How to Stop Hair Loss

What you need to know to stop it from happening

DHT Causes Hair Loss

Anatomy of the hair follicle.

As mentioned in our about hair loss section, DHT plays a central role in hair miniaturization and loss. When DHT binds to androgen receptors on hair follicles, the corresponding hair in the hair follicle shrunks and becomes less visible. The first sign of hair loss is the Left untreated, the miniaturization of hair can progress until nothing is left but "peach fuzz." At that point, the only real solution would be hair transplant.

For some reason, the distribution of androgen receptors (DHT sensors) iis concentrated at the top, or vertex, of the head. Doctors have discovered that hair follicles from the side of the head can be transplanted to the top. This procedure yields good results but as you can imagine, this is a highly invasive and expensive procedure. To avoid such costly expenses it is important to block the formation or effects of DHT when you first notice thinning hair.

Decreased Blood Flow Causes Hair Loss

Another reason why hair loss happens is poor blood circulation to the root of hairs. The synthesis of hair requires a lot of nutrients. Blood is the provider of required nutrients. If the roots of your hair do not have an ample supply of blood, hair follicles sop producing hair.

Loss of circulation can occur for many reasons. Old age causes deterioration in vascular tissue, tense muscles in the neck and forehead can constrict capillaries and prevent sufficient blood flow, stress can work with DHT to tighten the scalp.

There are products to chemically as well as optically increase blood flow to the scalp. There are also daily exercises and scalp and neck massages that you can do. However, we believe that exercise is the best way to get the blood flowing throughout the body and especially, to the scalp.

Stopping Rogue DHT

There are two ways to stop DHT from causing hair loss. You can either 1. block the DHT before it is made or 2. prevent DHT from binding to hair follicles and causing miniaturization.

A Saw Palmetto plant. Has been shown to block DHT when taken in conjunction with beta-sitosterol.

The first approach is commonly achieved by blocking an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase which converts testosterone to dihydroestosterone, the hair loss inducing hormone. This is the mechanism by which a prescription drug called Propecia worked. Propecia is just a brand name for the generic drug finasteride. Unfortunately, finasteride was only moderately effective in combating hair loss. There are actually two kinds of 5-alpha-reductase and finasteride only blocked type II.

Natural Solutions

Interestingly, there is a natural alternative that blocks both forms of 5-alpha-reductase. Studies found that the majority of gentlemen experiencing hair loss can take a daily supplement of saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol to stop their hair loss and allow for renewed growth. The combination of saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol inhbit both forms of 5-alpha-reductase. Since these phytosterols are chemically similar to testosterone, they bind to and block 5-alpha-reductase from converting testosterone to DHT, the rogue hair loss inducing hormone.

You can also block DHT from affecting your hair by blocking DHT topically, that is, by blocking DHT at the hair follicle. There are a variety of products that will do this from natural products that use saw palmetto, beta sitosterol, and various fatty acids. There are foam based and liquid based solutions and we've looked at both.

Minoxidil is toxic to cats. Do you actually want to put it on your head?

The Dangers of Minoxidil

With an understanding of the mechanism behind hair loss, these DHT products will yield results. There are, however, products that don't actually block DHT. For example, Rogaine was a very popular prescription and is available today as an over-the-counter drug called minoxidial. Minoxidil works by increasing blood flow and nutrients to hair follicles. However, increasing blood flow to the follicle will also expose it to more DHT circulating throughout the body. In fact, many men who apply minoxidial have their hair fall out in the first month. Another interesting fact is that minoxidal is toxic to cats. Would you really want to put that on your head?

There are alternatives such as natural topical products that work better and aren't toxic. Take a look at our reviews for each.

For Best Supplement, we recommend Hairomega for its array and quality of ingredients. Although this is their first entry into the industry, they have a winning formula on their hands. Its long list of ingredients have been proven to block DHT and provide your hair follicles with the nutrients it needs.

For Best Topical Solution, we recommend Revivogen for the all natural formulation ingredients which has both DHT-blockers and growth promoters.

For Best Concealer, we recommend Toppik hair augmentation fibers. This easy to use product yields instant results that gives the appearance of having a full head of hair. For just sticking with static electricity it works well.