Hair Loss and DHT
According to medical terms DHT or dihydrotestosterone
is a by product of
testosterone found both in males and to a lesser extent
in females. DHT is believed to be the key androgenic hormone,
as its primary role is to develop a male’s primary
sex characteristics during embryonic life. It is also responsible
for the development majority of the secondary sex characteristics
of males during their puberty stage and continues to play
an important role in male sexual function in the latter
years of life.
DHT and Genetic Hair Loss
It is essentially a genetic factor that signals the ignition
of the creation of 5 alpha reductase by the hair follicle.
Variables such as age also play a role in the onset or signalling
of this enzyme.
DHT comes from testosterone by two 5-alpha reductive
isoenzymes known as Type I and Type II and is produced
in the adrenal glands, the prostate, the skin and scalp.
Those that come from the scalp are mostly Type II 5AR.
Type I is produced in large volumes by the oil glands
in the skin called the sebaceous glands. The findings
of 5 AR distributions between different organs are based
on findings of immunostaining practices.
DHT has been shown widely in the scientific literature
to be responsible in causing baldness among men and female
hair loss. Characteristically, it binds strongly to
the androgen receptor and been shown to be five times
more potent compared to testosterone. Patterned
male hair loss can also be attributed to androstanedione,
and DHEA which are predominately produced in the adrenal
glands. When the adrenal glands produce excessive androstanedione
or DHEA, due to over stimulation or due to a tumor, there
will be increased conversion to DHT within the target
organs, namely the hair follicle, prostate, and sebaceous
gland.
Male Pattern hair loss is due to the negative effects of DHT and
normally occurs in men aged between
20 and 30. Initial signs include developing a receding
hairline and gradually thinning of hair on top of the
head. In the long run, the two balding areas will meet
and form a U-shape that stretches from the head’s
back and sides. Hair that is left in this process is normally
finer or very thin and referred to as baby hairs or miniaturized
hairs.
Hair follicles that typically become susceptible to DHT
are those located at the top, front and crown of the head.
However, hair located in the sides or bottom back of the
head will likely be spared from the effects. Hair typically
grows approximately 1 cm every month. The cycle for hair
growth could take as long as 1-2 months on the eyebrows
versus 2-4 years on the scalp resulting in longer hairs
on the scalp. The prolonged effect of DHT is that each
follicle will decay, while the growth phase (anagen phase)
will be sharply reduced. Under the influence of DHT, the
follicle on the scalp become shorter and thinner and eventually
stops developing, resulting in complete balding of the
scalp.
The size of most follicles will go down to the level
they were during the time of infancy, while some will
eventually cease to develop and die. This is the instance
when weak hair is produced or seen in the scalp. Hair
loss will sharply accelerate if the anagen phase continues
to slow down and the hair that is left is thinner and
finer and too weak to survive. Finding the right DHT
blocker such as Revivogen's
flagship product, will prevent the process from happening.
Trying to determine if a person will develop hair loss
can be achieved based on family history. Hair loss among
males is passed from parents and ancestors. If your father,
uncle or great grandfather experienced thinning hair,
there is a good chance you will also develop this condition.
Dr. Alex Khadavi is owner of Revivogen.com, a website
offering information and solutions for hair loss in men
and women. Revivogen's flagship product attacks DHT preventing
the process of follecular deterioration from happening.
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