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Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Singapore Hair Care Centre Experience

Throughout the years I've tried various hair loss treatment centres in Singapore. The first time I take my hair loss seriously I was 17 years old. I finished showering and was drying my hair in front of the mirror when I realised I can see my scalp clearly. I had long hair (everyone does when they're 17 in 2007), to be able to see my scalp clearly was shocking to me.

My mum brought me to my first hair loss remedy centre.


1. Beijing 101
It was the branch at Northpoint (when it wasn't expanded). The service of the staff is top notch. They had good equipments, scalp scanner and detailed analysis.

I signed a package of 10 herbal treatment sessions for about $3000. When the package was ending I extended for about 5 sessions. I did not complete it.

The result wasn't significant as I was just thinning mildly and I still had pretty thick hair.

2. Yunnan Hair Care
In about 2012 I signed up a free trial with Yunnan Hair Care. The process is the same as Beijing 101. Scalp analysis followed by a herbal treatment. However, the consultant is pushy with the packages and I left after the free trial.

3. Bee Choo Origin
My friend introduced me to this local business where many aunties and uncles had benefitted from the treatment. It is located in Teck Whye, Choa Chu Kang. The price is about $30 - $35, definitely much cheaper than the ones in shopping malls. No scalp analysis. It also use herbs as a base. I took a 10 or 12 session package. The staffs there are our neighbourhood aunties, friendly, approachable and not pushy at all. I stopped after the session ended because I moved to the east subsequently.

4. Jonnson Protein
One of the latest entrants for hair loss treatment in Singapore. I signed up for the free trial via an advertisement on radio station Kiss 92FM. While the previous 2 hair care centres use herbs as a base for treatment, Jonnson Protein uses, protein (duh) as a base. I wanted to try the angmoh way of hair remedy so I signed for a 5 session package with them for about $500

On the 3rd session, the staff started to ask me to get more sessions which I said I'll consider again during my 4th session. On the 4th session, after a scalp analysis, she asked me again which I decline, citing financial reasons. She became extremely pushy, I was in the room for close to 2 hours before my wife came to "rescue" me. I'll not elaborate on the details, but I did not complete my final paid treatment.

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After trying out so many hair care centres, my own conclusion is that the staffs are motivated by commission (except Bee Choo), and will try to push for sales as much as possible.  This is not entirely wrong per se, but I felt that "cure" is not their priority.

Because most of the staff do not have hair loss problems, they will not understand the feelings and frustrations felt by people like us. We want our conditions to improve, and we are prepared to contribute financially to our best ability.

But don't slaughter us like a goat. I remembered the staff of this hair care centre said this to me after I declined signing the package, "don't you want to cure your problem? do you want to be bald at this age forever?"

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I did more researches and I conclude that these hair care centres do not cure hair loss problem such as male pattern baldness (more on this next time) caused by genetics. It might be suitable for people who experience sudden hair loss due to shock, post pregnancy, nutrition, etc.

I'd spent no less than $8000 trying out these hair care centres and their products. It did not work for me nor did I felt that the attention the staffs gave was genuine.

Do you have any experience from hair care centres? How was the experience? How is the progress of your hair? Does it work for you? Share with me by leaving a comment below.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Final Progress Update for Growell Minoxidil 5% for men

I have stopped using Minoxidil 5% by Growell about 6 months (June 2017) now due to several reasons. I've started using it in June 2016 so it's been a year.

Reasons I stopped using Minoxidil 5%

1. I experienced itchiness on my scalp. There is no redness on the scalp. But it is itchy as hell. I've tried stopping for a day or 2 until the itchiness subsides before trying again but as long as I reapply it the itchiness comes back. I'm not sure why did it only occur after so many months of usage.

2. There is no significant growth. I did not see my hair grow or becoming thicker. My wife commented she saw growth in the initial stages. However, there are no difference for the rest of the months.

Because of these reasons, I decided to stop using it temporarily. I still have about 4 unused bottles. I might be using them again in future.

Cycle of Minoxidil 5%

1. The 1st week of usage does not have any changes to the hair.
2. 2nd week onwards there will be significant hair loss. This increase rate of hair loss will continue for about 2 to 3 weeks before it stops.
3. You will see hair loss situation get better. Based on some experiences shared by other users. It can be interpreted as those hair that would've fallen in the subsequent weeks have already fallen during the 2nd week.
4. You will also "feel" that your remaining hair is thicker and fuller when you touch it. But based on observation from my wife, there is no difference visually.

Aftermath of stoppage.

The rate of hair loss escalate exponentially. I now look balder before I tried the solution. I attribute this to several reasons which I concluded myself.

1. Loss of support from Minoxidil. As discussed widely over various hair loss forums, users experienced accelerate hair loss once stopped using Minoxidil. This is true for me as well. I have no problems continue using it if not for the itchiness. I can live if 0 hair growth because I believe it strengthen what remaining hair I have left.

2. Stress. I consider myself easily stressed. I didn't say this before but I have to admit that I get my emotions in the way of my work and my emotions fluctuate drastically at work. I can be quite chill at one instance and get really pissed the other. Once stressed or angry, I pull my hair frequently. And I keep pulling and pulling until I realised it's dropping too much.

3. Diet. At my previous work place, I don't get access to quality food. My colleagues put it best, "we eat to survive." There's no nutrition and mostly its fried food and rice and no vegetables or fruits.

4. Lifestyle. I still sleep very late at night, usually past 2am. I am trying to kick this habit. I also don't exercise, which I'm trying to improve by doing push ups at home.


With this, I've concluded my usage on using Minoxidil 5% by Growell. I am working on other solutions which I'll continue to share in future posts.

Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments box.