“Where did his trademark mustache go?” ... Kim Heung-kuk surprises with reveal of white hair and a bald head [Health Talk]

[Financial News] The case of broadcaster Kim Heung-kuk, 67, who has openly shown his white mustache and bald head in recent YouTube appearances and as a model in ads for hair-loss treatments, has struck a chord with middle-aged people.

Kim said, “My hair fell out rapidly amid my hit-song career, my life as a father living apart from my family, and extreme social stress.” Is hair loss and graying, experienced by most middle-aged and older people, simply a sign of aging, or a condition that needs management and treatment?

Hair loss with age is caused by a combination of factors, including not only genetic predisposition but also male hormones (androgens), reduced blood circulation, and stress.
The main cause of male-pattern hair loss is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is produced when testosterone is converted by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. DHT gradually shrinks hair follicles and shortens the hair growth cycle, eventually turning the hair into fine, weak vellus hairs before causing it to fall out.
In particular, beards and hair turn white when stem cells of the melanin-producing cells in hair follicles become depleted and can no longer produce pigment. Chronic stress stimulates the autonomic nervous system, constricting blood vessels and disrupting the supply of nutrients to hair roots. It also causes oxidative stress, further accelerating the aging of hair follicle stem cells.

Experts cite the “golden window for treatment” as key to managing hair loss after middle age. Once hair follicles have fully shrunk and lost their function, the regenerative effects of medication drop sharply.
In the early stages of hair loss, personalized medication is the first line of treatment. Oral medications containing finasteride or dutasteride help slow hair loss and improve hair thickness by inhibiting the production of DHT, which causes hair loss. However, a specialist’s diagnosis is essential before taking them, and they must be taken consistently to be effective. Topical products containing minoxidil, used alongside these medications, improve blood flow to the scalp and stimulate hair follicle growth factors to promote hair growth. They can be used by both men and women, but noticeable changes appear only after consistent use for at least 4–6 months.
If hair loss has already advanced significantly and hair follicles have been permanently lost, other options should be considered. Common alternatives include hair transplant surgery, which relocates a person’s own follicles from the back of the head, and scalp micropigmentation (SMP). However, medication must also be used after a hair transplant to prevent existing, non-transplanted hair from falling out.
Alongside treatment, changing daily habits is also essential. Reducing chronic stress and getting regular sleep of around seven hours a day helps promote melatonin secretion, which reduces damage to hair follicles. It is also recommended to get enough high-quality protein from foods such as beans, eggs, and oily fish, as well as biotin, zinc, and iron, to support the production of keratin, the main component of hair. Before bed, wash your hair with lukewarm water to remove hair-product residue and sebum, and make a habit of drying your scalp thoroughly to keep the pores clean.


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