Hair care and the causes of hair loss.

For those who suffer from thinning hair or more serious conditions of the hair and scalp, hair care means a lot more than simply using a quality shampoo and conditioner. Balding, whether brought about by hormonal problems or conditions such as Alopecia (which can cause total hair loss), can be very distressing, and affects both men and women.

Hair loss may have many causes, including hormonal imbalances, genes, B vitamin deficiencies, long term use of certain medications, chronic stress and hypothyroidism. However, amongst men in particular, the most common cause of hair loss is male pattern baldness, which is associated with hormone imbalances.

There are a number of products available to specifically target these problems, from shampoos and conditioners designed to thicken the hair, to medications developed to halt hair loss and encourage growth. Some of these are mentioned below.

The FDA approved drug Dutasteride (Avodart) was originally developed to treat patients with enlarged prostates, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It acts by blocking the production of a natural substance that enlarges the prostate gland. Clinical research also discovered that Dutasteride is effective in treating male pattern hair loss. Results concluded that men, who suffer from either male pattern hair loss or BPH, appear to have increased levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a by-product of testosterone. Blocking the enzymes that form DHT disrupts a key process in the development of male pattern hair loss, and in the development of BPH. In one study, hair re-growth was evident after 24 weeks of use with Dutasteride.

Dercos is a special shampoo that contains a unique chemical called aminexil. It has been studied in large scale hospital trials and shown to improve hair density and overall hair coverage. It works by softening the collagen content within the hair, which improves its ability to stay within the scalp longer. Individuals who have combined Dercos topical liquid ampoules with Dercos shampoo have noticed, within a period of 8 weeks, significant improvements in terms of actual hair loss and hair density.

Nanoguard, which is used like a shampoo, is designed to prevent a build up of DHT on the scalp, by partially blocking 5-alpha reductase (5-AR). It also contains other ingredients known to help block DHT, including saw palmetto, pygeum, green tea extracts, superoxide dismutase, urtica dioica (Nettle), pyridoxal-5-phosphate and zinc. These ingredients are also believed to promote healthy hair growth.

Nanothik, which can be used in conjunction with Nanoguard, is a conditioner with a difference. It is designed to swell and coat each strand of hair by up to 50% with regular use. Nanothik’s unique delivery forces water into the center of the hair shaft, which makes it swell. The patented formula includes d-panthenol, pentavita, dimethicone and silicone. These help to prevent water loss and promote thickness without any sticky residue.

Nizoral is a potent anti-dandruff shampoo, specifically designed to help block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a process believed to cause follicle damage and loss. It contains the highest possible strength of Ketoconazole (2%), an anti-fungal agent that treats and prevents dandruff and other scalp infections such as psoriasis. Nizoral also helps to remove sebum deposits, which may reduce or prevent hair follicles from receiving a vital supply of nutrition. Sebum deposits can not be removed with normal scalp cleansing techniques.

Proscar contains Finasteride and is also known as Propecia. Like Dutasteride, it is a DHT blocker and is officially used to treat prostate conditions. However, further research determined that regular use of Finasteride had a positive effect on hair growth for individuals suffering male pattern baldness. In December, 1997, Finasteride was given FDA approval to treat male pattern hair loss.

Whether you are suffering from hair loss or a scalp condition, one or more of the five products mentioned above may be of benefit in the long term.