What You Should Know About DHT & Losing Your Hair
What is DHT?
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a more potent version of testosterone that contributes to the development of secondary sex characteristics in men, such as a deeper voice and increased muscle mass. In fact, DHT is actually derived from testosterone, which is converted to DHT by the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. Both DHT and testosterone work by activating the Androgen Receptor (AR) in our cells, but since DHT can bind to AR more strongly, it results in more potent activation.
DHT is the primary driver of progressive hair loss in men and women, known as androgenic alopecia.
Is DHT Good or Bad?
In some ways DHT has positive effects on your body overall, yet in other ways it can have negative effects. For men, some of the positive effects include:
- deep voice
- increased muscle mass and strength
- growth of the penis and testicles
- changes in how fat is distributed around the body (ie. loss of “baby fat” appearance)
- increasing libido and sex drive
However, the irony about male sex hormones is that one of the hormones in men that is associated with traits of confident “masculinity” is also responsible for hair loss, which makes many men feel less confident. Eliminating DHT altogether would theoretically prevent the majority of androgenic alopecia, yet it would simultaneously reduce the positive aspects of DHT on masculine traits. Therefore, it is essential that your body continue to produce the optimal amount of DHT, in the right places, yet not in the hair follicles.
Some of the ways that DHT can become problematic include:
- slow healing of skin upon injury
- prostate hyperplasia (ie. enlarged)
- adenocarcinoma of the prostate (ie. cancer)
- heart disease and vascular disease
DHT & Hair Loss
The reason why DHT drives hair loss is due to hair follicle miniaturization, which prevents the growth of a strong hair shaft that will resist daily wear and tear. This is one of the major reasons why your hair falls out, and also a reason why too much hair will end up in your shower drain. Some men with high levels of DHT can maintain a full head of hair well into their golden years, while other men with only moderate levels of DHT will begin to experience significant hair loss in their 30’s. If DHT is the primary driver of hair loss, then how could this be true? The X factor to explain why some men experience DHT-related hair loss but others has less to do with overall levels of DHT and more to do with their genetics. It turns out that in both men and women with a genetic predisposition to hair loss, DHT binds to specific androgen receptors. These special DHT-AR complexes target DNA in a slightly different way and activate genes responsible for the gradual transformation of normal hair follicles to the “miniaturized follicles” that cannot sustain thick, fast-growing hair shafts.
Hair everywhere on your body grows out of structures underneath your skin known as follicles, which are essentially tiny capsules that each contain a single strand of hair.
The hair within a follicle typically goes through a growth cycle that lasts about two to six years. Even if you shave or cut your hair, the same hair will grow back out of the follicle from the root of the hair contained within the follicle.
At the end of this cycle, the hair enters the telogen phase (ie. resting phase) before finally falling out a couple of months later. After this, the follicle produces a new hair, and the cycle begins anew.
High levels of androgen hormones, including DHT, can shrink hair follicles in addition to shortening this cycle, which leads to hair looking thinner and more prone to breakage, as well as falling out sooner. DHT can also make it take longer for your follicles to grow new hairs once old hairs fall out.
While finasteride only slows the conversion of testosterone to DHT, RegenRx RU58841 actually blocks DHT from activating AR. Thus, RegenRX takes a more complete approach to preventing DHT from causing hair loss.
DHT & Genetics
Hereditary hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss. This happens due to an inherited hormonal sensitivity that comes from either your mom’s side or dad’s side of the family—or worse, if it comes from both sides of you family.
It is crucial to examine your family history. For men, hereditary hair loss is usually known as “male pattern baldness” because it often occurs in a recognizable pattern. Generally, men experience a receding hairline beginning at the temples and thinning at the peak of the scalp, known as the “crown”. The condition progresses to the point where the balding area at the crown and the balding area above the temples meet and leave behind a U-shaped band of hair around the sides and back of the head.
The most common reason women lose their hair is also hereditary hair loss, but it doesn’t always follow a recognizable pattern. The condition can present as a widening part, patchy hair loss or overall thinning.
Androgenetic alopecia is progressive for both men and women, which results in hair loss worsening over time. In fact, age is the second leading cause of hair loss. Although a small degree of hair loss is a natural part of the aging process, a worrisome rate of hair loss and thinning can occur when a high number of hair follicles go into the resting phase, while remaining hair becomes shorter and finer. This condition is called involutional alopecia.
RU58841 & Androgen Receptor Blocking
A newer approach to blocking DHT more efficiently is not by preventing the formation of DHT like finasteride does, but rather by preventing DHT from activating its target, the Androgen Receptor. RU58841 accomplishes this task by “competitive inhibition” which is like hogging the basketball so no one else can shoot.
Since everyone’s genetics are variable and some people need more help than others to prevent hair loss, RegenRx offers different strengths of RU58841 that will help restore hair. In addition to different strengths, RegenRx also manufactures RU58841 in two different carrier solutions that offer different pros and cons, depending on your lifestyle. Check out our product page to learn more.
