For many, hair loss is a source of concern and insecurity. Fortunately, modern medicine offers various treatment options for alopecia androgenetica, a genetic condition leading to hair loss. Learn more about effective approaches to manage hair loss and regain your confidence.
What is Alopecia Androgenetica?
Alopecia androgenetica, also known as hair thinning - hereditary baldness, is a medical condition where hair loss occurs due to genetic factors. Your genetic code determines that at some point in your life, you will experience thinning hair and hair loss. If left untreated, your hair will gradually become thinner, resulting in sparse or bald spots.
- In women: alopecia androgenetica causes the scalp to become clearly visible along the parting as the hair becomes thinner and falls out.
- In men: alopecia androgenetica causes the scalp to become clearly visible at the crown and hairline as the hair becomes thinner and falls out.
Genetic Origins and Mechanisms of Alopecia Androgenetica
Alopecia androgenetica, affecting about 50% of women after menopause and 80% of men from the age of 16, is one of the most common hair disorders. The characteristic feature is thinning hair, which makes the scalp visible. In women, this often appears along the parting, while in men, the hairline and crown are affected.
Permanent hair loss in alopecia androgenetica is caused by specific proteins present in the hair follicles, which bind with the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This binding causes the hair follicle to shrink, resulting in the production of thinner hair that falls out more quickly.
Understanding the Role of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the Hair Cycle
Proteins on your hair follicles bind to DHT, formed from testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. This binding causes the hair follicles to shrink, reducing the normal hair cycle from five years to just four to five months.
Normal Hair Cycle
The hair cycle involves the coordinated effort of hair roots, follicles, proteins, vitamins, and nutrients to produce new hairs approximately every five years. This cycle includes:
- Growth Phase: Hair grows for about five years.
- Transition Phase: The old hair is pushed out as a new hair forms.
- Resting Phase: The old hair is held loosely in the scalp as 'dead material'.
- Shedding Phase: The old hair falls out, and new hair grows in its place.
Hair Cycle and Alopecia Androgenetica
In people with alopecia androgenetica, DHT shortens the hair's growth phase from five years to just a few months. This results in a faster hair replacement cycle and progressively thinner hair.
- Growth Phase: DHT shortens the growth phase.
- Transition Phase: The old hair is pushed out, and the new hair is also affected by DHT.
- Resting Phase: The old hair is no longer nourished, while the new hair starts growing.
- Shedding Phase: The old hair falls out, and the new hair is less deeply rooted due to DHT.
Hair Follicles: Hair Production
Each hair follicle grows a single hair. Healthy follicles produce thick, long hairs, while shrinking follicles produce thin, short hairs. The shrinkage is caused by the binding of DHT to proteins on the hair follicles.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5-Alpha-Reductase
DHT is formed from testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. Testosterone is produced in the adrenal glands and testes in men and in smaller amounts in the adrenal glands and ovaries in women. DHT binds to proteins on the hair follicles, causing them to shrink.
Genetic Factors in Alopecia Androgenetica
The presence of specific proteins on your hair follicles determines whether you will experience hereditary baldness. These proteins can bind with DHT, causing the hair follicle to shrink and produce thinner hair that falls out more quickly.
Treatment Options: Get Rid of DHT
The effectiveness of treatments like TRIX Basic Alpha, a dietary supplement, is based on inhibiting the production of enzymes that convert testosterone to DHT. This helps keep hair follicles healthier. TRIX Basic Alpha contains saw palmetto, which inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase type 1, reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT.
What Happens If I Do Nothing?
If you have alopecia androgenetica and choose not to take action, your hair loss will progressively worsen. Hair will become thinner and fall out more quickly, leading to increasingly visible scalp areas and bald spots. Early treatment yields better results by extending the hair growth cycle and thickening thinning hairs.
Suitable for All Ages?
Starting treatment early can slow down the balding process, but even older individuals can benefit from supplements. Younger people, however, can benefit for a longer period by extending the hair growth cycle and delaying visible baldness.
Is It Alopecia Androgenetica or Another Hair Condition?
Recognizing alopecia androgenetica is usually straightforward. The characteristic thinning along the middle part in women and the receding hairline and thinning crown in men are clear indicators. However, if you're unsure, ruling out other conditions like telogen effluvium and alopecia areata can help. Consulting a dermatologist can provide 100% certainty.
Conclusion
Ignoring alopecia androgenetica can lead to significant hair loss and bald spots. It is crucial to take prompt action to slow or even stop hair loss. Medications and dietary supplements, such as TRIX Basic, can offer an effective solution by extending the hair growth cycle and strengthening hair follicles. If you notice your hair thinning or are unsure about the cause of your hair loss, we invite you to contact us today and give your hair a second chance at vitality and volume.
