Tag: Male pattern baldness

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.

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Male Pattern Baldness – Causes, Symptoms Treatment

Androgenetic alopecia, better known as male pattern baldness, is a fact of life for millions of men. The most common type of hair loss for men, it is best identified as a pattern of receding hairline and hair thinning on the crown. It is estimated to affect 90 percent of men by the age of 50 as a consequence of hormonal function and genetics.

Many different treatments exist to combat pattern baldness, including medicines such as finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine) and procedures such as hair transplantation. More than ever before, men with male pattern baldness are seeking out companies such as Bosley to perform hair transplant procedures for a permanent restoration of their natural hairlines.

Causes
Male pattern baldness is related to hormones called androgens, specifically an androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It attaches to receptor cells on the scalp and hair follicles, interrupting and interacting with the normal mechanics involved with continual, healthy hair growth. Men whom display male pattern baldness typically have lower levels testosterone, but a proportionately higher level of DHT in their body. Other factors such as lifestyle factors and terminal illness may cause hair loss as well.

Symptoms
The most notable symptom of the onset of male pattern baldness is hair loss along the hairline that gradually recedes into an M shape. The hair at the crown begins to thin, eventually meeting the receding hairline and creating a horseshoe pattern of hair around the sides of the head. Male pattern baldness is typically diagnosed by the appearance of this pattern. Other diseases such as alopecia areata or folliculitis may cause dissimilar balding patterns and should not be diagnosed as male pattern baldness.

Treatment
Medicinal treatments for male pattern baldness include Propecia and Rogaine. Both are more successful at slowing hair loss than exhibiting new hair growth. Needless to say, unlike hair transplantation as offered by companies like Bosley, no medicinal treatment is a permanent solution for male pattern baldness. Of the two, Propecia is most successful with male pattern baldness as it inhibits the growth of DHT androgens. Take a look at the Propecia and Rogaine sections on BattleAgainstBald.com to learn more about how the treatments work and their effectiveness.

Hair transplantation is very effective at treating male pattern baldness. Since hair follicles from the side and back of the head are resistant to the DHT androgens, hair simply must be transplanted from healthy parts of the scalp to the affected areas. The surgery has become increasingly popular and the increase has resulted in an increase in effectiveness of the procedure and the natural results it yields.

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.