August Is Hair Loss Awareness Month

This August, we’re ready to raise awareness of the hairy truth: male pattern baldness affects up to 1 in every 2 men over 40 while about 49% of women will experience hair loss at some point in their lives. 

It’s common. It affects both genders. And it can be a big deal for many people.

That’s why The Hairy Pill® is committed to supporting people with hair loss all year round. But this month, we’re giving the cause some extra volume because it’s Hair Loss Awareness Month.

What Is Hair Loss Awareness Month?

Hair Loss Awareness Month is a chance to open up the conversation about hair loss and educate on detection, prevention, and treatment.

A prevailing stigma attached to hair loss means that many people are afraid to talk about their experiences. And yet the earlier you do something about it, the better.

Let’s start by looking at the common causes and myths about male hair loss and female hair loss, along with bona fide hair loss treatments. 

What Causes Hair Loss?

There are plenty of reasons you might experience hair loss, from hormonal changes to the side effects of medication. 

Hereditary hair loss or androgenic alopecia

The main reason that men and women lose hair is because of female and male pattern hair loss (also called androgenic alopecia), which is mostly genetic. 

This is where hair follicles shrink over parts of the scalp (at the front and on the crown for men, in the centre for women), creating identifiable “patterns” of hair loss over time.

Stress-related factors 

A sudden, stressful shock to the system can often disrupt the normal hair cycle. Emotional stress (such as a sudden death in the family) or physical (such as illness or surgery) may be the root cause of a surprising amount of hair fall. But it usually stops after a few months, when the hair cycle returns to normal. 

Medication 

Certain medications, including some chemotherapies and cancer treatments, may cause hair loss if they affect cells that grow quickly.

Common Hair Loss Myths

This is a big part of Hair Loss Awareness Month: debunking the myths about hair loss. Because it’s definitely not true that your fondness for shampoo has caused your hair to fall out.

And the next time you see your maternal grandfather, you can reassure yourself that his hair loss does not spell your future (genetic predisposition can come from either side of the family — along with a host of other causes). 

All hair loss is permanent

Nope. But the earlier you act, the better. If you treat hair loss early, you may be able to reverse or prevent it. But there may be permanent hair loss if you leave it too late. 

Hair loss is only a problem for men

It’s no surprise this myth prevails. It may seem like hair loss only affects men. After all, we’re used to seeing men with thinning or balding hair on the streets. 

But is this because men’s hair loss is more widely accepted? 

Sure, hair loss is more common in young men than young women. And fewer women end up bald. About 20% of men in their twenties will experience significant balding, with that number increasing to 40% of men in their 40s. 

But women’s hair loss is also a thing. More than 55% of women experience patterned hair loss as they get older. Twenty per cent of those women (about 800,000 Australian women) will have moderate to severe female pattern hair loss. 

Let’s take this opportunity to acknowledge that women’s hair loss is generally less accepted than men’s hair loss, leading to significant psychological distress and even a reduced quality of life for women with hair loss.

In one study, 52% of women reported being “very to extremely” upset about losing hair compared to just 28% of men, while in another, 70% of women with hair loss reported a negative body image, lower self-esteem, worse sleep, and much more.

Learn more: Why Women Also Lose Their Hair

Vitamins promote hair growth

If someone with hair loss has a nutritional deficiency, taking the appropriate supplements may be a part of the hair loss treatment.

But there’s currently not enough evidence to show that vitamin supplements will promote hair growth in someone who does not have a nutritional deficiency — some supplements may even worsen hair loss symptoms.   

What Hair Loss Treatments Are Available?

Here’s the good news: Hair loss can be reversed or prevented, if caught early. 

Treatments may depend on the type of hair loss you’re experiencing but could involve:

• Dietary and lifestyle changes
• Laser therapy
• Hair transplant surgery
• Hair loss medication

Dietary and Lifestyle Changes

Some types of hair loss are caused by hormonal changes, stress, or dietary changes. If you wait it out until the underlying condition resolves itself, your hair loss may stop on its own.

Certain lifestyle or dietary changes may help the process along. These might include:

• Eating a balanced diet with enough protein, vitamins, and minerals
• Exercising regularly
• Limiting hair styling and drying that may put undue stress on your hair
• Getting enough sleep

If your hair’s coming out in clumps, a medical professional may be able to prescribe a personalised hair loss treatment to help speed up the process. 

Laser Therapy

One approved treatment for hereditary hair loss is low-level laser therapy (LLLT), although more research is needed to learn more about the long-term effects of a standardised treatment routine. 

Hair Transplant Surgery

Enough is enough? A common treatment for male hair loss is transplanting the hair from one part of the head to another. This is only effective when there are clear bald spots on the head. 

Hair Loss Medication

There are several prescription medication options for hair loss treatment, the two most common being finasteride and minoxidil. 

The Hairy Pill® is something different because it’s personalised to you. A researched, tested, refined, and patented hair loss treatment by world-renowned dermatologist Professor Rodney Sinclair. You can read more about his findings here in the New York Times article.

The Hairy Pill® – Hair Loss Medication

The Hairy Pill® provides a personalised treatment plan with ongoing consultations to help you get a stronger, healthier mop on top. All in just one pill made for you, taken daily from the comfort of your home. Learn more about The Hairy Pill® and what it can do for you today.