Which remedy works for baldness?
With each remedy for baldness I have divided into two categories: “drugs” and “natural”. Both the treatments for baldness are said to work to an extent. Many clinical trials have been conducted on the drugs (creams and tablets), but on the downside they are sometimes susceptible to unwanted side-effects. Natural remedies for baldness often have no clinical trials attached, only verbal recommendations, but generally have fewer side-effects (at least unwanted ones) reported. If you are unsure which type to try, it is possible to try both (but please consult a physician before doing so).
allopathic treatment for baldness
Before introducing any allopathic treatment for baldness, let me explain the current thinking of the science behind the causes of hair loss so that the mechanism and effectiveness of the medicines can be easily understood.
Men convert excess testosterone into a more potent form called DHT by the enzyme 5a reductase. DHT is highly active on hair follicle receptors, readily binding to them and restricting blood flow to the hair. This causes the hair to thin out and become shorter, creating a “peach fuzz” look. Apparently men who have higher amounts of this enzyme in their scalp are more susceptible to male pattern baldness.[1]
However, females have an excess of the enzyme aromatase that converts their testosterone to the active form of estrogen called estradiol. The theory is that after women reach menopause, their natural estrogen levels drop allowing testosterone to be converted to DHT which makes them more susceptible to losing hair after menopause. However, this does not explain why hair loss occurs in post-andromenopausal men as they get older and their testosterone levels decrease.[1]
Well, that’s the theory, so now let’s look at each remedy for baldness in turn and determine its effectiveness and availability as of July 2006. Below is the list of each remedy for baldness:
Rogaine (minoxidol)
Propecia (finasteride)
Rogaine
Mechanism – unclear. Begins to open up potassium availability to the hair.
Effectiveness – The average hair growth per cm2 after 48 weeks was 18.5%. 1 to 3 months after stopping, hair condition returns to pre-treatment levels.
SIDE EFFECTS – Dizziness has been reported. Topical minoxidil use may result in local irritation, itching, dryness, and erythema, which is due to the vehicle formulation of alcohol and propylene glycol.[2]
Availability – Over the counter.
Cost – $10 to $15 per bottle (one month).
Prediction
MECHANISM – Inhibits the 5a reductase enzyme responsible for DHT production.
Effectiveness – A third study of 326 men with mild to moderate frontal hair loss found that after 1 year, the number of hairs on the frontal scalp was statistically significantly higher in finasteride-treated men. About 50% of the treated men and 30% of those who took a placebo thought that the appearance of their hair had improved. Hair growth was not reported in older men taking 5 mg of finasteride.
Side-effects – decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, or decreased ejaculatory volume have been reported in less than 2% of patients, which is actually between 0.5% and 1% compared to placebo.[2]
Availability – was prescription only. The generic version is now available.
Cost – $69.95 for 3 months
natural remedies for baldness
Most natural remedies for baldness also work by blocking DHT, either by inhibiting the enzyme or by blocking the hair follicle receptor, or by providing nutrients to the hair follicle receptor that blocks DHT. There is also an alternative explanation to the “DHT alone causes hair loss” theory. Some believe that it is too much DHT, along with too many active estrogen-like substances, that is responsible for prostate cancer and hair loss, and not enough free testosterone in the body.[3]
This seems contradictory to allopathic logic, and with respect to estrogen it is. Some naturopaths say it’s all about blocking the hair follicle receptors. It is the protein receptors that attract nutrients to the hair. Pollutants such as DHT and estrogen both block the receptor.[3] Apparently, some bacteria that thrive on fat produce estrogen-like substances.[4], and the fat cells of obese and bald men have an excess of the aromatase enzyme (which converts testosterone to estrogen). Aging, a high-fat diet, and a lack of exercise can lead to too much estrogen and too little testosterone. Even if testosterone is at normal levels, active estrogen levels may still be very high.[3] However this does not explain why women with higher estrogen levels do not get male pattern baldness.
Here is a list of each remedy for baldness and nutrients:
Beta Sisterol (from the herb: Saw Palmetto)
Chrysin (from the herb: passionflower)
vitamin D
vitamin b12
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Iron and L-Lysine (for women)
Foligen (copper peptide)
soy
rooibos tea
beta sisterol
MECHANISM – Blocks DHT from binding to the androgen receptors sites found on hair follicles.
Effectiveness – untested. Mixed reviews from people on health forums.
Side-effects – None, but the side-effects of saw palmetto herb can be male breast enlargement.[2]
Availability – Over the counter.
Cost – $7.95 for 90 capsules 400mg.
crissin
MECHANISM – Increases free testosterone by inhibiting conversion to estradiol.
Effectiveness – Shown to be effective at inhibiting aromatase in petridishes, but not in the body. Not known whether it helps with hair loss.[5] There is no proven remedy for baldness.
Side effects – none.
Availability – Over the counter.
Cost – MRM, Chrysin 500, 30 caps. $14.99.
vitamin D
MECHANISM – Binds to multiple vitamin D receptors in the scalp and hair follicles.
Effectiveness – Shown to dramatically stimulate hair follicle growth in “nude” rats.[6]
Side-effects – none, unless taken in excess of 50 micrograms per day.
Availability – Over the counter.
Cost – 400iu (10 mcg) 60 Capsules $4.99.
vitamin b12
Tantra – Deficiency causes hair fall.[7]
Effectiveness – 40% of Americans are low. If taken, the treatment of hair loss is not proven.[8]
Side Effects – None, unless taken in excess of 100 mcg per day.
Availability – Over the counter.
Cost – 1000 mcg, tablet $7.99.
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Mechanism of Action – Increases blood flow to the hair follicles.[9]
Effectiveness – It may promote hair growth in high doses, however is not a proven remedy for baldness.
Side effects – none.
Availability – Over the counter.
Cost – $2.99 for 300mcg tablet.
Iron and L-Lysine (for women)
Mechanism – Deficiencies in both of these nutrients have been linked to hair loss in women.[10] Interacts with zinc and copper.[11]
Effectiveness – proven effective remedy for baldness for women with hair loss.[10]
Side-effects – none unless taken in excess of 250 mg (iron) per day.
Availability – Over the counter.
Price – 100 Tablets $7.29
Foligen (copper peptide)
MECHANISM – The most effective inhibitor of the production of both types of 5a reductase enzymes.[12]
Effectiveness – Hair loss due to low copper and zinc enzyme levels in rats.[13] A topical copper peptide solution has been shown to produce nearly complete hair rejuvenation over 6 months in a woman with 10% of her hair initially.[14] There are no studies of Foliagen itself on the baldness remedy, but there are some reports of success by women on the forums.
Side effects – none.
Availability – Over the counter.
Cost – 2 oz tube, $21.95. 2 months.
soy
MECHANISM – Promotes the production of good inactive estrogens. Blocks receptor sites for active estrogen and inhibits 5a reductase.[3]
Effectiveness – Proven to inhibit the enzyme 5a reductase.[15]
Side effects – none.
Availability – Over the counter. A food, not a remedy for baldness.
Cost – ?
rooibos tea
Mechanism – unclear.
Effectiveness – In a 10% lotion called Herbasol, there was an increase in the speed of hair growth by 89%. 45% saw an increase in hair growth. 78% reported no further hair loss.[2]
Side effects – none.
Availability – Over the counter. A food item other than the above is no remedy for baldness.
Cost – ?
I would personally recommend trying beta-sistosterol, a potent multi-vitamin and mineral supplement, together with Foligen solution as a good remedy for baldness.
,
[1] Have Scientists Accidentally Discovered The Answer To Hair Loss?
http://www.emaxhealth.com/65/6131.html
[2] Treatment for hair loss.
[http://www.hairlosstalk.com/download/sawaya1.pdf]
[3] get young and slim
[http://www.growyoungandslim.com/articles/Mens_Health_102a.pdf]
[4] health loss education
http://www.stuff4beauty.com/page/hairlosseducation.htm
[5] Chrysin: Is It An Effective Aromatase Inhibitor?
http://www.vrp.com/art/1208.asp
[6] Vitamin D3 analogues stimulate hair growth in nude mice.
[7] Diet and Nutrition – Vitamin B12.
http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/DietandNutrition/VitaminB12.htm
[8] Do You Need B-12?
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/newsinfo/l/blb12anemia.htm?terms=vitamin+B12+and+Tufts+
[9] Biotin and Hair Growth
http://www.add-hair.com/Biotin-hair-loss.htm
[10] Nutritional factors and hair loss.
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2230.2002.01076.x/abs/
[11] The interaction of iron, zinc and copper in the body of animals and humans
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2700243&dopt=summary
[12] Complete
[13] Age-related cochlear hair cell loss is increased in mice lacking copper/zinc superoxide dismutase.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10466888&dopt=summary
[14] Have Scientists Accidentally Discovered The Answer To Hair Loss?
http://www.emaxhealth.com/65/6131.html
[15] Regulation of male sex hormone levels by soy isoflavones in rats.
Source by Alastair Hall
