As you may know, August is Hair Loss Awareness Month – something that is at the core of our ethos here at MONPURE. Hair loss is something that affects many of us (40% of women will have some form of it in their lifetime), which can take its toll on our emotional health – especially if it’s noticeable.
As our resident dermatologist Dr Sue Ann Chan advises, early intervention is important. “If you’re concerned about hair loss, it would be advisable to seek advice from a dermatologist to obtain appropriate diagnosis and medical treatment for your scalp, preferably at an earlier stage before it becomes advanced,” she says.
“Maintaining a good scalp care regime, with targeted products such as those created by the scientists behind MONPURE, is so crucial to preventing these issues,” she adds. “Regular cleansing, hydration and exfoliation of the scalp is key here.”
Hair loss comes in many guises, so it’s important to identify what type you may have, so you can treat it accordingly. With that in mind, Dr Sue Ann Chan talks us through the most common types of hair loss she encounters in her clinic.
Female Pattern Hair Loss
“This is a genetic type of hair loss which can be encountered by women who are in their 30s and older, but most frequently occurs with menopause. It happens when the hair’s growth phase slows down and the hair follicles shrink. It usually takes the form of diffuse thinning, starting from the crown of the head, but unlike male pattern hair loss, it doesn’t result in complete baldness. It can’t be ‘cured’ but it symptoms can be lessened by a healthy diet, cutting out smoking and limiting sun exposure. MONPURE’s Follicle Boost Hair Density Serum is good for preventing this type of hair loss, as it contains special pumpkin seed extract which blocks an enzyme called DHT, produced by testosterone and is directly linked to hair loss.”
Alopecia Areata
“This hair loss condition often happens when the body goes through stress and shock. Hair loss from the condition is identifiable by bald patches appearing throughout the scalp and otherwise patchy hair loss. However, there is a good chance that, for four out of five people complete regrowth will occur within a year without treatment. Medical treatments include steroid creams, while using gentle hair treatments with scalp nourishing ingredients (such as the vitamin-rich Camellia tea oil in MONPURE’s Nourish and Stimulate Scalp Mask) can also help encourage healthy hair growth.”
Traction Alopecia
“This is the only form of hair loss that is completely avoidable and caused by lifestyle. It’s caused by extensive wear and tear of the hair follicles due to tight hair styles such as braids and cornrows or wearing hair extensions, as well as using harsh chemicals that can irritate the scalp. All of these can damage the root, causing scarring and hair loss. Bald patches are normally localised around the areas that experience the most tension. A good scalpcare regime can help to rebuild damaged hair follicles, reduce scalp irritation and create an ideal environment for healthy hair growth. Use MONPURE’s Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo, which contains strengthening and anti-bacterial vegan silk peptides, with zero silicones or parabens to allow your hair follicles to breathe. While their Hydrate and Soothe Scalp Serum can calm any redness and ease discomfort, to encourage new hair to grow through thicker and stronger.”
Telogen Effluvium
“Telogen Effluvium occurs when more hair follicles than usual enter the hair’s resting phase (telogen phase). It’s characterised by excessive hair shedding – which can lead to thinning and bald patches – and often occurs after pregnancy or taking medications. Normal hair growth tends to resume once the body goes back to normal, but to speed things along, MONPURE’s Follicle Boost Hair Density Serum (suitable for use during pregnancy and breast-feeding) contains lactic acid and retinyl palmitate to speed up cell turnover and encourage healthy hair growth.”
Diffuse hair loss
“Diffuse hair loss is where there is general hair thinning over the whole scalp and can be attributed to a number of factors such as nutritional deficiencies or illnesses. Stress is another key factor – the stress hormone called cortisol regulates the normal functioning of our hair follicles. When cortisol is present at high concentrations, it causes cells in the hair follicles to undergo apoptosis (i.e. die) prematurely by up to 40%, resulting in hair loss. As well as taking measures to reduce stress, a healthy diet, rich in iron, biotin, selenium, zinc, and folic acid should help also keep symptoms at bay, together with MONPURE’s nutrient-rich Nourish and Stimulate Scalp Mask.”
If you have any specific questions for Dr Sue Ann Chan regarding hair loss, feel free to email us at info@monpure.com or send us a message via Instagram @monpurelondon
Did you know, scrubbing your scalp can help prevent hair loss? Click here to learn more.
