We received very positive feedback from last week’s blog article “What Countries Are Most Bald?” So we’ll take a deeper look beyond countries into the people who occupy them, especially those native to a given area.
Keep in mind that research has shown us so far that genetics (which controls ethnicity) is the number one cause of hair loss. Certain races have higher rates of hair loss compared to others. Caucasians have the highest rates out of all the ethnic groups. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Native American Indians, Inuits, and Chinese have the lowest rates. Let’s look for clues why.
Hair Types and Care
Each ethnic group possesses distinct hair types that require specific care for maintaining their health and preventing hair loss.
- Caucasian hair is known for its thickness and high number of hair follicles. However, it requires careful maintenance and becomes more fragile with age.
- African hair, with fewer active hair follicles, is thick, voluminous, and challenging to maintain, necessitating extra care.
- Asian hair is characterized by its strength, fine texture, and steep angle follicles, making it less prone to breakage and damage.
Hair Color Variation
- Hair color diversity is more prominent among Caucasians, encompassing shades of blonde, red, brown, and black. Blonde hair is commonly found in Northern European populations, while various shades of brown and black prevail across different European regions.
- Africans exhibit a wide range of hair textures and patterns rather than a significant variety of natural hair colors, typically spanning dark browns and blacks.
- Asians, on the other hand, predominantly possess dark hair, with black being the most common natural hair color, although there can be variations within shades of brown.
Hair Growth Rates and Density
Hair growth rates and density vary among ethnicities. Hair density refers to the number of hair follicles per square inch of the scalp.
- Caucasians typically have a moderate to high hair density. The hair growth rate for Caucasians is around 1.2 centimeters per month.
- African individuals generally have a lower hair density compared to Caucasians. However, it’s important to note that African hair strands are thicker in diameter, which can create the appearance of denser hair. The hair growth rate for Africans is around 0.9 centimeters per month.
- Asians tend to have a lower hair density compared to Caucasians but higher compared to Africans. However, Asian hair strands are usually finer in diameter, which can contribute to the perception of lower density. The hair growth rate for Asians is around 1.3 centimeters per month.
These variations contribute to differences in hair length and volume among ethnic groups.
Hair Count and Loss
The number of hairs on the head also varies based on ethnicity.
- Redheads have around 86,000 hairs.
- Brunettes possess approximately 100,000 hairs.
- Those with black hair have approximately 110,000 hairs.
- Blondes typically have around 146,000 hairs.
- African individuals typically have a hair count ranging from 50,000 to 100,000.
- Asians have 80,000 to 140,000 hairs.
Regardless of ethnicity, It is normal to lose 50 to 100 strands of hair per day.
Hair Loss in Women
While most studies focus on men due to the higher prevalence of hair loss in males, women are also affected by hair loss. Hair loss percentages in women increase with age, with around 16% of women under the age of 50 being affected. About 30-40% experience hair loss by the age of 65, and 50-75% by the age of 70 (compared to 70-85% for men aged 70).
The rate of hair loss is generally lower for women compared to men across all ages. And for females who do experience hair loss, it usually begins around age 30.
Factors Beyond Genetics
In addition to genetics, other factors can influence hair loss among different ethnic groups. Diet, hair care practices, and styling techniques play a role in hair health and loss. Improper hair care, the use of damaging products, and unhealthy diets can contribute to hair loss issues later in life.
Hair loss variations exist among different ethnic groups due to genetic factors, hair types, growth rates, lifestyle practices, and believe it or not, skull shapes.
We’ll take an even deeper look next time at cultural groups, including areas in South America and the Islands.
If you are experiencing hair loss, contact us at Advanced Medical Hair Institute can help with a consultation to discuss why this is happening, and all of your options.
