Three surprisingly common causes of hair loss, and what to do about it
Are hair-loss triggers a sign of the times? Exploring the unexpected factors and tried-and-tested treatments for one of today’s most unspoken wellness concerns.
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It’s hardly a topic of water-cooler conversation, but hair loss isn’t unusual. Over 50 percent of adults will experience androgenetic alopecia, the genetic disorder behind excessive shedding, in their lifetime. But while genes play a role, for a growing number of people, hair loss is a reflection of a very specific moment in time.
Covid-19 impacted nearly every aspect of life, and hair is no exception. According to researchers, the virus may lead to shedding as a reaction to physical stress. Hair loss is also a condition that can result from rapid weight loss (a rare but potential side-effect of taking semaglutides to lose weight), which can also be taxing on the body. That stress is being exacerbated in the workplace, despite the post-Covid shift to working from home several days a week. Factors such as the modern expectation to be “on around the clock” are weighing heavily on professionals, with one Cigna study determining that 84 percent of all employees feel stressed.
“I can confidently say that the patient profile for those concerned about hair thinning has shifted significantly in recent years,” says Dr Neil Sadick, a leading New York-based dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine. The stereotype of hair loss primarily affecting older men still persists, he explains, but it’s expanding to a new demographic thanks to rising stress levels and changing lifestyle factors.
If lifestyle is a cause, it can also be a remedy. Essential fatty acids and protein are needed to create the best environment for hair growth, while studies show a correlation between poor sleep and hair loss. One’s general practitioner can suggest custom solutions when diet or sleep are suspected culprits.
The most promising answer, however, may arrive bottled. Scientists have found a way to use exosomes – tiny intercellular messengers found naturally in the body – to slow shedding and promote hair regrowth. The skin- and haircare experts at Calecim Professional are staking their claim with PTT-6 – a proprietary ingredient that stimulates hair growth by activating hair follicles and managing signs of inflammation that cause shedding. It’s fundamental to the brand’s powerful Advanced Hair System, a six-week programme that boosts hair density. Dr Sadick uses the system in his practice and says that, until recently, treatment options have been limited and innovation stagnant for a number of years. “PTT-6 is a promising new development that can help improve outcomes for hair loss patients looking for an alternative to more common therapies such as LED light and minoxidil,” he explains.
Alice Hart-Davis, a beauty journalist and founder of The Tweakments Guide website, says she was fascinated by the Calecim hair system and eager to try it. She had heard success stories about Calecim products for skin recovery after certain cosmetic procedures, but was unaware it could also stimulate hair follicles. At 61 years old and experiencing hormone-triggered shedding, Hart-Davis noticed it was becoming more apparent in the patches above her temples and along her parting.
She admits the system seemed almost too good to be true: “I don’t know why, but I presumed I wouldn’t do it properly or it wouldn’t work for me.” After four weeks of biweekly applications, she started to notice baby hairs emerging from previously bare patches. It was all the encouragement she needed to keep at it. “I was amazed,” she says.
One 12-week study on the effect that exosome proteins have on follicles saw improved growth, less of a need to hide hair and an increased quality of life associated with hair loss. When eliminating stress altogether isn’t an option, exosome-powered solutions are emerging as the next best thing.
