dhttoduction
- Thread starter rill
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The Gardener
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DHT is a byproduct of testosterone, which is produced in your balls. Some of the testosterone comes into contact with a certain family of enzymes that exist in your bloodstream, and these enzymes convert the testosterone into DHT.
Why do these enzymes make DHT? (I am assuming you will ask...)... well, because DHT is the chemical that makes you go into puberty, so to speak. DHT gives you facial hair, etc.., plays an important role in your sexual development. This is why many here frown on prescribing Propecia (which inhibits creation of DHT) to people under 18 who may not have fully developed sexually yet.
Why do these enzymes make DHT? (I am assuming you will ask...)... well, because DHT is the chemical that makes you go into puberty, so to speak. DHT gives you facial hair, etc.., plays an important role in your sexual development. This is why many here frown on prescribing Propecia (which inhibits creation of DHT) to people under 18 who may not have fully developed sexually yet.
Matgallis
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hmm well I disagree that DHT might effect the growth (anywhere, facial hair, height bla bla u get it.)
If DHT was a factor is maturing puberty wise, then we would see a ton of more cases of hairloss in 13-15 year olds (most start in that age). But there are hardly any.... just my $.02 take it or leave it, but don't flame it
If DHT was a factor is maturing puberty wise, then we would see a ton of more cases of hairloss in 13-15 year olds (most start in that age). But there are hardly any.... just my $.02 take it or leave it, but don't flame it
The Gardener
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What you say is logical, Matgallis, but there is another missing piece.
You don't see male pattern baldness in 13-15 year olds because their hair is not yet programmed to be receptive to DHT.
Consider this. All men go through puberty, right? But, NOT all men have male pattern baldness. ALL men DO have DHT being created in their bloodstream, DHT in and of itself does not cause male pattern baldness, it is only half of the problem. The main difference between male pattern baldness sufferers and non-baldies is that us male pattern baldness sufferers have hair that is genetically programmed to be susceptible to fall out at various stages of our lives. Other, NON-male pattern baldness men have just as much DHT in their blood as we have, the reason why they don't lose their hair is that their hair follicles' receptors are not sensitive to it. This same phenomenon is why us male pattern baldness sufferers lose hair in the temples and crown yet keep our back hair... the back hair is not genetically programmed to be affected by DHT.
I hope I described this with some clarity, it is hard to put into words cogently, but, I have studied male pattern baldness a LOT and I have a lot of knowledge on the internal biology of the workings of male pattern baldness.
You don't see male pattern baldness in 13-15 year olds because their hair is not yet programmed to be receptive to DHT.
Consider this. All men go through puberty, right? But, NOT all men have male pattern baldness. ALL men DO have DHT being created in their bloodstream, DHT in and of itself does not cause male pattern baldness, it is only half of the problem. The main difference between male pattern baldness sufferers and non-baldies is that us male pattern baldness sufferers have hair that is genetically programmed to be susceptible to fall out at various stages of our lives. Other, NON-male pattern baldness men have just as much DHT in their blood as we have, the reason why they don't lose their hair is that their hair follicles' receptors are not sensitive to it. This same phenomenon is why us male pattern baldness sufferers lose hair in the temples and crown yet keep our back hair... the back hair is not genetically programmed to be affected by DHT.
I hope I described this with some clarity, it is hard to put into words cogently, but, I have studied male pattern baldness a LOT and I have a lot of knowledge on the internal biology of the workings of male pattern baldness.
The Gardener
Senior Member
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Yes, it does.
If you want to prevent hairloss, here are the options:
1) Cut off your balls and eliminate testosterone production. (Not recommended)
or
2) Inhibit the enzymatic activity that converts testosterone to DHT. (This is what Finasteride does)
or
3) Inhibit the follicles' receptivity to DHT. (spironolactone does both this, and #2 above)
or
4) Genetically engineer follicles that are naturally NOT receptive to DHT. (Not available yet, but someday maybe?... When you get a hair transplant you are, in effect, putting non-receptive hair onto the area of your scalp where the balding is happening).
If you want to prevent hairloss, here are the options:
1) Cut off your balls and eliminate testosterone production. (Not recommended)
or
2) Inhibit the enzymatic activity that converts testosterone to DHT. (This is what Finasteride does)
or
3) Inhibit the follicles' receptivity to DHT. (spironolactone does both this, and #2 above)
or
4) Genetically engineer follicles that are naturally NOT receptive to DHT. (Not available yet, but someday maybe?... When you get a hair transplant you are, in effect, putting non-receptive hair onto the area of your scalp where the balding is happening).
Matgallis
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damn a lot of good info.
But I don't believe it's the actually hair folicale that attracts the DHT to it, I believe it's the surronding skin that the DHT is attracted to, the hair folical is just an innocent bystander.
If it was the actually hair folical then when men get hair transplants from their donor area, they wouldn't conitune to see that donor hair fall out as the year pass by.... All hair folicals are the same, it's just the location that make them special.
But I don't believe it's the actually hair folicale that attracts the DHT to it, I believe it's the surronding skin that the DHT is attracted to, the hair folical is just an innocent bystander.
If it was the actually hair folical then when men get hair transplants from their donor area, they wouldn't conitune to see that donor hair fall out as the year pass by.... All hair folicals are the same, it's just the location that make them special.
The Gardener
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Matgallis said:
The hair follicle is not the hair... it is the skin structure in which the hair is built. When an hair transplant is done, they take the whole follicle, hair and surrounding hair-creating skin apparatus, and put it somewhere else.
It is the follicle that is susceptible to DHT attack. So, by putting a follicle from the back of the head that is impervious to attack into an area of the scalp that is bald, the bald area can now regrow hair again.
DHT is prevalent throughout the entire scalp. What hairs fall out and which do not is a function of the genetic programming of the follicles.