Hair plays an important role in boosting confidence and can even be a part of a person’s identity. With a good head of hair, a person can look healthier and younger.

Previously, I shared the telltale medical signs of hair loss –including the differences between male pattern hair loss and female pattern hair loss– and treatment options you can look into, such as:

• Medications (eg Minoxidil, Finasteride)
• Supplements
• Using wigs or trying different hairstyles
• Reducing stress
• Laser therapy
• Lifestyle changes
• Hair transplant

While the above options can help with arresting hair fall, the significance of their efficacy will hinge on a few factors:

• Age: Older[1] people are more likely to experience hair loss as a normal part of ageing.
• Genetics: If hair loss runs in your family, we can help manage it.
• Medical condition(s): If you have a medical condition that is causing your hair to drop more than usual, solely relying on hair loss medication may not stop the loss.
• Budget: How much are you willing to spend to regain your crowning glory? Hair loss treatments often require compliance. This brings me to my next point.
• Intention: What are your goals for seeking treatment? Do you just wish to stop more hair from falling, seek hair regrowth, or both?

Identifying your goals will help you save a lot of time and money, and potentially save you from falling into marketing traps.

In this article, allow me to share how the various hair loss treatments in Singapore work, which work best for hair regrowth, and if there’s a permanent fix to hair loss.

What can I do for hair loss in Singapore?

The typical route for someone seeking resolve for their hair loss usually looks like this:

1. Using hair loss shampoos
2. Exploring hair loss packages, usually at beauty salons or celebrity-endorsed hair centres
3. Seeking medical help – this stage usually comes much later (unfortunately!) when Options 1 and 2 fail, and the patient is experiencing a significant amount of hair loss.

If you’re serious about stopping hair loss and/or seeking hair regrowth, don’t waste your time with Options 1 and 2.

• Hair loss shampoos work only if you have a scalp condition, such as seborrheic dermatitis, or dandruff. They will not work for male and female pattern hair loss, where treatment must block DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone that causes hair follicles to become defunct.
• Same with beauty salons – these packages involve treatments that merely nourish and deep clean your scalp. Again, only effective if the cause of your hair loss is due to scalp issues.

Remember: Hair loss is a medical condition that requires proper diagnosis and clinically backed solutions by a doctor.

A doctor will be able to check the root cause of your hair loss and difficulty in hair regrowth. You might also be asked about your diet, hair care routine and medical or family history.

Besides asking about your diet, lifestyle and medical/family history, your doctor may conduct some tests.

Is it possible to regrow hair?

Hair grows at an average rate[2] of 0.5 to 1.7cm (0.2 to 0.7 inches) per month. This can be influenced by genetics, age, general health, or pregnancy. Men will notice that their hair grows faster than females.

For temporary, non-medical cases of hair loss, preventing further hair loss may be possible through:

• Decreasing your stress levels
• Watching what you eat
• Topical medication
• Getting frequent haircuts

With these methods, you may see a decrease in hair loss but hair regrowth is not guaranteed. For hair regrowth to happen, there must be a stimulus to increase blood flow to hair follicles.

Below are some popular hair loss treatment methods and their hair regrowth efficacies:

How can I permanently fix hair loss?

In Singapore, the only permanent form of hair regrowth is a hair transplant – by permanent meaning you don’t wish to seek treatment for life.

Once stopped, the effects of oral medication and laser therapies will wean. Like all aesthetic procedures, they require maintenance treatments too.

As far as covering bald spots and long term assurance, a hair transplant is the most effective method.

Note: That’s not to say you MUST undergo a hair transplant if you are experiencing hair loss. If in the early stages, your doctor might recommend something less invasive depending on your goals.

Regardless, if a fuller head of hair is what you’re looking for, then your treatment plan should include protocols that a) stop hair loss and b) stimulate hair regrowth. A combination treatment is necessary.

We have all been concerned about excessive amounts of hair loss at some point in life and it can hinder one’s self-confidence. Thankfully, there are still ways to manage or fix this. If you have any questions, you’re always welcome to drop me a message and discuss your concerns.

References

1. Phillips, T.G., Slomiany, W.P., Robert, A. (2017, September 15). Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment. Retrieved from National Library of Medicine:
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28925637/
2. The Trichological Society Staff (2022). Nutrition and Hair Health. The Trichological Society.
   https://www.hairscientists.org/hair-and-scalp-conditions/nutrition-and-hair-health
3. ​​York, K., Meah, N., Bhoyrul, B., & Sinclair, R. (2020). A review of the treatment of male pattern hair loss. Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy, 21(5), 603–612. https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2020.1721463
4. Iamsumang, W., Leerunyakul, K., & Suchonwanit, P. (2020). Finasteride and Its Potential for the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss: Evidence to Date. Drug design, development and therapy, 14, 951–959. https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S240615

5. Pillai, J. K., & Mysore, V. (2021). Role of Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) in Androgenetic Alopecia. Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery, 14(4), 385–391. https://doi.org/10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_218_20