Scalp Fibrosis - Is THIS the Real Reason for Hair Loss in Men?

Summary

This video explains the role of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in male pattern baldness and introduces the concept of fibrosis as a lesser-known factor. It covers the history of hair loss treatments, focusing on finasteride's limitations in regrowth and how new approaches like minoxidil and micro-needling offer better results. The video also discusses the impact of scalp tension, reduced blood flow, and collagen build-up on hair loss. It highlights alternative treatments like muscle-relaxing injections and the GrowBand, which helps reduce scalp tension and improve hair growth. Viewers are encouraged to explore these solutions for better results.

Takeaways

• 🔬 DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a male hormone linked to hair loss, commonly associated with androgenic alopecia.
• 👨‍🔬 In the 1970s, scientists discovered that individuals who can't produce DHT due to a genetic mutation rarely experience hair loss.
• 💊 Finasteride, a drug that blocks DHT, helps stop hair loss in most men but typically doesn't restore much hair.
• 🌱 While Finasteride prevents hair loss, other treatments like minoxidil and microneedling are more effective in stimulating new hair growth.
• 🧬 Hair follicle miniaturization is a hallmark of male pattern baldness, but it doesn’t fully explain the process of hair loss.
• 🦠 Fibrosis, or collagen buildup in the scalp, is a factor in advanced baldness, potentially making hair loss irreversible.
• 🔴 Scalp tension and reduced blood flow are linked to hair loss, with balding areas receiving less blood supply.
• 💉 Muscle-relaxing injections that release scalp tension have shown promising results in hair regrowth but are costly.
• 🎩 The Grow Band is a less expensive, at-home alternative designed to relieve scalp tension and reduce fibrosis.
• 📈 Combining treatments like the Grow Band with conventional methods can enhance results for those combating hair loss.

Q & A

What is DHT and why is it significant in the context of hair loss?

DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, is a male hormone derived from testosterone. It plays a key role in the development of male secondary sexual characteristics, such as facial hair and a deep voice. However, DHT is also linked to androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness), as it causes hair follicles to shrink over time, leading to hair loss.

How was the connection between DHT and hair loss discovered?

The link between DHT and hair loss was discovered in the 1970s when researchers studied boys in the Dominican Republic with a genetic mutation that prevented them from producing DHT. These boys did not experience hair loss even in old age, which led to the development of drugs like finasteride to block DHT and prevent hair loss.

How effective is finasteride in treating hair loss?

Finasteride is effective in halting hair loss in about 80-85% of men. However, it is not very effective at regrowing hair. Around half of the men who use it do not experience visible regrowth, and those who do typically see only minimal results.

What other treatments have shown better regrowth results compared to finasteride?

Combining treatments like minoxidil with regular micro-needling sessions has shown more significant hair regrowth than finasteride. This combination has been observed to regrow 50 new hairs per square centimeter of balding scalp, compared to just 16 hairs with finasteride.

What is fibrosis, and how is it related to hair loss?

Fibrosis is the accumulation of scar tissue in the scalp, which occurs as hair loss progresses. The deposition of collagen around the hair follicles and in the dermal sheath thickens and hardens the scalp, making hair regrowth more difficult and eventually leading to irreversible hair loss.

How does fibrosis impact the blood flow to the scalp?

Fibrosis can restrict the blood flow to balding areas of the scalp. Men with hair loss have approximately 2.5 times less blood circulation in affected areas compared to healthy controls, which may impair the hair follicles' ability to grow new hair.

What role does scalp tension play in hair loss?

Scalp tension may be a significant contributor to hair loss. Research suggests that the areas of the scalp experiencing the most tension are also balding the fastest. Chronic scalp tension can lead to fibrotic buildup and restricted blood flow, both of which contribute to hair loss.

How do hair transplants demonstrate the importance of local scalp conditions for hair growth?

In hair transplants, hairs moved from the back of the head (donor region) to the front eventually thin out if finasteride is not taken, even though the donor region remains healthy. This suggests that local scalp conditions, like scalp tension and blood flow, are critical for hair growth.

What alternative treatments have shown promising results in reducing scalp tension?

Injections that cause temporary muscle paralysis in the scalp have shown promising results in reducing scalp tension and regrowing hair. Some men who received these injections experienced better hair regrowth than with finasteride, without side effects. However, this treatment is expensive.

What is the GrowBand, and how does it help with hair loss?

The GrowBand is a device designed to reduce scalp tension and fibrosis by gently gripping and lifting the sides of the scalp. It improves blood flow, reduces scalp tension, and encourages tissue remodeling, potentially helping to reverse some of the effects of hair loss.