Tag: 5 Alpha Reductase

Choosing the hair loss remedy

Your external appearance and beauty of your hair contributes a lot to your personality. It is for this simple reason that there is too much rush for buying the cosmetic products The market today is flooded with a variety of cosmetic products which offer all kind s of hair loss solutions and hair loss cures.

Be careful while choosing a hair loss remedy

But before you choose a hair loss remedy for you, beware of the fake hair loss solutions and hair loss cures. It is always better to consult a doctor if you are suffering from hair loss. Hair loss can take place due to various medical conditions. It is quite possible that that your hair loss problem is not of permanent in nature and could be cured by some simple treatments.

Do not let over-the-counter drugs dupe you. You must diagnose the actual cause of your problem and search for the right kind of remedy.

Herbal hair loss remedies

Herbal hair loss solutions play important role in countering hair problems. Herbal remedies have always been popular in traditional Indian and Chinese medications. Of late, they have been dominating the Western world as well.
Reasons for their popularity

There are mainly two reasons for their popularity.

First, they have fewer side effects. They are the ideal hair loss cures if you are looking for safe, risk free procedures.

Secondly, they are very effective. No, they do not stand for any overnight solution. But you may certainly notice a difference in the thickness, strength, volume and sheen in your hair after using a herbal hair loss remedy. Herbal remedies increase circulation, disinfect the scalp and stimulate hair growth. There are some herbal remedies which also block the synthesis of DHT ( dihydrotestosterone) the natural inhibitor of hair growth.

Some of the herbal hair loss cures that you may find useful are as follows –

Green tea (Camellia sinesis) – Catechins in green tea inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase that converts testosterone into hair-unfriendly DHT. Therefore drinking green tea everyday is a fruitful treatment for male pattern baldness.

Ayurvedic Antistress Tea Consuming this mixed drink of Nardostachys jatamamsi and Bacopa monnieri 2 to 3 times a day relieves stress and prevents hair loss.

Ginko biloba – It intensifies blood circulation to the scalp and skin. Consuming 120-160mg of dry Ginko extract every day can keep your hair follicles rejuvenated.

Saw palmetto (Seranoa repens) This herb is known for slowing hair loss and encouraging hair regrowth. It is a core element of many hair loss formulations. The recommended dose is a 160mg capsule twice each day.

He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) – This Chinese herb is used in many commercial preparations for hair loss remedy.

Pygeum (Pygeum africanum) – Used to treat prostate problems and male pattern baldness. Recommended dosage is 60-500mg per day.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica diocia) – It blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT. It delivers wonderful results if taken in combination with Pygeum and Saw Palmetto.

If you are choosing a cosmetic hair product for your self, read its label carefully. Choose a product that is based on the above herbal supplements or contain the natural hair care products.

Besides these herbal remedies there are various dietary supplements which are essential for supplying the adequate nutrition to the hair follicles and ensure good health to your hair. Eating a diet rich in vitamin, minerals, and protein is the best hair loss remedy one can choose.

Natural Treatment of Hair Loss

The treatment for hair loss may be divided into two types. One type includes the artificial methods like hair transplantation, use of drugs, etc. The other type includes various ways of natural hair loss treatment.

The artificial hair loss treatment methods are undoubtedly effective. However, a natural hair loss treatment method is always a safer alternative.

Some tools for natural treatment for hair loss

The following herbal supplements play very effective roles in natural hair loss treatment

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) It is a palm-like plant of the North American origin. Extracts from saw palmetto berries contain fatty acids and sterols. The latter block 5-Alpha-Reductase and reduce DHT uptake by hair follicles. They also reduce the block binding of DHT to androgen receptors. The liposterolic extract of saw palmetto combined with beta-sitosterol (a phytosterol common to many plants and grains) has produced notable improvements in anti-androgen activity in several research studies.

Boarage oil Boarage oil is one of the proven hair loss treatments. It contains omega-3 fatty acids. Its presence in a diet may help to prevent hair loss. In fact, it may even help promote hair re-growth.

Boarage seeds also contain gamma linoleic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid. The latter – a good fat – may help prevent male pattern baldness.

Stinging nettle (Urtica diocia) It has been used as a hair tonic for centuries. It supposedly stimulates new hair growth and revives hair color.

DHT is the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness and a nettle root extract reportedly prevents testosterone from being converted to DHT.

Green tea extract Green tea extracts also hamper the conversion of testosterone to DHT. The catechin concentration in green tea is higher than that in black tea. Unlike black tea, green tea is not allowed to dry and ferment. That helps to retain catechin integrity.

Grape seeds – Grape seeds contain OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins). They stimulate epithelial cell growth and check the growth-inhibiting effect of the molecule TGF-beta2 produced by androgen affected hair follicles.

Apple skin It is another effective natural hair loss treatment agent. Studies have established procyanidin therapy as a potential treatment for male pattern baldness. Apple procyanidins reportedly have high level hair-growth promoting capacity.

The skin of green apples is the richest known source of procyanidin.

Black cohosh It has the ability to regulate estrogen hormone levels. Therefore it is potentially helpful in hair loss prevention and restoration. It is a regular component of natural hair loss restoration formulas.

Licorice – This native European herb is famous as an excellent expectorant and is an effective hair loss treatment agent as well. As black cohosh, it can also regulate estrogen hormone level.

Ayurvedic antistress tea Consumption of a mixed drink of Nardostachys Jatamamsi and Bacopa Monnieri each day may prevent hair loss. Beside that, it also helps in relieving stress.

He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) – This Chinese herb is a common component of various natural hair loss treatment agents.

Pygeum (Pygeum africanum) It has two usability. One is treating male pattern baldness and the other is treating prostate related problems.

Cinnamon and Dragon Bone – It helps in solving round spots of alopecia.

Balding Solution for Men and Women

Androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern balding) is by far the most common cause of hair loss amongst men and a serious problem for many women. There are three important components which are responsible for both female and male balding:

1. A genetic predisposition for balding to occur

2. Excessive presence of male hormones

3. Aging – enough time for the first two factors to occur

Both men and women produce male hormones that have a useful role to play in both sexes; but the fact that androgens occur in much higher concentrations in men explains why male pattern baldness is more common than the female balding.

DHT the root cause of hair loss

It is metabolism of male hormones (androgen/testosterone) which is main cause of hair loss and male and female pattern balding both in men and women.

The metabolism of androgen involves an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase which combines with the hormone (testosterone) and converts it to DHT (Dihydro-testosterone). DHT is a natural metabolite of our body.

The cause of male and female pattern balding

Some individuals, both men and women, are genetically pre-disposed to produce more DHT than the normal individuals. It is this accumulation of DHT and its effect on the cells inside the hair follicle and root which is one of the primary causes of male and female pattern balding.

When DHT gets into the hair follicle and root, especially a region called the dermal papilla, it changes the cell’ activity and prevents necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals from providing nourishment needed to sustain life in the hairs of those follicles. Consequently, hair follicles are reproduced at a much slower rate.

This shortens their growing stage (anagen phase) and or lengthens their resting stage (telogen phase) of the follicle. DHT also causes hair follicle to shrink and get progressively smaller and finer. This process is known as miniaturization and causes the hair to ultimately fall. DHT induced androgenetic aloepcia is responsible for 95% of all hair loss.

Blocking the synthesis of DHT at the molecular level forms the basis for the treatment of MPHL (male pattern hair loss) and FPHL (female pattern hair loss). There are many natural DHT blockers and a number of drugs which are used for medical hair restoration.