Hair is a part of our identity for many of us, and we cut it, style it, perm it, straighten it, dye it, braid it, and so many other things. Hair is one of the things we notice when we look at other people, and we know that what ours looks like can give, or change the impression we give others as well. So hair loss can be stressful and devastating, and finding a Hair Clinic is usually the next step.
What causes hair loss
Well, there are many causes for hair loss as you can imagine, but they can generally be put into one of 3 broad categories.
- Hereditary hair loss
- Medical conditions
- Ageing
Hair loss in women
Many women grow up hearing words like “Crowning Glory”, “Long Tresses”, “Gorgeous head of hair” and “Beautiful Mane”, and hair loss can be an especially huge blow. A huge part of our identity and place in society is wrapped up in our hair.
So when hair loss issues hit us, it is not simply about becoming less beautiful, a lot of times, it is also about suddenly feeling like an outsider, feeling like you are losing control, and feeling…ugly.
Hair loss in men
I think on the whole, society accepts hair loss in men more easily than in females, but this doesn’t take away from the fact that many men also find it shocking, stressful and worrying.
Some male friends and acquaintances have quietly mentioned that they are seeking treatment, and are self conscious of their hairline. And on the other side of the spectrum, some joke about how distinguished they will look, and how it’s ‘just part of life’.
My personal observation
Of course, there are a myriad of causes for hair loss, but one common one I hear about here in Japan is Alopecia areata, or Spot baldness. This is called 円形脱毛症 (enkeidatsumoushou) in Japanese, but more commonly known as 十円ハゲ (juenhage).
Every single time I have heard someone talk about it, they have used the word “stress” in the same sentence. Because locally, it is commonly regarded as a symptom of extreme and prolonged stress.
What are the most common Hair Loss Treatments?
- Natural hair loss remedies
- Oral Medication
- Oils and Creams
- Hair transplants for severe cases
Is Hair transplant the best treatment?
From what I have seen and read, hair transplants (aka hair restoration/ hair transplantation) do not work for everybody. They seem to work better on people that have naturally thinning hair, or are suffering from hair loss as a result of injury.
What is a Hair Clinic?
In short, a hair clinic is where people go to get their hair issues, such as hair loss treated.
But this is not to say that this is the only thing these clinics treat. Hair Clinics also provide consultations and treatments for eyebrow and facial hair.
And while many of them advertise and use pictures of male baldness, many of them actually treat female patients as well.
Do Hair Clinics work?
As with everything medical, different treatments work for different people, so there really isn’t just one answer. But considering and comparing factors like the course of treatment, the medication that will be prescribed, the scalp/skin condition, the time period, the costs and whether or not the clinic has a money back policy, should be the first step in finding one that does.
Finding a Hair Clinic in Japan
Many times, people find Hair Clinics through word-of-mouth, but if you or someone you know doesn’t feel comfortable discussing it, you can try searching using some of the keywords below.
- ヘアクリニック 女性 (Hair Clinic women)
- 男性型脱毛症 (Androgenetic Alopecia)
- ヘアクリニック + area name (Eg. Hair Clinic + 新宿)
- 脱毛病院 (Hair Loss Hospital)
- 円形脱毛症 クリニック (Alopecia Areata Clinic)
Doing what we can
Living in a different country has it’s good and bad, and some challenges can be more trying than others.
We can try to eat healthily, work out regularly, and de-stress as much as possible. But finding medical information and help can be difficult if we do not know where to look or what’s available. So while I cannot give medical advice (since I am not a medical professional), I hope this helps you (or the person you had in mind while reading this post!) get the help you need.
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