If you observe Chinese, Korean and Japanese men you’ll notice that they don’t tend to grow very much facial hair or body hair. The same is true for Native Americans who are closely related to Far Eastern people. Native Americans don’t tend to grow any facial or body hair and they rarely lose their hair on their heads.
Facial and body hair growth are triggered by an increase in the androgen hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is also the hormone that causes scalp hair loss.
Middle Eastern and Indian men tend to have a lot of facial and body hair and so do European men with dark hair. These types of men are the ones that experience the most hair loss.
In every data set there are outliers. That means some Chinese men who don’t grow any facial hair still lose their scalp hair, but they are anomolous. The majority of people follow the predictable trends.
Androgen and stress hormones are the most significant root causes of hair loss. There are other reasons, which are built into the genes and develop as people age, but when looking at broad patterns amoung humans, the androgen and stress hormones are the two biggest causal factors.
So, why don’t Chinese people lose their hair? The answer is the same reason they don’t grow beards or body hair — they produce less of the androgen hormone DHT, which is the hormone that causes beard growth and hair loss.
Other possible reasons Chinese and Far Eastern men don’t lose their hair as much as Caucasian men
Lifestyle and Diet
Dietary habits in East Asian countries tend to differ significantly from those in Western countries. Traditional East Asian diets are often rich in vegetables, fish, and soy, which provide nutrients that support hair health.
Foods high in antioxidants, such as green tea, and omega-3 fatty acids, common in East Asian diets, might contribute to healthier hair and reduce the risk of hair loss.
Lower consumption of red meat and saturated fats, which are more prevalent in Western diets, could also play a role. Some studies suggest that diets high in red meat and animal fats might exacerbate hair loss.
Scalp and Hair Care Practices
Cultural differences in hair and scalp care practices might influence hair health. For example, the use of certain hair care products, less frequent washing with harsh shampoos, and the avoidance of excessive styling might reduce hair damage and loss over time.
Traditional hair care practices, such as the use of natural oils and scalp massages, are more common in some East Asian cultures and could help maintain healthier hair and scalp.
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors
Exposure to less environmental stress (such as pollution) or differences in climate could also impact the health of hair follicles. East Asian countries often have different urban designs and lifestyles that might reduce the stress levels that contribute to hair loss.
Smoking and alcohol consumption rates, which are associated with hair loss, vary by region and might also play a role.
