The loss of hair where it should be, especially over head, is a much matter of concern for every young man. Generally this lessening of the hair is gradual, and takes place as progressive diminishing of the hairline. This is technically referred to as androgenic alopecia or the male pattern baldness which occurs in human males and a few other primate animals. There is much on going research in this direction and endeavors have been successful in preventing and in few cases even reversing the process.
The male pattern baldness is characterized by hairs receding from the lateral sides of the forehead followed by a bald patch on the top of the mid-frontal head. The main culprit to this is the sex hormone dihydrotestosterone, or in short DHT which has much influence over the prostrate and the hairline. DHT is the biologically active metabolite of the potent male hormone testosterone and is 30 times more powerful than testosterone. It is worthwhile to remember that testosterone plays vigorous role in propelling and controlling the development and maintenance of male characteristics. While DHT has much role to play in promoting facial and body hair, it has inhabiting effect on head hair.
Testosterone is transformed into DHT under the catalytic influence of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase which upon its action on the genetically predisposed scalps leads to follicular miniaturization. In this process the hair shift width is progressively shrunk and dehydrated to the extent of its remnant as fuzz. The influence of harmful effects of DHT can be reduced by the intake of soy isoflavones and green tea.
Baldness treatment is a billion dollar industry. Several vasodilators as minoxidil functioning towards increased blood flow to the hair follicle and other cholesterol lowering drugs are formulated and administrated to the afflicted. Minoxidil was initially used to treat high blood pressure was found instrumental in the hair growth and reversing baldness as the side effect. However the drug need not be taken without medical advice. Drugs as finasteride are also a DHT inhibitor and acts by jamming the biosynthesis of 5-alpha reductase which converts free testosterone into undesirable DHT activity. Ketoconazole is another antifungal drug and also a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor.
Other upcoming treatments include stem cell therapy and hair cloning executed by way of multiplying hair roots. Research team from the University of Pennsylvania in collaboration with Follica Inc, a US based company is working towards alleviating baldness by stimulating the inactive hair follicles by making use of stem cells. This is undertaken by way of rekindling genes once active during embryonic development in the foetal stages.
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