Hair loss doesn’t have to be inevitable. Which hair-boosting supplement could help male pattern baldness?
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) explain what male pattern baldness is.
Medically refered to as androgenetic alopecia, male pattern baldness is the “most common type of hair loss in men”.
It’s so prevalent that 50 percent of older men (over the age of 50) will be affected by the condition.
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The hair loss “is caused by a combination of genetic and hormonal factors”.
To be specific, one hormone – named dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – is a contributing culprit.
DHT “causes a change in the hair follicles on the scalp”, outlines BAD.
“The hairs produced by the affected follicles become
progressively smaller in diameter, shorter in length and lighter in colour.
“Eventually, the follicles shrink completely and stop producing hair.”
This results in receding hairlines and hair loss at the top of the head.
However, help is at hand in the form of one supplement – saw palmetto.
A two-year study, published in the International Journal of Immunopathol Pharmacol, discovered promising results.
Fifty participants – who were already experiencing male pattern baldness – were tasked with consuming 320mg of saw palmetto everyday.
The results showed that they experienced hair growth – primarily on the top of the head – when consuming this supplement.
Saw palmetto is available for purchase online and in health stores.
But BAD recommends hair loss medication, namely finasteride tablets.
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Finasteride reduces the levels of dihydrotestosterone, “which may slow hair loss and possibly help regrowth of hair”.
Typically, daily usage for up to six months is needed before benefits of the medication are seen.
The medication does have its drawback, though.
For instance, “decreased libido” and “erectile problems” can be side effects of treatment.
The BAD have another alternative – minoxidil liquid or foam.
Fairly expensive, and not available on an NHS prescription, minoxidil can “help to slow down the progression of hair loss”.
It can also “partially restore hair”. The product needs to be applied to the affected scalp (not the hair).
But it too can have side effects, such as “dryness”.
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