Hair loss is mostly blamed on testosterone every time. The logic is compelling; testosterone is the male hormone and men suffer from male pattern baldness to a much greater extent than women. The connection is therefore seemingly obvious, more testosterone, more baldness. However, the picture is somewhat more complicated than this, and knowledge of this will in turn alter the way in which you approach the health of your hair.
Here’s it in simpler terms, everything about high testosterone hair loss.
Testosterone and Hair: What Is the Real Connection?
Therefore, the high levels of testosterone are not responsible for the hair loss, but rather what testosterone is converted into.
After testosterone has been broken down by the enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, it converts to a more potent form of testosterone; Dihydrotestosterone or DHT This is the hormone that causes the hair follicles to shrink over a period of time – also known as follicle miniaturization.
DHT causes the following:
- Binds to the hair follicles receptors on the scalp
- Slowly shrinks the hair follicles
- Produces thinner, shorter hairs with each hair cycle.
- Stops hair growth altogether at the end of the follicle.
So, it is not the question of high testosterone and hair loss – it is the sensitivity of your hair follicles towards Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Two individuals may have similar testosterone levels, a bald person and a perfectly haired person.
Does Hair Loss always due to high testosterone?
No. Some men have much higher natural testosterone levels and don’t lose a hair ever. Others with average testosterone are very balding in their 20s. Factors determining how susceptible you are to hair loss include: the genetic sensitivity of your hair follicles to DHT, the 5-alpha reductase activity of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme in your scalp and overall hormonal balance of your estrogen, cortisol etc. levels. If you think of it this way, testosterone is the source material, DHT is the weapon and your genes determine whether or not your hair follicles have armor on!
Men vs Women: Is It Different?
Yes, but women produce a smaller amount too. If a woman has a lot of testosterone this can lead to higher DHT levels (one of the most common causes being Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – PCOS) which can then cause female pattern hair loss (typically seen as thinning on top rather than a receding hairline).
The mechanism is the same for both men and women: it’s the sensitivity to DHT, not the total number of testosterone loss.
Can Testosterone Therapy Cause Hair Loss?
This is a question a lot of you are likely asking, especially those who are using TRT for medical purposes. And the answer is: it’s all about whether you are genetically inclined to experience DHT related hair loss or not.
If you have a gene for this you will find the addition of testosterone through TRT leads to more being converted to DHT and therefore can lead to hair thinning. Nonetheless, it is well controlled by a medicine such as Finasteride which acts on the 5-alpha reductase enzyme to inhibit the creation of DHT.
Always consult the right medical professionals before commencing and changing any forms of HRT.
When Should You Seek Treatment?
Here are a few symptoms to check out for and that are a good indication to have your hair assessed properly:
- Thinning of hair on the crown or on the temples
- Increasing widening of the hair parting
- Extra hair falls when brushing or shampooing
- Gradual decrease in the density over months.
The best approach is early intervention; the sooner you do so the more choices will be available to you.
Fuse Hair (Dr A’s Clinic), New Delhi where you will get an in-depth scalp and hormonal evaluation from expert Dr Arvind Poswal to pinpoint the underlying reason for your hair loss- DHT induced or otherwise, can do your trusted hair regrowth treatment in Delhi. It has the best customized treatment plans, clubbing clinical diagnoses and best available technologies.
What Are the Treatment Options?
When the reason is determined, the treatment method can be precise and reliable. Below are some of the common remedies recommended for the DHT hair loss are: – medications -finasteride blocks the production of DHT by binding with the 5-alpha reductase -minoxidil helps to grow the hair from dead roots, increasing circulation to the scalp. -non-surgical options -PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy uses blood plasma rich with growth factors, stimulating and growing dormant roots.
LLLT (low-level laser therapy) activates the hair cell with laser, leading to more vigorous growth; micro needling may promote collagen generation and absorption of topical drugs -surgical intervention If hair loss has resulted in a considerable loss, a hair transplant in Delhi, like the ones offered by Fuse Hair clinic will work for a lifetime solution; it moves the follicles which are resistance to DHT from the posterior portion of the head to the areas lacking coverage, resulting in normal and natural growth for good.
FUE Hair Transplant: What You Need to Know
The newest and the most popular procedure to go for, currently, is FUE or the Follicular Unit Extraction. As opposed to the traditional strip procedure, FUE works on removing each follicular unit individually with a small surgical instrument and implanting it at the site where you need the hair to grow. It is a scarless procedure and very easy and fast to recover from. If you too want to opt for this procedure then FUE hair transplant cost in India would be considerably cheaper than in the western countries and yet not much difference in the quality. Here at Fuse Hair, the procedure is performed using the latest equipment under highly experienced experts making it one of the top choices of hair restoration clinics in India.
Conclusion
Is there a link between testosterone and hair loss? Yes – but it’s not a straightforward one. The problem isn’t testosterone; it’s something called DHT, and whether or not it causes significant hair follicle damage is largely down to your genetics.
The better news is whether you’re suffering from an early thinning or an extensive hair loss condition, there are a number of effective, proven options to help restore your hair-from medication and PRP treatments, to surgical transplantation.
If you’ve been worried about a change in your hair and suspect there’s a hormonal connection to hair loss, it’s never too early to take action. Book in for an initial consultation at Fuse Hair (Dr A’s Clinic) today, and get a personal diagnosis and treatment plan from one of the most experienced hair restoration surgeons in India.