Male Hair loss can be linked to a lot of factors, but the most common type of male hair loss is male pattern baldness which is caused by a powerful natural metabolite_ Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT cause the hair to shrink and fall out in a particular pattern. Some women also experience this type of hair loss condition.
What is DHT
Dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT is a powerful metabolite of the human body and the main component of male hair loss. The DHT is a potent chemical derivative of testosterone, created when the metabolism of androgen react with an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase.
Testosterone is converted to DHT by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, Dihydrotestosterone might be a chemical derivative of testosterone but it is five times more potent than testosterone. Although DHT attaches to the same sites as testosterone, they tend to remain bound for longer periods of time than testosterone.
Understanding DHT
The role of Dihydrotestosterone is multifaceted and not just hair based. DHT is a sex steroid which is also produced in the gonads.
DHT is also an androgen hormone which is responsible for the biological characteristics of male development such as deep voices, and increased muscle mass and hairy chests among others.
DHT is also an androgen hormone which is responsible for the biological characteristics of male development such as deep voices, and increased muscle mass and hairy chests among others.
Some of the potential effect of DHT in adult includes hair loss, enlarged prostate, and prostate cancer.
How does DHT cause Hair loss
Most medical Hair loss in both man and women are caused by hormonal changes in the body, and it is linked to the alterations in the metabolism of the male hormones, called androgens. The irony about DHT is that_ it is responsible for the growth of facial hair in male, and is also the responsible for the head hair loss, by thinning the hair and over time the hair eventually fall out and stop growing.
DHT does not actually cause excessive hair shedding, it effects on the hair is in stage and gradual. DHT gradually impedes hair growth by reducing the follicles ability to produce hair.
The most important part of the hair follicles is dermal papilla_ it is responsible for producing the needed nutrients for hair follicle growth and also responsible for the form a new hair follicle. The hair follicle needs proper nutrition to aid and maintaining hair health. The DHT cause hair loss by disrupted the natural hair lifecycle. DHT attach itself to the receptor cells of hair follicles and prevents it from getting needed nourishment to sustain hair life such as protein, minerals, and vitamins. This hair follicle starts to shrink due to the miniaturization and thereby reproduce hair at a slower rate. The result of DHT on the hair follicle cause thinning hair with each new growth phase of the lifecycle and eventually the follicle stop producing new hair.
There are lots of medications and proven treatments for hair loss, medication such as Propecia, Minoxidil, Medroxyprogesterone (MPG) and azelaic acid (AA) can reduce (if not stop) the effect of DHT on hair by increasing the blood flow to the hair follicle, some medication works by directly inhibiting the production of DHT.