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Understanding Male Baldness
DHT & Androgens: DHT is a naturally occurring hormone, which assists with sexual development during your fetal days, and during puberty. DHT actually
existed in the body even while we had full heads of hair. The problem arises when genetic switches cause changes in the follicles and men's overall biology.
In follicles, there exists DHT and structures called "Androgen Receptors". In healthy hair follicles, these two substances combine to carry out normal processes and regulate normal hair
growth. DHT is created as a result of another combination of Testosterone and something called 5-alpha-reductase. In summary, we have two combinations going on in the normal,
non-balding man:
* Testosterone and 5-alpha-reductase Enzyme combine to form DHT
* DHT and Androgen Receptors combine to carry out the creation of normal proteins in follicles, which regulate the health, growth, and resting cycles of a follicle.
As men start to age, these two processes change. After puberty, Testosterone typically increases in the overall blood supply of most males. Consequently, the binding of Testosterone and
5-Alpha increases, causing more DHT to be produced (1). This of course results in an increase in binding between DHT and the Androgen Receptors (2). The increased binding then causes an
imbalance in the biology and processes of the follicle. Overabundance of this activity directly affects the growth regulating that goes on in the follicle, which results in slower and
less healthy growth each time the hair grows, rests, and regrows again. When DHT and the Androgen receptors were in normal abundance, binding at normal rates, hair growth regulation was
also normal. Hair grew and fell as it should have. The overabundance however, throws the whole process off kilter.
The degradation process of the follicle is typically very slow, and takes many years, but the result is very apparent on the scalp to the hair loss sufferer. As hair continues through
its growth and resting phases, each time a new hair grows from a DHT swamped follicle, it comes back thinner and shorter than it did the last time. Over several years, its growth
degrades so much that it can no longer be seen. Thus is Androgenetic Alopecia - aka Male Pattern Baldness.
In order to stop hair loss in any way, you must be able to in some fashion alter the processes identified above, or usurp them by stimulating growth *despite* the effects of DHT.
Treatments claiming to "wash" dirt out, increase circulation, or reduce sebum are quite simply, hogwash.
Treatments that counter DHT / Androgen Receptor activity:
DHT Inhibitors, SOD's, Growth Stimulants Antiandrogens. We give examples of each of these in the next few steps.
Inflammation: The process described above initiates what is called an autoimmune response. To put it in layman's terms, follicles experiencing the above process are suddenly considered
foreign objects in the body, and the degradation is a direct result of the body rejecting them from the system. This is really what Male Pattern Baldness is all about.
One of the biggest telltale signs of the autoimmune response is tingling, itching, redness, and inflammation of the scalp. Not all men losing hair experience this, but a vast majority
do. Inflammation is considered one of the other major factors which exacerbate the hair loss process. This is why in addition to DHT inhibitors, SOD's, and Growth Stimulants, it is
imperative that you include an approved scalp conditioner which actively eliminates the itching, inflammation, and flaking. The absolute best product for this on the market today is
Nizoral shampoo. It should be included in ANY hair loss treatment regimen, and as a shampoo, it is easy to use.
Types of Hair Loss
Men begin to lose hair in several different ways. The most common of which involve receding at the temples, centralized loss on the top back of the head (vertex), and something known as
diffuse thinning, where hair over larger areas begins to thin without any specific change in the shape of the hair line. Naturally, combinations of these types of thinning is also very
common.
You may wish to familiarize yourself with the "Norwood Scale". It is one of the most commonly used methods of identifying exactly which class of hair loss you fit in, and to what extent
your loss has progressed. It is also a good way to see how things may continue if your situation is left untreated.
Evaluate the Available Treatments
The Five Major Types of Hair Loss treatments
1. DHT Inhibitors - Work to inhibit the binding of Testosterone and 5-Alpha Reductase, which in turn keeps DHT levels close to normal, which in turn
helps keep hair growth and loss regulation at its normal healthy state. These treatments truly deal with hair loss at the "root" of the problem.
2. Growth Stimulators - Work on a symptomatic level to artificially stimulate growth, without actually dealing with hair loss at the cause of the problem. While this may sound
like an ineffective method, growth stimulators are actually a very successful way to at least cosmetically reverse the balding process.
3. SOD's - Also known as Super Oxide Dismutase, these hair loss treatments work by handling the immune response which occurs as a result of excessive DHT in the follicle. When
cells sense a foreign body, they release Super Oxide, which typically help defend the body against invading viruses, cells, and foreign tissues. SOD's reduce the presence of this Super
Oxide, thus reducing the body's desire to reject the follicle. It's yet another "angle" proven to work in fighting hair loss. SOD's are kind of a hybrid treatment because they also have
growth stimulation properties, as well as anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Anti-Inflammatory's - These treatments work to reduce inflammation, itching, redness, and flaking which is caused as a result of the immune response, and which can make hair
loss even worse if not controlled.
5. Antiandrogens - The goal of Antiandrogen treatments is to stop DHT from binding to the Androgen receptor. As we discussed in Step 1, this is one of the steps in the chain of
chemical reactions which ultimately leads to hair loss. Whereas DHT Inhibitors go to the first chemical interaction and stop it from occurring, Antiandrogens come in about 3/4 of the
way down the process, and inhibit one of the last interactions before damage to the follicle occurs. Both types of treatments work in different parts of the process to stop the process
from completing.
Natural Hair Loss Treatment
Herbal ingredients in natural hair loss
treatments
The ingredients of natural herbal hair loss treatment like ProFolicca
and Provillus contain the following natural herbs which are known to nurture hair growth, promote
strong hair follicles and prevent hair loss.
 Saw Palmetto acts by lowering DHT in the body and by blocking 5
alpha-reductase. Saw palmetto blocks the receptor sites on cell membranes that are required for the absorption of DHT. Since Saw palmetto blocks the use of dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
which is a similar causative factor in Androgenetic Alopecia, it is a powerful herb in this hair growth formulation.
Nettle root blocks 2 enzymes, 5a-reductase, which makes the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and aromatase enzyme, which makes estrogens. Studies showed that nettle
root extract was effective in inhibiting these 2 enzymes which was a leading cause of hair loss.
Gotu Kola is related to the and supports the integrity of hair growth, collagen and skin. It can help heal minor wounds and skin irritations, help ensure blood vessel integrity,
and promote circulation throughout the body, including to the brain. A long-standing tonic rejuvenator, it is said to help concentration and memory.
Pumpkin (Cucurbita Maxima) The oil extract from pumpkin seeds is also a natural hair loss remedy that is believed to affect levels of testosterone in the body. The beneficial
effects of pumpkin seed extract as a hair loss solution are still under investigation. It is thought that the extract affects the androgen levels of diseases and therefore may have an
influence on the androgens that are responsible for hair loss.
Eleuthero Formerly Siberian Ginseng, (Glandular) is a member of the ginseng family, though it is of a different genus than other popular ginsengs such as the Panax variety. Along
with other ginsengs, it has a long history of being used to help restore concentration, increase energy and promote healthy hair and nail growth.
Uva-Ursi soothes, strengthens, and tightens irritated & inflamed tissues. The herb neutralizes acidity in the urine, increasing urine flow, therefore reducing bloating &
water retention, making it beneficial for hair growth.
Muria Puama plays an important role in energy metabolism, protein synthesis, neuromuscular transmission bone structure and hair growth for both men and women. Also help with
stress management, nervous system stimulation, virility, and overall health.
Natural Herbal Hair Loss Treatment
Review our natural herbal hair loss products
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