Natural ingredients to strengthen hair

The ability to inhibit 5A-reductase was found in many natural substances. An unexpected finding was the antiandrogenic effect of some polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular Gamma-linolenic acid. The connection of polyunsaturated fatty acids with the metabolism of androgens was first shown in 1992. Later, in 1994, it was proved that gamma-linolenic acid and some other fatty acids are an effective inhibitor of 5A-reductase.

The highest inhibitory activity was observed in Gamma-linolenic acid, followed by docosahexaenoic, arachidonic, Alpha-linolenic, linolenic and palmitoleic acids in descending order. Other unsaturated fatty acids, as well as methyl esters and alcohols of these fatty acids, carotenoids, re-tinoids and saturated fatty acids did not show an inhibitory effect on 5A-reductase even at significant concentrations.

Gamma-Linolenic acid is found in black currant oil (16% of gamma-linoleum, 17% of Alpha-linolenic, 48% of linoleic acid), borage (20-25% of Gamma-linolenic, 40% of linoleic), evening primrose (14% linolenic, 65-80% linoleic). A good composition for avocado oil (30% linoleic, 5% Alpha-linolenic, 13% palmitolei-new). Despite the absence of gamma-linolenic acid, avocado oil is one of the best treatments for hair, because thanks to the high content of oleic acid (up to 80%) it penetrates well into the skin and is easily distributed over the surface of the hair and skin. Avocado oil can be added to complex oil compositions to improve their absorbency and spreadability. Docosahexaenoic acid, which also has the ability to inhibit 5Alfa reductase, is contained in jojoba oil (up to 20%). Jojoba oil is the richest source of doco-zhexaenoic acid among natural oils.

Oil compositions with antiandrogenic effect have the advantage that they penetrate well through the lipid barrier of the skin and the cuticle of the hair. They can be used as an additional means for all types of hair treatment. With their application, the normal structure of damaged hair is restored and the sebaceous glands normalizes. On the basis of anti-androgenic oils, it is possible to prepare emulsion and microemulsion systems, with the help of which other biologically active substances will be introduced into the scalp of the scalp.

A powerful antiandrogenic action is possessed by the extract of the fruits of the dwarf palm Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens). The red berries of a dwarf palm tree growing on the Atlantic coast of the United States have long been used by local residents to treat prostatitis, enuresis, testicular atrophy, impotence. The fruits of Saw Palmetto contain a number of fatty acids (caprylic, lauric, oleic and palmitic) and a large number of phytosterols (Beta-sitosterol, cycloartenone, stigmasterol, lupeol, lupenon, etc.), as well as tar and tannins.

The extract of dwarf palm fruits in combination with zinc and vitamin B6 is used as a nutritional supplement and recommended for beginners to bald people as a prophylactic. In Europe, the extract is known as "Permixon" and is recommended for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy. In the US, a lot of "Crinagen" lotion, prepared on the basis of the extract of dwarf palm fruits, is quite popular. Lotion rubbed into the skin in places of alopecia.

Stinging nettle (Uritca dioica) has been used in alternative medicine since ancient times to strengthen hair and treat prostatic hyperplasia. Extract obtained from the root of nettle has the ability to block the formation of DHT and estrogens, inhibiting the two key enzymes - 5Alfa-reductase and aromatase. The combination of extracts of two plants - nettle nettle (Urtica dioica) and African plum (Pygeum africanum), which has pronounced antiandrogenic activity, is known in Europe under the trademark "Prostatin". The drug is recommended for the treatment of prostate hyperplasia and for the prevention of hair loss.

If androgens cause baldness, then estrogens, in contrast, stimulate hair growth on the head. However, it is not worthwhile to recommend synthetic estrogens to patients, as they have a side effect (phlebitis and induction of tumors, including breast cancer). Nevertheless, there are substances that show an estrogen-like effect without pronounced side effects in the doses applied. In their chemical structure, they only remotely resemble estrogens, nevertheless they can bind to estrogen receptors (of course, their affinity for these receptors is much lower than for estrogens themselves). These compounds are found in some plants, hence their name - phytoestrogens.

Two more substances, the inhibiting effect of which on 5Alfa reductase was discovered recently, is vitamin B6 and zinc. Vitamin B6 changes the response of tissues to steroid hormones, including blocking the action of androgens. Zinc with local application reduces the activity of the sebaceous glands, reduces the manifestation of acne, which indicates its undoubted antiandrogenic effect. Animal studies have shown the ability of zinc to stimulate hair growth. Vitamin B6 is rich in brewer's yeast, so the beneficial effect of androgenic alopecia will have nutritional compositions and shampoos with beer yeast. Zinc is a part of both food additives taken orally, and ointments applied to the skin.

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