Struggling with hair loss

I’m a middle-aged man suffering from hair loss and it’s especially apparent at the centre of my head. During my early 30s, I didn’t have a hair loss problem but once I touched 35, possibly due to stress from work and family, it became apparent within a year.

I feel it’s pretty serious and all these years, there hasn’t been any sign of improvement even though I’ve been using products designed to help with hair loss such as various shampoos, hair tonics and gels. Bearing in mind my actual age, my hairstyle is making me look much older than I really am. Do you have any suggestions? – Philip

According to Randall Wong, national education manager for L’Oreal Professionnel, first of all, you need to determine if your father experienced similar challenges. If he did, chances are, your hair loss is hereditary. Male pattern balding usually begins at the top of the head or along the hair line in front.

Certain medication may also cause hair loss. We can only try to extend the lifespan of each hair follicle and hair before it falls out, if the hair loss is hereditary. If it is temporary due to stress from work and family, then it’s not as complicated. Whatever reason it may be, adequate sleep is vital. Taking supplements like zinc and other multi minerals and vitamins is also helpful and important as it ensures a healthier scalp.

I would like to recommend three basic products for your external use, for optimum scalp and hair care.

When shampooing your hair daily, use L’Oreal Professionnel Density Advance shampoo, that’s designed especially for fine hair and boosting hair volume.

Then, after towel-drying your hair, use the L’Oreal Professionnel Aminexil Advanced anti-hair loss programme. It comes in a roll-on applicator that makes things much easier and you should use the entire dose per application. Massage your scalp using circular movements to improve the product absorption and don’t rinse out. This is a six-week intensive programme and you can carry out the treatment twice a year. The product functions to loosen the hardened collagen on hair follicles, and it contains omega 6 to nourish hair roots and ceramide to reinforce the structure.

After you have completed the full programme, maintain your hair with L’Oreal Professionnel Trinical to extend the lifespan of hair growth cycle.

However, if your problem is cronic, then it’s best to seek medical attention.

L’Oreal Professionnel will be giving Philip a L’Oreal Professionnel Aminexil Advanced, Density Advance shampoo and Trinical, altogether worth RM285.

I have recently returned to Malaysia from abroad and I realise that my skin has become much oilier, excessively so, especially since I sweat a lot as it’s so hot and humid here. I have to go to the washroom to wipe off all the oil and reapply my make-up!

Whenever I go out under the hot sun, my skin tends to get sunburned easily. And it takes so long to go away (months)! I have tried many products for oily skin and made sure I put on sunblock each time I go out, but nothing works. I use SPF 45. Yet I still get sunburned although it isn’t as bad as without sunblock. I even tried bleaching just to get back to my original skin colour!

Is there any product which will help me go under the sun without worrying about how my face is going to look? – ED

Skin barrier damage, says Stephen Lian, Kiehl’s educator, is one of the hidden culprits when it comes to multiple skin reactions. The outermost layer, the epidermis, is the key to the skin barrier. Made up of overlapping layers of dry cells, the epidermis keeps vital nutrients in, and damaging substances and elements out. It also keeps moisture in the body. Thus, apart from choosing products that address your main skin concern, it’s also imperative to choose a product that can repair and maintain a healthier skin barrier.

The first step is to choose a cleanser that helps to thoroughly remove impurities and visibly reduce excess oil on skin’s surface. Look out for cleansers that don’t leave your skin feeling tight, a common sign of dehydration. Try Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser, an oil-free, quick lathering, cleansing foam that thoroughly removes impurities and reduces excess oil on skin’s surface without over-drying the skin.

Next, use a toner to ensure excess dirt, debris or cleanser residue has been thoroughly removed from the skin. I highly suggest Kiehl’s classic toner, formulated more than 40 years ago, the Calendula Herbal Extract Toner. Formulated without alcohol, it gently soothes and improves problem areas with whole Calendula petals and hydrating glycerin.

Facial moisturisers work to replenish moisture loss and you need one that’s formulated with gentle ingredients, compatible with your skin’s own natural lipids. The texture (light or thick) depends on skin type, environmental and physiological changes as well as one’s own personal preference. For oily skin type, use Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free Gel Cream for the day. It deeply hydrates and conditions skin, while providing long lasting moisture. It traps moisture to visibly reduce the appearance of oil, leaving skin looking more balanced.

During the night, skin’s metabolism of nutrition is at a maximum rate. Botanical oils, powerhouses of nutrients and essential fatty acids, play a vital role in the regeneration of skin cells and the repair of damaged tissue. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, a blend of nourishing squalane derived from olive fruit, night-blooming evening primrose oil and essential oils including therapeutic lavender helps to re-establish a fresher, better tone and radiant appearance by morning while helping to repair and strengthen your skin’s barrier.

It’s important to always choose a sunscreen with high broad spectrum protection such as SPF 50 and PA+++ that utilizes highly stabilised sun filters.

The Ultra Light UV Defense SPF 50 PA+++ is a translucent, non-greasy hydrating formula which has a high level of stabilised Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL to provide skin with effective and balanced UVA and UVB broad spectrum protection.

Do visit any one of our Kiehl’s stores for a personalised skin consultation and complimentary skincare samples to help you obtain products suitable for your skin.