What is 5 alpha reductase?

Excessive amounts of 5 alpha reductase in the scalp can lead to hair loss.

5 alpha reductase is an enzyme produced naturally in your body.  In the prostate gland, it’s main function is to develop male genitalia and the development of the prostate. 

How does 5 alpha reductase contribute to hair loss?

If excessive amounts of 5 alpha reductase exist in the scalp, it will combine with testosterone to create DHT (dihydrotestosterone).    This will cause hair shafts to narrow, producing progressively finer hairs with each new growth cycle.  This can eventually lead to hair loss.

Your overall levels of testosterone may be normal, however the activity of 5 alpha reductase may be greater than normal, which results in increased amounts of DHT in your hair follicles and eventually leads to hair loss.

What can I do about it?

Inhibiting the action of 5 alpha reductase is critical to stopping hair loss. Follicare® uses several powerful ingredients such as saw palmetto, beta sitosterol, zinc, stinging nettle extract, vitamin B6 and gingko biloba to block the action of 5 alpha reductase and subsequent hair loss.