"Nearly all my hair fell out," Kim Heung-gook reveals his bald head... Why does hair loss occur? [Health Talk]

[Financial News] Singer Kim Heung-gook, who said he had suffered emotionally from hair loss for many years, revealed his bald head. Kim Heung-gook said he lost a significant amount of hair after experiencing stress, but the causes and treatments for hair loss vary depending on its type.
On the 17th, Kim Heung-gook's representatives announced that he had been selected as a promotional model for a hair-loss treatment and released photos showing his current appearance.
Kim Heung-gook said, "I, too, suffered emotionally for a long time because of hair loss. When I made my debut in the early 1980s, I had a really full head of hair. But after 'Horangi Nabi' became a major hit and my broadcasting activities continued at a hectic pace, my hair gradually began to fall out."
He added, "I also lived apart from my family, and I experienced considerable stress as I went through various social issues. As a result, I lost a great deal of hair. Later, I felt as though almost all of it had fallen out."
About a decade ago, Kim Heung-gook revealed on television that he had hair loss and wore a wig. He said, "I want to become someone who gives hope to people across the country who are experiencing hair loss."

Hair loss is classified by its causes and patterns into male pattern hair loss, female pattern hair loss, alopecia areata and telogen effluvium.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)'s National Health Information Portal, the most important causes of male pattern hair loss are genetic predisposition and the male hormone androgen.
As male pattern hair loss progresses, the hair at the front and crown gradually becomes shorter and thinner. The hairline may recede, and the scalp may become visible as hair density decreases.
Seoul National University Hospital also explains that male pattern hair loss can begin primarily in a person's 20s or 30s. Typical signs include the hairline receding and the areas at both temples widening into an M shape, or the hair at the crown gradually thinning.

Severe physical or psychological stress is not a direct cause of all hair loss. However, it can be associated with certain types of hair loss.
Telogen effluvium can occur after endocrine disorders, nutritional deficiencies, medication use, childbirth, fever or surgery, as well as after severe physical or psychological stress.
Hair does not necessarily begin falling out immediately after the triggering event. Telogen effluvium generally begins two to four months after the trigger, and hair density may decrease overall.
Once the cause disappears, hair can return to its normal growth cycle over several months. Seoul National University Hospital explains that telogen effluvium may gradually recover over six to 12 months after the cause is removed.
A medical link between the stress described by Kim Heung-gook and his current hair-loss condition has not been confirmed.

Medication is primarily used to treat male pattern hair loss.
According to the KDCA, common treatments include topical minoxidil and oral finasteride and dutasteride. Finasteride and dutasteride work by reducing the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is involved in male pattern hair loss.
Seoul National University Hospital explains that treatments for male pattern hair loss include applying minoxidil, taking finasteride or dutasteride, and undergoing hair transplantation.
Diagnosis and treatment vary depending on the pattern and progression of hair loss. Alopecia areata may be treated with steroid preparations or immunotherapy, while identifying and treating the underlying cause is important in cases of telogen effluvium.
If the hair continues to thin, the hairline recedes, or the hair at the crown decreases, a dermatology consultation can help identify the type of hair loss. If overall hair density suddenly decreases, recent illnesses or surgery, medication use and nutritional status over the past several months should also be assessed.


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter