Image plays a huge role in one’s life. Although women are generally assumed to be more concerned with their appearance, image also is a significant concern for men, particularly when it comes to hair loss.
Hair loss is a regular occurrence among men and, over the past few years, there has been an alarming rate of hair loss and baldness among men around the world.
Before undergoing any type of treatment for male pattern hair loss it is essential to know its actual cause.
Men have more problems with hair loss
As a man gets older, his hair will naturally become thinner. According to studies, about 40% of men suffer from hair loss by age 35. Why do such a large percentage of men suffer from androgenic alopecia? It’s all about DHT.
What is DHT?
DHT(dihydrotestosterone) is the male sex hormone that is responsible for hair loss in men. Androgenic alopecia, also known as male pattern balding, is one of the prime reasons men lose hair as they age.
Women are also found to be experiencing similar hair loss or baldness pattern, but it is way lesser when compared to men. DHT is responsible for making you lose hair faster and earlier. The good news is that there are treatments available to delay or even reverse male pattern baldness.
How is it formed in the body?
When the hormone testosterone interacts with a substance called 5-alpha reductase, DHT is formed in the body.
Almost 10% of testosterone in our body, whether adult male or female, gets converted into DHT. The luteinizing hormone in the blood moves to the Leydig cells present in the men’s testes and ovaries of women. This enhances the production of more testosterone in the body. When the testosterone in the blood increases, it is converted more into DHT, thereby enhancing the chances of experiencing more androgenic alopecia.
How it causes male and female pattern hair loss?
Hair grows on our body beneath our skin surface, known as follicles. Follicles are tiny capsules that consist of one strand of hair each. The hair present in the follicle follows a growth cycle of two to six years. Even after cutting and shaving the hair, it will grow back from the follicle. Once the cycle ends, the hair enters the resting phase, after which the hair finally falls. The follicle will produce new hair, and the new cycle will begin again.
When you have high levels of the DHT hormone in your body, the hair follicles will shrink, and the cycle will be shorter. This makes the hair brittle, thinner, and thereby falling faster. The sad part is that DHT is also responsible for the follicles to grow new hair after a more extended period than usual time after old hair falls.
Some individuals seem to be more prone to the effects of DHT and hair fall. This is based on the differences in the Androgen Receptor, 5-alpha reductase (AR).
The AR gene is a protein that helps DHT and testosterone hormones to hold together. It is this holding activity that results in the regular hormonal procedure of hair growth. But the increase in the Androgen Receptor gene makes you more vulnerable to experience male pattern hair loss.
Why does DHT affect people differently?
DHT impacts individuals in varying manners. There might be several reasons behind it, including:
- An increase in the DHT receptors in the hair follicles
- More sensitivity to Androgen Receptor
- More local DHT production
- Increase in testosterone production, acting as a catalyst for DHT
- Higher DHT production somewhere in the body and arriving via circulation.
How can it be prevented?
Luckily, many products are now available that can help prevent and to solve DHT-associated hair loss. The majority of them have proved to be successful in targeting DHT production and receptor holding. The two primary forms are:
1. Blockers
It helps prevent DHT from getting held to 5-AR receptors, primarily those in the hair follicles that aids the DHT shrink your hair follicles.
2. Inhibitors
It helps in reducing the production of DHT in the body.
Let us look at some of the treatments that can help prevent and reduce DHT, causing androgenic alopecia.
Biotin
Biotin is also reflex to as Vitamin H, is a natural vitamin B that converts the food and liquid you consume into energy that your body can utilize. Biotin is also responsible for maintaining and increasing the Keratin (a type of protein present in your skin, nails, and hair)levels. Whole grains, nuts, and egg yolks are the best source of biotin. You can also take prescribed biotin oral supplements and help prevent male pattern hair loss.
Finasteride
Finasteride, or Propecia, or Proscar, is a prescribed oral medication presented with considerable success in blocking the DHT from getting bound to 5-AR receptors. Thus, your hair follicles don’t shrink and thin out before it is time. However, finasteride can only be used by men and not women.
Pygeum Bark
This is an oral herbal supplement, famous for treating enlarged prostate and prostatitis. Thanks to the DHT-blocking potential of the herbal African cherry tree bark. Because of its DHT-blocking potential, it can help treat male pattern baldness as well.
Minoxidil
Also known as Rogaine, aids in loosening blood vessels that the blood can pass easily. It is a blood pressure medication, but Minoxidil has been proved to help the growth of hair. When you apply it on the scalp of your hair topically, it can promote hair growth.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
This is yet another DHT-blocker that has shown massive success in preventing the onset of androgen alopecia. With proper usage, the pumpkin seed oil can increase the average scalp hair count within six months.
Caffeine
Some studies highlight that caffeine can promote hair growth, though very little research has been conducted. There are three main ways in which caffeine helps preventing hair loss:
- Increasing the production of Keratin
- Helping to grow the hair longer
- Enhancing the growth of the hair phase.
Topical DHT Blockers
There are hundreds of ground products that claim for DHT blockers and help fight hair loss. However, almost none of them contain clinically proven ingredients to block the DHT needed to damage hair fall.
So, these have no value. If you want to prevent hair loss or thin with a topical product, you must make sure that it contains clinically proven ingredients to help block DHT. By blocking DHT, the thinning process can be prevented, stopped, or reversed, allowing for the removal of thicker, fuller, and healthier hair.
Our top recommendation for a line of hair care products that have been clinically proven to help block DHT, prevent hair loss, and promote hair growth comes from Hair Restoration Laboratories. Hair Restoration Laboratories’ shampoos, conditioners and serums are hailed by experts, physicians and their millions of customers for using products that contain its proprietary DHT Halting Technology-a combination of rare ingredients that are clinically proven to help prevent hair loss and promote the growth of stronger, thicker and healthier hair.
You can learn more about DHT, its critical role in triggering hair loss, and how to prevent and reverse it at www.hairlossdhtshampoo.com
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.