Medication Treatment
Medication Treatment For Hair Loss & Hair Fall
First line treatment of Hair loss, hair falling, hair thinning and baldness is medication.
Its slowing down the shedding process, promoting hair regrowth, and improving overall hair health. Available From topical solutions to oral medications, these treatments target various underlying causes of hair loss, such as androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, disease hair loss and immune suppressed hair loss, etc.
Systemic Oral Medications
Oral Finasteride
It’s One an Only blocks type II 5 alpha reductase enzyme and works as a DHT blocker. While dutasteride acts on both type 1 and 2 5 alpha reductase enzyme and hence is more potent finasteride is used as a prescription medication for men who have male pattern hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride slows the rate of hair loss and stimulates new hair growth by inhibiting the body’s production of a hormone that destroys hair follicles.
Biotin
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, stimulates the production of keratin to increase follicle growth. The recommended intake is 30 micrograms for adults daily.
Vitamin A
Hair cells are the fastest-growing part of the body. vitamin A is the perfect fuel for that growth. When your body absorbs vitamin A, it produces sebum. That’s an oily substance that moisturizes your scalp, keeping it and your hair follicles healthy. Having a vitamin A deficiency could result in you experiencing hair loss. The recommended daily intake for vitamin A is up to 900 mcg for men and 700 mcg for women.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiencies can lead to hair loss conditions like alopecia, female pattern hair loss and excessive shedding. 600 IU of vitamin D is the recommended dosage for adults.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E contains the same antioxidant prowess as its vitamin C counterpart possesses. It means it can curb oxidative stress by balancing out the electron level in free radicals. vitamin E supplements for eight months experienced a 34.5% increase in hair growth. You can also find vitamin E in sunflower seeds, spinach, avocados and almonds the recommended dietary allowance is 15 milligrams daily.
Iron
Iron fuels the production of hemoglobin, a protein found in your body’s red blood cells. These cells distribute oxygen to cells throughout your body, aiding in their repair and growth. An iron deficiency can lead to hair loss, with women being the most susceptible.
Zinc
Zinc promotes hair growth and keeps the oil glands surrounding the follicles working well. If you have a Zinc deficiency, you could experience hair loss. Those most susceptible to zinc deficiencies are those who drink alcohol excessively.
Calcium Pantohenate
It is a salt of vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) that works inside the scalp and increases hair growth. Thus, it provides essential nutrients and reduces hair fall, strengthens hair from roots, nourishes follicles from within, and stimulates the growth of existing and new hair.
Saw palmetto
It is a herbal supplement derived from the berries of the plant. It It is believed to work by inhibiting the production of testosterone. Saw palmetto blocks 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT, leading to less DHT in the body, potentially slowing hair loss and promoting new hair growth.
Oral Minoxidil
Shortens the telogen phase and prolongs the anagen phase with a progressive growth in hair diameter and length.
- The conversion of minoxidil to its active derivative, minoxidil sulfate, by follicular sulfotransferase activity is a key step in the medication’s effectiveness,
- A recent study suggests that when given orally, instead of topically, minoxidil would be converted by platelet sulfotransferase and might reach a higher follicular accumulation.
- Minoxidil works as a vasodilator, and has anti-androgenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Minoxidil relaxes blood vessels which leads to an increased supply of nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles.
- Minoxidil reduces perifollicular microinflammation and it has been shown to suppress T-lymphocytes. This anti-inflammatory effect is also enhanced through the inhibition of the effects of prostacyclin and interleukin-1α.
- Minoxidil may stimulate the release of vascular endothelial growth factors and activate the β-catenin signaling pathway. β-Catenin acts as a transcriptional factor and plays a role in hair follicle regeneration.
- Finally, the use of OM in scarring alopecias can be justified by the fact that it has anti-fibrotic properties by inhibiting lysyl hydroxylase, an enzyme necessary for collagen cross-linking.
Advantages of Oral Minoxidil over Topical Minoxidil
Several practical advantages of OM over its topical formulation: It’s more convenient to swallow minoxidil than to apply it topically. With OM, patients note better cosmesis, because prescription oral therapy doesn’t distort gray hair color or generate product residue. OM is cheaper than the topical over-the-counter formulations. Application of keratin fibers to visually enhance scalp fullness is simpler without the use of topical minoxidil.
Topical applications For
Hair loss
Minoxidil
It is available as 5% and 10% lotion. Minoxidil is a potassium channel opener
The mechanism by which minoxidil stimulates hair growth is not fully understood, but minoxidil can help reverse the hair loss process of androgenetic alopecia by the following means:
- Reverses the miniaturization of follicles
- Increases blood flow around follicles
- Stimulates follicle movement to growth phase
- Extends each follicle growth phase
Topical Finasteride in Combination with Minoxidil
The combination of topical minoxidil and finasteride can thus be considered as a beneficial treatment strategy to maintain hair density after achieving initial improvement with oral finasteride, thereby obviating the use of oral finasteride indefinitely.
Peptides
Peptides may promote hair growth in several ways, including:
- Stimulating hair follicle growth
- Increasing blood circulation
- Hair follicle nourishment
- Anti-inflammatory effects on the scalp
Stimulating Hair Follicle Growth
Some peptides may act as DHT blockers that may help prevent the hormone from inhibiting hair growth by stimulating the production of keratin, a critical protein for healthy hair.
Increasing Blood Circulation
Peptides like copper peptides may help improve the blood flow, oxygen, and nutrient supply to the scalp, which boosts natural hair growth.
Hair Follicle Nourishment
Some peptides may help nourish hair follicles, resulting in healthier and more robust hairs.
Anti-inflammatory Effects on the Scalp
Certain peptides like Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 may have anti-inflammatory effects on the scalp skin, helping reduce inflammation and irritation that can prohibit new hair growth.
Commonly used peptides
- Anagain is a patented ingredient derived from organic pea sprout extract. It is claimed to stimulate hair growth by promoting the proliferation of hair follicle cells and extending the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.
- Capixyl is a blend of acetyl tetrapeptide-3 and red clover extract. It is said to preserve hair follicle stem cell activity and modulate dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone associated with hair loss.
- Procapil is a combination of three active ingredients: biotinoyl tripeptide-1, apigenin, and oleanolic acid. It is claimed to improve hair anchoring, strengthen the hair structure, and promote hair growth.
- Redensyl is a patented ingredient composed of various molecules, including dihydro quercetin glucoside and glycine soja germ extract. It is said to stimulate hair stem cells, promote hair growth, and improve hair density.
Types of Peptides for Hair Growth
Selecting the correct peptide is crucial for achieving optimal hair growth results. Some of the primary peptides that may help stimulate hair growth are listed below:
1. Copper Peptides
Copper peptides may improve blood vessels’ health, leading to better scalp circulation and hair nourishment. They have also been found to promote the growth of hair follicle cells.
2. Keratin Peptides
Keratin peptides may support hair growth because keratin is the primary protein in hair. Studies have found that topical application of keratin peptides can help improve overall hair strength and thickness.
3. Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
This peptide may have anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce inflammation on the scalp, which might lead to new hair follicle growth.
4. Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
When applied topically or taken as an oral supplement, this peptide may promote increased blood flow to your scalp, nourishing your hair follicles and promoting healthier-looking locks.
5. GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu has shown research results that help improve tissue regeneration, collagen synthesis, and antioxidant activity. Its use seems promising in promoting healthier-looking skin, including on the areas of the scalp where hairs grow.
6. Hexapeptide-11
This peptide may help increase collagen production and may be able to convert young vellus hair into mature terminal hair.
In nutshell, Hair fall, hair loss, or baldness are caused due to various etiological factors. Thus one should consult an expert like a Dermatologist or a trichologist to evaluate the cause of the problem, take a detailed medical history, followed by a Trichoscopy examination, analysing the cause of the problem, diagnosis the condition, and thus providing customized treatment and management of the hair loss problem.
