Hair loss affects millions of people worldwide with a large number of sufferers turning to everything from “magic” shampoos to supplements for a solution. There are various causes which lead to hair loss. Without a proper diagnosis and treatment, it’s unlikely that you will stop or reverse hair loss using off the shelf natural products and remedies. In a new development, a beverage popular with weight loss and dieting appears to be making its way into the hair restoration space. Read more to find out which beverage it is and what its impact on hair loss is according to a recent study.
Are You Ready For The Big Reveal?
You’re probably thinking of coffee, right? It’s a beverage after all, and caffeine shampoos are a trend these days. You may have heard of this beverage, but it’s unlikely to be in the context of hair regrowth. A study conducted by researchers at the Institute of Dermatological Science, Seoul National University, looked into the effectiveness of green tea in hair growth.
It’s not a big stretch to expect researchers would be interested to see what else green tea can do. After all, Green tea is a famous global beverage, and its potential beneficial effects such as anti-cancer and antioxidant properties have seen it become a household name when it comes to weight loss.
There is an ongoing search for a natural “cure” for hair loss, and so it comes as no surprise that scientists are looking into green tea as a potential treatment. There is a deep understanding of the mechanism for hair loss, especially when it comes to genetic conditions such as androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness).
There is a drive for effective natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals because they usually don’t come with a host of side effects or risks associated with surgical options.
Small Study With Potentially Massive Results
The results of a small study involving three participants with alopecia are causing a stir in the hair loss research after evidence of hair growth activity. Researchers treated the scalps of the participants with a green tea-derived epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) extract. Green tea is rich in EGCG, which is a natural compound with a range of health benefits. Four days following the topical application of the green tea extract, there was significant hair growth activity in the research participants.
The natural conclusion of this small study is that there is some impact on hair growth from EGCG. Does this mean you now have to go out and buy every shampoo with “Green Tea Extract” on the label? Of course, not. There is still a long way to go before a ready-for-market product is available. However, this is an exciting new step in the development of a natural remedy to combat hair loss.
More Supporting evidence for the efficacy of green tea involves a separate study using mice subjects. Feeding mice green tea extract produced hair regrowth within six months in 33% of the subjects. Again, no doubt there is ongoing research, but early indications show there is a correlation between hair regrowth and green tea extracts.
Proven Conventional Treatments
Are you suffering from hair loss and wondering if green tea isn’t the answer, yet, what is? There are two MHRA approved medicines available today which will help stop hair loss and stimulate regrowth. Minoxidil is a drug available over-the-counter as a lotion or foam which you can apply to the scalp. Many women suffering from female-pattern baldness see improvements after using it. It is effective at slowing or stopping baldness altogether as well as stimulating the new growth.
Finasteride is a prescription-only medicine in tablet form which disrupts the hair loss mechanism by blocking the action of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is used to treat male-pattern baldness.
What To Do Next
Ok, so you can’t just start drinking green tea and expect a full head of hair, then what’s next? If you’re concerned about hair loss and what you can do about it, it’s best to seek professional help. As a start, you may want to visit your doctor who may offer some support such as a referral to a specialist, especially if you are suffering from sudden hair loss. In some instances, your hair can grow back if the cause is something like stress or poor diet. Your doctor may help with the initial diagnosis before making a referral.
Vinci Hair Clinic can also support you with your hair loss to hair restoration journey. Whether you have established hair loss and looking for treatment options, help is at hand. From surgical options such as FUE transplant to medical treatments like finasteride or minoxidil, your specialist will discuss all the options available to you during your consultation. Get in touch today to book your consultation or use the various links to learn more about the treatments on offer.
