When we hear the term “hair growth,” it used to be strongly associated with “men’s concerns.” However, it seems many women are also concerned about thinning hair. First, let’s gain knowledge about hair and practice proper care. We asked Ms. Okabe to explain the mechanisms of hair, the causes of hair loss, and countermeasures.

Hair Mechanisms

Q. Are there differences in hair mechanisms between men and women?

Hair loss occurs daily for both men and women, as the hair renewal cycle is not synchronized. While it varies by season, approximately 150 hairs are shed per day. The lifespan of hair is 2–3 years for men and 3–4 years for women.

Q. Are the symptoms of alopecia common to both sexes?

For women, apart from “alopecia areata,” complete baldness doesn’t typically occur. However, with aging, each individual hair strand becomes finer, leading to reduced density and the scalp becoming visible. For men, hair loss can begin around age 18 for some, while for others, it can accelerate rapidly from their late 30s. To put it metaphorically, for women, a “forest” becomes a “thicket.” For men, a “forest” becomes a “desert.” This is the major difference between women and men.

Q. Are there differences in the causes as well?

Male pattern baldness is caused by genetics and male hormones. While male hormones are responsible for growing body hair, they paradoxically promote hair loss on the scalp. When male hormones are strongly active, the scalp’s sebaceous glands become more active, leading to enlarged sebaceous glands and pores, which in turn cause the hair follicles to shrink. In contrast, for women, factors other than genetics, such as nutrition and stress, are considered major causes of hair loss. Furthermore, excessive worry about thinning hair can also be a contributing factor. Worry itself is not good for hair, and fear of losing hair while washing can lead to hesitation in touching the scalp. In fact, one should be massaging the scalp. If the scalp is not properly cleansed and massaged, pores can become clogged, blood circulation can worsen, leading to adverse effects.

Vol. 17: Hair Growth Measures (2)

Prevention is the Best Hair Loss Countermeasure

Q. Are there ways to prevent hair loss?

The most important thing is proper hair care through shampooing and conditioning. Lather the shampoo well and gently massage the scalp with the pads of your fingers in small circular motions. Then, rinse thoroughly. If you fear irritating the scalp, you might end up not washing it sufficiently, but thorough cleansing is fundamental. With correct shampooing, you can maintain your current condition to some extent. And then there’s massage. Actually, the number of hair follicles is not significantly different between people with thinning hair and those with normal hair. Therefore, the key is to thicken each individual strand. Also, although not scientifically proven, there is data suggesting that hair loss stops when one stops worrying about it, and many clinicians point to the relationship with stress, so perhaps not worrying too much is also important. In that sense, using a hair growth product that suits you can be effective by providing a sense of security.

Q. When is the right time to start using a hair growth product?

The earlier, the better, I believe. This is because the ingredients in hair growth products can be broadly divided into two types: those that promote blood circulation to deliver nutrients to hair cells, and those that suppress the action of male hormones. Common ingredients include “Minoxidil,” which has blood circulation-promoting effects, and “Estradiol” or female hormone-like substances that inhibit male hormone activity. Additionally, “Glycyrrhizinic acid” is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, and “Pantothenic acid” promotes the division of hair matrix cells, which are nutrients for hair. There’s no harm in using them, and I recommend starting before you even notice concerns. In any case, what is clearly understood is that there is no better hair loss countermeasure than prevention.