Regrowing hair

(I’m going to explore a few different topics in the next several emails. If you’re not interested in natural ways to regrow and repigment your hair, you can just skim this one.

Be sure to let me know your thoughts at the end!)

My college roommate went bald.

In college.

He was very self-conscious about it.

Wore a baseball cap everywhere.

Thankfully, well into my 40’s, I’ve been blessed with a full head of hair.

My dad, who just turned 80, still has all of his hair, significantly more black than grey.

However, you probably know that “male pattern baldness” is inherited from the mother, not the father.

My mom’s dad?

Bald for as long as I knew him.

😬 

I’ll be honest, I’m a little worried.

Feels like a ticking time bomb.

So, for the last several years I’ve been doing some research.

What do we really know about hair loss and greying?

Are genetics really destiny?

Are chemical dyes, lifelong prescriptions, or transplants in Turkey the only options?

Today I’m going to give you a high-level overview of what I’ve found:

Hair pigment comes from cellular structures called melanocytes. They produce melanin, the same biochemical that pigments your skin. Guess what stimulates melanocytes to produce melanin (pigment)?

Sunshine.

Just like covering your skin with clothing or sunscreen will reduce the amount of skin pigmentation, covering your head with a hat will eventually reduce the amount of hair pigmentation.

That’s logical, right? And yet, most doctors will tell you to always cover your head outside.

In fact, do a quick Google search, and you’ll find statements from dermatologists that the sun’s UV rays actually cause grey hair, through the formation of free radicals which damage the melanocytes.

So which is it?

Listen. I’m not a doctor and cannot give medical advice.

But I did spend several years in academia studying molecular and cell biology, so let’s start there.

First of all, why do we even have melanocytes?

What do they do?

They produce melanin when exposed to UV light.

What does melanin do?

It absorbs UV rays before they get to the cell nucleus and cause damage to our DNA.

Melanocytes exist to create melanin in the presence of UV light, to protect your DNA from UV damage.

But the dermatologist is telling you to avoid exposing your melanocytes to the sun.

🤔 

Moving on, let’s take a look at hair loss.

The conventional pharma treatment is what’s called a “DHT Blocker".

Finasteride.

This chemical blocks the conversion of free testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Because high levels of DHT in the scalp have been associated with baldness, the thinking is that reducing DHT by blocking its synthesis will prevent hair loss.

It’s an effective treatment for many men, but has two serious disadvantages:

-If you ever stop taking it, your hair falls back out.

-Blocking DHT has profound negative effects throughout the rest of your body.

You see, DHT is the “active” form of testosterone throughout the body. Free testosterone travels around your bloodstream, but when it’s time for it to “work,” it’s usually converted to DHT.

This is why DHT blockers can kill libido.

It’s DHT that activates desire and arousal in the brain, not testosterone.

You end up with higher levels of free testosterone in the blood, but it can’t do it’s job.

No thanks.

Now, to wrap up this email on a high note.

There are many other factors that impact hair loss that we can address.

There are other things that work.

Here’s a quick preview of compounds with scientific evidence for stimulating hair regrowth:

Copper peptides such as GHK-Cu

Topical caffeine

Topical creatine

Rosemary oil

Emu oil

There are others, but these are the ones I’m most interested in.

In fact, I’m planning on creating a “hair regrowth serum” using these and other ingredients.

Creating a solution to my own problem, based on my unique expertise and experience.

This is one of my core product ideas, and I’m determined to make it happen.

But I’m curious, who else cares?

If you don’t mind, please let me know whether this topic or product is interesting to you.

My next email will explore a completely different topic and product idea focused on oral health. Keep an eye out!

Greg