We have approximately 5 million hair follicles on our body, of which 100,000 are located on the scalp. Vellus hair is tiny and colourless, covering most of our body, while thicker pigmented ones are called terminal hair. Examples of terminal hair are those located on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, pubis and armpits.

Hair growth occurs in a cycle, and its duration varies according to where they grow on our body. Scalp hair goes through 2 to 6 years of an active growth phase (anagen phase), followed by 1-2 weeks of a transition phase (catagen phase), and finally 2 to 4 months of a resting phase (telogen phase). 80% to 90% of our hairs are in the anagen phase and 10% to 15% of our hairs are in the telogen phase at a given point in time. Each hair follicle independently undergoes the cycle at different times, if not, our hair would shed all at once! When this proportion is altered, you may notice some hair loss or thinning.

Image credit: https://www.keratinresearch.com/understanding-hair-growth

Telogen effluvium

This form of temporary hair loss is experienced when your hair enters the telogen phase prematurely, which gives an increased proportion of hair shedding. It can affect both males and females at any age, frequently as a result of intense emotional or physiological stress. Common triggers of telogen effluvium are abrupt changes to hormonal levels such as post-pregnancy or menopause, eating disorders, severe illness, anaemia (low blood counts), and thyroid abnormalities. Hair loss usually occurs 2 to 4 months after the triggering event, and it invariably causes much distress to affected individuals. Fortunately, telogen effluvium is temporary in most cases. When all triggers are removed, recovery can be made within 6 months. In rare cases, telogen effluvium can become chronic and this may require further testing and subsequent treatment.

Anagen effluvium

Anagen effluvium is a condition where there is excessive hair shedding during anagen phase of the hair cycle. It is due to toxic injury or inflammation to the hair bulb, commonly seen in patients receiving chemotherapy drugs. In a smaller group of patients, it can also be a result of infection or autoimmune disease. With the sudden shedding of damaged hairs, some may experience partial or complete baldness 2 to 3 months after starting chemotherapy. When anagen effluvium is due to an infection or autoimmune disease, hair loss is seen in patches rather than throughout the whole scalp. Anagen effluvium is a reversible condition in most cases, and complete hair growth is expected to return 3 to 6 months after the drug is stopped. In some patients, hair loss may persist without complete recovery.

Various Evidence-Based Treatments

Fotona Hair Restart Laser

Laser hair rejuvenation uses Fotona’s Smooth Er:YAG fractional non-ablative treatment to produce safe and effective hair restoration results. Specialised super-long pulsed laser beams are delivered to the scalp and warm tissues in a controlled manner, achieving fast and slow thermal effects. What results is an increase in number and size of scalp blood vessels, and the production of more fibroblasts, which are triggered to form new collagen. Scalp tissues are strengthened when natural collagen production takes place. In addition, photobiomodulation improves the scalp’s cellular response, and dormant hair follicles are stimulated to transition from a resting telogen phase to an anagen growth phase. This process promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss. Any downtime of bleeding, pain or infection is minimal because no ablation is involved. With just one treatment of laser hair rejuvenation treatment, noticeable vellus hair has been shown to grow in individuals within a month.

Collagen Induction with PDRN scalp infusion

PDRN or Polydeoxyribonucleotide is a powerful scalp healing treatment that is extracted from salmon DNA. With its anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties, PDRN works at a cellular level to regenerate cells and repair scalp skin from the inside. It has been shown to improve both hair count and density in individuals with thin and weak hair. Collagen induction treatment works by directly infusing PDRN through microchannels straight into the scalp. This releases and activates growth factors and stem cells, strengthening the foundation from which healthy thick hair can grow. The benefits of hair growth and scalp repair with a collagen induction treatment plan is more long lasting compared to a single session, where results can be seen as quickly as 3 months.

Low Level Laser therapy (LLLT)

LLLT has long been proven to deliver effective results in hair restoration. Lasers or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are used to emit low-intensity red light (630-800nm) to the scalp. Red light prolongs the anagen growth phase in hair follicles, and also activates hair follicles that are resting to enter anagen phase. This is achieved by altering collagen synthesis, increasing cell metabolism, and improving blood flow to the scalp. The result is reduced inflammation, increased hair coverage and hair count, with hair follicles that are thicker and more pigmented. LLLT treatments are painless with no side effects, and LLLT devices commonly come in the form of a hat, comb or hood. A single LLLT treatment is often insufficient, and repeated treatments of LLLT are done for optimal effects. It takes between 3 to 6 months in general for hair restoration results to be seen.

CG210 hair spray

CG210 is a topical botanical lotion that reduces hair shedding, fortifies hair thickness and promotes hair growth. It can be combined with minoxidil lotion, and works by prolonging the hair follicle’s anagen phase and reducing inflammation in the scalp. Patients generally notice a reduction in hair loss within 6 weeks and improvement in hair density at 12 weeks.

THE VERITAS METHOD

We meet patients who are frustrated with their hair loss, and it is important to identify the cause of it. A careful diagnosis can be reached after taking a detailed history, carrying out a physical examination and scalp examination under magnification, with having blood tests done in some cases. Although it is temporary before hair starts to grow again in a majority of cases, we kickstart the process by treating it early at Veritas, as there is a small chance that permanent hair loss may develop. 

Unlike patients with AGA where long term application of minoxidil is recommended, patients with telogen effluvium need not to continue with topical minoxidil once their hair loss has stopped. With the use of home products and in-house treatments, further hair loss can be prevented and hair growth optimized. CG210 medical grade hair spray is combined with topical Minoxidil to reduce hair shedding, while PDRN scalp treatments fortify and maintain a healthy scalp for better hair growth. Fotona hair Restart laser is especially useful for improving hair density and tackling hair loss at its roots for those looking for stronger results, on top of using topical products. Our scalp treatments at Veritas are paired with LED light therapy to optimise recovery, and to reduce associated downtime with its anti-inflammatory effects.

Contact Us

Please drop us a call or send in a contact form and we’ll be happy to assist you.

13 Stamford Rd, #B2-35 Capitol Singapore, Singapore 178905
ask@veritas.com.sg
+65 6283 3885
+65 8129 9789

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