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In this two-part episode of Anti-Aging Hacks, I discuss all things hair and hair loss with Dr. Ryan Welter.

We discuss the following points regarding hair loss:

1. Why do we lose hair and is it genetic?

2. What are hair cycles and what do they mean?

3. Is female hair loss similar to male hair loss?

4. Top 3 ways we can protect our hair from falling

5. How to use the 3 best ways for the most effective protection of our hair

I split this into two episodes, the first part covers the basics of hair loss and how you can protect the existing hair on your head from falling out. In the second part, we will touch on restoring and regenerating our hair using hair transplants and regenerative technologies such as stem cells and PRP.

Hair loss is an incredibly important part of anti-aging and longevity, and it is one of the sure shot giveaways that we are aging.

Dr. Ryan Welter is CEO and Medical Director of Regeneris Medical. Dr. Welter earned his PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from Oklahoma State University and his MD from the University of Oklahoma.

In 2005, Dr. Welter a successful hair restoration practice and founded the New England Center for Hair Restoration. When Dr. Welter found success in cellular therapy for hair restoration, Dr. Welter to pursue research in regenerative medicine and founded Regeneris Medical, which today is involved in several clinical trials of regenerative medicine technology. He performed the first ever stem cell therapy for hair loss in 2011 and continues to pioneer biocellular and stem cell therapies for a variety of medical conditions and anti-aging regeneration.

Here are the highlights from the call:

Dr. Ryan Welter’s background 3:00

– Dad had a hair transplant and looked great

– Dr. Welter began research and integrated platelet-rich plasma into the hair

– Also incorporated stem cells into practice

How does hair loss occur in men and women 7:10

– Male hair loss caused by androgenic alopecia – mainly genetic or hormonal situation

– Women’s hair loss is more complex, certainly more hormonal

– Dihydrotestosterone or DHT also damages the hair follicle

– Half of men over 50 lose some percentage of their hair

– Men have a pattern to hair loss (male pattern baldness) while women have more diffuse over the entire scalp

– They do general medical examination of women to find out thyroid gland, anemia, hormones

Is hair loss genetic 11:20 am

– Can be genetic for both men and women

– Genetics is a strong indicator

– Multifactorial: not all genetics or hormones play a role

– Genetics has variable penetrance, it’s not a sure shot, but it has a big impact

– Some people have severe hair loss in the family, but can be spared genetically

Other contributing factors 13:40

– Family history and hormones

– Women lose hair during pregnancy, menopause and can also have typical female hair loss

– Anemia or iron deficiency is also a cause of hair loss

– Everyone has age-related hair loss, depending on factors

– Weight fluctuations can cause hair loss

– Gastric bypass, Lupus. Diabetes can also cause hair loss

– Stress is also a factor in hair loss, can trigger many of these conditions above

What is the hair cycle 16:15

– Three to four stages to the hair cycle

– Anagen: growth phase, lasts 2-7 years, most hair in this phase. This phase is critical, ideal to keep the hair in this phase

– Catagen: is a phase where the hair recedes. Some cells die and the follicle shrinks.

– Telogen: is the resting phase of the hair cycle, where the hair waits before it grows back

– Normally losing 200-250 hair follicles per day

– The more hair you can keep in the Anagen phase, the less chance of losing them

What is Terminal Hair vs. Vellous Hair 9:30 p.m

– Terminal hair is the mature hair that would be an anagen hair. It is active, healthy and growing and has a nice thick stem

– Vellus hairs are soft, small hairs on the edge of the hairline or on the neck or in the mustache area

– Vellous hairs can be precursors of terminal hairs. When you use Rogaine for many months, vellus hair develops and can then become terminal hair, which is the normal hair

– For the best anti-aging strategy for hair, it is desirable to keep the terminal hair instead of letting them break down into vellus hair

Dihydrotesterone or DHT is the main culprit in hair loss 23:30

– Testosterone in our bodies combines with an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase to create dihydrotestosterone or DHT

– DHT is a very potent hormone

– Binds to receptors in the hair follicle and causes miniaturization. Starting in the front and back (crown) areas and meeting in the middle

– Both men and women make DHT from testosterone

– Can be blocked with Propecia or Finasteride (more on them below)

– DHT is a very important part of the hair loss story, but not all of it, as there are other causes as well

– The hairs on the back of the head are not susceptible to the DHT hormone, which is why hair transplants work (these new hairs do not fall out)

How to measure the patient’s hair 30:30

– Standardized set of photos

– Hair check – Measuring device that gets standard grouping of hair that measures thickness and amount of hair. This gives a hair mass index.

Hair Loss Frame 32:10

– Three levels for hair loss

– Maintenance: Slow or stop hair loss

– Improvement: Possibilities to rejuvenate the hair

– Surgical: Possibilities to restore hair

Maintenance Level: Option 1 – Propecia/Finasteride/Proscar 33:20

– 5-alpha reductase enzyme inhibitor

– Blocks conversion from testosterone to DHT

– Finasteride for the prostate is a 5 mg dose, for hair loss only 1 mg

– Important to maintain the hair and prevent them from falling out

– Propecia is approved by the FDA

– Dutasteride is another 5-alpha reductase inhibitor

– DHT may be 40% of the problem

– Side effects of Finasteride: Impotence, lack of interest in sex, problems achieving orgasm and lack of ejaculation

– Side effects occur in less than 2% of men.

– Some recent reports mention permanent problems due to Finasteride

– Women of childbearing age should not take Finasteride

– Men should not donate blood while on Finasteride, this blood can cause complications in a pregnant woman’s fetus

Maintenance Step: Option 2 – Minoxidil/Rogaine 41:20

– Generally given topically on the hair

– Women in particular are very responsive to Minoxidil

– The challenge is the need to do this twice a day, and the need to get into the scalp

– Can present some challenges with styling hair

– More compliance challenges, but most people are good responders

– It causes an initial shedding phase for 3 months, so it is necessary to get through that phase

– Most side effects tend to be scalp irritation, may lower blood pressure or cause dizziness – very few side effects

Laser therapy for hair 47:50

– Laser therapy has shown benefits in helping the hair

– Office machines 2 times a week

– Many caps/hats/head units have been made

– Laser combs can also get laser light to the hair follicles

Dietary supplements:

– Nutrafol supplements have shown benefits

– Help Hair Shake by Larry Shapiro

How to use maintenance items 50:45

– All maintenance items work differently

– Everything adds synergy to each other

– Combination therapies work best: If you can do most or all of these treatments, it is recommended for the best anti-aging protocol for hair

Dr. Ryan Welter’s contact information:

– Regeneris Medical