Role of Non Androgenic Factors in Hair loss and Hair Regrowth

Multiple nutritional, environmental and lifestyle factors can directly affect hair follicles or weaken and make them sensitive to the action of androgens. Patients having hair fall, thinning and poor growth can be in early stages of androgenetic alopecia. Hair loss can be corrected and hair growth can be improved by addressing these nonandrogenic factors. Recent research has shown that androgens inhibit hair growth through release of Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) β1. Further study of this mechanism reveals that generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) induced by androgens leads to release of TGF β1, explaining benefit of antioxidants in hair growth. The binding of ROS also causes hair loss by altering the cellular proteins and converting them to new antigens targeted by inflammatory and immune systems. Calorie restriction and individual micronutrient deficiencies lead to a new process of intracellular destruction or autophagy before cell apoptosis, which could explain cessation of hair growth. Telogen is not a resting phase but now defined as active conservation of follicles under unfavourable conditions. Thus any stress, trauma, metabolic change or insult causes telogen. Micronutrients zinc, copper, selenium maintain immunity, control inflammation and preserve antioxidant activity of the cells. Vitamins A, C, D have a role in phagocytosis and antibodies maintaining resistance. Vitamin D3 modulates the hair-inductive capacity of dermal papilla cells. Vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent among all the population of the world. Some nutritional supplementation is necessary to achieve day to day requirements. Nutritive value of the foods has reduced over the years by 30%. Endocrine Disrupting chemicals are creating further damage to the hormonal balance of the body. All these can be countered by a well-planned nutritional program which will also ensure strengthening and regrowth of hair follicles without the use of Finasteride.