HAIR LOSS – FROM GRANDMA TO STEM CELLS

Hair loss and going bald is one of the most terrifying worries that some men have. The strands of hair found on the pillow and the small patches of hair that continue to fall out can be a source of anxiety for many men. So what is it that you can do to prevent baldness? Male pattern baldness is hereditary and may be linked to male sex hormones. Male hair loss can start as early as during adolescence. It affects two thirds of men by age 35, and around 85 percent of men by the age of 50. Considering that there is a strong genetic trait of going bald, there is surprisingly a lot you can do to postpone the inevitable. Start with these three:

1. Don’t comb or rub your hair wet: Towel drying or combing your hair when wet can cause the hair to snap and break. Untangle your hair before you wet it and blot your hair with a towel.

2. Don’t overheat your hair: Excess use of your hair dryer or straightening iron can dry out your hair shafts, leading to dull, and brittle hair. The heat can damage the proteins and the dryness also strips your hair of natural moisture, resulting in dry cuticles, which will snap off. It's recommended you limit this activity to 2 to 3 times a week.

3. Don’t wash your hair with hot water: Having a steaming hot shower frequently can strip away the protective oils and this can cause your scalp pores to overproduce oil, which can damage the hair at the root, resulting in excessive shedding. Opt for washing your hair with lukewarm to warm water, and rinsing with cooler temperatures, to lock in moisture.

Hair loss is normal, but when it happens in excess it’s frightening and upsetting. It’s common to lose 50-100 strands a day. When you wash your hair you can lose 250 strands. Most of the hair on your head is growing. About 10% of your hair is dormant, and will fall out after 2-3 months.

Home Remedies:

If your grandmother did not tell you then you can benefit from my grandmother’s advice:

Coconut milk: Coconut milk is a rich source of nutrients including vitamin E, potassium, and iron. Applying this liquid directly to the roots can help prevent hair breakage and accelerate hair growth. The antibacterial properties in this milk can also protect the scalp as it is a natural conditioner for both hair and skin. It’s recommended that you leave this treatment in overnight.

Amla, Indian gooseberry: This fruit is well known for its high levels of vitamin C and is packed with antioxidants, which can prevent premature graying. The essential fatty acids in this fruit can also keep hair follicles strong. Applying a paste of dried amla with lime juice to the scalp will nourish your locks and make your hair extra lustrous.

Scalp massage: Regularly treating your head to a massage is effective in keeping your hair healthy. A massage stimulates blood flow to the scalp and promotes hair growth. There are a number of oils to try: coconut, jojoba, mustard, almond, lavender, olive, or sesame oil are all full of added nutrients. Jojoba oil is especially recommended because it replaces sebum to the scalp.

Neem, Indian lilac: Neem oil is extracted from the fruit of the Indian lilac tree. It is rich in antioxidants which counter free radicals. Neem is regenerative and contains fatty acids like linoleic, oleic, and stearic acids, which also condition the scalp and hair beautifully. Neem is also an astringent and can also treat itching, dandruff and head lice without chemicals.

Aloe vera: Applying pure aloe gel directly to the scalp helps balance the pH level. The plant extract is rich in vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and enzymes. The aloe strengthens hairs elasticity and can soften and moisturize your hair, acting as a natural conditioner. Dissolving a small amount of salt into the gel can also help. The salt penetrates the deeper skin layers and can prevent hair from falling out unnecessarily. 

Egg white & curd: Eggs are rich in sulfur, selenium, iodine, phosphorus, iron and zinc. Curd has many nutrients and is anti-fungal. This mixture makes an excellent conditioner, making your hair shiny and at the same time effectively fights dandruff and hair loss.

Henna: While most people know henna as a natural hair dye, it is also an excellent way to strengthen and condition hair. When applied to hair and scalp it creates a protective coat over the hair shafts and its nutrients repair the hair cuticles, making the strands thick and strong.

To prevent hair loss, combine dried henna leaves with mustard oil and apply on your hairs and scalp. Leave this to rest for 30 minutes and rinse your hair after.  

Hibiscus: This is the humble shoe flower and is an old Indian method of maintaining a thick mane of hair. Because of its rich vitamin C and amino acid content, this flower works to prevent premature graying, nourish the hair and treat dandruff. it can also help with hair loss. It’s best to leave the paste of dried leaves and flowers with coconut oil in your hair for several hours and then rinse.

Are there any medical remedies?

Yes there are.  

1. Minoxidil lotion is applied to the scalp and may work by increasing blood flow, and therefore nourishment, to the hair follicles. The treatment has zero effect on the hormonal process of hair loss, and its benefits are temporary. Hair loss continues if usage is discontinued.
2. Finasteride inhibits type II 5-alpha-reductase, which is the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into the more potent androgen DHT. DHT levels are reported to be reduced by 60 percent when the drug is taken, which prevents the susceptible follicles from being affected by the hormone and returning their normal size. Loss of libido is a known complication of this drug. 
3. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a form of light and heat treatment. LLLT has been shown to stimulate hair growth in both men and women. Researchers hypothesize that the main mechanisms involved in the process is the stimulation of epidermal stem cells in the follicle and shifting the follicle back into the growth phase of the cycle.
4. Hair transplantation involves harvesting follicles from the back of the head that are DHT resistant and transplanting them to bald areas. There are two techniques FUT and FUE and at the end of the procedure, the person will still have the same amount of hair - it will just be distributed more evenly around the scalp. 

What is in the realm of research?

KROX20 and the SCF gene : Researchers from University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas have identified a protein called KROX20, which switches on cells in the skin and tells them to become hair. Furthermore, these hair precursor cells then go on to produce a protein called stem cell factor (SCF), which plays a critical role in hair pigmentation. Future work by the team will focus on finding out whether KROX20 and the SCF gene stop functioning properly and lead to male pattern baldness.

Genetic treatment: A study led by the University Edinburgh in the United Kingdom discovered 287 genetic regions involved in male pattern baldness. Many of the genes that the researchers identified were linked with hair structure and development. Not only could the team's findings help to predict a man's likelihood of experiencing severe hair loss, but they could also provide new targets for drug developments to treat baldness.

JAK Inhibitors: Hair growth can be restored by inhibiting the Janus kinase (JAK) family of enzymes that are located in hair follicles, according to investigators from Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) in New York City, NY. JAK inhibitors in future will have widespread utility across many forms of hair loss based on their mechanism of action in both the hair follicle and immune cells.

Stem cells: Researchers from the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute in San Diego, CA, developed a technique to generate new hair using pluripotent stem cells. This method would provide an unlimited source of cells without being limited to transplanting follicles from one part of the head to another.