How can I tell if I am losing my hair?

Losing hair can be distressing for some. While hair loss can be mild for some, it can be particularly traumatising for others if the hair loss is more severe. 

Hair loss can be prevented if you identify it during its early stages and seek treatment early. Unfortunately, identifying hair loss may not be exactly straightforward all the time. 

Here are some hair loss symptoms to look out for:

Gradual thinning of hairline

The is typically the most obvious and common type of hair loss that affects people. For men, gradual receding of the hairline typically occurs at the forehand. For women, gradual broadening of the hair where the hair parts is an early indication of hair loss.

Noticeable thinning of hair

Not everyone goes bald from their hairline. Some people may experience diffuse thinning, a type of hair loss that affects certain parts of the scalp or the entire scalp. This may result in balding from the back instead of from the hairline or balding from the crown of the head.

As it may be difficult to spot if your hair is thinning from the back, the best way to do so is to compare your photos from various time periods. If you notice that your hair looks significantly thinner now compared to before, perhaps it is time to take preventive actions to minimise further hair loss. 

Suddenly loosening of hair

It is normal to lose hair when washing or brushing your hair. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatologists, it is normal for people to lose anywhere from 50 up to 100 strands of hair per day. Perhaps what is even more comforting is that the hair will grow back. 

However, if you start losing an excessive amount of hair after showing or when brushing your hair, it could be a sign of something more serious. Before you start panicking, do note that this type of hair loss is usually temporary. It may occur due to a variety of reasons, including exceptionally high fever, stress, or shock.

What causes hair loss?

To better understand what treatments work best to combat your hair loss issue, the first step is to tackle the main reason behind your hair loss.

There are many reasons why you may be losing your hair. Some of the main causes of hair loss include:

• Genetics
• Age
• Poor dietary habits
• Stress
• Hormonal changes or imbalance
• Side effects from certain medications

For some, it can also be a combination of various factors, resulting in hair loss.

What are some of the hair loss treatments available?

If you are concerned about your hair loss issue and wondering if you will ever be able to restore it to its former glory, fret not! Thanks to research and technology, there are effective treatments available to combat hair loss. Some treatments are able to at least slow the hair loss process, while others are able to complete reverse hair loss.

Medication

If your hair loss is triggered by an underlying medical condition, it is essential to seek treatment for the particular disease. However, if you are experiencing hair loss as a result of taking a certain medication, your doctor may advise you to stop taking that medication for a few months.

Some of the more common medications available to treat hereditary baldness include Minoxidil (Rogaine) and Finasteride (Propecia).

Minoxidil (Rogaine) is an over-the-counter medicine that comes in liquid, foam or shampoo form. It is suitable for both women and men. To ensure its effectiveness, you simply apply the product to your scalp skin once or twice daily. Hair products that contain minoxidil are said to help with hair regrowth, slow the rate of hair loss, or both. 

Hair transplant surgery

If you have been diagnosed with permanent hair loss, the only solution left is to go for hair transplant surgery. During the hair transplant process, the cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist will remove hair from a part of your scalp that has hair and transplants it to a bald spot. 

There are two types of techniques used during hair transplant – follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). You may need a couple of hair transplant sessions in order to get the full head of hair that you desire. 

Do note that hereditary hair loss will still progress even though you opt for hair transplant surgery. The hair transplant surgery only works to slow down the hair loss process.

Where can I seek hair loss treatments in Singapore?

Suffering from hair loss and unsure where is the best place to seek treatments? Here are some of the top hair loss treatment clinics in Singapore that will be able to provide effective and personalised hair loss solutions depending on your needs.

Speciality	Embrace new technology to improve hair loss treatment outcomes Provides non-invasive hair loss treatments, hair transplant and regenerative medicine Helmed by team of highly experienced hands of Medical Director and Hair Restoration Specialist
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://terramedical.sg/
Address	9 Scotts Road, #11-03 Scotts Medical Centre, Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210
Contact	65 6909 0927 ask@terramedical.sg
Operating Hours	By appointment only

Speciality	Principled company developed by Doctors that use medical-based concepts to design their treatments Select the best ingredients and know-how to help clients have both beautiful and healthy hair Use Stem Cell technology and co-curation with Korean trichologists to develop a new combination of treatments that stimulates troubled scalps and promote hair regrowth
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://www.follicle.com.sg/
Address	Paragon 290 Orchard Road, #06-22/23/24 Singapore 238859
Contact	info@follicle.com.sg 65 6235 8088
Operating Hours	Mon-Sat: 10:30am – 8pm Sunday and PH: 10:30am – 5pm

Speciality	First and leading Trichological Centre that provides customised European Herbal Hair Remedies, validated by certified Trichologists, and products formulated by professional herbalists Strives to elevate professionalism in the hair and scalp care industry and solve all kinds of hair and scalp problems Continues to update with the most up-to-date knowledge and the latest treatment methods for the best hair and scalp solutions
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://tk-hair.com/
Address	23 Serangoon Central, #02-24, Singapore 556083 391 Orchard Rd, #05-22A, Singapore 238873 3155 Commonwealth Ave W, #05-11, Singapore 129588 238 Thomson Rd, #03-19, Singapore 307683
Contact	6-3388-680
Operating hours	11am – 9pm (Mon to Fri) | 10am – 7pm (Sat, Sun & PH)

Speciality	BioRevive HairGro has been successfully treating hair loss for 10 years running All hair gro products are manufactured in Singapore, so customers can rest assured of the authenticity and quality BioRevive HairGro treatments & products are the results of those years of searching for a comprehensive, affordable, effective treatment & easy to use anti hair loss products for home use to combat hair loss & promote natural hair growth in the quickest time frame
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://biorevivehairgro.com/
Address	Hougang Central, Singapore
Contact	65 63976322 biorevivehair@gmail.com
Operating hours	By appointment only

Speciality	Latest in hair creation technology, adding volume, length, and creative style, giving our clients stunning hairstyles and those amazing runway looks Believe in a luxurious, personalized, and private experience for our clients Offer one free private beauty session per month for the entire guarantee period of customers’ integrated Collection, at their scheduled convenience
Pricing	First time consultation fee of $150. Contact for treatment rates.
Website	http://hairdreams.com.sg/
Address	51 Cuppage Road, #01-09, Singapore 229469
Contact	65 6653 5500 info@hairdreams.com.sg
Operating Hours	Mon – Sat | 11.00am – 9.00pm Closed on Sunday & PH

Speciality	More than 45 years of experience, since 1974, Beijing 101 Hair Consultants have been dedicated to helping customers to combat their hair and scalp issues Set out to achieve for every person experiencing hair problem to regrowth their hair and grow back their confidence through professional advice Beijing 101 signature hair treatment are formulated with premium grade Chinese herbs, alongside with advice from Certified Hair Consultants and TCM physicians
Pricing	Starts from $48 & $58
Website	https://beijing101hair.com/
Address	View locations here
Contact	65-65588-101 enquiry@beijing101hair.com
Operating hours	View respective outlet operating hours here

Speciality	Well-known heritage brand for decades, Yun Nam continues to offer its efficacy in helping countless customers recover from hair and scalp problems Treatment programs at Yun Nam are customised to provide customers the assurance of looking good again and overcoming the insecurity of dandruff, itchy scalp, oily hair, hair loss, balding, thinning hair and premature greying or white hair issues
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://yunnamhaircare.com.sg/
Address	View locations here
Contact	View respective clinic contact details here
Operating Hours	Monday – Saturday : 10am – 9pm Sundays & Public Holidays : 10am – 7pm

Speciality	Offers cutting edge technology with techniques that have been tested over time Using formulations that are effective and made up of natural ingredients
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://www.svensonhair.com.sg/
Address	View locations here
Contact	1800 7777 333 enquiry@svensonhair.com.sg
Operating Hours	View location operating hours here

Speciality	Offers cutting edge technology with techniques that have been tested over time Using formulations that are effective and made up of natural ingredients
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://www.svensonhair.com.sg/
Address	View locations here
Contact	1800 7777 333 enquiry@svensonhair.com.sg
Operating Hours	View location operating hours here

Speciality	Jonsson Protein deals in multiple treatment programs Designed to tackle each customer’s specific problems and needs
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://jonssonprotein.com.sg/
Address	68 Orchard Road, #04-73A, Singapore 238839 21 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4, #02-21A/B/C, Singapore 689812 10 Eunos Road 8, #02-124/125, Singapore 408600 3 Gateway Drive, #03-24, Singapore 608532
Contact	View store contact details here
Operating Hours	View store operating hours here

Speciality	Approved by the World Medical Trichologists Association, the clinic specialises in treatment packages that have been effective for their clients Expanding to become a leading and reputable hair growth clinic in Singapore Provide free hair consultation and diagnosi
Pricing	View treatment rates here
Website	http://www.nanohairgrowthclinic.com/
Address	Singapore Land Tower, 50 Raffles Place, Level 37, Singapore 048623
Contact	65-6681 6663
Operating Hours	By appointment only

Speciality	Established by Korean dermatologists, Papilla Haircare is a medically backed hair regrowth centre that specialises in hair loss and thinning solutions Suite of non-invasive hair treatments is researched and developed by their board of Korean dermatologists, hair transplant surgeons, and scientists using the latest nano-cell know-how for scalp activation Prides itself in using the same rejuvenating and healing serums as top Korean hair transplant doctors in its treatments
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://www.papillahaircare.com/
Address	391 Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City, Tower B #05-25AB, Singapore 238873
Contact	65 6465 4565 info@www.papillahaircare.com
Operating Hours	Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 8.30pm | Sat, Sun & Ph: 10.30am – 7pm

Speciality	Certified and recognised by trichologists worldwide Luxescalp is the go-to salon for top quality scalp care treatments that marries modernised Chinese and Ayurvedic herbal formulation with trichological techniques Range of treatments is said to be very effective, with customers seeing improvement such as lesser hair fall and less oily scalp in just three treatments
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://www.luxeherbal.com/
Address	10 Sinaran Drive, #02-61, Novena Square 2, Singapore 307506 Tampines Central 1, #04-29, Tampines 1, Singapore 529536
Contact	info@luxeherbal.com
Operating Hours	11am – 9pm (Weekdays) 10am – 7pm (Weekend)

Speciality	Spearheaded by the renowned Dr. Georgia Lee in 2008 before becoming a dedicated space for hair and scalp Created as a sanctuary where customers can entrust their lacklustre tresses to scalp care professionals Streamlined menu features proprietary treatments that Dr. Lee and her team of professionals have formulated after decades of research and development to target various scalp and hair issues
Pricing	$294 / $420
Website	https://drgl.com/drhair
Address	277 Orchard Road #B1-07, Singapore 238858
Contact	65 6417 9779 cs@a-drbrand.com
Operating Hours	Mon – Fri: 10am – 5pm

Speciality	Bee Choo Origin champions affordable 100% natural remedy for hair loss and scalp-related issues Centres around Madam Cheah’s signature Herbal Cream, which is created under the guidance and mentorship from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physicians
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://www.beechoohair.com/
Address	View locations here
Contact	sayhello@beechoohair.com
Operating Hours	View respective outlet operating hours here

Speciality	Provides a holistic approach to hair health for men and women by merging cutting-edge science and the best of nature with their expertise in hair and scalp health Offers effective research-based solutions to help more than 20,000 clients in Singapore
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://www.phshairscience.com/
Address	View outlets here
Contact	View outlets’ contact details here
Operating Hours	View outlets’ operating hours here

Speciality	Previously, Dr Yong was the lead and the founding consultant of the hair transplant services at the National Skin Centre while she was still undergoing her private practice Offers solutions to help fight off the medical condition and even help stop the problem gradually.
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://ayd.com.sg/concerns_hairnails.html
Address	6 Napier Road, #03-02, Gleneagles Medical Centre, Singapore 258499
Contact	65 6592 1311 info@ayd.com.sg
Operating Hours	Mon-Fri (8:30am – 5:30pm) Sat (8:30am – 12:30pm) Sun and public holidays (closed)

Speciality	FDA-cleared, at-home hair regrowth device designed for hair loss concerns Featuring 82 medical-grade lasers emitted over three areas of the scalp, the devices uses photobiostimulation technology
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://www.hairmax.com.sg/
Address	28 Tai Seng Street #06-01 Sakae Building, Singapore 534106
Contact	hello@hairmax.com.sg 65 6284 8889

Speciality	Designed for the Busy Modern Individual, integrate treatments seamlessly into customers’ hectic lifestyle through proprietary treatments that have quick recovery and minimal downtime Adopt new technologies to enhance treatment outcomes Offer one of the most comprehensive range of Acne Scar treatments in the region
Pricing	View treatment rates here
Website	https://sozoclinic.sg/
Address	1  Raffles Place #05-12/13, One Raffles Place (Shopping Mall), Singapore 048616
Contact	6935 1811 ask@sozoclinic.sg
Operating Hours	By appointment only

Speciality	Offers wide array of aesthetic treatments including hair loss, face, skin & body Led by reputable team of doctors with high credentials
Pricing	Contact for treatment rates
Website	https://saestheticsclinic.com/
Address	1 Scotts Road #03-02, Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208
Contact	hello@saestheticsclinic.com 65 6235 0338
Operating Hours	Monday – Sunday: 10am – 9pm Public Holidays: Closed

How can I prepare for my first hair loss treatment session?

Once you have booked an appointment with a doctor at a hair loss treatment clinic, it is imperative to be well-prepared before your session. After all, your time with the doctor is limited and it is best to make full use of the consultation time to ensure that the doctor is able to recommend appropriate treatments depending on your hair loss cause. 

List key personal information and family history

Think about what are the possible causes of your hair loss issue. Does your family have a history of hair loss? Are you experiencing personal or work-related stress recently? Highlighting any medical history within your family or sharing your existing lifestyle with your doctor can help him or her to better identify what are the possible causes of your hair loss. 

Compile a list of all medications and/or treatments

As mentioned earlier, losing hair can sometimes be a side effect from taking certain medications or undergoing certain medical treatments such as chemotherapy.

List down all the medications that you have taken recently or are currently taking. This includes all supplements and vitamins. Also, share with your doctor whether you have undergone any treatments recently.

Make a list of questions to ask your doctor

Finally, hair loss can be a new and distressing issue for you and there is bound to be numerous questions running through your mind. Write down all these questions and raise it up during your consultation with the doctor. 

It could include questions as such:

• What is causing my hair loss?
• What are the immediate steps I can take to slow down the process?
• What are the available treatments for me?