Men's Hair Problems
Hair loss is men's number one problem
One out of two men suffers from hair loss!
Why?
Androgenetic Alopecia
In 80% of all cases, it is "androgenetic alopecia" that worries men: Hereditary hair loss is a predisposition and not a disease. Therefore, it can not be cured once and for all but must be treated continuously. Furthermore, androgenetic alopecia is passed down dominantly. As a result, the cosmetic solution is appropriate for long-term treatment, because pharmaceuticals that involve the risk of undesirable side effects are not necessarily required to treat a cosmetic problem.
What causes androgenetic alopecia?
The testosterone surplus, which begins during puberty, makes beard hair grow on the one hand but also weakens predisposed hair roots in the scalp. Based on the hereditary disposition, the hair roots react supersensitively to testosterone (DHT). It cuts the energy supply, thereby weakening the hair roots. Their growth phases are shortened and their lifetime ends prematurely.
Normally, the hair root is active for up to eight years (growth phase), followed by a resting phase. The hair root releases the hair and it falls out without the threat of hair loss. Subsequently, the hair root starts another growth phase and does so about 14 times before dying.
With the corresponding genetic predisposition, testosterone (DHT) prevents the generation of c-AMP, a messenger compound for energy, which is required for the hair roots' metabolism. This shortens growth phases and the hair roots' lifetime ends prematurely. If more and more hair roots die this way, male baldness will be the result.
Long-term stress encourages baldness
Why the hair suffers under stress
Available 24/7, overtime, sport, leisure-time stress – for many of us, a good reason to pull our hair out. Rings under the eyes, pale skin and fatigue are symptoms of stress that everybody is familiar with. However, many are unaware that stress also affects the hair and scalp, resulting in hair loss. But the relationship between stress and hair loss has long since been scientifically proven.
What happens when the roots of the hair are subjected to stress?
Scientists all over the world have been conducting research on this matter for some time. In studies, scientists have succeeded in exposing hair roots to natural stress caused by hormones produced naturally in the body. They observed that stress hormones affect the energy balance at the hair roots. If this process lasts for a long time – for example, during periods of long-term stress – there is a greater risk of increased hair loss leading to baldness.
What happens during phases of long-term stress?
The body reacts to periods of long-term high performance by releasing stress hormones. These hormones can suppress hunger for example, and change the body's energy balance, so that sufficient capacities are available for the required performance. In the beginning, the body's reaction is correct, but in the long term, it has a more negative effect. All other functions, even natural regeneration, are reduced to the absolute minimum, among other things the regenerative capacity of the hair roots.
Why does the hair suffer when we are under stress?
The initial impulse comes from the messenger compound, CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone), which causes increased cortisol production. This, in turn, leads to an energy deficit that has a negative impact on the hair roots. As a result, the hair falls out faster. This interdependency was proven experimentally using a hair organ culture model. Even at low and specific concentrations of CRH, the growth phase of the hair roots was significantly reduced and the percentage of hair in the resting phase also increased. These are just the conditions that cause premature hair loss, provided that a genetic predisposition (androgenetic alopecia) exists.
Does caffeine help when there is long-term (hair) stress?
The Dr. Wolff research team is familiar with the problem of long-term stress, which has been researched several times in connection with Alpecin's caffeine-based active substance complex. The result is that even the addition of small quantities of caffeine can counteract the negative effects of CRH. Caffeine is also a proven active substance that stimulates the growth of the hair roots and can be used successfully to counteract the suppressive properties of the male sex hormone, testosterone, and the stress hormone, CRH.
What causes dandruff?
Difference between oily and dry dandruff
The sebaceous glands on the scalp produce sebum. This is all-important for the balance of the scalp and hair and protects against the loss of moisture and environmental factors. The surface skin cells continuously renew themselves, as does the scalp. The flaking off of the old skin cells cannot normally be seen with the naked eye. If the scalp loses its natural balance, this renewal process is disturbed and, consequently, dandruff becomes visible. Dry and oily dandruff are among the most common forms of dandruff.
Dry dandruff
Fine, dry dandruff is caused by a dry scalp. The sebaceous glands do not produce enough sebum which compromises the scalp's natural balance. If the scalp is on the dry side, fine, white dandruff is frequently seen. This dry dandruff falls from the head and hair.
In this case, use of shampoos for sensitive and dry scalps is recommended.
Oily dandruff
With oily scalps, the sebaceous glands produce far too much sebum. This excessive sebum production can be caused both by personal (e.g. hormones, genetic disposition, skin type) and by external factors (environmental influences, climate etc.). As such, there can be an increase in growth of the germs and microorganisms which naturally occur on the skin, thus disturbing the scalp's inherent balance.
The consequence: The degradation products of sebum irritate the skin, make it itch and accelerate the release of skin cells. The excess sebum sticks these cells together to form large, visible, oily and yellow flakes which adhere to the scalp or hair. With oily dandruff, the severity of the scalp problem is all-important for determining the right shampoo.
In addition, or as an alternative, a hair tonic can be used to alleviate the scalp problem.
The combined prevention of hereditary hair loss is also possible
Sensitive scalps – what can be done?
Mild cleansing for itchy & red scalps
Itching, dryness, redness or feeling of tightness – the scalp reacts particularly sensitively to environmental influences or certain substances depending on one's personal disposition. Particularly mild substances are used for cleansing in shampoo designed for sensitive scalps.
Instead of further weakening the skin barrier, the active ingredients specifically help the scalp to regenerate and tangibly alleviate the associated symptoms.
For very sensitive scalp with dry dandruff
we recommend shampoos with additional active ingredients that have a positive effect on the skin's moisture levels.