Hair loss merchandise — Radio Free Asia

North Koreans seem like affected by hair loss for quite a lot of causes, mentioned Choi Jeong Hoon, who labored as a physician within the North earlier than fleeing to the South. He’s now a senior researcher on the Public Coverage Analysis Institute at Korea College in Seoul.

Some expertise hair loss from the aftereffects of usually life-threatening typhoid and paratyphoid fever, he mentioned.

“After affected by these infections, hair loss is extreme,” he mentioned.

Harsh chemical elements in cleaning soap and laundry detergent that North Koreans use to scrub their hair can also trigger hair to fall out as a result of they’ll irritate the scalp, Choi mentioned.

“It’s not straightforward to search out delicate chemical merchandise in North Korea’s present state of affairs,” he added. “Bizarre residents can’t afford to fret about hair loss.”

Navy caps

Caps worn within the navy – all able-bodied males are usually required to serve 10 years within the armed forces – can also harm one’s hair, mentioned Ahn Kyung Soo, head of DPRKHealth.org, a weblog on well being points in North Korea.

Sweating whereas carrying the cap inhibits correct air flow, resulting in disagreeable odors and bacterial buildup that may clog pores, finally leading to thinning hair, Ahn mentioned. 

“When one goes into the navy in North Korea, the setting is poor,” he mentioned. “For instance, there are testimonies even in South Korea that carrying a navy cap causes hair loss.”  

Hair loss remedies in North Korea are divided into prescribed drugs and useful cosmetics, creating some consternation about which to decide on, the consultants mentioned.

Among the many new merchandise are Guritdae Hair Loss Tincture manufactured by Pyongchon Koryo Pharmaceutical Manufacturing facility, which treats patchy and thinning hair and complete hair loss that end result from autoimmune issues that assault hair follicles, inflicting hair to fall out.

Then, there’s Hair Progress Tonic made by the Shinuiju Cosmetics Manufacturing facility whose label says it’s efficient for stopping untimely hair loss and for selling hair progress.

Effectiveness questionable

Although the merchandise could comprise elements which might be believed to be good for hair or pores and skin, it’s troublesome to confirm their efficacy as medicines, Ahn mentioned.

“North Korean medicines can’t really be verified,” he advised Radio Free Asia.

North Korean hair loss medicines are mainly “oriental medicines” — topical tonics primarily based on medicinal herbs, so their impact is prone to be minimal, mentioned Choi.

For instance, customers are to dip a pine needle-like brush right into a glass bottle and apply it to the scalp to stimulate areas affected by hair loss, he mentioned.

However this may not do the trick as a result of hair loss will be affected by male hormones and end result from pores and skin ailments, Choi mentioned.

“So, making use of medication on the affected half won’t resolve the issue,” he mentioned.

Some North Koreans affiliate a lack of hair, known as bondae in Korean, with poverty. 

However at different instances it has been seen as an indication of wealth.

“This notion has change into entrenched as a result of the so-called ‘main bondae’ sample of hair loss is especially prevalent amongst rich and highly effective folks, reminiscent of officers or representatives of corporations that earn international foreign money,” Choi mentioned.

“It refers back to the picture of being grasping, having quite a lot of luck, and making some huge cash,” he added.

Even in South Korea, till the Nineteen Eighties and early Nineties, folks didn’t suppose baldness regarded dangerous, mentioned Choi. “There was a notion that having a stomach and a bald head made one look manly and wealthy.”

Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee for RFA Korean. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.