From the moment of birth we are born with a predisposed number of hair follicles in the scalp ranging from 80,000 – 160,000. These will remain with us for our lives.

Our hair grows from these follicles in cycles. The anagen growth phase, the catagen dormant phase and the telogen resting phase. By the end of each cycle the hair is shed and replaced by a new hair at the follicle base. As the hairs will be at differing cycle stages we shed and have replaced daily 50 -100 hairs. During the anagen phase protein synthesis and the formation of keratin continually occur causing, as we age up to puberty our hairs to gradually thicken in diameter.

In these cases sufferers from the onset of puberty experience a gradual miniaturisation of the hairs through progressive shortening of the growth cycles until the follicle, while not lost completely, reaches an atrophied state not visible to the naked eye. This process can be been attributed to these factors;

1) Firstly, the increased levels of the testosterone derivative, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), from the onset of puberty, which aggravates and weakens the hair follicle and dermal papilla as it is exposed during the telogen resting phase.

2) Secondly, an individuals genetic susceptibility to the effects of this hormone.

3) Aging effects and the progression of time.

4) Nutritional Deficiencies and general health

Given this knowledge we are given three possible methods to tackle hair loss.

1) Reduce to levels of DHT, or the other possible causes of hair loss in the bloodstream.
2) Fortify the follicle against the effects of DHT or other possible causes of hair loss.
3) Reducing the length of telogen phase of the growth cycle ( increasing the anagen phase) and thereby promoting the protein synthesis period of the follicle.

Applying these techniques on their own or more potently in combination has been proven to slow, halt and on many follicles reverse the miniaturisation process in subjects under the age of 55. The best results were evident on those who act early and pre-emptively.