The city is fast growing bald, literally, and a combination of factors from faulty diet and late nights to long hours at work and the resultant stress is the culprit.

Sachin Sreevastav (name changed on request) is a software professional. At 24, he was on course for a high-flying career and family life. A year ago, he realised that his hair, which he often let loose, was getting weak in the roots.

Although balding is primarily hereditary, they say, external factors are equally responsible for early hair loss. Late night parties, stress at work, junk food, pollution and hormonal imbalances have been identified as the main causes.

Another cosmetic surgeon, Sheila Rohatgi of BP Poddar Hospital, said: "Unscientific diet often results in lack of nutrition that causes hair fall."

According to her, before anyone sets on a new diet, they must consult a doctor to ensure that it isn’t lacking in vitamins and essential minerals.

Khanna said: "With the pollution level rising, immunity is going down, causing hair loss." Dandruff and other skin ailments, the roots of which often lie in pollution, are al- so responsible for premature hair loss.

Late nights — for the after-hour party or the night shift in office — are also taking their toll. If not directly, at least by altering food habits and the hormone balance.

"Stress at the workplace has increased manifold and so there is a need to relax at home. Sitting in front of the computer through the night does not help," Khanna said.

Hair transplantation is now growing popular in city hospitals. The follicular unit replacement technique, in which hair is arranged in groups with one to four strands in each unit, ensures that the new crop does not look artificial.

Hair at the back is not genetically influenced and is permanent. In the new method, hair is taken from the rear of the head and transplanted. It grows like normal hair and needs haircuts.

"This method is safe and as the hair is transplanted to the scalp, the brain is not affected. Oil and shampoo can be applied on the new hair," Khanna explained.

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