Get to the root of hair loss
By ANTHEA DE LIMAKnowledge about the hair and scalp can alleviate hair loss, a problem which can seriously dent a person’s self-esteem, trichologist Mark Birch tells ANTHEA DE LIMA. WE may care about the state of our crowning glory but trichologist Mark Birch believes that the average person’s knowledge of hair matters is not as extensive as that of the skin.
“We know so much about our skin and take pains to care for it but when it comes to our hair, we are content to pick out the most attractive shampoo and conditioner bottles without considering whether they are suitable for our hair and scalp type,” said the Dubai-based Birch, who is director of the Asian Society of Trichologists, during a recent visit to the country.
He said hair loss was a big concern amongst people today.
“There are 46 reasons why men lose their hair but it is no longer a problem confined to men. Statistics indicate that one in three men will go bald while 10 per cent of women will face the same problem,” he said, adding that more women were facing hair loss issues because of their changing lifestyles.
“Women are now in higher positions in the workplace and this results in the production of higher levels of male hormones. The additional stress that they face also contributes to hair loss,” he said, adding that other factors leading to hair loss include a lack of iron in our diet, crash dieting, unbalanced meals and poor blood circulation.
Birch said the average person loses about 80 strands of hair a day. “The situation becomes critical if hair growth is slower than the amount of hair that is lost,” he said.
He also said that men and women who suffer from hair loss could face psychological problems. “It makes a difference to your self-confidence, for instance. Surveys indicate that if there were two people going for a job interview and one was facing hair loss, the job would go to the person with hair.”
Independent surveys, he added, also showed that women preferred men with hair over bald men.
One of the best ways to counter the problem is to determine what hair and scalp type you have.
“It may be simple enough to tell your hair type but it is harder to diagnose your scalp. I think it is important, at least once in your lifetime, to visit a hair specialist to determine what category you fall into,” he said.
Another important factor in caring for the hair and scalp is to choose the right haircare products. “You shouldn’t be deceived by attractive shampoo bottles. Choose a shampoo that suits your hair and scalp condition,” he said.
Birch recommended daily washing of the hair. “When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. We wash our face at least two or three times a day. Why should our hair be any different when the oil glands on our scalp are three times the size of the glands on our face,” he said.
When selecting a shampoo, he said it was best to choose a type that contained active ingredients that would take care of the scalp and hair.
“Most of the products in the market contain waste material and fragrances that do nothing for the hair. Bear in mind that the skin on your scalp is as sensitive as facial skin. Why should your hair be made to suffer harsh ingredients when you wouldn’t do that to your face,” he said.
Birch, who was in the country in conjunction with haircare specialist Svenson’s latest anti-hair loss treatment DHT Inhibitor, said that while there were numerous products to choose from, specialist products were generally kinder to the hair and scalp than other items in the market.
“Specialist products may be more costly but that is because they contain ingredients that care for the hair and scalp. It would have taken years of research to determine the efficacy of these ingredients – hence their cost,” he said.
While genetics and even extensive use of chemicals in hair treatments can lead to hair loss, he said the condition can be avoided with proper care.
“Chemical processes in hair colouring and straightening, for instance, can be damaging to hair structure. If you are interested in such treatments, you should ensure that your hair is in good condition before you opt for them,” he said. Proper after-care products were also crucial to maintain hair health.
He said people in a thriving society like in Malaysia would have greater hair loss problems.
“People work harder, do not have a proper diet and work under tremendous stress. This aggravates the situation. It is fair to say that your hair will be healthy if you are healthy,” he said.
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