Hello zetetic~
Indeed, scientists do think DHT can increase body hair. For example, a
website about women?s health states:
?Altered androgen metabolism...is the most common cause of hirsutism
[excessive hair growth] and it appears to be the result of an
increased conversion in the skin of testosterone to DHT.? (?Evaluation
of Excessive Hair Growth (Hirsutism)? by Frederick R. Jelovsek MD:
http://www.wdxcyber.com/ninfer07.htm )
At the same time, other websites correctly state:
?In clinical trials of 1,553 users, 86% maintained or increased hair
count using the drug Propecia...which acts by blocking the conversion
of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).? (?Baldness:
Testosterone,? at the University of Virginia:
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~rjh9u/propecia.html )
The difference here is one of sex. When a woman has more DHT than the
average female, she?s more apt to have a lot of hair on her body. In a
way, her body is ?too male.? On the other hand, if a man has more DHT
in his body than is average for a male, he begins to loose hair.
The pattern appears to be:
Woman gets as much DHT as a man = her body gets more hairy.
Man gets even more DHT than is normal for a man = hair loss.
Woman has a normal range of DHT for a woman = normal hair growth.
Man has a normal range of DHT for a man = normal hair growth.
It?s a matter of what is normal for each sex. (For example, if a man
has too little DHT, he may be abnormally hair-less.)
?A lack of one or more of these [male] hormones could lead to a
absence of body hair in adults...? (?Normal Ranges for Hormone Tests
in Men,? http://www.keratin.com/ab/ab018.shtml )
?While DHT is a growth factor on facial and body hair in both sexes;
in excess it leads to senescence (apoptosis) [the aging or dying of
cells] in head hair...? (?Hirsutism and Alopecia,?
http://www.medical-library.org/journals2a/Hirsutism.HTM )
The close connection to hormones explains why DHT, as you read, is
important to hair growth in teen males.
How this all comes together in the grand scheme of things is,
unfortunately, still unknown. Scientists believe that every hair has a
genetic predisposition; the gene that determines whether an individual
will be susceptible to hair loss is located on non-sex chromosomes,
which determine the genetic makeup of all cells. Experts think DNA is
responsible for the increased sensitivity of hair follicles to the
hormone DHT.
DHT causes the hair follicle to atrophy, reducing it in size until
only ?vellus hair? [short, fine hairs that are difficult to see] is
produced. ?As the diameter of the hair shaft continues to decrease in
size the sebaceous glands continue to secrete the same volume of sebum
(fats and oils which lubricate the hair). This results in an oily
scalp and subsequently flatter hair. The process continues until the
vellus hair is no longer produced and individuals develop the
characteristic hair loss pattern.? (?Hair Loss Information:?
http://www.euromeds.co.uk/hair-loss-treatment.htm )
Yet, ?researchers are uncertain how DHT works to damage hair
follicles...? (?Hair Growing Science,? from The Boston Globe:
http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2003/apr/9/hair_science.htm )
In short, this whole DHT hair thing is just a theory. For a pretty
understandable run-down of this theory, check out ?The DHT Theory,?
http://www.hairvitamins.net/hair_loss/process.htm
Kind regards,
Kriswrite
KEYWORDS USED:
DHT "increase hair"
DHT increased body hair "in men" ?loss
DHT "increases hair" mechanism
"how DHT works"
DHT puberty |
Request for Answer Clarification by
zetetic-ga
on
28 Aug 2004 04:20 PDT
You wrote:
"The pattern appears to be:
Woman gets as much DHT as a man = her body gets more hairy.
Man gets even more DHT than is normal for a man = hair loss.
Woman has a normal range of DHT for a woman = normal hair growth.
Man has a normal range of DHT for a man = normal hair growth.
It?s a matter of what is normal for each sex. (For example, if a man
has too little DHT, he may be abnormally hair-less.)"
Sorry, but that's absolutely incorrect in context of the question.
With excessive DHT, males LOSE hair on the top of their head, and (the
same as women) GAIN hair on their body. DHT definitely does not
produce a abnormally hairless man as you state.
I think the references confused you because there is so much emphasis
placed on male pattern baldness. Perhaps you can find references for
"hair 'migrating' to the back" or "hair moving to the back." It's not
a scientific "term" but is a very common complaint. It's also why I
asked this question. I already know about male pattern baldness - I
was more interested in the body hair part.
Thank you!
|
Clarification of Answer by
kriswrite-ga
on
30 Aug 2004 06:06 PDT
Hi zetetic~
I think you misunderstood me a little, no doubt because I wasn't very clear.
My point was merely that exact amount that is "too much DHT" varies
according to sex. A woman with the same level of DHT that's normal for
a man will run into hair *growth* problems. A man with that level may
be considered "normal," but if he gets more than that level, may
*loose* his hair.
DHT appears to be related to male hormone, which is why levels vary
from sex to sex.
This was my point, and I apologize for making it confusing.
In order to answer this question, I read every legitimate article on
DHT found in the searches I mentioned under my "signature"--*far* more
than the links I included in my Answer. This included articles about
hair *growth* and DHT, too. I only included links to quotes, or to
sources I thought might be helpful to you.
Medical sources claim that male back hair is genetic, and not
apparently connected to DHT. Consider, for example, that men who are
bald often have ample hair on the rest of their bodies. (For example,
see "Common Health FAQ" at Changi General Hospital:
://www.google.com/search?q=cache:38_d_rKvNP4J:www.cgh.com.sg/health_library/faq_skin.asp+%22what+causes%22+%22hair+on+the+back%22+DHT&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
)
I hope my Answer is now more clear.
Regards,
Kriswrite
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