The Root of the Problem: Hair Loss in College Students

"Alopecia", Image by Visage Dermatology

Do you often check your hairline in the mirror after taking a shower? Have you ever worn a thick baseball cap on a date with your crush? As a young person, how long have you been bothered by hair loss?

Hair loss has become a common phenomenon among today's college students. As you stroll through campus, you can always notice that most of the young men and women are dressed fashionably and look well-groomed. However, beneath many of these stylish appearances and trendy hairstyles lie thinning crowns and receding hairlines. Early hair loss is like an annoying dog who doesn’t bite but occasionally barks at you. No one wants to wear a wig before turning 30, making hair anxiety a constant concern for college students.

Literal hair loss is typically defined as losing more than a hundred strands of hair per day, though this is difficult to quantify. If you pay attention and closely observe the corners of your bathroom, your pillow and sheets, and use your bathroom mirror, you can make an initial assessment of your hair loss.

Hair loss is generally categorized into four types: seborrheic alopecia, nutritional hair loss, stress-induced hair loss, and postpartum hair loss. Nutritional hair loss is often caused by an unbalanced diet or digestive issues. An imbalance of essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals can easily lead to thinning, brittle, and falling hair. Today's college students often indulge in greasy foods like hotpot, fried chicken, and barbecue, while neglecting the intake of vegetables, which might be a significant cause of hair loss.

Stress-induced hair loss is usually related to staying up late and excessive tension. Mental stress can lead to excessive sweating of the scalp and overactive sebaceous glands, producing dandruff and reducing the quality of the hair's environment. Additionally, variables like staying up late and insomnia caused by academic pressure can cause hair to miss its optimal growth period, accelerating hair loss.

Seborrheic alopecia, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is to some extent an incurable condition, and the main culprit is your own genes. As a level 2 seborrheic alopecia sufferer, I learned from consulting experts that this type of hair loss is unstoppable and irreversible. Any poor lifestyle habits, diet, or emotions can accelerate hair loss. Even fitness can make you go bald faster.

Postpartum hair loss is an exception in the student population, this symptom is not mentioned for the time being.

There is no guaranteed reliable process for treating hair loss, so early prevention and long-term treatment is essential. The priority is to be vigilant. I used to have a lot of hair and didn’t pay attention to the strands on my pillow. It was one morning last year when I noticed severe hair loss, but by then I had already missed the best time for treatment.

The methods for treating and preventing hair loss are quite similar. A light diet and reducing late nights are necessary. You should also do some moderate aerobic exercises, and wash and dry your hair promptly after sweating. Maintaining a good mood is also crucial, as anxiety is a catalyst for hair loss. Male patients with seborrheic alopecia need to use minoxidil and finasteride long-term, while female patients should take spironolactone. In traditional Chinese medicine, turmeric and he shou wu can be added to shampoo, though this method may be subject to survivor bias. 

Please be prepared that curing hair loss can be a long battle. In a year or two, you may need to say goodbye to Nasi Lemak and McDonald's. At the same time, all bad habits should be abandoned, including but not limited to staying up late, drinking alcohol, prolonged anxiety and excessive exercise.

Finally, a reminder: different types of hair loss lead to different outcomes. Some hair loss can be completely cured through lifestyle changes and medication, while other types may inevitably require hair transplants or wigs. Therefore, fear is pointless. Try to change your habits, and may hair loss stay away from everyone.