FAQs
What is the difference between Normal hair loss and Excessive hair loss?
It is normal to lose between 50-100 strands of hair a day as part of the daily hair renewal process. Studies have shown that it is common for people to experience excessive hair loss at some points in their lives.
On the average, a person has 100,000 to 15,000 follicles on the scalp. At any one time, about 90% of the hair on a person’s scalp is growing. Each follicle has its own life cycle that can be influenced by age, disease, and a wide variety of other factors. This life cycle is divided into three phases:
Stage 1: ANAGEN – Active Hair Growth
- Hair sits in a follicle and new hair grows from the base of the follicle.
- This phase lasts between 2 – 5 years.
Stage 2: CATAGEN – Transitional Hair Growth
- The base of the follicle breaks down and the hair moves upwards.
- This phase lasts between 2-3 weeks.
Stage 3: TELOGEN – Resting Phase
- Mature hair is loosely anchored to the hair root.
- At the end of this phase, the hair is shed and a new hair replaces it, and the growing cycle starts again.
It is impossible to actually count how many strands of hair you lose every day. However, if you are experiencing excessive hair loss, it would not be due to your daily hair care routine. The key culprit would be due to excessive DHT.
The human body produces an enzyme called as 5-alpha reductase within the hair follicles. When testosterone in our body interacts with this enzyme, it is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). As we age, the 5-alpha reductase enzyme produces more DHT.
As DHT is prone to building up within the blood vessels connecting to the follicles, it can cause clogging. The lack of oxygen and blood-flow to the scalp contributes to hair loss by weakening the hair follicles and causing them to shrink. The hair will gradually become thinner until the follicles finally become dysfunctional and the hair stops growing.
What are the different kinds of Alopecia (Hair Loss)?
- Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic Alopecia is the most common type of hair loss in both men and women. Its symptoms include frontal hair loss and receding hair lines in men, and central thinning of hair in women. Androgenic alopecia is caused by the presence of excessive Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is created by the male hormone, Testosterone that reacts with the enzyme 5-alpha reductase in our hair follicles. DHT causes hair follicles to shrink and become dysfunctional, resulting in the inability of hair to grow. - Physiologic Alopecia
This form of alopecia (hair loss) is usually temporary. For example, sudden hair loss of a baby in the first few days of his or her life, or diffused hair loss of a pregnant woman just after childbirth belong to this category of hair loss. Hair loss that results in regression of the straight hairline in adolescence is also considered physiologic alopecia, although this tends to be permanent in nature. - Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is seen most frequently in young and middle aged adults of both sexes. In the majority of cases, this type of hair loss is usually reversible and needs no treatment. The exact cause of alopecia areata is not known, however, this type of hair loss is thought to be an autoimmune process affecting the hair. Patients experience a patchy type of hair loss, with the bald area often appearing as a rounded bare patch of about 2.5 centimetres across. - Self-Induced Hair-loss
Either consciously or unconsciously, self-inflicted damage to their hair may be a reason for hair loss in some individuals. There are two types of self-induced hair loss. The 1st type is Trichotillomania – This type of hair loss has a strong psychological basis, and is commonly seen in childhood, and seen more frequently in girls. People who suffer from this would compulsively and continuously pull or pluck their hair. The 2nd type is Traction alopecia – caused by the continuous and excessive pulling or tension in the hair due to certain types of hair styling which inflicted damage on the hair. - Anagen Effluvium
Anagen effluvium is the sudden hair loss resulting from exposure to radiation or certain chemicals. This type of hair loss is mostly seen during or after chemotherapy or radiotherapy applied to cancer patients. In these hair loss cases, the hair skips the resting stage of its growth cycle, and a sudden hair loss occurs within 1 to 3 weeks following the exposure. The hair loss caused by chemotherapy is mostly reversible, while the hair loss caused by radiotherapy is irreversible. - Telogen Effluvium
This type of hair loss occurs in response to certain stress events. A sudden and severe stress causes an increase in the amount of the hairs being shed. The source of stress resulting in hair loss can be events such as childbirth, pregnancy termination, starting or stopping the use of oral contraceptive drugs, premenopausal period, drugs used in diet regimens, some emotional stresses etc. These events will cause the hair to stay in the resting phase for about only 3 months. Then, a large amount of hair will be shed. - Scarring Alopecia
Scarring alopecia is the hair loss that results from physical or chemical trauma to the skin surrounding the hair. Inflammation of the hair follicle causes the hair to be lost at the end. Some diseases causing trauma to the hair follicle are destructive skin tumours, granuloms, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, follicular lichen planus, severe bacterial or viral or fungal infections of the hair follicle (folliculitis).
If I were to inherit my dad’s hair thinning problems, will I be able to find a solution to it?
Male pattern hair loss is caused by genetic and hormonal factors. The genetics can be inherited from either the maternal or paternal sides of the family. Male hormones, known as androgens, also play an important role. Specifically, the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can cause progressive miniaturization of the hairs on specific areas on the scalp.
We have a solution if your hair problems are hereditary. This is because the key ingredient to our hair treatments is Puresterol, the world’s only patented extract of Pueraria Mirifica, a popular Thai traditional medicinal plant. Puresterol contains “Phytoestrogens “which are different from any other phytoestrogens as it contains Miroestrol and Deoxy-miroestrol. Miroestrol and Deoxy-miroestrol are 3000 times more potent than that of soy iso-flavones. They are only found in Pueraria Mirifica, and are not found in any other plants in the world.
Phytoestrogens possess the highest estrogenic activity, due to their “Bio-identical“structural similarity to human estrogen. Higher estrogen levels reduce testosterone dominance and the effect on sex hormone binding globulin (SBHG) level. SBHG binds to testosterone and effectively renders it inactive. The bound testosterone cannot be converted to DHT and so cannot promote androgenic alopecia (hair loss that occurs due to an underlying susceptibility of hair follicles to androgenic miniaturization).
Why does my hair turn grey?
Grey hair is eventually inevitable. As we age our hair follicles stop producing the pigment that colours our hair. The process happens earlier for some folks, mostly due to genetics; but premature greying can also be caused by environmental and other factors such as poor diet and stress.
How early we get grey hair is determined primarily by our genes. This means that most of us will start having grey hairs around the same age that our parents or grandparents first did.
Are there any solutions to reverse grey hair naturally without having to opt for chemical hair colouring?
If you are looking for a solution to get your original hair colour back and you want it to be a gradual process, we have the answer.
By combining advanced western technology with Asian premium herbs, our Hair Inc. New York’s Hair Colour Restoration Treatments will lead to a gradual but effective transformation for you. It works for both men and women with no side effects as our products are all natural and contain no harsh chemical substances.
The premium wonder herb found in our products is known as Puresterol, an extract of Pueraria Mirifica. Known as the “Miracle Maker”, it contains “Phytoestrogens” which have been reported to exhibit a unique and powerful ability to reverse the greying process.
Will frequent hair wash cause hair loss?
Many people believe that frequent hair wash will cause hair loss. This idea probably stems from the fact that hair loss is often most noticeable during the hair wash process. Therefore, we tend to assume that the hair wash process itself is t blame.
In fact, hair washing frequently is actually more likely to help your hair grow. That’s because properly washing your hair will involve massaging the scalp, an action which, along with lukewarm water helps encourage scalp circulation and hair growth. The right shampoo for your hair type and texture is also important as it will add moisture and body to your hair.