Great Lengths
For some, hair is just that: hair. A benign extension of ourselves that requires daily—pardon the pun—maintenance. And for others, our hair is so much more. It speaks of our vitality and identity as we go through great lengths to express ourselves through the perfect cut, colour, length and body. From gua sha of the scalp to hair pulling and mandi lulur, long before the concept of self-care or hair growth hacks on TikTok, our Southeast Asian ancestors exalted the beauty of women through elaborate hair rituals and ceremonies.
WHY HAIR LOSS OCCURS
A widening part, excessive shedding of strands or hair receding at the temples and hairline are common signs of female pattern hair loss or follicular miniaturisation. Follicular miniaturisation occurs when the ratio of terminal hairs to thinner vellus hairs decreases, explains Dr Nisha Suyien Chandran, head and senior consultant, division of dermatology, National University Hospital.
Known as androgenetic alopecia, female—and male—hair loss patterns are directly influenced by the action of hormones called androgens, and are often genetically inherited, before lifestyle habits and stages of life affect or accelerate this process. “Hormones disrupt the natural
