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Hair Replacement –
Topically Speaking
By: M. Palmer/ A3
The basis of hair
growth and loss is based on the three stages of hair follicle
development. Each hair goes through a growing, resting and
sometimes a dying stage. It is the prevention of the dying stage
that is crucial in the treatment of Alopecia, so as to prevent the
hair from falling out. It’s the individual hair that is affected,
rather than the specific area. So, for example, that is why hair
can be extracted from the side of the head and placed into the
balding region, where it will continue to grow.
So why does
balding mainly affect men? It is because it’s a chemical
conversion of testosterone to dihydrotesterone that kill the blood
supply to the hair root, and thus the loss of the hair.
Most hair growth
or “maintenance” drugs stimulate or even shock the blood supply to
be increased to the hair root and prevent a resting stage from
becoming a dying stage one. As a result, the most famous blood
supply stimulant is topical Minoxidil, a product that has been
used for many years, but still remains high on the best selling
list. The 3% solution is said to be the most effective and
economical. Minoxidil combined with Tretinolic acid (High strength
Vitamin A – branded Retin-A
So can one
prevent the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT),
and therefore further decrease the possibility of hair loss?
The answer is
that we’ve had drugs for some time that do just that. There are
individuals with serious disorders that require them, but in the
treatment of Alopecia, taking such an oral drug could cause
serious complications, as one develops an “overall” preventive
conversion.
Thus the
application of a topical product, solely to the scalp, in order to
reduce hair loss through the prevention of conversion of
testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and therefore localize
the action is highly desirable.
And that’s what
Nizoral shampoo appears to do, Nizoral contains Ketoconazole, it
is actually approved as a prescription strength anti-dandruff
shampoo. But recent interest has been aroused in it’s ability to
help prevent hair loss, principally by helping inhibit the binding
of DHT to the hair follicle (although it’s precise action is not
yet clear this is the most likely answer).
So, how effective
is it? Well body builders, a group who utilize anabolic steroids,
(and thus elevate testosterone to very high levels), have been
greatly impressed at the ability of Nizoral to help them keep
their “hair on”! Bear in mind that this is a class that often
experience rapid hair loss and many of them have described Nizoral
as the best preventive treatment they have used to date.
Neither Nizoral,
nor it’s active ingredient Ketoconazole, is recognized by the
manufacturer or the authorities as a hair loss treatment, it’s
marketed for the treatment of dandruff. But remember that claims
can be only be made after exhaustive and expensive approval
process in the individual country’s.
One should
remember that hair loss appears to be like just about all the
other “aging disorders”. The earlier you treat it the longer and
better the results will be, for once major “damage” sets in, it
takes drastic measures to try to make amends.
The combination
of Minoxidil, Nizoral (and perhaps also Retin-A®), may be
considered to be one of the most effective, safe and accessible
treatments that we have today for balding.
This kind of topical approach will attack Alopecia on three
levels, helping increase the blood supply and circulation to the
hair follicle, and prevent DHT from damaging it too.
More info can be found in the training manual:
Medicine Goes Esthetic
