Hair fall - The root pressure theory (Part - I)

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Hair fall (the common baldness or pattern alopecia) is a common but extremely distressing condition in both men and women alike. I have written about it in the local newspaper. It is all in your genes or 'your hormones' is what we usually hear from the doctors, friends and your dog. We read it all the time in the media. 

When I was in India on vacation last month, I counted 5 different advertisements of hair loss medicines in the local TV channel each promising natural hair re-growth. One claimed to be a condensed form of oil, distilled 6 times. Some advertisements were quite hilarious. But I was surprise to see 3 bottles getting sold from a pharmacy right in front of my eyes while I was waiting to buy my Mom's insulin. Hope these expensive bottles of hyper-distilled oils increase the local barber's business.

B0032P0003 (Photo credit: Nottingham Vet School)

But this thread on the "root pressure theory" that may take several parts and several weeks to finish, is not about the hair-loss treatments. It is about a new theory on hair loss which may seem implausible in the beginning but after hearing my justifications, even you may turn into a believer! But before I start explaining the theory and throw the evidences in front of you, let me ask you a question? Can you or do you know anybody who can move their ears spontaneously? If yes, is that person bald? Haha.. How did I know that? Well, wait for part-II.

Related articles

• Alopecia: evaluation and treatment (dovepress.com)
• Would You Want To Know About Future Hair Loss? (bellasugar.com)
• Solutions For Hair Loss (answers.com)
• Natural Hair Loss Treatments You Should Learn About (boldstate.com)
• Why We Lose Our Hair (microphone-film.net)

Beta-Sitosterol

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Archives of Dermatological Research, Online First™ - SpringerLink: "The present study clearly indicates the superiority of phyto-vesicles over the complex and β-sitosterol, in terms of better absorption and improved activity for the treatment of alopecia."

'via Blog this'

β-sitosterol is a cholesterol lowering plant sterol with 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor activity. This study demonstrates a method to increase its penetration. But I am not convinced about the maximum efficacy possible for a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor route in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

Related articles

• Alopecia: evaluation and treatment (dovepress.com)

Crown Hair Transplant - Part 1

Crown Hair Transplant - Part 2

What your Hair & Scalp Say About your health

Slideshow: What Your Hair & Scalp Say About Your Health

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-t...

Is your hair trying to tell you something about your health? Some medications and conditions affect your hair as well as your body. This slideshow shows what's myth and what's fact when it comes to your health and your hair.

Lonely Hair

A receding hairline is a distinctly masculine trait.  Females can occasionally develop it in a condition called frontal fibrosing alopecia. However in females, this is not hereditary and is a variant of a condition called 'lichen planopilaris'. Lonely hair is a clinical sign in this condition(1). What a cute name for a clinical sign!

(1) Lonely Hair: A Clue to the Diagnosis of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia. Arch Dermatol. 2011;147(10):1240. doi:10.1001/archdermatol.2011.261

Formic Acid and Hirsutism

Hirsutism (male patterned hair in females) is a common but distressing problem. Laser hair removal is the gold standard for treatment though results vary. A few studies have revealed that topical application of eflornithine hydrochloride can also decrease the rate of facial hair growth and is often used along with laser. A recent study investigated the effect of topical Formic acid on Hirsutism.(1) Preliminary results were not so encouraging though an apparent reduction in hair density was noticed. The dermatology dept. of Father Muller's hospital (Mangalore) has demonstrated the use of formic acid in the treatment of warts which is the only demonstrated therapeutic use of formic acid.

From my rudimentary knowledge of biochemistry, formic acid is an oxidation product of Glycolic acid, a commonly used alpha hydroxy agent in chemical peels. Incidentally cigarette smoke can catalyze this conversion. So if you smoke while having a glycololic peel, you may loose your facial hair :-)

(1)  http://www.dovepress.com/evaluation-of-the-effect-of-formic-acid-and-sodium-formate-on-hair-red-peer-reviewed-article-CCID