Androgens such as testosterone regulate hair growth and control hair distribution in the body. Androgens are also pointed out as the culprit of male hair loss known as androgenetic alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia is more commonly known as male pattern baldness as it affects men primarily and follows a characteristic pattern in hair thinning. The condition affects men who have genetic predisposition for the condition. Although androgens promote hair growth during adolescence, it has detrimental effects in predisposed individuals. That is, androgens can make them bald.
Specifically, the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is main cause of androgenetic alopecia. DHT has greater affinity towards the androgen receptors of the hair follicles than other androgens. Thus, it can readily bind with the androgen receptors in the hair follicles. DHT then exerts its damaging effects in the hair follicles causing the hair follicles to shrink and die. As the hair follicles die, the affected region on the scalp losses hair and turns bald. Actually, the hair follicles do not die immediately. Instead, as you shed your hair, new hair replaces the lost ones. However, the new hair that replaces it is characteristically short and unpigmented. This means that progressive hair thinning occurs before complete baldness. The androgen-dependent regions of the scalp such as the vertex and the crown are especially susceptible to the damaging effects of DHT.
How Do DHT Blockers Work?
DHT is produced by the conversion of testosterone with the aid of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. To prevent the levels of DHT from increasing, you need DHT blockers. DHT blockers help maintain a good balance in your androgen levels and prevent DHT from exerting its damaging effects in the hair follicles. It must be remembered, though, that the damaging effects of DHT affects only men and a small percentage of women with genetic predisposition for androgenetic alopecia. It was found that men who have no family history of androgenetic alopecia are not sensitive to the action of DHT in hair follicles.
DHT blockers work by preventing the conversion of testosterone to DHT. For example, the herb saw palmetto works by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. It was believed that by blocking the action of the enzyme, DHT levels can be reduced and hair loss can be prevented. Apparently, inhibiting the action of the enzyme blocks the production of DHT. This treatment method has been proven effective. Hence, supplement manufacturers produce DHT blocker supplements consisting of a combination of herbs and hair nutrients.
The main advantage of DHT blockers is that they treat androgenetic alopecia naturally. Unlike other treatment methods, the all-natural components in DHT blockers assure safety and efficacy. Supplements consisting of herbs including saw palmetto, gingko biloba, eleuthero root, ginseng, nettle, burdock and horsetails are guaranteed to work effectively in preventing male hair loss. More importantly, the components of these supplements also promote hair regrowth. The double action these supplements would save you from the damaging effects of DHT. It is only important to provide the treatment as early as possible so that complete baldness may be prevented.
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Michael Stanford is a freelance writer in the nutritional industry. He has contributed research on many top selling DHT blocker available today, as well as serving as a consultant to the supplement industry for the past four years.
