Enzyme inhibitors against hair loss – useful or myth?
Table of contents
- Why can enzyme inhibitors help against hair loss?
- What enzyme inhibitors are there to combat hair loss?
- Medications as DHT blockers
- Propecia as an enzyme inhibitor against hair loss
- Hair transplantation as a permanent solution
- A hair transplant allows new hair growth
Why can enzyme inhibitors help against hair loss?
Around 80 percent of all men worldwide are affected by androgenetic alopecia at some point in their lives. This is a hereditary hair loss that typically begins with a receding hairline in the temples and forehead. Over time, a bald patch, also known as a tonsure, develops. Hair loss is caused by hypersensitivity of the hair follicles to dihydrotestosterone, the active form of the male sex hormone testosterone. Testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone in the scalp by the enzyme 5-α-reductase. DHT significantly shortens the hair's life cycle, causing it to transition from the growth phase to the resting phase more quickly. Over time, the hair atrophies, and ultimately the hair root dies. Women can also be affected. The typical progression is that the hair thins first in the crown region. Medications that act as enzyme inhibitors against hair loss inhibit the enzyme 5-α-reductase, which is responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. These medications can therefore help reduce hair loss.What enzyme inhibitors are there to combat hair loss?
There are both natural and medicinal DHT blockers that can slow the progression of hair loss. Natural enzyme inhibitors include sulforaphane, which is found in vegetables such as kohlrabi, radishes, broccoli, and cauliflower. Theaflavins, found in black tea, can also act as DHT blockers. Furthermore, flaxseeds contain natural enzyme inhibitors found in secondary plant substances that inhibit dihydrotestosterone. Fenugreek seeds contain the two active ingredients trigonelline and diosgenin, which are also said to inhibit DHT.Medications as DHT blockers
One medication used as an enzyme inhibitor is finasteride. However, taking it cannot completely stop hair loss, but only delays it. For example, if finasteride is taken over a period of one year, hair loss is delayed by exactly one year. The medication prevents the male sex hormone testosterone from being converted into dihydrotestosterone in the scalp. The drug prolongs the hair growth phase. However, once the medication is discontinued, hair loss continues to progress. A positive effect can be noticed after approximately three to six months of use. However, the product can cause some side effects, particularly erectile dysfunction and depression. Therefore, it is not a permanent solution to successfully stop your hair loss.Propecia as an enzyme inhibitor against hair loss
The drug Propecia is also taken to combat hair loss. Propecia is based on the active ingredient finasteride, so it also acts as an inhibitor of the enzyme 5-α-reductase. Taking it can delay hair loss. Just like finasteride, Propecia prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, allowing hair to remain in the growth phase for a longer period. However, this enzyme inhibitor is only effective against increased hair loss for as long as it is taken.Hair transplantation as a permanent solution
Taking various enzyme inhibitors can slow the progression of hair loss, but not stop it. Furthermore, these medications can cause numerous side effects. For this reason, taking medications like finasteride or Propecia is usually only a temporary solution. To permanently get rid of bald patches on the head, only a hair transplant can help. The team at the Elithairtransplant Clinic, led by Dr. Balwi, specializes in hair transplants and has already successfully performed over 3,000 such procedures. During hair implantation, individual follicular units are first removed from a donor area . These grafts are then specially processed in a laboratory and prepared for transplantation. The precise implantation of the follicular units enables a very natural and aesthetic end result.
