Dr. Weeks’ Comment: My favorites singer, song writer is the supremely talented wise and insightful David Wilcox. His song about his hair thinning is hilarious…
“Top of my head shines through my haircut even when I brush shape and style.
Top of my head smiles at the young man telling me I must have been alive a while…
Top of my head shows up in pictures, don’t it make me look so strange!
I guess I only see my used to be and everybody sees me change
… on the top of my head…”
Listen to Dave commiserate with you HERE…
But humor aside, this is indeed a problem. Hair loss and thinning hair. It comes out when you brush or in the shower. Or it just seems to evaporate! So, to the degree possible, let’s identify and then correct the causative imbalances and remedy hair loss by stacking the cards in favor of you getting your thick head of luxurious hair back.
Why do we lose hair?
1) Genetics – hard to change those cards but we can work around to a certain degree.
2) Stress – you’ve heard about sudden hair loss or hair turning white after a traumatic experience? Well reducing stress levels can replenish the production of hair darkening melanocytes (melanin) and darken previously grey hair. Sudden hair loss (telogen effluvium) happens when some stress causes hair roots to be pushed prematurely into the resting state. Indeed, a “shock to the system”, can shut down as many as 70% of the scalp hairs over the subsequent two months. (Note: progesterone lessens the effect of the “shock and stress hormone” adrenalin).
3) Hormone imbalances: hypothyroidism is a common cause, as is an unhealthy ratio of estrogen to progesterone, (estrogen dominance); high dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to testosterone levels;
4) Nutritional Deficiencies: too little protein, low levels of zinc and copper and vitamin A and D.
5) Excess Toxins: high oxidant stress and inflammation at hair follicle site.
Before we propose solutions, let’s review why correcting your hormones systemically and topically is so important, DHT is the bad guy here – a potent metabolite of testosterone which causes hair loss on scalp (but increases body and chest hair)
Androgenic alopecia is commonly known as male pattern hair loss. The hair loss usually happens on the top and frontal regions of your scalp, causing your hairline to recede overtime. Increased DHT activity at your hair. Follicles is partly responsible for this hair loss, in addition to other factors, including genetic ones. High levels of DHT can shrink your hair follicles and shorten the hair growth cycle resulting in hair loss.
Drugs that you can use:
1) Hair regrowth requires an unburdened liver so that a balance of hormones will be available. Remember, while specific tissues manufacture hormones, they are doled out by the liver. Woman with healthy livers rarely have hormonal storms. A weak estrogen drug
Alfatradiol, also known as 17α-estradiol and sold under the brand names Avicis, Avixis, Ell-Cranell Alpha, and Pantostin, is a weak estrogen and 5α-reductase inhibitor medication which is used topically in the treatment of pattern hair loss in both men and women. But rather than take a synthetic drug, why not correct imbalances and heal naturally,
Topical prescription agents include Finasteride 0.3%. which, being a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor (5ARI) inhibits Testosterone metabolizing to the bad metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
Natural hair regrowth depends upon optimizing your nutrition (SOUL) as well as detoxifying (CORE) and applying select remedies topically. The internet is full of magic potions but they typically have the following mechanisms of action:
1) a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor (5ARI) inhibits Testosterone metabolizing to DHT (the drug is Finasteride 0.3%.)
2) a blood vessel dilating agent to nourish the hair follicle (the drug is Minoxidil 8%.)
3) various vitamin A analogue (the drug is Retinoic Acid 0.001%)
4) And a steroid for anti-inflammation (Hydrocortisone 1%)
My patients (who optimize their nutrition and detoxification) have better results with these topical agents:
- DMSO (a natural solvent to bring oxygen to resuscitate hair follicles when suffocated by sebum (wax) build up.
- SOUL (anti-inflammatory seed oils with high nutritional benefits, Yes the skin of your scalp needs to be fed!)
- Calm Cream™ (progesterone which is a 5ARI and also an aromatase inhibitor allowing more testosterone and less DHT) Calm Cream™ also features lavender oil which stimulates hair regrowth,
- XYZone Cream™ with less progesterone but plenty of pumpkin seed oil and hemp seed oil both of which stimulate hair regrowth.
PROGESTERONE
Let’s review the role of bioavailable, natural topical progesterone on your scalp.
“Topical progesterone is more beneficial than oral progesterone and transdermal creams infuse progesterone with natural ingredients that feel soothing on the skin. It’s a low-cost way to grow hair.” SOURCE
AND
“Progesterone, along with other hormones, promotes hair growth in the anagen phase. Since women produce more progesterone during pregnancy, women report having softer, more luxurious hair. But when entering menopause or due to stress or poor lifestyle, lower progesterone levels directly affect the anagen stage of the hair cycle.
But if you live in a constant state of stress, this fight or flight response takes a toll on your mind and body. One way that having too much pressure can reveal itself is through hair loss. Taking the time to reduce stress may encourage hair growth and boost progesterone levels.” SOURCE
“Progesterone is also a precursor in the production of other important hormones, including estrogen and cortisone. Progesterone-based hormone therapies can also be effective in treating hair loss.. Progesterone naturally inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which works to block the harmful effects of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Progesterone will prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT, a biologically active metabolite found in the body of people who are suffering with hair loss. DHT is considered the primary factor responsible for damaging hair follicles and therefore causing hair loss in patients with androgenetic alopecia.” SOURCE
“A low level of thyroid hormones, called hypothyroidism, is a leading cause of hair loss. Low levels of thyroid reduce the body’s ability to regenerate cells. Hashimoto’s and Grave’s disease are two autoimmune diseases that can cause hair loss. Hashimoto’s is the result of low thyroid and Grave’s disease is responsible for over active thyroid, or hyperthyroidism.
Hair loss can also be triggered by hormone changes that occur during menopause. During menopause women’s estrogen and progesterone levels drop causing hair to grow more slowly and become thinner. In addition to keeping your bones strong, estrogen and progesterone keep your hair healthy. A decrease in these hormones causes an increase in androgen production which causes hair follicles to shrink and contribute to hair loss.
Bioidentical hormone therapy can help with thinning hair for hair loss that is caused by hormonal imbalances. Bringing estrogen and progesterone levels back into balance contributes to a decrease in hair loss and can improve hair density.” SOURCE
According to a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, progesterone can affect the growth of a hair follicle in two ways:
- It suppresses luteinizing hormone which, in turn, has a negative impact on the production of androgens.
- It inhibits the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone.
Both these processes should help in the growth of hair. That’s because, in genetically susceptible individuals, androgens can miniturize the hair follicles which eventually leads to baldness. SOURCE
And here is the definitive article endorsing progesterone:
Hormonal Effects on Hair Follicles
Monika Grymowicz, et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Aug; 21(15): 5342. Published online 2020 Jul 28. doi: 10.3390/ijms21155342
ABSTRACT: The hair cycle and hair follicle structure are highly affected by various hormones. Androgens—such as testosterone (T); dihydrotestosterone (DHT); and their prohormones, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstendione (A)—are the key factors in terminal hair growth. They act on sex-specific areas of the body, converting small, straight, fair vellus hairs into larger darker terminal hairs. They bind to intracellular androgen receptors in the dermal papilla cells of the hair follicle. The majority of hair follicles also require the intracellular enzyme 5-alpha reductase to convert testosterone into DHT. Apart from androgens, the role of other hormones is also currently being researched—e.g., estradiol can significantly alter the hair follicle growth and cycle by binding to estrogen receptors and influencing aromatase activity, which is responsible for converting androgen into estrogen (E2). Progesterone, at the level of the hair follicle, decreases the conversion of testosterone into DHT. The influence of prolactin (PRL) on hair growth has also been intensively investigated, and PRL and PRL receptors were detected in human scalp skin. Our review includes results from many analyses and provides a comprehensive up-to-date understanding of the subject of the effects of hormonal changes on the hair follicle.
SPECIFICS re TOPICAL CREAMS
XYZone Cream™ features bioidentical, natural progesterone, as well as potent, seed oils, including pumpkin seed oil which itself has been proven to enhance hair regrowth and prevent hair loss. Here is the peer-reviewed, scientific article which proclaims the benefit of this powerful ingredient in XYZone cream™.
PUMPKIN SEED
Beneficial effects of pumpkin seed oil as a topical hair growth promoting agent in a mice model
Valiollah Hajhashemi et al Avicenna J Phytomed. 2019 Nov-Dec; 9(6): 499–504. doi: 10.22038/AJP.2019.13463
Abstract
Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seed oil mainly consists of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Previously, it was reported that oral administration of pumpkin seed oil (PSO) improved hair growth in male pattern alopecia. This study aimed to evaluate hair promoting activity of topical PSO in an animal model.
Results:
Topical application of testosterone significantly (p<0.01) prevented hair growth (compared with intact control). PSO (10%) increased hair growth score after 3 weeks and histopathological findings confirmed these results. After 3 weeks of treatment, the percentage of follicles in anagen phase was 95±4.6 and 44.4±15 for intact control and testosterone-only treated group, respectively. These percentages for PSO (10%) and minoxidil were 75±5.3 and 91.3±4.4, respectively and they could significantly (p<0.001) reverse the effects of testosterone.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, as topical application of PSO showed hair growth promotion, it might be regarded as a promising alternative for treatment of male pattern alopecia. Also, considering its composition, free fatty acids and minor components like phytoestrogens and vitamin E may have contributed to this effect.
And
Effect of Pumpkin Seed Oil on Hair Growth in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Young Hye Cho, et al Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014; 2014: 549721. Published online 2014 Apr 23. doi: 10.1155/2014/549721
Abstract
Pumpkin seed oil (PSO) has been shown to block the action of 5-alpha reductase and to have antiandrogenic effects on rats. This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was designed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of PSO for treatment of hair growth in male patients with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia (AGA). 76 male patients with AGA received 400 mg of PSO per day or a placebo for 24 weeks. Change over time in scalp hair growth was evaluated by four outcomes: assessment of standardized clinical photographs by a blinded investigator; patient self-assessment scores; scalp hair thickness; and scalp hair counts. Reports of adverse events were collected throughout the study. After 24 weeks of treatment, self-rated improvement score and self-rated satisfaction scores in the PSO-treated group were higher than in the placebo group (P = 0.013, 0.003). The PSO-treated group had more hair after treatment than at baseline, compared to the placebo group (P < 0.001). Mean hair count increases of 40% were observed in PSO-treated men at 24 weeks, whereas increases of 10% were observed in placebo-treated men (P < 0.001). Adverse effects were not different in the two groups.
This study shows that PSO supplement during 24 weeks has a positive anabolic effect on hair growth and that this is due to the possible efects of 5-reductase inhibition in patients with mild to moderate male pattern hair loss.
CALM CREAM ™
CALM CREAM™ features bioidentical, natural progesterone, as well as other powerful seed oils, including lavender oil, which itself has been proven to enhance hair growth. Let’s look at the science supporting the use of topical lavender oil.
LAVENDER OIL
Hair Growth-Promoting Effects of Lavender Oil in C57BL/6 Mice
Boo Hyeong Lee et al Toxicol Res. 2016 Apr; 32(2): 103–108. Published online 2016 Apr 30. doi: 10.5487/TR.2016.32.2.103
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the hair growth effects of lavender oil (LO) in female C57BL/6 mice. The experimental animals were divided into a normal group (N: saline), a vehicle control group (VC: jojoba oil), a positive control group (PC: 3% minoxidil), experimental group 1 (E1: 3% LO), and experimental group 2 (E2: 5% LO). Test compound solutions were topically applied to the backs of the mice (100 μL per application), once per day, 5 times a week, for 4 weeks. The changes in hair follicle number, dermal thickness, and hair follicle depth were observed in skin tissues stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and the number of mast cells was measured in the dermal and hypodermal layers stained with toluidine blue. PC, E1, and E2 groups showed a significantly increased number of hair follicles, deepened hair follicle depth, and thickened dermal layer, along with a significantly decreased number of mast cells compared to the N group. These results indicated that LO has a marked hair growth-promoting effect, as observed morphologically and histologically. There was no significant difference in the weight of the thymus among the groups. However, both absolute and relative weights of the spleen were significantly higher in the PC group than in the N, VC, E1, or E2 group at week 4. Thus, LO could be practically applied as a hair growth-promoting agent.
10 benefits of Lavender oil and hair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH43uetqrE0
Finally, XYZone Cream™ features powerful Hemp seed oil. What roles does this seed oil have in hair regrowth. Well, there needs to be more research, but this initial article is promising.
Hair Regrowth with Cannabidiol (CBD)-rich Hemp Extract –A Case Series
Gregory L. Smith1and John Satino
Cannabis 2021, Volume 4 (1)© Author(s) 2021researchmj.orgDOI: 10.26828/cannabis/2021.01.003
ABSTRACT
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss. Several FDA approved medications are available but offer limited results. Studies have shown that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a key player in hair follicle cell growth. The ECS cannabinoid type one (CB1) receptors are well expressed in the hair follicle cells. Cannabidiol CBD is a negative allosteric modulator of the CB1 receptor and has been shown to result in hair shaft elongation. In addition, the hair follicle cycle phases are controlled by the ECS vanilloid receptor-1 (TRPV1). CBD has also been shown to increase Wnt signaling pathways that are involved in the differentiation of dermal progenitor cells into new hair follicles and maintaining the anagen phase of the hair cycle. The effects of CBD on hair growth are dose dependent and higher doses may result in premature entry into the catagen phase via a receptor known as vanilloid receptor-4 (TRPV4). Topical application of CBD reaches hair follicles where it is a CB1 negative modulator, and TRPV1, and TRPV4 agonist. A study was done of 35 subjects with AGA using a once daily topical hemp oil formulation, averaging about 3-4 mg per day of CBD and minimal amounts of other cannabinoids for six months. A hair count of the greatest area of alopecia was carried out before treatment and again after six months. The results revealed that men did slightly better than women, and the vertex area did better than the temporal areas. On average there was statistically significant 93.5% increase in hair after 6 months. All subjects had some regrowth. There were no reported adverse effects. Since the CBD works through novel mechanisms different from finasteride and minoxidil it can be used in conjunction with these current drugs and would be expected to have synergistic effects.
So, bottom line: don’t give up on your scalp and its effort to grow amazing hair. Hair is great to have. It may even channel light acting like fiberoptics to enlighten your brian and body Sources: Here and Here
From the scriptural perspective, the Bible weighs in here”
“But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her.”
Though, it gets more complex, as the Bible also teaches:
“Every man who prays or prophesies with long hair dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with no covering of hair dishonors her head—she is just like one of the “shorn women.” If a woman has no covering, let her be for now with short hair; but since it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair shorn or shaved, she should grow it again. A man ought not to have long hair”
So, why not grow your hair …. but see your barber on a regular basis just to be safe!