Are you losing hair? Is your hair getting thinner and weaker? Are you worried about getting bald? Don’t panic…
You are not alone and the good news is that there is a solution.
Baldness has multiple causes and treatments that you should know. In this article, you will be able to know the causes and treatments of common baldness or androgenic alopecia and we will review some natural products that will help you eliminate this problem without undesirable effects.
Table of Contents
Why Are You Losing Your Hair?
Hair loss affects both men and women. People lose approximately 100 hairs every day. The scalp contains about 100,000 hairs. Hair loss occurs gradually and can happen by patching or widespread (diffuse). Partial or total hair loss is called alopecia. The most common causes include:
Inheritance
It is natural to lose the thickness and amount of hair with age. This type of baldness is related to aging, heredity, and changes in the hormone testosterone.
Physical or Emotional Stress
It can cause half to three-quarters of hair loss on the scalp. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. Hair tends to fall in strands while shampooing, combing, or running your hands through your hair. Telogen effluvium is usually temporary, but it can become chronic.
Alopecia Areata
It is presented as bald patches that occur on the scalp, beard and possibly eyebrows. Eyelashes can also fall out.
Other causes include:
- Common baldness or androgenic alopecia.
- Anaemia.
- Autoimmune disorders such as lupus.
- Bacterial and/or fungal infections.
- Thyroid diseases.
- Tumour of the ovary or adrenal glands.
- Radiation therapy.
- Excessive use of shampoo and dryer, or hairstyles that put too much strain on the hair follicles.
Androgenic alopecia is the most common type of baldness. It is observed more in the male population, although it also occurs in women. It occurs when there is an increase in the action of male hormones or androgen on certain areas of the scalp genetically predisposed to the condition. It causes a progressive decrease in the activity of the hair follicle that decreases in size (miniaturization of the follicle) until the total atrophy of the hair bulb occurs with the consequent loss of hair.
Androgenic alopecia is related to a certain group of hormones (androgens), in particular, a so-called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is formed in your body from the male hormone testosterone by the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme is present in the hair follicles. DHT acts on the hair follicles and causes them to be smaller, a process called follicle miniaturization.
It also causes the shortening of the growth phase of the hair cycle, which causes a greater number of hairs to enter the resting phase sooner than they should. This causes the hair to grow less than before and causes the loss of a greater number of hairs on the head.
Best Thinning Hair Products
I will focus on the treatment of common baldness or androgenic alopecia. Many options exist today to fight hair loss problems. Doctors are more inclined to pharmacological treatments and hair implant surgery, while cosmetologists and phyto therapists favour treatment with natural products. Let us take a quick look at some types of treatments.
There are two scientifically proven (synthetic) pharmacological compounds that are perfect DHT blockers: Minoxidil and finasteride. Other products include supplements, pills, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and even laser helmets.
Another effective option is the micrograft or hair graft. The micrograft can only be done once we have controlled the hair loss process, that is, once it is inactive. In this procedure, both the preoperative and postoperative periods are very important. It must be done by an expert doctor. Among its drawbacks, we find that it is an expensive procedure.
There are new therapies to counteract hair loss, such as hair laser, bio stimulation, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) or Carboxytherapy to stimulate the scalp and promote the growth of new hair. These procedures are very recent and are under evaluation.
Thinning Hair Product Reviews
The leading thinning hair products are reviewed below.
Hair-Plus
Hair-Plus comes in a capsule presentation and it is recommended to take 2 capsules daily (more or less at the same time) for a long time. To create this formula, manufacturers combined five important elements:
1. Organic Pea Shoots (AnaGain)
This ingredient has shown that it can activate, in the dermal papilla, specific signal molecules that are required to start the growth of new hair. This effect reactivates hair growth, helping the hair maintain its original density and thickness.
2. Bamboo Extract
This plant, widely used in Asian culture, has undeniable moisturizing virtues. Bamboo is rich in silica, a mineral that allows the hair fibber to be restructured by filling it with amino acids.
3. Biotin
Within the family of vitamins B, we find biotin (vitamin B8). Its mechanism of action is to stimulate some essential enzymes in the processes of cell duplication in the hair follicle. Because of this mechanism, biotin decreases the process known as “follicle miniaturization.”
4. Zinc Oxide
It helps the synthesis of three hundred enzymes in your body. Zinc oxide is the best ultraviolet blocker and is also anti-inflammatory. It is an essential mineral in protein synthesis, which includes collagen, elastin, and keratin, basic elements for hair growth and development.
5. Copper Gluconate
This mineral is essential in the formation of pigment in hair and skin.
Trichoceutical Oral Tablets
Trichoceutical oral tablets are perfect hair thinning solution. The manufacturer recommends taking one tablet daily in the morning for a prolonged period. The major ingredients include:
1. Serenoa Repens
Also known as Saw Palmetto. The oil of this plant has a recognized blocking effect of DHT when competing with the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. This prevents the conversion of testosterone into DHT naturally and without side effects. It also has an inhibitory effect on androgen receptors and anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Thioctic Acid
Neutralizes a wide variety of free radicals that damage cells by their powerful antioxidant action. When combined with another powerful antioxidant such as vitamin E, this effect is enhanced.
3. Vitamin E
It helps keep your scalp and hair healthy, as it has natural antioxidant effects that help maintain hair growth. Reduces the amount of oxidative stress and free radicals that cause the scalp hair follicle to break down.
4. Vitamin D
It is known that vitamin D is synthesized in our body thanks to sun exposure, therefore, you must consume it in food and supplements during the winter. This vitamin helps absorb calcium from dairy products and keeps hair follicles strong and healthy. It also stimulates the growth of hair follicles.
5. Carnitine
Scientific studies have shown that carnitine increases hair shaft length and increases the duration of hair follicles growth phase.
ProFollica Tablets
You have seen the relationship between nutrition and healthy hair. This nutritional supplement has a presentation on tablets. The manufacturer recommends taking a tablet twice a day, with meals, for a long time. Among its ingredients there are:
1. Biotin
Revised above in this article. It helps strengthen the hair favouring the synthesis of enzymes that help cell multiplication in the hair follicle, reducing the effect known as “follicle miniaturization.”
2. Niacin (Vitamin B3)
They contribute to the metabolism of keratin, responsible for the shine, softness, and volume of your hair. It is a natural antifungal. It has a peripheral vasodilator effect which favours the capillary circulation in the scalp, promoting the growth of the hair follicle.
3. Vitamin B12
Also known as Cobalamin. It has an important role in the synthesis of DNA, in the maintenance of the central nervous system, and in the formation of healthy red blood cells, cells responsible for transporting oxygen in the body and of course to the hair follicles.
4. Vitamin B5
Also known as Pantothenic acid. It is necessary to produce coenzyme A (CoA) and is considered critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It is considered very beneficial for the nutrition of hair follicles.
5. Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)
It is a necessary vitamin for the maturation of structural proteins and haemoglobin. Its deficiency has been related to thinning hair and grey hair.
6. Zinc Oxide
Also reviewed above, it is a powerful blocker of ultraviolet rays and has anti-inflammatory action. It is involved in the synthesis of collagen, elastin, and keratin.
Trichoceutical Shampoo
Trichoceutical shampoo is made with natural botanical extracts and ingredients, so it is safe to use in both men and women in the short and long term. The manufacturer recommends using it 3 or 4 times a week. Start by soaking the hair with warm water, then apply it to the hair and use your fingertips to gently massage it into the scalp. Leave it on for at least 2 minutes and then rinse your hair with warm water.
The major ingredients are:
1. Saw Palmetto Oil
We saw its benefits above. It prevents the transformation of testosterone into DHT by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase.
2. Pygeum Africanum
Its mechanism of action is like the previous one. It is a plant whose beneficial properties on prostatic hyperplasia have been described since ancient times. Among its active ingredients is Beta-Sitosterol, which is a potent inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase. Consequently, it reduces blood DHT levels.
3. Macadamia Nut Oil
It contains palmitoleic acid, vitamin E and sterols. It has ideal soothing and softening properties to protect your hair fibres from external agents. In addition, it is the fruit with the highest amount of omega 7, which is naturally found in sebum produced by hair follicles.
4. Thioctic Acid
We also reviewed it previously. It is a powerful antioxidant, decreasing the presence of free radicals in tissues.
5. Carnitine
Prolong the growth phase in the hair follicle favouring the lengthening of the hair shaft.
6. Vitamin D
It stimulates the growth of hair follicles keeping them strong and healthy.
Trichoceutical Conditioner
The manufacturer recommends using Trichoceutical conditioner once or twice a week after washing with Trichoceutical shampoo. Apply enough the conditioner on your wet hair and gently massage the scalp with the fingertips. Leave it for 1-2 minutes and then rinse it with warm water.
It has natural ingredients that will strengthen, revitalize, and nourish your hair, such as:
1. Serenoa Repens, Pygeum Africanum, and Thioctic Acid
You already know the benefits and mechanisms of action explained above.
2. Peppermint Oil
It has an excellent aroma that added to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties will help you have a healthy scalp.
3. Evening Primrose
Nourish your hair by providing amino acids and essential fatty acids such as omega 6. Essential fatty acids magnetize oxygen producing small electrical currents.
Conclusion
Baldness has multiple causes and must, therefore, be treated accordingly. One of the most common types of baldness is androgenic alopecia. Hereditary and hormonal factors influence it, especially by androgens. It has been scientifically related to DHT, a metabolite of the male hormone, testosterone, with abundant hair loss.
That is why the ideal treatments should include substances that block the production of DHT. There are drugs such as minoxidil and finasteride that have a proven action on testosterone metabolism, but also have severe side effects. That is why the cosmetology industry has turned to look for natural products that perform that function and do not have those unwanted effects.