Youth is all about having your head full of lush, thick hair and as we age, hair loss occurs gradually. According to Traya experts, losing 50 to 100 hair strands daily is normal in adults, but if these are not replaced by new hair, you are in trouble.

The reason for your hair trouble may be deeply coded into your genes and this condition is called hereditary or genetic hair loss which can affect both men and women.

By now you must have made a hundred guesses if it has something to do with your family genes. Well, genetic hair loss is more complex than that, it has sure connections with your family genes but also depends on a number of other factors. This article is all about the hair science behind, and genetic hair loss treatment.

Table of Contents

Genetic Hair Loss 

Genetic hair loss is a condition caused by a combination of genetics and other factors such as hormones, diet, stress, etc. This condition is popularly known as androgenic alopecia and is more commonly known as male-pattern baldness in males and female-pattern baldness in females.

In men, hair loss usually begins at the crown or temple region and follows an M-shaped recession pattern. Initial hair thinning if not taken care of on time eventually leads to hair fall and balding. often progresses into bald patches or complete baldness. While in the case of females, hair loss is gradual and mostly noticeable after  menopause but may also become noticeable during certain health conditions like PCOS, thyroid, etc, or life stages such as post-pregnancy.There is slow but gradual hair thinning and rare chances of getting bald, instead, the hair loss occurs in the shape of a Christmas tree.

Now that we have understood these types, is it time to dig into how genetic hair loss occurs? 

Research has established that this type of hair loss is caused by an androgen hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Androgens are also very crucial for the development of male and female sex organs at birth and at the onset of puberty. It is suggested that the Androgenic Receptor gene in the body is linked with the production of a protein that further allows the body to respond appropriately to dihydrotestosterone and other androgens. . Variations in this gene alter the body’s reaction to DHT, making the hair follicles become more sensitive to DHT. This further causes disruption of active hair follicles and reduces their life span which further affects the hair growth cycle causing hair loss.

The Hair Growth Cycle 

The hair growth cycle oscillates in 4 phases -

• The growth phase

• The transition phase 

• The resting phase

• The shedding phase

This results in the normal day-to-day hair fall. In those who are suffering from hereditary hair loss, the DHT binds to the hair follicles and causes shrinkage which reduces the hair growth cycle, moreover it affects the growth of new hair by making them thinner and brittle which eventually falls out easily, also known as miniaturized hair. Due to the increased amount of DHT, the life span of hair strands gets shorter, and new hair takes more time to grow which delays the growth phase. This results in hair thinning and further leads to the closing of follicles, meaning no new hair growth. This can lead to partial or complete baldness if left untreated. Internal body issues may also trigger or aggravate the hair loss problem making it worse.

Genetic Hair Loss Treatments

The first thing you should know is that genetic hair loss cannot be cured since genes cannot be simply altered or fixed; however, this condition can be managed well with the right treatments and managing factors like stress, diet, hormones, and internal body issues. Adopting simple lifestyle changes can keep hair healthy and even slow the balding process. Our experts have specially curated a list of doable things for genetic hair loss treatment.

Lifestyle Changes: 

• Reduce Stress: Long periods of stress can trigger hair loss. Stress causes an abnormal shift of all the follicles to the resting phase, and an episode of Telogen effluvium occurs. Traumatic shock can be mental as well as physical and both can directly affect the hair cycle. One can manage stress by practicing yoga, exercising daily, listening to calm music, and getting enough sleep.

• Right Hair Diet: A balanced diet is needed to maintain your hair health. Just like your body, hair needs different nutrients to perform various functions like growth and repair. Moreover, poor nutrition puts an extra burden on the body in the battle to overcome DHT effects.

Make sure that you include ample amounts of fruits and vegetables to supply important hair vitamins such as iron, biotin, etc, dietary protein, and unsaturated fats in your diet. Foods that are rich in iron such as green leafy vegetables and eggs are recommended. Similarly, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as walnuts, and seeds are also advisable. You can also take Traya multivitamins for hair which consists of a combination of all essential vitamins and minerals that will boost your hair health. These DHT blocker vitamins consist of pumpkin seed extract which reverses the effect of DHT on hair follicles.

• Stop Smoking: Yes, smoking can indeed affect your hair. Research indicates that excessive smoke genotoxicants can affect your hair DNA and even increase the level of DHT in the body.  Plus, smoking damages the internal components of hair strands and restricts blood flow to the hair follicles, starving them of necessary nutrients which are necessary for healthy hair

Medications To Try: 

• Minoxidil: A tropical treatment and an approved drug by the FDA to treat hair loss. It is a vasodilator that dilates blood vessels to increase the flow of nutrient and oxygen-rich blood to your follicles. This reverses the shrinking, leading to thick and healthy hair growth. You can apply it on a clean, dry scalp. Traya offers a meticulously formulated topical minoxidil solution, which can be used effectively to treat genetic hair loss.

• Finasteride: It is another FDA-approved drug used to treat genetic hair loss. It is a natural DHT blocker and works by stopping the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Topical finasteride is a safer alternative to traditional oral finasteride with no side effects, especially related to sexual health outcomes.

• Redensyl, Capixyl, And Procapil: Help regenerate aged hair follicles. It also boosts blood circulation to follicles to accelerate regrowth. Redensyl works on the hair cycle by shortening the shedding and lengthening the growth phase. At the same time, Capixyl helps in modulating and inhibiting the DHT hormone but specifically works on improving hair quality. Capixyl helps modulate and inhibit the DHT hormone but specifically works on improving hair quality. Traya offers ReCaP serum which contains all three ingredients for active regrowth.

Other Options: 

• Hair Transplants: These are hair surgical options that one can try at the last stages of hereditary hair loss where other treatments may not remain much effective.  An ideal candidate would be someone with well-defined pattern loss.  

• Laser Treatment: It helps in reducing inflammation in the follicles and also helps in hair regrowth.

Takeaway

Genetic hair loss is upsetting, especially when it occurs in the early stages of life. As the name suggests, it runs in families and is more common with increasing age. Affected hair can be regenerated with treatment at the early stages of genetic hair loss; at later stages, the treatment may not work.

Traya is backed by science and therefore firmly believes in and encourages genetic hair loss treatment at earlier stages. We even guarantee results for stages between 1- 4 of hereditary hair loss as in the progressive stages, it becomes difficult to treat. The recovery percentage along with stage depends on many other factors, as hereditary hair loss has multiple triggers as discussed above, and is not just affected by a single factor. Successful treatment should focus on the root causes of hair loss. Traya offers complete holistic treatment with a combination of three sciences, namely Dermatology, Ayurveda, and Nutritional sciences, which works on different root causes. Our recommended treatments can help you regain the hair you once loved, unconditionally. Head on to the website to take Traya’s free hair test which can help you find all the root causes of your hair loss as well as an effective treatment plan. Talk to our hair experts and start your Traya journey today.

FAQ

Q1 - Can Genetic Hair Loss Be Reversed?

Genetic hair loss can be managed well with medications, change in lifestyle factors, and fixing internal body issues. However, genetic hair loss is not curable but treatable at its early stages. there are many ways available to slow down hair loss, and even regenerate new hair strands.

Q2 - How Do I Know If My Hair Loss Is Genetic?

Genetic hair loss is also known as pattern hair loss, which means it follows a distinguished pattern in both men and women. In males, one may notice the forehead getting bigger. Eventually, you see shedding near temples, and it may follow an M-shaped pattern around the crown area. This often proceeds to partial or complete baldness. In the case of females, hair loss is widespread instead in a specific pattern or shape. It tends to be one of two patterns in most women that is diffused central thinning or widening partition.

Q3 - Can We Stop Genetic Hair Loss Naturally?

You can manage a few factors that may trigger genetic hair loss. These include eating hair healthy foods, fixing internal bodily issues, managing doshas, and hormonal imbalances, reducing stress, and opting for a healthy lifestyle. These altogether can significantly enhance your hair health and may even help in regrowth.