The most common form of hair loss in both men and women is androgenic alopecia (also known as androgenetic alopecia.) In males, this condition is known as male-pattern baldness because there is a well-defined pattern of lost hair — over time the hairline recedes forming the “M” shape. Hair does not only recede but also becomes thinner, often progressing to total baldness.
As the recent research found out, male-pattern baldness is primarily caused by the increased level of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT.) It is not yet completely understood how DHT affects the scalp but it is known that if a person is genetically prone to baldness, DHT may initiate the process of so-called follicular miniaturization. This process can begin as early as the end of puberty. Follicular miniaturization leads to hair becoming progressively thinner and thinner until it is completely lost.
Zinc is a trace mineral that has many important roles in the human body. All of these roles are essential for the growth of thick, healthy hair. Zinc helps the body reproduce cells, absorb vitamins (yes, even those all important vitamins for hair loss), controlling hormones and the synthesis of proteins.
Whilst all of these are obviously important one of the more important ways zinc helps the body is by controlling hormones, most importantly testosterone. By keeping an eye on your testosterone levels zinc is doing its part to not only hold on to your precious hair, but also help you grow more!
The most common type of hair loss encountered in men is called male-pattern baldness (also known as androgenic alopecia.) This condition leads to hair width progressively decreasing until the hair is completely gone and baldness develops.
According to recent research, the primary cause of baldness (androgenic alopecia) is the androgenic hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone.) Normally, this hormone performs a number of important roles in male development, but when the level of DHT in scalp is increased, it binds to the hair follicles preventing them from extracting the necessary nutrients from the blood flow. This makes the follicles shrink and the width of the hair shaft decrease. The width of the hair shaft determines the hair width so as the follicles shrink, the hair becomes thinner as the result. Eventually, the shaft becomes so narrow that no hair can grow at all.