THE DAILY DOSE

Does Peptide Therapy Work For Hair Loss?

Hair loss is a widespread cosmetic issue for over 35 million men and 21 million women. The condition can range from mild to severe, with the milder end of the spectrum involving only a small and possibly unnoticeable amount of hair loss, all the way through to the other extreme: total baldness.

No one wants to lose their hair, but as the body ages, it begins to experience hair loss at increasing rates throughout mid- and late adulthood. There have been a wide variety of treatments and therapies available for hair loss such as hair plugs, creams, sprays, and the like. But what about peptides? Does peptide therapy work for hair loss? Let’s find out.

Types of hair loss

Not all hair loss is the same. In fact, there are seven different categories to describe different types of medical hair loss. They are:

Telogen effluvium

This type of hair loss occurs following large bouts of bodily stress, such as a major surgery or illness. It can also occur in women after they give birth due to a change in hormone levels.

Drug side effects

Certain medications can lead to hair loss, such as those used during chemotherapy treatments.

Medical illness symptom

Hair loss can be just one symptom of a specific medical condition. Illnesses such as systemic lupus, thyroid disorders, and nutrient deficiency can all lead to hair loss.

Tinea capitis

Tinea capitis is a fungal infection that occurs on the scalp. It leads to patchy hair loss and flaking or scaling skin where the hair has fallen out.

Alopecia

Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that causes patchy hair loss and is most commonly found in people with other autoimmune diseases.

Traumatic alopecia

This type of hair loss is caused by pulling the hair too tight, as well as exposure to extreme heat and styling chemicals.

Trichotillomania

People with this psychiatric disorder may end up with hair loss due to their own actions. They may pull and twist their hair compulsively, leading to bald spots.  

The type of treatment for hair loss will depend greatly on the specific condition causing it, if there is one at all. Since hair loss occurs naturally with age, it may just be inevitable if there is no medical condition present.

How does peptide therapy work?

Peptides are short-chain amino acids that are naturally occurring within the body. The amino acids used to make up peptides are the building blocks of protein, and all contribute to the overall proper function of specific bodily functions. Peptide therapy can be used to help regulate or rejuvenate otherwise failing functions. They do this by binding to cells and telling specific cells what they should be doing.

Peptides can promote homeostasis throughout the body by acting as messengers and deliverers of materials. Since there are many types of peptides, each one has a different function when it comes to peptide therapy.

What is the best therapy for hair loss?

Depending on the type of hair loss, therapy will vary. In the case of trichotillomania, for example, psychiatric therapy will need to be carried out to help stop the compulsive behavior. In the event that the hair loss is occurring due to side effects from certain medications, depending on the medication and the disease it is treating, a doctor may recommended stopping or slowing dosage, or alternating to a different medication.

Other forms of hair loss treatment include:

Prescription and OTC drugs

Medications such as Rogaine can be purchased over the counter and can help people restore hair growth. Finasteride is another prescription hair loss treatment that comes in the form of a pill.

Hair transplants

There are two types of hair transplants: follicular transplantation, which involves the removal and replacement of hair follicles to bald spots, and follicular extraction, which involves the same process but with hair follicles from a different area of the scalp.

Laser treatments

Laser treatments aim to reduce inflammation of hair follicles that could lead to hair loss.

Lifestyle changes

Quitting smoking, getting regular scalp massages, eating a balanced diet, avoiding disease, and reducing stress can all help with hair loss.

Alternative remedies

Many people opt for oils, biotin supplements, and other naturopathic treatment options when battling hair loss.

The above treatments tend to be the most popular, but the cause of hair loss will have to be taken into account in order for a person is to choose the right therapy for them.

Peptides for hair loss

Since peptides can work for a myriad of different health conditions, it’s no wonder that there is a specific one just for hair loss. Copper peptides for hair growth have been used by many people suffering from this condition. They work by blocking DHT, a substance that leads to the damaging of hair follicles.

Copper peptides have also been shown to increase the size of hair follicles, leading to thicker hair growth following therapy. Because copper peptides can also stimulate blood flow to the scalp, they have been shown to correct the aging-related lack of blood flow that occurs as people get older (when the blood flow to the scalp diminishes, it leads to hair loss).

Copper peptides have also been proven to help with the growth cycle of hair. The growth cycle includes three phases, one of which involves new hair growth. The peptide therapy for hair loss manages to extend the growth phase of the hair cycle, leading to more hair growth over time.

Hair loss is an unpleasant condition to deal with, but with peptide therapy, it can be a thing of the past.

Featured image by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash