There are dozens of different reasons known for premature hair loss and weakened hair growth. They can be genetic, hormonal, or caused by stress, menopause, and illnesses. About 85% of men and 60% of women suffer from premature hair loss. With the right treatments, hair loss can be stopped and growth reactivated.

Skin Clinic Kuulas offers you solutions to overcome hair problems. Mark Birch's unique products combined with scalp needling using the new generation Dermapen 4 device are the core of our service.

Here's how to proceed:
1. Contact us through the chat in the bottom right corner or you can also reach us through the new unique Iholinja video consultation.

2. Choose the right Mark Birch products for starting home care

3. Book an appointment for scalp needling, during which we will assess your situation and plan for the best possible results

4. Monitor results and update the plan as needed.

Hair loss can be stopped and growth reactivated by first identifying the causes

- Hormonal / Metabolic
- Chemical
- Physical

Heredity (Hormonal / Metabolic)

Male and female pattern hair loss are hereditary forms of hair loss caused by male hormones, affecting up to 50% of men and 30% of women. About 20% of men start the process at the age of 20 or even earlier. Among 30-year-old men, already 30% suffer from the condition, etc. In women, the process often begins around the age of 30. The speed of balding and hair loss progression varies from person to person. Often the process lasts for years or even decades. The younger the hair loss starts, the faster it usually is. The majority of Finns aged 40-65 suffer from hair loss to some extent.

The cause of hereditary hair loss is the male hormone DHT or dihydrotestosterone (5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone). It is produced from testosterone and the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme in the testes and prostate, as well as in the hair follicle. Both men and women can lose hair due to changes caused by this hormone in the body. DHT shrinks hair follicles, weakens hair, and shortens the hair growth cycle. If the DHT level is high during the hair's resting phase, it may completely prevent the formation of new hair.

Aging (Hormonal / Metabolic)

With age, the amount of hair decreases steadily, as the hair growth phase shortens and the resting phase lengthens. Hair becomes thinner and finer, and no longer grows as long as it did when young. Especially in women, hair thinning may affect volume even more than the reduction in the number of hairs.

Aging also affects hair color, texture, growth, and density. An aged hair follicle produces less melanin, resulting in graying hair. Hair graying can sometimes start before the age of thirty, usually from the temples and crown. The speed of graying depends partly on genetic factors. By the age of 40, 40% of people have some gray hair. People of European descent gray earlier than Asians. Hair also thins as a person ages, partly due to the reduction of the pigment melanin.

Menopause and Hormones (Hormonal / Metabolic)

With menopause, a woman's body's production of estrogen decreases and eventually stops completely. The amount of estrogen has a clear connection to the good condition of hair and scalp, as well as other skin. As the amount of estrogen that maintains good skin and hair condition decreases, the relative proportion of male hormones that promote hair loss increases and may accelerate hair loss. Due to menopause, the skin and scalp dry out and thin, losing their elasticity. With changes occurring in the skin, the hair follicle becomes lazy and scalp circulation slows down.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding (Hormonal / Metabolic, Physical)

During pregnancy, blood estrogen levels are very high. As a result, many expectant mothers' hair is in good condition and grows more vigorously than usual. 1–3 months after childbirth, estrogen levels decrease to almost menopausal levels, and hair begins to fall out more than usual. Changes in hair condition after childbirth are therefore very common. The length of breastfeeding, the diversity of nutrition, and individual factors that strain the body affect when estrogen levels return to normal. After childbirth, hormonal balance returns to normal.

A healthy and varied diet, as well as supplements, help the body recover from the changes brought by pregnancy and breastfeeding and also promote hair growth. Hair growth can also be enhanced with products that extend their growth phase.

Stress, hurry, and insomnia

(Hormonal / Metabolic, Physical)

Stress and lack of sleep strain the body, raise stress hormone levels, and weaken the blood circulation in the scalp. This results in poor oxygen and nutrient supply to the hair follicles and roots, preventing the hair from receiving the building blocks needed for development.

Dieting, unbalanced diet, and nutrient absorption disorders(Chemical)

For the hair follicle to function actively, it must receive sufficient amino acids, vitamins, iron, and minerals and trace elements daily. Dieting, an unbalanced diet, absorption disorders, and soil depletion can affect the availability of nutrients and protective nutrients in the scalp. Hair is about 80% protein, highlighting the importance of protein in the diet. If necessary, the diet should be supported with supplements and vitamin preparations.

Diseases and treatments, surgeries, and traumas

Severe general illnesses, autoimmune diseases, infections, and high fever, as well as traumas and surgeries, can trigger hair loss, as can scalp skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopy, fungal dandruff, and fungal infections. Strong treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and for example, X-ray examinations also affect hair loss.

Often hair grows back once the disease is treated, but it may be thinner and lighter in color.

Medications(Chemical)

Some medications can cause hair loss as a side effect. Cytostatic drugs used in cancer treatment, antidepressants, painkillers, contraceptive pills, blood thinners, and blood pressure medications may cause hair loss and thinning. Certain medications, such as cortisone, have a drying and thinning effect on the scalp, indirectly weakening scalp health and hair growth.

Environmental factors, smoking, and alcohol(Chemical)

Air pollution, active and passive smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and processed foods containing additives weaken the nutritional supply to the hair and may promote hair loss.

The load of styling products on the scalp and repeated strong hair treatments(Chemical)

Residues of styling products, impurities, sweat, sebum, and dead skin cells are a greater burden on the hair and scalp than washing, as they can hinder hair growth. Disturbances are removed with careful and gentle daily washing. If the scalp is dry, sensitive, itchy, or hot, special attention should be paid to its care and product selection.

Hair treatments such as coloring strain the hair and scalp. Therefore, it is advisable to extend the intervals between treatments to 6-8 weeks and always have it done by a hairdresser. At home, hair should be washed gently daily, brushed gently with a brush with rounded bristles, and allowed to dry naturally or dried and styled gently at low temperatures.

Only healthy and nourished scalp grows healthy hair, so scalp diseases and imbalances weaken active hair growth. Additionally, scratching an itchy scalp may damage hair roots and increase hair loss. Healing an irritated scalp and achieving balance is of utmost importance.

Dandruff

Dandruff is one of the most common scalp problems, with up to 65 percent of people experiencing it at some point in their lives. For most, the problem is recurring. The cause of dandruff is often the overgrowth of the malassezia yeast in the scalp, which irritates the skin so that the irritated skin starts producing new skin cells at too fast a pace. There can be many reasons behind dandruff, but common to all types of dandruff is the disturbing, flaking dandruff from the scalp and itching. When the symptoms of dandruff are light and visible flakes, dry scalp, and possible itching, it is dry dandruff. If the flaking scalp becomes oily easily and the dandruff flakes accumulate into yellowish clumps, it is oily dandruff.

Sensitivity, itching, and dryness

Scalp itching, tingling, tightness, heat, and tenderness are common problems. According to a French study, 41 percent of men and 47 percent of women feel they have a sensitive scalp. Sensitization can be triggered by many factors, such as scented and colored hair care products and the chemicals contained in the products: such as silicones and pearls. Also, too infrequent washing intervals, insufficient rinsing after washing, weather changes, dry indoor air, stress, and chemical treatments may be causes of irritation.

Oily scalp

An oily scalp is a common ailment. About one-third of Finns secrete too much sebum. Bacteria and yeasts transform the sebum into a more fluid form, and the hair becomes oily quickly. Oiliness makes the hair look sticky and flat. Despite regular washing, the hair also starts to smell. An oily scalp requires more frequent hair washing and a shampoo that effectively washes away the sebum. In this case, too, a common mistake is to extend the washing intervals. Contrary to belief, more frequent washing does not increase oiliness, but with the right shampoo, sebum secretion can be reduced.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis causes intense flaking and crusting in the scalp. The skin flakes, and under the dandruff are red patches. Usually, the skin shows symptoms elsewhere than just the scalp. Psoriasis is a common problem, with an estimated 3% of the population suffering from it. Scalp psoriasis can appear in mild form as small patches, but it may also manifest as large red and flaking areas, which may also experience hair loss. The cause of psoriasis is not known for certain. It is suspected to be an autoimmune reaction.

Atopic dermatitis or eczema

Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease that usually appears in infancy, calms down during childhood, but can worsen again in adulthood. In adolescents and adults, it most often manifests in the head area and upper body. Most skin changes are thickening of the skin's surface layer caused by scratching, scabs, and small wounds. Often there is a chronic infection caused by staphylococci and other pus bacteria.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis, or seborrheic eczema, is a common problem that occurs in 15-20% of the population. One-third of Finns have oily skin, more often in men than in women. Certain bacteria and yeast that are part of the skin's normal flora break down sebum. The sebum becomes rancid, and rancid sebum irritates the skin. The irritation feels like itching and burning, the skin starts to redden and flake. Those suffering from seborrheic dermatitis The skin can be both oily and dry at the same time.

 Treatment of scalp problems

A common mistake is to reduce the frequency of hair washing when scalp problems occur. The scalp is a large skin area and secretes about a teaspoon of oil and sweat in a day. Therefore, toxins, oils, dead skin cells, dirt, and residues of styling products accumulate very quickly in an unwashed scalp.

When there are problems, imbalances, or diseases in the scalp, treatment always begins by increasing the frequency of washing. The scalp should preferably be washed daily as long as the shampoo is suitable.

For severe scalp problems, Triple Action Scalp Therapy Shampoo is used. Thanks to its active ingredients, the shampoo relieves skin irritations, soothes a flaky scalp, and helps reduce the formation of dandruff. It also deeply cleanses and opens hair roots. It is especially suitable for people suffering from hair loss.

For milder scalp problems (dandruff, itching, irritation, dryness, sensitivity), R&B Antioxidant Shampoo is used. It also soothes and prevents itching and irritation.