***Understand the Science: Best Hair Loss Treatment

Like laugh lines and age spots, hair loss is just a fact of life for most adults. The majority of men and even a significant portion of women will develop a condition called androgenic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, during their lifetime. Fortunately, while hair loss is inevitable, it is also treatable. The difficult part is choosing the best hair loss treatment to effectively treat androgenic alopecia.

What Is the Best Hair Loss Treatment?

The best hair loss treatment is one that addresses the cause of androgenic alopecia. Male pattern baldness is somewhat misunderstood. Many people are under the impression that wearing a baseball cap, sweating or excess sebum is responsible for causing hair loss. Some people are also convinced that nutritional deficiencies are to blame.

While a nutritional deficiency might play a role in hair loss, it is almost never the primary cause--at least not in men. In 95% of cases, men experience hair loss due to a genetic sensitivity to their own hormones. The hormone largely responsible for androgenic alopecia is one called dihydrotestosterone, which is commonly shortened to DHT.

DHT is a testosterone metabolite that is even more powerful than its precursor. When the body produces testosterone, some of the hormone will be intercepted by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. Testosterone is then converted into DHT, which is when the problems begin. When DHT is produced in the scalp, it latches onto the follicles and forces the body to reject them. Affected follicles will go through a miniaturization process, begin producing weaker hair and eventually stop producing hair permanently.

Two Features of the Best Hair Loss Treatment

The best hair loss treatment is one that works with a man’s hormones. Many treatments work by preventing the formation of 5-alpha reductase. This prevents the production of DHT and protects the follicles. Other treatments work by blocking the function of DHT, typically by preventing the hormone from attacking the hair follicles. Unless a hair loss treatment is capable of performing at least one of these actions, it will not successfully inhibit and reverse hair loss.

In addition to protecting the follicles against damaging DHT, the best hair loss treatment will also stimulate hair growth. Most treatments stimulate hair growth two different ways. They provide the follicles with the vitamins and nutrients they need to reverse previous damage, and they increase circulation. Increasing circulation to the follicles provides a greater supply of oxygen and nutrients. This creates the ideal environment necessary for hair growth.

Although choosing a hair loss treatment might sound simple, it can be more difficult than many would think. Most medicated treatments only address hormonal issues, while many natural treatments only stimulate growth. For the best hair loss treatment, look for one that pairs prove
DHT inhibitors, like saw palmetto and nettles, with stimulating ingredients, like niacin, for the best results.