The Science of Healthy Hair, Hair Loss and How to Regrow Hair | Huberman Lab Podcast
Andrew Huberman・2 minutes read
Andrew Huberman hosts a podcast exploring the science behind hair loss and ways to slow or reverse it, delving into topics like stem cells, hormones, and treatments like Minoxidil and PRP injections. The podcast aims to provide free science-related information and highlights sponsors like Helix Sleep and ROKA, offering insights on maintaining hair growth and debunking common myths about hair loss inheritance.
Insights
- Hair growth is a complex process involving stem cells, melanocytes, sebaceous glands, and arrector pili muscles, with each hair strand having its own stem cell niche determining growth duration.
- Hormones like estrogen and testosterone regulate hair growth phases, influencing hair loss and regrowth by acting as accelerators or brakes on the three phases of hair growth.
- Different approaches like scalp massage or avoiding hats can help maintain hair but won't robustly enhance hair growth, with blood flow being a crucial accelerator for hair growth.
- Minoxidil, known as ROGAINE, can extend the anagen phase to slow hair loss by increasing blood flow to the scalp, but dosage management is crucial to avoid side effects.
- Combination treatments involving mechanical (like microneedling) and chemical stimuli (like finasteride) are more effective for hair regrowth, emphasizing the need for individualized approaches under medical supervision.
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Recent questions
How does blood flow affect hair growth?
Blood flow accelerates hair growth by delivering nutrients and oxygen to support hair follicles. Increasing blood flow through treatments like Minoxidil or micro-needling can stimulate stem cells and melanocytes, promoting hair growth and potentially slowing hair loss. Proper blood circulation ensures that the hair stem cell niche receives essential nutrients, aiding in maintaining healthy hair growth cycles.
What are the effects of DHT on hair growth?
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) negatively impacts hair growth by shortening the growth phase and miniaturizing hair follicles. High levels of DHT inhibit hair growth by reducing levels of growth-promoting factors like IGF-1 and cyclic AMP, leading to pattern hair loss in many individuals. Inhibiting 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to DHT, can counteract DHT's negative effects on hair follicles and promote hair growth.
How can caffeine promote hair growth?
Caffeine acts as a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, indirectly stimulating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and promoting hair growth. Topical application of caffeine can be as effective as Minoxidil in promoting hair growth without certain side effects. By inhibiting PDE and increasing IGF-1 levels, caffeine can support hair follicles and contribute to maintaining healthy hair growth cycles.
What is the role of stem cells in hair growth?
Stem cells play a crucial role in hair growth by residing in the hair bulb and supporting the production of new hair cells. These stem cells are present from birth and are responsible for the continuous regeneration of hair follicles. Stimulating stem cells through treatments like micro-needling can reactivate semi-quiescent stem cells, enhancing the effectiveness of hormone-based hair regrowth treatments and promoting overall hair growth.
How do hormones influence hair growth phases?
Hormones like estrogen and testosterone regulate the three phases of hair growth - anagen (growth), catagen (receding), and telogen (rest). Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can impact hair growth phases by shortening the anagen phase and promoting the catagen and telogen phases, leading to hair loss. Understanding the role of hormones in hair growth cycles is essential for addressing issues like pattern hair loss and maintaining healthy hair growth.
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