hairline.

Stage 3

You find that you have little or no hair left in your temporal regions and a bald spot has emerged on your scalp.

Stage 4

More prominent balding is spotted.

Stage 5

Higher visibility of hair loss that is hard to mask.

Stage 6

More prominent receding hairline at the top of your head and hair loss on the sides of your head.

Stage 7

Full-blown baldness in the shape of a horseshoe or cul-de-sac pattern.

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Temporary hair loss can be treated at any stage but the earlier you seek treatment, the better your chances are of recovering from it.

What are some treatment options for Hair Loss in Singapore?

At Nassim Plastic Surgery, we believe your treatment plan should be tailored to fit your needs, preferences and budget. Our doctors will carefully assess your condition and work closely with you.

Your treatment plan may include one or a combination of the following:

Lifestyle modifications
You would first want to be gentle with your hair. After washing your hair, try using a detangler and wide-toothed comb to prevent pulling hair out. Let your hair dry naturally and if you must use a hairdryer, avoid extremely high heats. If you use styling tools regularly, consider reserving them for events or occasions and opt for more casual hairstyles for your everyday look.
Secondly, keep your stress levels in check. Stress often throws us off both mentally and physically. Instead, try and cultivate a way of life where you have enough time to rest and recharge whether it be through regular workouts or meditation. A balanced diet would also provide your body with the right amounts of nutrients to support your health.
Topical medication
Minoxidil is an effective topical solution that you can purchase over the counter. It is available as a lotion or foam, to be applied to the affected area of the scalp.
While hair growth varies from person to person, continuous use of Minoxidil for at least 2 to 4 months will yield some results. However, it is worth noting Minoxidil is for long term usage. Hair loss will reoccur over 3 to 4 months after you stop treatment.
Oral medications
Finasteride (Propecia) is a prescription medication available to men only. It may take a few months to see effects of this medication but many men have reported slowing hair loss since beginning this form of treatment.
Similar to topical solutions, oral medications are a long-term treatment and hair loss will reoccur once you stop treatment. It is not uncommon for doctors to supplement lasers or even a hair transplant with oral medications, especially if your hair loss is hormonal.
Laser therapy
Low level laser therapy is widely accepted as a safe and less invasive alternative to hair transplant surgery. A small number of studies show that low level laser therapy is effective in improving hair density.
Hair transplant
Hair transplants are a permanent way to improve hair density. Most patients do not require more than 2 hair transplants unless the treatment area is fairly large.
A hair transplant is carried out in a doctor’s setting and involves three simple steps:
1. Grafts will be retrieved from your healthy scalp at the back of the head
2. The area where the grafts were retrieved from will be stitched up and concealed by hair
3. Grafts will then be cut and relocated to tiny holes at thinning or bald spots
Hair grafts can be extracted as slit graphs (4 to 10 hairs per graft) or micrographs (1 to 2 hairs per graft). In Singapore, up to 6,000 hair grafts can be transplanted, depending on your needs.

How do we carry out hair transplants?

At Nassim Plastic Surgery, our hair transplants are carried out using the NeoGraft® Hair Restoration System. NeoGraft® FUE hair transplant eliminates inconsistencies and errors of manual tools and is extremely safe and effective.

In addition, NeoGraft® has a fast recovery time with no linear scars and leaves the most natural looking results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What results can I expect from Botox?

After 7 to 10 days, the full effects of Botox treatments can be seen. By then, patients who have mild to moderate wrinkles or fine lines may notice that their skin looks smooth and much younger.

How many treatments do I need?

Botox is generally considered to be a safe treatment. It is a non-surgical and minimally-invasive method for skin rejuvenation and all your anti-aging needs. However, patients who are pregnant may not be suitable for Botox as there may be some complications involving the developing fetus. Those with muscle or nerve disorders such as myasthenia gravis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) should also consult your family doctor before considering Botox treatment.

Is Botox safe?

The number of treatments will depend on the patient’s needs. Those who wish to maintain their skin’s rejuvenated look can opt for another session of Botox after 3 to 4 months from the first treatment depending on the treatment plan you and your dermatologist have formulated.

Generally, patients will undergo a maintenance treatment whenever needed or 2 to 6 sessions per year. Those using Botox as a preventive measure (“baby botox”) for aging may want to undergo Botox every 12 weeks to ensure that wrinkles, fine lines and creases do not start to appear on your skin.

Is Botox painful?

Botox is not considered to be painful. It typically involves a quick and simple injection to a localized area to help the muscles absorb the product completely.

Does Botox have any downtime?

Botox does not require any downtime. This means you will be able to resume normal activities right after the treatment.

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