PC. Luis Quiroz Ravines

There are multiple causes for hair loss in both men and women, from genetic or hereditary factor to processes of intense physical and emotional stress. But there are other causes such as hormonal disorders, immune deficiency, lupus, scalp ringworm, burns, very tense hairstyles, poor nutrition, syphilis, chemotherapy, ovarian tumors, etc., etc. even smoking has been linked to hair loss according to a new study in Switzerland.

A common cause is alopecia areata characterized in that originates round hairless areas and sometimes attacks the eyebrows and beard.

But many studies suggest that one of the main causes for hair loss, is an autoimmune response that attacks hair follicles because it considers invading pathogens and in doing so causes inflammation and weakness of the hair root, which eventually falls.

The result of this chemical reaction seems to be the elevated levels of dihydrotestosterone or DHT, a derivative of the male hormone testosterone that becomes the number 1 enemy of hair follicles because weakens and condemned to die. That is the main culprit of hair loss is the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that women also have in reduced amount. And this conversion is aided by a type II alpha reductase enzyme that originated in the sebaceous glands of hair follicles.

It has been shown that it is not the amount of testosterone causes hair loss, but the levels of dihydrotestosterone, which shrinks hair follicles and prevents them survive.

And although the conversion of dihydrotestosterone in women is minimal, even these small amounts causes hair loss in women.

Naturally many researchers have tried to find inhibitors of conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone to stop hair loss and especially to regenerate it.

One of the first was 5AR inhibitors used but the results were limited and has not been able to permanently stop hair loss.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States in 1997 approved the use of finasteride, an inhibitor 2 -selective 5-AR to stop hair loss and promote new hair growth.

In a study involving 1,553 participants which were supplied 1 mg of daily finasteride for a period of five years, 48% of those involved showed encouraging results after the first year, while a control group received only placebo only improved by 7%. These results were maintained throughout the study.

At the end of the study, only 10% of patients treated with finasteride worsened in preserving your hair versus 75% of those who did not use finasteride and placebo only.

Side effects, from 1 to 3% of men in the study had decreased libido and some impotence. But Finasteride should be taken daily  indefinitely. If oral intake of finasteride is suspended  hair loss returns and may even worsen.

NOTE: Luis Quiroz Ravines is a Peruvian journalist specializing in Natural Health, author of an effective treatment to stop hair loss naturally. Learn more at: www.hairlossnaturalsolution.com/