Hair Loss Guide

Growth Phase (Anagen)

This is the active phase of hair growth, where 85-90% of hairs are growing at any given time, lasting up to seven years.

Transitional Phase (Catagen)

Hair growth slows as follicles shrink over a few weeks. Approximately 3% of hairs are in this phase.

Resting Phase (Telogen)

The hair follicle is at rest and not growing. Around 6%-8% of hair is in this phase, lasting a few months.

Shedding Phase (Exogen)

At the end of the resting phase, hair gradually detaches from the follicle and falls out. The average person sheds between 50-100 hairs daily. After exogen, old hair is replaced with new hair in the anagen phase, restarting the cycle. Disruptions in this cycle can lead to hair loss.[4]

Testosterone and DHT - The Major Culprits of MPB 

Testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. DHT affects various organs, including hair follicles.[5] Hair loss is not directly caused by DHT production but rather by an inherited sensitivity to DHT. Individuals with a high genetic sensitivity to DHT are more prone to hair follicle weakening.[6] DHT shrinks hair follicles and shortens the hair growth cycle, resulting in thinner, more brittle hair that falls out faster.[7] It also delays the growth of new hairs after old ones fall out. Certain behaviours, such as using creatine supplements, resistance and weight training, or taking anabolic steroids, can increase DHT levels and exacerbate hair loss.[8]

Ageing

Hair thinning is a natural aspect of ageing, known as involutional alopecia, where hormonal changes slow hair growth and reduce the number of hair strands. This process affects both men and women, with women often experiencing it after menopause.[9]

Chronic Stress

During periods of chronic stress or trauma, temporary hair loss, termed telogen effluvium, can occur.[10]

Certain medications and illnesses

Some medications and illnesses can lead to hair loss. Common medications for conditions like acne, high cholesterol, and depression may have rare side effects such as hair loss.[11] Illnesses such as thyroid disorders, eating disorders, iron deficiency anaemia, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and skin conditions like psoriasis and dermatitis can also cause hair loss.[12]

Male pattern baldness (MPB), primarily genetic, affects up to 95% of men with thinning hair and leads to permanent loss if untreated.

Signs of MPB include: 

1. Noticeable change in hairline.
2. Increased hair shedding.
3. Thinning hair, starting at the crown or spread across the scalp.
4. Delayed, wispy regrowth due to DHT sensitivity causing hair follicle miniaturisation.[13]

There is no cure for male pattern baldness (MPB), but various prevention and treatment options exist, including natural, cosmetic, medical, and surgical approaches.

For prevention, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle is crucial for promoting healthy hair growth. This includes ensuring adequate intake of protein, iron, zinc, vitamins C, D, E, and A (in moderation), B-complex vitamins, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as part of a balanced diet.[14,15]

“The best time to start treatment is when you first start seeing signs of hair loss, such as your scalp peeking through or your hairline receding. Medical treatment for hair loss only works in areas where you still have hair” — Dr Aimee Paik 

Minoxidil topical spray

Minoxidil topical spray is highly effective with minimal side effects. It widens blood vessels, improving blood flow to hair follicles to slow hair loss and stimulate growth. While it doesn't prevent MPB onset, it can be very effective in its early stages. [16]

Other treatments

Australian law prevents us from mentioning certain treatments until you’ve spoken to a doctor. There is an evidenced based treatment, when combined with other products like minoxidil, can be very effective in halting or even reversing hair loss in most men with MPB.

Low Level Laser Therapy 

A non-surgical treatment which works by exposing the scalp to low level red infrared light. It works by stimulating stems cells in the hair follicle and reverting them back to the growth phase of the hair cycle and can improve length and thickness of the hair[17].

Scalp Micropigmentation

This procedure uses microneedles to tattoo pigment into the scalp. It creates the appearance of tiny hair follicles to restore the look of a fuller head of hair.

Microneedling

It’s a procedure that involves the use of a skin roller with small needles that cause minor skin injuries to the scalp. The process of creating tiny skin wounds is thought to regenerate the health of the hair follicles and result in new hair growth, or perhaps thicken thinning hair.[18]

Hair transplant techniques involve transferring active hair follicles from areas of the scalp with hair (typically the back and sides of the head) to bald or thinning areas. It’s the most invasive and expensive treatment for hair loss, and can cost in the tens of thousands of dollars, often requiring multiple sessions and posing risks such as scarring and infection. However, when performed effectively, the results can appear quite natural.

Choosing whether or not to treat hair loss is entirely up to you. Embracing your baldness is perfectly fine too. When evaluating your treatment options, consider ease of use, safety and efficacy.

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