Dihydrotestosterone Treatment Information
Dihydrotestosterone or DHT is a hormone that is responsible for the majority of hair loss cases. The hormone is found mainly in the area of the crown of the head and leads to partial or complete balding. Pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) due to DHT is primarily the result of heredity, hormonal changes or aging. When DHT binds to the hair, the follicles shrink and fall out. Therefore, treatments to suppress DHT include topical treatments, laser hair therapy and more permanent measures such as surgery.
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Hair Transplantation
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A procedure for permanently treating DHT is hair transplantation. Transplantation involves removing grafts of hair from the back and sides of the head and transplanting them to the hair loss site. DHT is not found at the back or sides of the head so the transplanted grafts can still thrive when they're transplanted to an area of hair loss, as they're unaffected by the hormone.
Flap Surgery
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Flap surgery is a more drastic surgical method than transplantation. The procedure involves attaching a flap of scalp with hair and sewing it into the area of hair loss. Scalp reduction surgery or advanced flap surgery is a similar procedure although this method involves removing a bald section and advancing an area of hair-bearing scalp into the excised section.
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Tissue Expansion Surgery
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Tissue expansion surgery is a treatment for DHT that uses a balloon-like device called a tissue expander. The device is inserted beneath an area of hair-bearing scalp adjacent to the hair loss site. Over a period of several weeks, the device is gradually inflated with a saltwater solution. This process, in turn, causes the tissue on the scalp to expand and grow new cells while creating a nodule beneath the hair-bearing scalp. The tissue-expanded skin is then brought over the adjacent bald area to facilitate new hair growth. The procedure is often combined with flap surgery as a treatment for DHT.
Laser Hair Therapy
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Laser hair therapy is an FDA-approved treatment for DHT. The therapy attacks DHT by using low-level light lasers to stimulate the metabolism of cells in the scalp so damaged skin cells are able to regenerate, and therefore, grow hair. When used in combination with topical treatments containing Minoxidil and/or Saw Palmetto, the therapy has been established as an effective aid in reducing hair loss.
Minoxidil Treatment
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Topical treatments that contain Minoxidil, such as Rogaine, are proven formulations that combat DHT. New hair growth is typically seen after about 12 weeks.
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