The causes of hair loss have long been a mystery. In fact, androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness) is still a prominent area of research for many scientists. Though the causes of hair loss are an ongoing study, we know more about the roots of hair loss than ever before, including what hormones are wreaking havoc on your hairline. Hormones like testosterone; more specifically DHT.
Of course, women experiencing hair loss are probably thinking, 'how could testosterone be at the root of my hair loss? I don't have nearly as much of that hormone as a man.' While this is true, women have trace amounts of testosterone which can undergo the conversion to a derivative form of testosterone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). For years, it was believed that high levels of testosterone were to blame for pattern baldness. However, new information about the many forms of testosterone is providing deeper insight into the impact these hormones really have on our hair. As it turns out, testosterone itself is not the main culprit after all. Dihydrotestosterone is now considered the ultimate enemy of healthy hair growth.
Let's take a closer look at how testosterone (and its lesser forms) could be affecting your hair loss.
Testosterone: A Versatile Hormone
Although testosterone is less prevalent in the female body, it is still present. There are several forms of testosterone including free testosterone, protein-bonded testosterone, and DHT (which is formed with the help of the enzyme Type II 5-alpha reductase). While testosterone is considered a "male" hormone, it serves several important functions in the female body. It supports bone strength and lean muscle development, contributes to energy levels, and is famous for its role in maintaining the female sex drive. So, how does it tie into hair loss?
Testosterone and Hair Loss
Hair loss is a result of hormonal imbalance mixed with a cocktail of just the right (or wrong, depending on how you look at it) genetics. As it turns out, DHT is 5 times as potent as testosterone and is commonly found in the skin and hair follicles. So, if too much DHT binds to your follicles, it can force them to shrink, disrupt the cycle of growth, and make it impossible for healthy hair to survive. Of course, genetics play a role as well. Many studies indicate that the presence of DHT alone is not to blame for hair loss. The effect of DHT on hair growth has more to do with the sensitivity and resilience of your follicles. As a result, lower levels of DHT could cause hair loss in some individuals and not in others.
Fighting DHT and Hair Loss
Obviously, hormonal imbalances have long been linked to hair loss, but how can you stop the cycle? There are some products designed to block DHT, but one of the best treatments we can recommend is laser hair growth therapy and scalp massages. Both of these methods stimulate circulation of blood to the scalp and follicles, delivering more of the powerful nutrients that help hair grow. There's no need to go to the extremes of hormone injections and endless bloodwork! Just stop by Mane Image and enjoy a free consultation with one of our hair loss solution experts. We'll get to the root of your issue and design a customized treatment plan to target your concerns.
If you would like to learn more about our many services that are geared toward combating hair loss, please contact us! At Mane Image, it's our mission to treat, reverse, and resolve hair loss. Here, you'll receive the highest quality care from our friendly, knowledgeable and discreet staff. We look forward to helping you put your hair loss behind you!
