Unless you started researching about hair loss, chances are you haven’t heard about DHT. But once you do, this term crops up in many places. This prompts you to ask yourself “What is DHT and what is its connection with hair loss”?
Fact check
Before we answer, did you know that the number one factor causing hair loss is genetics. Stress, bad diet etc. are several other causes but nothing comes close to the legacy you inherit from your parents, which when it amalgamates with DHT, can be the culprit in 90% of hair loss cases.
Let’s dive down further.
What is DHT?
DHT, or Dihydrotestosterone, is an androgen (male sex hormone) produced as a by-product of testosterone in the prostate, testes, and certain other tissues. As you may know, testosterone is essential to develop and maintain male sex characteristics, such as a deep voice, facial hair, and muscles. In short, DHT is one of the many hormones that makes men, well, men.😊
Relation between Male Pattern Baldness and DHT
At any age post puberty, a male, if genetically predisposed, can start to lose hair. This means you cannot prevent it from occurring, but only accelerate it with lifestyle choices. Once your body determines you have reached a certain biological age (versus chronological age), your hair cells release an Androgen receptor from the nucleus, allowing for the first time, free Testosterone to enter the nucleus of the cell. This free testosterone binds with an enzyme called 5 Alpha Reductase, thus converting into Dihydrotestosterone or DHT.
DHT shortens the growth, or anagen phase of the hair cycle, from a usual duration of 3–6 years to just weeks or months. DHT causes the follicles to miniaturize (basically meaning shrink) and, eventually, stops new growth altogether.
What action can you take?
For a certain time, follicular miniaturization is a reversible process. This means that certain hair loss medications like Finasteride and Minoxidil and non-surgical, Hair Loss Prevention Treatments such as PRP Therapy, Mesotherapy, Laser Therapy or a combination thereof can actually reverse hair loss, by increasing follicle size again and promoting the growth of more robust hairs, called terminal hairs. However, as more time goes on, changes continue to happen to the follicle, making the reversal of hair loss less likely and more advanced surgical techniques viz. hair transplant will be required to restore hair to your scalp.
Let’s recap
DHT is the primary hormone responsible for Male Pattern Baldness
We at Evolved Clinics, are happy to advise you with the holistic advice of Hair Loss Prevention Treatments and Hair Transplant options for you. Our DFI Technique is the one of the most advanced FUE techniques and follows evolutionary protocols and best practices from across the world.
For consultation with our Trichologist or Hair Transplant Doctor, please contact us at (08) 6216 0443 or book your appointment directly using the below link.
