✨ Hair growth is determined by stem cells present in each individual hair strand.
🔬 Understanding the biology of hair growth and the role of hormones can help slow or reverse hair loss.
💆♂️ Psychological well-being can impact hair growth and loss, and hair loss can lead to anxiety and depression.
🧬 Hair is made up of stem cells that divide and give rise to daughter cells, which become different types of cells that make up the hair. Keratin is a protein that stacks up on top of one another to form a durable hair structure.
💦 Sebum, an oily substance produced by the sebaceous gland, plays an important role in waterproofing the skin and protecting against infections. It is also linked to hair loss and psoriasis.
🌱 Hair growth is an active process that requires oxygen, nutrients, and increased blood flow. Manipulations that increase blood flow to the scalp can slow down hair loss and promote hair growth.
⏳ Hairs go through three phases: anagen (growth), catagen (receding), and telogen (rest). Different hairs on the body have varying growth phase durations.
💡 Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) causes hair loss by affecting the bulb region and growth phases of hair.
🔬 Increasing blood flow to the hair stem cell niche is important for hair growth.
💊 Minoxidil and low-dose tadalafil are treatments that increase blood flow and slow down hair loss.
💉 Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections can also stimulate hair growth by improving nutrient delivery.
PRP injections may work for hair regrowth, but the mechanical stimulation of the hair follicle using micro-needling is another effective treatment.
Micro-needling can reactivate stem cells and stimulate hair growth, especially when combined with hormone-based treatments.
Botox injections can be used to relieve tension in the scalp and improve blood flow, potentially aiding in hair regrowth.
🔑 The main cause of hair loss is androgen-related alopecia, which is triggered by testosterone and its derivative called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
💡 The pattern of hair loss depends on the distribution of androgen receptors on the scalp, which is determined by genetic lineage.
💊 Caffeine, when applied topically, can stimulate hair growth by reducing the suppression of insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1). It can be as effective as Minoxidil without its side effects.
Iron and ferritin levels are important for hair growth, but too much or too little can be harmful.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) shortens the hair growth phase and miniaturizes follicles, leading to hair loss.
Saw palmetto can weakly inhibit 5-alpha reductase, reducing DHT levels and potentially promoting hair growth.
🔑 Taking a low dose of finasteride can reduce DHT by 50% and stimulate hair growth.
📜 Starting with a low dose of finasteride is advised to minimize side effects, which can include sexual dysfunction and depressive symptoms.
💡 Combination treatments with mechanical and chemical stimuli, like microneedling and finasteride, can be more effective for hair regrowth.
🔑 There are various treatments for hair loss and hair growth, including mechanical treatments and chemical pathways.
💡 It is important to explore different treatments and work with a medical professional to evaluate their effectiveness and potential side effects.
🌱 Treatments like microneedling, saw palmetto, and ketoconazole shampoo have shown promise in stimulating hair growth.