Ok, so this is more of a story of whether you want to hear the good news or the bad news first?

Well, generally speaking, the good news is if you treat hair loss as early as possible, this can have an enormous impact on protecting your existing hair from falling out and also dramatically increase chances of re-growing a lot of hair back!

The bad news is not so much disappointing, but is a matter of understanding how hair loss works and what you can do about it! Hair loss is such a huge topic that some may get overwhelmed. For this article we will focus on the most common caused by ageing in both women and men and the culprit being DHT (Dihydrotestosterone).

Please read on...

 

What is DHT, and How does it Cause Hair Loss in Men and Women?

DHT is an androgen and, together with testosterone, works to give boys male characteristics during puberty. However, DHT is also a hormone that targets hair follicles, causing them to shrink and die.

 

How Androgenic Alopecia Happens:

DHT is formed as a byproduct of testosterone, an enzyme, 5-alpha reductase (5-AR), which converts testosterone to DHT in various parts of the body such as skin, hair follicles, prostate. Once in the body, DHT then binds with receptors on hair follicles, causing them to thin, become brittle, shrink, which eventually causes them to die, a process known as miniaturization. DHT interferes with the hair growth cycle making the hair fall out faster while preventing new hair from growing in the follicles.

 

Why Does Hair Loss not Happen to Everyone?

Hair loss is genetic; some people are more susceptible to hair loss than others. The difference lies in the type of androgen receptor (AR) gene one has. An increase in androgen receptivity on your scalp will cause hair loss.

 

How to Reduce DHT?

Baldness causes esteem issues in most men, especially if it happens when they are young; therefore, it is okay if you want to stop or prevent baldness. A lot of medication exists that can help inhibit DHT formation and block receptor binding.

 

Popular Synthetic Solutions:

Finasteride; is an FDA-approved medication for treating hair loss. It blocks testosterone from being converted to DHT. It also prevents DHT from binding to 5-AR receptors. Your doctor should prescribe dosage; usually, 1mg a single dose per day must be taken consistently for faster results. Most men report success after using it; hence it is worth trying it out. Though not common, one may experience weak erections and low sex drive due to increased testosterone in the body, in which case one should see a doctor. A study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21980923/ carried out on 3177 men reported an 87percent success rate. Finasteride should be used in combination with minoxidil for a more effective outcome.

Minoxidil; is a topical agent that is available in two strengths, 2% and 5%. Minoxidil stimulates hair growth by increasing the growth phase cycle, shortening the resting phase, and increasing the blood flow to the hair follicle. However, found side-effects may include: dizziness, rapid weight gain, fainting, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, headaches, blurred vision, numbness of hands and feet, & swelling of face.

 

Our Recommendations: Popular Natural Solutions:

Pumpkin seed oil; is known to prevent testosterone from being converted to DHT, which prevents hair loss caused by DHT. A study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21980923/ carried out on 76 men with androgenetic alopecia showed an increase in hair follicles to 40 percent after 24 weeks taking 400mg of pumpkin seed oil per day.

Procapil; is a clinically-proven ingredient derived from citrus and olive extracts. It is an ingredient hugely popular in the hair growth industry. It is safe to use and has no known negative reactions, making it perfect for people with sensitive skin. Procapil functions as an effective DHT blocker.

Procapil works by providing two main functions. The first is preventing the effects of DHT on the hair follicles. The second function of Procapil is to increase blood flow to the scalp. Together, these functions help to keep hair nourished, strong, and healthy.

In a clinical study, Procapil was shown to increase hair growth by 121% and decrease hair loss by 47% in just a two-week period.

 

Should you use DHT blockers? When is the best time to use DHT blockers?

The decision to use or not to use DHT blockers lies upon you. It is recommended to use DHT blockers early enough (as soon as you see hair loss signs) as once the hair is completely gone, there is no reversing it. DHT is essential in the body; too high or too low DHT levels will cause negative health effect; one should always strive for a balance.

 

Disclaimer: This article was written as general information and should not be taken as medical advice in any form. Consumers should do their own research before making their own decisions.