It is a well-known fact that hair loss is one of the consequences of aging, but none could be more devastating than going bald while still in your prime. While disease, trauma, and medications are contributing factors to hair loss in men, genetics is considered the number one culprit. According to AmericanHairLoss.org, androgenetic alopecia or male-pattern baldness (MPB), the most common hair loss condition in men, is in fact an inherited sensitivity to the male sex hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

DHT vs. Scalp Follicles

DHT, derived from testosterone, is one of the hormones responsible for physical growth in males while in their younger years. With age, however, DHT slowly loses its relevance to the body. Conversely, when released in significant amounts, DHT will bind themselves to receptors in the scalp follicles and prevent the latter from getting the vitamins, proteins, and minerals necessary to keep them alive. The follicles gradually shrink, and as a result the hair grows at a slower pace and in a far less healthy condition, which then leads to thinning and eventual hair loss.

Generally, the onset of MPB is signified by a thinning crown and receding hair line. Is your widow’s peak appearing more prominent? Usually, the hair follicles in areas around the temples and mid-anterior scalp are the ones most sensitive to DHT. In the more advanced stages of MPB, the balding extends up to the back of the scalp such that the former M-shaped pattern is changed to a “U”.

Stress and DHT

DHT is indeed a major cause of thinning and hair loss, but high levels of DHT do not automatically condemn you to a lifetime of baldness. As mentioned, there are a variety of factors that can aggravate hair loss, and one whose role we cannot underestimate is stress. When subjected to tremendous strain, the body undergoes adrenal overdrive and ultimately adrenal fatigue, which is usually associated with a boost in DHT.

Moreover, to fight the effects of DHT on scalp follicles, you’ll need healthy skin. High stress levels can trap you in lifestyle where you don’t consume nutrients essential to keep your skin and your entire body healthy, thus aggravating the cycle. According to a hair restoration expert from Mexico, if your skin is in a less than ideal condition, DHT can wreak havoc on your follicles much more easily.

Hair growth deterioration is generally irreversible. Fortunately, dermatological advancements have paved the way for life-changing restorations like hair transplants. Looking to regain your healthy, youthful hair? Qualified practices in Mexico such as Baja Hair Center can help you.

Sources:

FUE Hair Transplants: The Facts, Men’s Health

Hair apparent: how transplants are beating baldness, The Guardian