Have you ever run your fingers through your hair and noticed more strands coming loose than usual? Or perhaps you’ve spotted thinning areas that weren’t there before? For many, hair loss feels like an inevitable part of ageing—a slow decline in confidence with every extra strand on the pillow. Hair loss can be distressing, but what if there was a way to not only stop the shedding but also regrow thicker, healthier hair? The key lies in understanding the root cause and finding the right treatment tailored to your needs.

Causes

There are so many factors that come together to produce a head of healthy hair- from genetics, to scalp health, diet, to hormones. 

Of the list, the most common culprit is genetics—if hair loss runs in your family, you may experience androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness), a hereditary condition where hair gradually thins over time. But genetics isn’t the only factor. Hormonal changes, like those during pregnancy, menopause, thyroid imbalances or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to excessive shedding. Stress and lifestyle habits also play a huge role—chronic stress can push hair follicles into a resting phase, while poor nutrition, crash diets, vitamin deficiencies (especially iron, zinc, and biotin a.k.a. Vitamin B7),  protein deficiencies, or even vitamin or mineral overdose (selenium or iodine may result in hair loss) can weaken strands from the inside out. Even scalp health matters! Conditions like dandruff, excess oil buildup, seborrheic dermatitis, and fungal infections, can cause inflammation and hinder healthy hair growth. And let’s not forget hair styling habits—frequent heat styling, tight ponytails, and harsh chemical treatments can cause breakage and traction alopecia, a form of hair loss caused by constant tension on the hair shaft. In more severe cases, autoimmune diseases such as alopecia areata can cause sudden and unpredictable hair loss. 

But here’s the good news: Most of these factors can be managed with the right care, targeted treatments, and a scalp-friendly routine! Understanding these underlying causes is essential to choosing the right prevention and treatment strategies to maintain healthy, strong hair.

Treatment options 

In tackling hair loss, a multi-pronged approach would be the way to go. We can break our management plan down into a number of different aspects that need to be dealt with. 

1. Scalp and Hair Care Routine to restore and promote health of the scalp and hair that remain. This includes using a sulfate-free shampoo that allows your hair and scalp to maintain its natural oils. You can also consider adding a scalp scrub or mild exfoliant 1-2 times a week to clean the scalp of buildup and improve circulation. This arm of our management plan also includes topical treatments like Minoxidil that can help simulate hair regrowth, rosemary or peppermint oil that is a natural DHT blocker and promotes blood circulation to the scalp. These topical treatments need to be used continuously for its effects to continue. 

Microneedling or derma rolling is often done in conjunction with the application of these topical medication or oils to substantiatlly enhance its absorption and efficacy. However, derma rolling isn’t without it’s risks like infection or damaging the skin if done incorrectly. So be sure to educate yourself first if you plan to try it at home. Taking precautions to avoid hair damage will also help maintain the health of the scalp and hair.  

2. The next aspect of hairloss management we need to review is the area of nutrition. Hair is made of a protein called keratin. So naturally, a protein-rich diet of lean meats, fish, eggs and legumes will encourage a healthy head of hair. Other vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc and folate (vitmain B9) found in spinach, red meats and nuts support follicle health. Biotin, a.k.a. Vitamin B7 and Vitamin B complex (a combination of many other VItamin Bs) strengthen hair, which omega 3 fatty acids from salmon or flaxseeds nourish the scalp. Note that excess vitamin A, selenium and iodine can worsen hair loss so keep consumption of these in check. 
3. The next aspect we can look are strategies that stimulate and enhance blood flow to the scalp for scalp health and to encourage hair growth. These may be strategies as simple as a daily scalp massage, regular microneedling done safely, or even low-level light therapy (LLLT).  LLLT is a safe, painless, non-invasive procedure that involves using near-infrared light to stimulate hair follicles, improve scalp health and promote hair regrowth by stimulating cell energy production, increasing nitric oxide, a natural vasodilator, reducing inflammation and DHT build up in the area. LLLT also extends the growth phase of the hair cycle, preventing premature shedding. Because of the mechanism of action, LLLT is only suitable for early or moderate hair loss, where live follicles are still present. Currently, LLLT has only been approved for use in androgenic alopecia.  Results usually may be expected after 3-6 months of consistent use, and require ongoing session to maintain. Often, LLLT is used in combination with Minoxidil, PRP or hair transplants to speed up recovery. 
4. Next, let’s take a look at lifestyle factors like chronic stress and inadequate sleep can worsen hairloss. Exercising regularly not only brings benefits to overall health, for hair, it can improve circulation and regulate hormones linked to hairloss. 
5. Finally, for those with severe hairloss, don’t despair. There are yet more modern medical treatment options. Here are some examples: 

Micrograft injections

 Micrograft injection therapy is a minimally-invasive, non-surgical procedure that aims to strengthen and regenerate existing hair follicles. It involves collecting micrografts from the patient’s own scalp (1-3mm punches of skin samples). From these, hair follicle stem cells, growth factors and other growth-promoting components are extracted. This cell-rich solution is then injected into balding areas to stimulate hair regrowth of existing hair follicles to improve density. Results may take 3-6 months to become evident and maintenance treatment sessions may be required, but there is little to no downtime involved. 

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Hair transplant

FUE is a slightly more involved hair transplant procedure where individual hair follicles are extracted from the donor area (usually the back or sides of the head) and implanted into areas of thinning or balding. Hair follicles are extracted under local anaesthesia. These are later then placed into tiny incisions on the balding area. The pattern, angle, depth, and direction of the hair placements can be adjusted to achieve a more natural look. Some mild swelling, redness is normal for a few days after the procedure. There may also be some initially shedding of hair in the first 2-4 weeks, but new growth can be expected in about  3-4 months, with full results in 6-12 months.  

This is a great option for androgenetic alopecia. It is even considered to be the only permanent solution for this kind of hair loss as it involves the transplantation of hair follicles from the back and sides of the scalp which are genetically-resistant to DHT and are expected to continue growing for life. Another good news is that after some time, hair in the donor area can regrow and be used for more rounds of grafting if needed.  

For better results, many of the treatment options that are explained above are often done in combination with each other. Consult one of our experienced doctors today at the EHA clinic for an assessment and hair loss recovery plan that is suited for you!

See Also:

• AnteAGE® Hair System
• Regenera Activa Hair Loss Treatment
• FUE Hair Transplant