| THE ARTICLE TALKS ABOUT: |
- Main culprit of male pattern baldness is the presence of the
hormone DHT, which is converted from the male hormone testosterone when it interacts with
the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. DHT is probably 10 times more potent than testosterone. Hair
follicles that are sensitive to DHT tend to fall off when exposed to the hormone.
- Four protocols were proposed for the treatment of hair loss:
- By stopping the body's production of testosterone.
- By stopping testosterone from becoming DHT.
- By blocking DHT before it gets to hair follicles.
- Be making hair follicles less sensitive to DHT.
- Protocol # 1 was ruled out immediately before it involves
castration.
- Protocol #2 - The feasibility of protocol #2 is currently
evaluated by means of the drug Proscar. Proscar is a name brand drug manufactured by Merck
and is FDA approved for the treatment fo benigh prostate enlargement. Incidently, it is
also discovered that Proscar promotes hair growth. The drug functions as an 5-alpha
reductase inhibitor which prevents or slows down the formation of DHT.
- Protocol #3 - No studies has found, to the satisfaction of the
authorities, any treatment that protects hair follicles from DHT. However, Brian
Reichenberg of Kevis Rejuvenation Programs (Beverly Hills) claims that he has the shampoo
that does the trick. The shampoo is imported from Italy. The active ingredient in the
shampoo is hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid can be found in sperm cells among other
places. According to Brian Reichenberg, the active ingredients attach to the hair
follicles and act as a shield against DHT. The only problem with the shampoo is that it is
not adequately substantiated by clinical studies.
- Protocol #4 - Alopex Pharmaceuticals in New Jersey is currently
investigating how to make hair follicels less sensitive to DHT. The research is going to
involve some kind of genetic studies and the task is to make hair follicles less
vulnerable to the hormone.
- As of now, Rogain (minoxidil) is the only FDA approved medication
for the treatment of hair loss. Rogain works better at the crown than at the frontal areas
where the skin is thicker and make absorption more difficult. As of the date of this
article, only 2% minoxidil is available in the US. However, the manufacture of Rogain,
Upjohn Pharmaceutical, has already submitted to the FDA for approval of a more potent 5%
minoxidil that is available for prescription only.
- Dr. Adam Lewenberg in New York has combined minoxidil with
Retin-A to enhance minoxidil's penetration to the hair follicles. The treatment costs
about US $2,700 for the first two years. Thereafter, the treatment costs US $30 per month.
- Similarly, the Hair & Skin Center in New York combines
minoxidil with amino acids, vitamins and special ingredients to enhance penetration of the
drug. In addiiton, it offers electrical stimulation of the scalp for the treatment of hair
loss.
- The author concludes that as an alternative to using topical
lotions for the treatment of hair loss, people can also choose to undergo surgical hair
restoration procedures such as hair transplantation and hair flaps. Dr Richard Fleming and
Dr. Toby Maye, Beverly Hills, are one of the most prominent surgeons performing
"flap" procedures in US. The procedure invloves removing from the patient's
scalp an entire strip of hair-bearing skin to the balding area.
|
