Blocks the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, and thereby inhibits conversion of testosterone to DHT. At a dose of 1 mg/day, finasteride lowers serum and scalp DHT levels by more than 60 percent. The drug does not interfere with testosterone action. After 6 or 12 months of treatment, hair count was 9% higher in patients treated with finasteride. compared with placebo. After 48 months of therapy, hair count was 24% higher. The recommended dose of finasteride is 1 mg per day. Hair regrowth will be lost over six to nine months if finasteride is discontinued.
THE PULSE
HEALTH TIPS FOR BUSY PEOPLE
The Pulse delivers fresh insights every month to help you make healthy changes and live your best life. Got 5 minutes? The Pulse from 1Med can make you healthier.
May 2023
Issue #06
Breaking Bald
Image Credit: AMC
Historically, a shining dome has been seen as symbol of intelligence. Charles Darwin, Socrates, Captain Picard and Yoda are just a few of the many bald legends that rock that image. Yet many people who are losing their hair still hope that it will grow back. Hair loss is often distressing, because hair has been a symbol of health, power, and sexuality for thousands of years.
Hair loss is no small problem. By the age of 30, 16% of men and 12% of women have lost some hair - and by the age of 50, that number increases to 53% for men and 50% for women!
In this issue of The Pulse, we'll discuss why men and women lose their hair—as well as the many treatments available to prevent further loss and new strategies to grow back those luscious locks!
If you're interested in safe, proven ways to regrow your own hair, send us an email or DM with the subject "Hair growth".
Kirk and the 1Med Team
Hair Today. Gone Tomorrow.
Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men. It affects 16% of men from 18 to 29 years of age and 53% of men from 40 and 49 years of age.
It is caused by two main factors. First is a genetic predisposition. Young men with a balding father were five times more likely to have male pattern hair loss than young men with fathers without the condition. Second, circulating testosterone gets converted by an enzyme, 5-alpha-reductase, to a molecule called DHT - the compound responsible for stopping hair growth. So, your level of testosterone is not the real problem. The enzyme 5-alpha reductase is!!
The most common treatments for male pattern hair loss block this enzyme. These include the following medications:
Works by the same mechanism as finasteride. It is a more powerful blocker of the enzyme responsible for hair loss. Studies have not been done to assess if it is better at promoting hair growth than finasteride.
Is an alternative for patients who prefer to avoid oral medication. Available in 2% and 5% strengths but the 5% solution is more effective. Must be used twice a day for at least four months. Hair growth may be seen within four to eight months and stabilizes at 12 to 18 months. Thus, a full year of treatment is recommended.
Any questions about treatments for male pattern hair loss?
Contact a member of your 1Med team!
Welcome To The Future:
Laser Hats That Re-Grow Your Hair!
These innovative hats emit low-level laser light that increases blood flow to the hair follicles. This kickstarts the follicles back into “the growth phase”, leading to new hair growth that is healthier and thicker.
Health Canada has approved these devices that are even more effective than the large machines used in clinics!
The leader in the marketplace is Capillus. Clinical studies show that the Capillus laser treatments are safe and effective to treat hair loss in both males and females. Here are the results:
Capillus increased the hair count of participants from 11% to 189%, with an average increase of 51%!
100% participants in the study experienced a slowdown in hair loss.
Check out the before and after photo!
If you are interested in a Capillus hat then contact us at 1Med and we can order one for you!
Your shampoo matters!
Choose a shampoo without sulfates, paraben, sillicones and mineral oils!
These chemicals clog hair follicles and cause thinning and hair loss.
Hair Loss – Not Just a Guy Thing
Many people think of baldness as a male problem, but at least 50% of women will experience noticeable hair loss. However, unlike men, women typically experience thinning hair without going bald. Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) usually begins with gradual thinning at the part line, followed by increasing hair loss radiating from the top of the head – known as Christmas tree distribution
.
Some differences between female and male hair loss:
Relatively little is known about the genetics and inheritance of FPHL as well as the contribution of testosterone and hormones.
The causes of female hair loss are more extensive (*hyperlink thyroid disorders, vitamin deficiencies, iron deficiency, hair style (e.g. tight ponytails), hair dye and other products, certain medications, as well as the hormone changes caused by pregnancy, menopause and birth control pills.)
The good news: once the cause has been identified, treatment can begin to stop hair loss and ideally promote hair growth. Some of the common treatments the following medications:
It’s not a miracle drug. While it can produce some new growth of fine hair in some women, it can't restore the full density of the lost hair. It's not a quick fix for hair loss in women - you won't see results until you use the drug for at least two months. The effect often peaks at around four months, but it could take longer, so plan on a trial of six to 12 months. If minoxidil works for you, you'll need to keep using it to maintain those results. If you stop, you'll start to lose hair again. Minoxidil is safe, but it can have unpleasant side effects apart from the alcohol-related skin irritation. Sometimes, the new hair differs in colour and texture from surrounding hair. Another risk is hypertrichosis — excessive hair growth in the wrong places, such as the cheeks or forehead. (This problem is more likely with the stronger 5% solution.)
A diuretic that blocks the androgen receptors involved in hair loss. Women who don't respond to minoxidil may benefit from the addition of spironolactone, especially women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) because they make excess androgens. Doctors usually prescribe it with an oral contraceptive for women of reproductive age. (A woman taking one of these drugs should not become pregnant because they can cause genital abnormalities in a male fetus.) Possible side effects include weight gain, loss of libido, depression, and fatigue
Finasteride (Propecia®) is FDA-approved to treat male pattern baldness but is not approved for female pattern baldness. Like all prescription products, finasteride should be given under a physician’s care.
Pulling Your Hair Out about Hair Loss?
Other Treatment Options
Medication alone is not always enough to treat mental illness. Here are some innovative treatments that can be used in conjunction with medication for improved results!
Low-level laser therapy - uses red light to stimulate hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp.
Plasma rich platelet therapy - has shown promise as an alternative treatment for hair loss.
Does the cure for hair loss lie within our blood? ~ Harvard Health
Microneedling - can help regrow hair, but only for certain types of hair loss.
Can Microneedling Treat Hair Loss? ~ clevelandclinic.org
Serums and shampoos – new products that use natural ingredients to stimulating hair follicles and regulating the hair cycle.
Hair Transplant - procedure that moves hair from one place to another on your head and can be done in several ways.
Hair Transplant: How does it work/Success ~ clevelandclinic.org
Food feeds your hair!
Eggs, strawberries, spinach and nuts all play an important role in hair growth.
Check out this article to learn more! ~ Healthline
Thank you for reading
THE PULSE
Kirk & the 1Med Team
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