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October 2010

Hair loss victims turn to caps, not doctors


Hair loss is a common physiological problem and the men should not be embarrassed

Oct 2010

While most men say hair loss erodes self-confidence, few would seek treatment. That's one of the findings of a survey carried out among 300 men aged 25 to 49 who suffer from mild to serious hair loss.

Furthermore, 68 percent said hair loss reduces their attractiveness and self-confidence, with half saying it reduces their chances of finding a girlfriend and that they will wear a cap to hide their problem when meeting new friends.

More than 40 percent said hair loss hinders their competitiveness in the job market and 32 percent fear they may not be assigned frontline jobs.

A dermatologist, Lam Pang, said only a minority of respondents have visited doctors, while many use shampoos, seek advice from hairdressers or the internet for their hair loss.

"They should consult doctors as soon as possible instead of using the unreliable methods, which may worsen hair loss problems, and waste their time and money," Lam said.

There was no radical treatment for hair loss, but taking medicines could help control it.

Another dermatologist, Joseph Fung Wai-kit, said male pattern baldness is common among Hong Kong men, because it is usually hereditary.

Other factors include smoking, alcohol, stress and pollution.

"Hair loss is a common physiological problem and the men should not be embarrassed," Fung said. "They should be patient during the treatment and avoid stopping the medication. The problem can be lessened if they seek help from doctors in the early stage."

The most common treatment is an oral medicine called finasteride. "From our clinical observation, patients can start to see improvement after taking the medicines for three months, and some new hair will start to grow too." Fung said.

The survey was carried out by the Hong Kong Primary Care Foundation. SERINAH HO

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