What causes balding
Heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or a normal part of aging. Anyone can lose hair on their head, but it’s more common in men. Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp. Hereditary hair loss with age is the most common cause of baldness.
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggested that both sulfates (cleansing agents) and formaldehyde (a preservative) can contribute to hair loss. Shampoo that contains high amounts of these sulfates, it can not only damage in the proteins in your hair which increases the likelihood of hair breakage but it can also irritate your skin, causing you to lose even more hair.
–Other chemicals used in shampoo and conditioner such as sodium chloride, parabens, Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA) and alcohol also destroys ur hair and causes hair loss
DHT what is it?
DHT is a male sex hormone created when certain enzymes convert testosterone in men’s testes and prostate and women’s ovaries. DHT is a more powerful hormone than testosterone that actually is essential for most hair growth but excess amounts of this hormone can affect the hair follicles. DHT interferes with the hair’s growth cycle, shrinking and shortening the hair making it easier for it to fall out and more difficult for it to grow back.
References
Engeli, Roger T et al. “Interference of Paraben Compounds with Estrogen Metabolism by Inhibition of 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases.”
International journal of molecular sciences vol. 18,9 2007. 19 Sep. 2017, doi:10.3390/ijms18092007 (Link)
de Cássia Comis Wagner, Rita, and Inés Joekes. “Hair protein removal by sodium dodecyl sulfate.”
Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces vol. 41,1 (2005): 7-14. (Link)
Matwiejczuk, N, Galicka, A, Brzóska, MM. Review of the safety of application of cosmetic products containing parabens.
J Appl Toxicol. 2020; 40: 176– 210. (Link)
Can keto or carnivore diet cause hair loss? Does diet effect hair loss?
Keto/Carnivore diet : Hair Needs Protein
If you are eating a low-protein diet, you are increasing your chances of losing your hair. A low protein diet can weaken your hair strands, and extreme protein deficiency can result in hair loss. Research proves the role of various amino acids (building blocks of proteins) in hair growth.
Answer is big yes.
Protein restriction can happen in some very low calorie diets and lead to hair thinning and hair loss. Your hair needs amino acids, the building blocks of protein, to grow properly, so a diet without enough protein may lead to hair growth abnormalities, such as hair loss and thin, brittle hair. Studies suggest deficiencies in vitamins B12 and D, biotin, riboflavin, iron, and other nutrients are associated with hair loss. Eating a balanced diet that is rich in these vitamins and minerals may help promote hair growth, especially if you’re experiencing hair loss due to poor nutrition.
How does chronic disease like diabetes effect our hair?
High blood sugar levels
Damage to blood vessels can restrict blood flow, resulting in certain cells getting less oxygen and nutrients than they need. This deficiency can negatively impact the normal growth cycle of hair follicles, which can lead to hair loss.
In CFS and fibromyalgia patients, as in any chronic illness, a very common cause of unusual hair loss is a condition called telogen effluvium. This is when the normal cycles of hair growth and shedding become jolted out of their usual random phases due to illness.
What is minoxidil and finasteride, whats the difference and are the scientific results effective and its side effect? Are there more natural alternatives?
Minoxidil and finasteride are both approved by the FDA to treat male pattern baldness. Both are supported by a significant amount of research, although there are a few major differences in the ways that they work to stop hair loss and promote hair growth.
The main difference between minoxidil and finasteride is the dosage form that each medication takes.
Minoxidil is a topical medication that comes in liquid or foam form. It’s formulated for use directly on your scalp (more specifically, areas of your scalp with visible hair loss) and works primarily by promoting local hair growth.
Finasteride, on the other hand, comes as a tablet for oral use. Instead of working locally to help your hair grow, it has a systemic effect throughout your body by reducing levels of the hormone that’s responsible for male pattern baldness.
Side effects
both minoxidil and finasteride can both potentially cause side effects, including some that may be bothersome.
Common side effects of minoxidil include:
- Skin irritation
- Discomfort
- Burning sensation
- Exacerbation of seborrheic dermatitis
- Hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth)
- Isolated pruritus (dry, itchy skin)
- Allergic contact dermatitis
Minoxidil can also cause a form of temporary hair loss called telogen effluvium, in which hairs prematurely exit the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle.
Although the idea of a hair loss treatment causing hair shedding might seem unusual, this is a common issue for people who use minoxidil. It occurs because minoxidil can affect the natural growth cycle of hair when it shifts follicles into the anagen phase.
In the short term, this can cause a shortening of the telogen phase, resulting in some degree of hair shedding.
This hair shedding is only temporary. Over the course of several months, minoxidil produces a noticeable improvement in hair growth and hair thickness in most men.
Although uncommon, finasteride can cause side effects, including sexual side effects that may affect your sexual function or enjoyment.
Potential side effects of finasteride include:
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Changes in ejaculatory volume
- Gynecomastia (increased breast gland tissue)
- Decreased libido
While these forms of sexual dysfunction may sound concerning, they aren’t very common, and research suggests that they almost always stop upon cessation of treatment.
Natural alternatives for minoxidil and finasteride
Other natural solutions that are sometimes touted for having hair growth benefits include onion juice, keratin, vitamin E. A study showed that the use of crude onion juice gave significantly higher results with regard to hair re-growth than did tap water (P<0.0001), and that it can be an effective topical therapy for patchy alopecia areata. onions are high in dietary sulfur, a nutritional element our bodies need.
Sulfur is found within amino acids, which are components of protein. Proteins — and especially keratin, which is known to be sulfur-rich — are needed for growing strong hair.
When added to the hair and scalp, onion juice can provide extra sulfur to support strong and thick hair, thus preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth.
The sulfur from onions may also help promote collagen production. Collagen in turn helps the production of healthy skin cells and hair growth.
It’s also believed that onions may boost circulation. Applying onion juice to the hair and scalp could increase blood supply to hair follicles, which in turn improves hair growth.
Mature hairline, sad word for getting old, what are my opinion.
A mature hairline occurs when the hairline moves back about a half inch to one inch from where it used to be. That’s all it is. A mature hairline is a completely natural occurrence for most men and not something to worry about