Why the pattern if hair loss is caused by something other than DHT?

If hair loss is caused by something other than DHT (adrenal, insulin, thyroid, etc) than why the pattern. It makes sense that the hair on the sides and back are resistant to DHT but the horseshoe area are sensative DHT-thus male pattern baldness. If the other things you mention such as insulin and so forth are contributing to hair loss than why is hair on the sides and back so thick?

Because many things influence your sex hormones, including insulin. For example, eating sugar causes SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) levels to drop. The lower your SHBG levels are, the less SHBG there is to bind with the free testosterone in your bloodstream, so the free testosterone remains free and can do damage to your hair. I'm sure other people can think of more examples but that's just one. Thyroid problems would cause a diffuse hairloss rather than male pattern, however.

It's not caused by something else, at least not directly. I think the aim of the natural method is to reduce the inflammation that the autoimmune response generates as a result to a genetic predisposition to hair follicle sensitivity to DHT. If you want to label something as the root cause of this horridness, then it would be your genes not DHT.

I understand all of that, but if inflamation is causing hair loss why isn't it causing hair loss everywhere? Why in specific areas?

Because the inflammation only affects places were you have that "sensibility" to DHT,only that parts of hair are affected with DHT,and make hair get more thin and then fall out.Because it´s genetic,it´s just that!

Inflammation just make things worse

jasonshadow - Why the pattern?

Every time I go to the movies, I can see plenty of bald men in front of me. Of the ones with the most aggressive balding, there is a glossy shine to their bald areas. This is rich in sebum.

The location of the sebaceous glands in the scalp probably has a lot to do with this. When DHT levels increase for various reasons, sebum production increases--in those specific areas where sebum is produced.

There is a theory and while it has not been proven without any doubt, I believe it has a lot of truth to it.

Malassezia, along with other types of inhabitants of our skin are lipid loving types of yeast, fungi and even demodex (mites). All of them secrete an enzyme (lipase type enzymes) to digest the sebum. The more sebum that is being produced, the greater in population these various organisms are.

As a consequence of these lipase enzymes (Phospholipase A2, for example), it releases an entire avalanche of liberation of arachidonic acid, which is the rate-limiting step in the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are powerful in the inflammation department.

IH,

If you believe this theory, how come you don't recommend any topical treatments to kill these organisms? If I remember correctly; in another thread you said that lasers would be the "topical" you recommend in addition to your internals. Are there no legit topical applications that you would suggest other than lasers? What about tea tree oil as an antifungal? To me it just seems like a waste to not throw anything on your head at all and ignore that angle completely.

CausticSymmetry wrote:
As a consequence of these lipase enzymes (Phospholipase A2, for example), it releases an entire avalanche of liberation of arachidonic acid, which is the rate-limiting step in the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are powerful in the inflammation department.

This is where Ecklonia Cava, Niacinamide & Sensoril come into play? Any other supps in the regime Phospholipase A2 inhibitors?

JHarsh80 - EC (Ecklonia Cava) is a potent Phospholipase A2 inhibitor.

Lithium is a very powerful topical inhibitor of Malassezia yeasts.

Almost everything in the regimen has an antimicrobial effect. Fungus and yeasts are responsible for all kinds of inflammation.

Part of the mechanism behind many of these supplements is usually either antimicrobial or has metal chelating action.
Of course there is much more to it.

Balancing out prostaglandins is another important factor--that's were essential fatty acids come in.

Candida is the ultimate monster (creator) of negative fungus/yeast influences with respect to steroid balance. A lot of what happens in the gut or gastrointestinal tract will result in outward appearance.

topicals can only go so far. Lasers in theory are probably the most effective "topical," but getting at the causative agent is very crucial for overall success.

This approach towards hair loss is strong weighed towards internals, since the endothelium has to be repaired in regards to prefibrosis and fribrosis conditions, regulating internal hormones, binding metals, increasing defenses against free-radicals, etc.

Like Joejoebaggins just mentioned, these are geared against Phospholipase A2.

Joejoebaggins - Yes, there are many others, but in terms of safety and potency is the real trick. Of course, I should always mention that cortisol and neuropeptides account for other mechanisms or pronounced hair loss.

I'm not sure how well Tea Tree Oil compares with Lavender and Licorice root which definitely have an effect on PLA2 activity.

I do know that all three have an effect on androgen receptor topically.

Take special note though, that both Lavender and Tea tree oil have been found to cause gynecomastia, so be careful not to get on the chest.