A search of effective hair health treatments can be a starting point towards a journey but the available number of information is usually too much. The purpose of this guide is to offer a straightforward list of scientific and clinical evidence that gives a clear indication of how hair restoration works. It does not stop at the untrue statements but emphasizes proven treatment and new scientific discoveries, the urgency of a professional, individualized method.
D5a and the Biology of Hair Loss
It is imperative to clear up a point of confusion most often made concerning the chemical ingredients used in hair care. D5a is a chemical called cyclopentasiloxane and is usually confused with hair growth therapies. It is the misconception par excellence minority. D5a is a cyclomethicone which is a fluid commonly utilized in make-up products like deodorants, sunblocks, and hair sprays. In hair conditioners, its main purpose is to detangle hair, which decreases breakage. Functions as an emollient, smoothing the hair cuticle and act as a lubricant. D5a does not have a known method of blocking the hormone of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or stimulating hair growth. Although it is regarded as non-Toxic, its health effects are unknown in the long-term, and it has been termed persistent and potentially bioaccumulative in its nature. This is a very important distinction, because a preventative of physical damage to the hair shaft is not a hair growth mechanism and is in no way similar to a treatment of a biological cause of hair loss.
The science of hair growth and loss has to be understood to comprehend the real meaning of hair restoration. On the head the growth of hair takes place in three stages. Anagen is the active stage of the hair cycle during which the hair is in a growing phase that can ranges between two and eight years.
The Central Cause of Pattern Hair Loss
The genesis of androgenetic alopecia is the hormone DHT. Dihydrotestosterone is a strong tropic hormone that is key in the male sexual development along with facial, body and pubic hair development not forgetting prostate. However, in people that carry such an inclination, DHT becomes the main alopecia instigator of the scalp. Although it increases hair growth on the rest of the body, excessive DHT in the hair follicles may stimulate androgen receptor too much resulting in shortened anagen phase and long telogen phase. This ongoing action leads to the step wise shrinking of the follicle and, eventually, hair loss.
It is due to the fact that DHT is a major actor in androgenetic alopecia that makes DHT blockage treatments so successful. Although some consumers might be seeking solutions to problems using the wrong terminology, the actual answer to effective hair restoration therapy is through treatments that either directly or indirectly deal with the hormonal and physiological processes of hair loss. This guide aims at informing the reader on how to make the distinction between treatments which are real and evidence-based and those treatments that make unsubstantiated claims which do not work a vital part of the journey towards a successful hair restoration process.
Clinically Proven Hair Restoration Treatments
The oral and topical combination of medications that have been in use as the standard of care to treat androgenetic alopecia in the past decades exhibit high efficacy and safety. These products can be distinguished with cosmetic products and rather influence biological reasons of hair loss.
1. 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors
This type of drugs acts by blocking the enzyme 5-alpha reductase which carries out the conversion process of testosterone to DHT.
- Finasteride (Propecia®)
Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that specifically inhibits type II enzyme to lower the level of circulating DHT in the blood stream. This measure will also stop further loss of hair and in most instances lead to the growth of hair. After 12 months of adhering to the treatment regimen of taking it on a daily basis, up to 80 per cent of men can report improvement. An average time structure to see improvement is 3 to 6 months of flattened hair loss with the full benefits often visible at the 6 to 12-month time frame. Due to the dopamine agonist effects of the drug, one of the most common side effects is decreased Libido, erectile dysfunction and breast tenderness, that can be transient and disappear once the drug discontinuation takes place.
- Dutasteride (Avodart®)
Dutasteride is a stronger substitute of Finasteride. It has a balanced spectrum of activity against both type I and types of the 5-alpha reductase enzymes, by providing a more comprehensive inhibition of DHT. This increased strength implies that it is deemed 2 three times more potent than Finasteride in reducing the level of DHT. It is not FDA-approved as hair loss treatment, however, is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat hair loss. Side effects are like those of Finasteride and they may include sexual dysfunction and breast tenderness. Because of its strong potency it is not safe in women who are pregnant or may become pregnant because it has the risk of having birth defects in a male child.
2. The Follicle Resurrector
Minoxidil, its vasodilator property enlarges blood vessels and improves blood circulation on the scalp and hair follicles. This enhanced blood flow gives the follicles more oxygen and nourishment, which reduces the length of the resting (telogen) period, and activates the growth (anagen) phase. Minoxidil has been approved by the FDA in both men and women who have hair loss and is most effective in older patients with a shorter history of hair loss. Similarly to Finasteride, it will require 3-6 months of regular, daily use before its effects become noticeable and to produce continued results, daily application is required. Minor side effects consist of an itching scalp or irritation which can be caused by the propylene glycol contained in some products.
The major lesson that can be drawn out of this presented clinical data is the synergistic relationship between these treatments. Finasteride and Dutasteride work on the hormonal cause of hair loss by inhibiting DHT, whereas Minoxidil aids hair follicle health and growth by way of increased blood flow. That is why, quite a number of clinicians suggest the combination of these methods as they do not target the same mechanism of hair loss and can synergistically enhance outcomes.
A Scientific Evaluation
Lots of people require alternatives to painkillers that are used in the medical industry. Though some botanicals contain exciting data, it is important to keep expectations in check and to contrast them with clinically proven ones. What is natural is not necessarily safe or effective, and open policy should be made regarding the evidence.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Both Saw Palmetto and Pumpkin Seed Oil are believed to act as inhibitors of 5-alpha reductase enzyme, as can Finasteride. But scientific evidence is consistent that they are weaker. Research has found that Saw Palmetto is less effective in reducing DHT by only about half as much as Finasteride, and has less successful results in the form of a lower response rate and less effective hair regrowth. In one such head to head comparison, 68 percent of people who used Finasteride reported hair growth versus only 38 percent with Saw Palmetto.
The main benefit of these natural choices is that they have less side effects. They have fewer and less serious side effects and gastrointestinal problems are the most likely to occur than sexual dysfunction. The riskiest option, when the central effects of a drug are exceptionally strong is to choose more powerful medical medicine over weaker natural medicine: this choice depends on how important it is to have strong effects and how intolerant one is toward side effects. Some people might find it suitable to use natural supplements combined with other health measures in order to make up for their inferior effectiveness.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil has caught massive attention as it can promote hair growth. A significant 2015 study compared Rosemary oil to 2% Minoxidil and both groups showed significant improvement in hair count with the Rosemary oil users also demonstrating a slight elevated relief of an itchy scalp. Although exciting, it should be noted that they used a 2% solution of Minoxidil, as compared to standard recommendation of 5% used when dealing with men. As such it is difficult to compare this study with the gold standard. The suggested mechanism of Rosemary oil is an ability to enhance microcirculation in the hair follicle area and it is anti-inflammatory.
Other plant ingredients such as turmeric, which are used in dietary supplements and topicals to treat inflammation, have the potential to enhance overall scalp health and stop inflammation-induced hair loss. The concentrated forms of these supplements however are risky. Examples include- simply drinking too much green tea extract may damage the liver cells and very rarely, turmeric may worsen inflammatory conditions in the scalp. This shows how careful and the consult of the professionals is required when adding any supplement to the hair care routine.
Emerging and Future Therapies
Making headway, the hair restoration field is making a swift shift towards new research where people go beyond traditional drugs in favors of more targeted and personalized therapies.
Call for Professional Consultation
As hair loss is a complex condition with multifaceted causative factors, as well as the long list of treatment methods, it is unadvisable to pursue self-diagnosis and treatment. The root cause of hair loss can only be determined by a qualified professional who is able to suggest an effective individualized treatment program.
Consultation of the dermatologist or hair specialist is a holistic experience. The doctor will interview the patient in detail about his/her medical history, family history, diet, hair care habits. Physical inspection of the scalp may be performed, which may involve a hair pull test or microscopic inspection and dermatoscope. Blood tests can as well be done to assess possible underlying issues such as thyroid or nutrient deficiency which are some reasons that can cause hair loss.
The last stage is an informative discussion of treatment measures, depending on the diagnosis given to the patient. Be it clinically tested medication, a suggestion of a natural supplement, or a chat about future treatments, a patient-specific approach holds the key to an effective hair restoration journey.
Take Control of Hair Loss
Hair loss can be a very personal and sensitive matter, and even though it can certainly be annoying, there are many ways in which it can be successfully addressed. The evidence-based practice presented here in shows that effective hair restoration involves comprehending the biology of hair losses and implementation of an evidence based approach to the recommended treatment.