"Not All Hair Shedding in Autumn Means Hair Loss"...How Can You Check for Hair Loss? [Health Talk]

[Financial News] Rushing to decide on a hair transplant because of concerns about autumn hair loss can lead to disappointment. This is because the causes and patterns vary widely, even when they are all called “hair loss.” Symptoms and treatments differ significantly depending on the type, from seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp to alopecia areata and male-pattern hair loss. Experts therefore caution that whether to undergo a hair transplant should not be decided hastily without an accurate diagnosis.

Hair loss can occur for a wide variety of reasons and in many different patterns. It may appear in forms ranging from scalp conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis to alopecia areata and male-pattern hair loss, with symptoms and treatment methods varying according to the cause. Hair may also fall out simply because of a temporary change in the hair-growth cycle. Seborrheic dermatitis, in particular, may involve scalp inflammation, flaking and itching, while alopecia areata is characterized by sudden hair loss in specific areas. Therefore, rather than focusing solely on the amount of hair shed, it is important to identify the cause by considering when the symptoms began, where they occurred and how they have progressed.
The most common form of male-pattern hair loss often appears as gradual thinning around the forehead and crown. The hairline may recede into an M shape, or the crown may begin to look sparse. It may start with only slight thinning, but the affected area can gradually expand over time. If hair in a particular area continues to thin or decrease, it is advisable to have the condition of the scalp and hair examined.


A hair transplant is not an essential treatment for everyone diagnosed with hair loss. It may be considered when hair has been lost from a specific area as the condition progresses, or when medication and other treatments alone are unlikely to provide sufficient improvement. To determine whether a transplant is appropriate and how extensive it should be, doctors must comprehensively assess the degree of hair loss, the condition of the existing hair, and the density and condition of the hair at the back of the scalp, where donor hair is collected.
When planning a hair transplant, it is especially important to consider not only the current condition but also the possibility that hair loss may progress in the future. Since existing hair may continue to fall out, planning should go beyond simply filling in areas where hair has already been lost. The transplant area, method and design should be determined after comprehensively assessing the current condition of the hair and the possibility of future changes.
Cho Seong-tae, head of the Hair Transplantation Clinic in the Department of Plastic Surgery at Seran General Hospital, explained, "People may feel that they are losing more hair than usual in autumn, but hair loss cannot be determined solely by the amount of hair shed." He added, "The priority is to accurately identify the cause and extent of hair loss through examinations of the scalp and hair condition."
He further emphasized, "A hair transplant is not a treatment that simply fills in areas affected by hair loss. It should be performed after considering the current condition of the hair and the possibility of future progression from multiple angles." He stressed, "Based on an accurate diagnosis, it is important to determine whether a hair transplant is necessary and decide on the appropriate timing, extent and surgical method."
 


[email protected] Cho Seong-jin, Medical Specialist Reporter