Step 1: Understanding Hair Loss In Men

DHT & Androgens

• DHT is a naturally occuring hormone and existed in the body even while we had full heads of hair.
  
  
• In hair follicles, there exists DHT and structures called "Androgen Receptors".
  
  
• In healthy hair follicles, these two substances combine to carry out normal processes and regulate normal hair growth.
  
  
• As men start to age, these two processes change. After puberty, Testosterone typically increases in the overall blood supply of most males.
  
  
• Consequently, the binding of Testosterone and 5-Alpha increases, causing more DHT to be produced (1). This results in an increase in binding between DHT and the Androgen Receptors (2).
  
  
• The increased binding then causes an imbalance in the biology and processes of the follicle. Overabundance of this activity directly affects the growth regulating that goes on in the follicle, which results in slower and less healthy growth each time the hair grows, rests, and re-grows again.
  
  
• The degradation process of the follicle is typically very slow, and takes many years, but the result is very apparent on the scalp to the hair loss sufferer.
  
  
• As hair continues through its growth and resting phases, each time a new hair grows from a DHT swamped follicle, it comes back thinner and shorter than it did the last time.
  
  
• Over several years, its growth degrades so much that it can no longer be seen. Thus is Androgenetic Alopecia – also known as Male Pattern Baldness.
  

In order to stop hair loss in any way, you must be able to alter the processes identified above, or stimulating growth despite the effects of DHT.