Hair Regrowth Comparison: Chlorine Dioxide and Transplant Techniques

It should be noted that this chapter specifically addresses androgenetic alopecia, a condition that will eventually affect 50% of men and 10% of women. Aging is an inevitable process for everyone, and for some, it begins with hair loss. Given that aging is a medical challenge, so too is hair loss.

Androgenetic alopecia accounts for 90% of all cases of hair loss. The fundamental cause of this condition is the cumulative effect of androgens on hair follicles, leading to a disruption in the regenerative process and the inability to produce healthy hair follicles. In essence, androgenetic alopecia is a manifestation of aging.

In China, about 2 in 10 adult men and 1 in 20 adult women experience hair loss, resulting in an estimated 65 million men and 15 million women affected, totaling 80 million individuals. Of these, 50 million have visibly noticeable hair loss. In the United States, approximately 3 in 10 adult men experience some form of hair loss. There are an estimated 40 million men and 12 million women in the United States alone who are dealing with hair loss to some degree. By the age of 35, two-thirds of American men will have experienced the effects of male pattern baldness.

Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, is a common form of hair loss that is influenced by genetics and hormones. The main causes of androgenetic alopecia are believed to be hormonal levels, age, and lifestyle factors. Hormonal levels, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT), play a crucial role in this condition. DHT causes hair follicles to shrink, shortening the hair growth cycle and eventually leading to follicle atrophy and the inability to produce normal hair.

As individuals age, hormonal levels change, increasing the risk of developing androgenetic alopecia. While genetics and hormones are the primary causes, other factors such as diet, stress, and certain health conditions can also affect hair loss progression.

In my opinion, the conversion of androgens to DHT can hinder the regeneration process of hair follicles. DHT creates obstacles in the transformation of hair follicle stem cells into follicle cells, disrupting the regeneration process and causing the follicles to shrink and eventually disappear. However, studies have shown that hair follicle stem cells are still present in balding areas, indicating that their loss is not the primary cause of hair loss.

There are two possible ways in which DHT can block the hair follicle regeneration process. Firstly, similar to its effect on the prostate in men, DHT can enlarge and proliferate the sebaceous glands near the top of the head. This enlargement and proliferation squeeze the living space of the hair follicles, preventing normal regeneration. Secondly, after the hair follicle goes through its growth, degeneration, and rest cycles, the body should provide appropriate signals to initiate the regeneration process. The accumulation of DHT can interfere with or block this signal transmission, hindering the differentiation of hair follicle stem cells into follicle cells.

Regardless of the specific mechanism, the outcome is the same: sebaceous gland cells occupy the space meant for hair follicles. This not only leads to excessive oil production in balding areas but also deprives the follicles of the physical space necessary for regeneration, making the process even more challenging.

When examining effective hair growth techniques, such as hair transplant surgery, the concept of creating artificial wounds is crucial. Research has shown that the healing process of these wounds can generate new colonies of hair follicle stem cells and promote new hair growth. In hair transplant surgery, it is observed that the transplanted follicles can regenerate in the transplanted area, while the hair in the balding area falls out completely after a shedding phase post-transplantation. This indicates that the regrowth in the balding area is not solely dependent on the transplanted follicles. The creation of artificial wounds through punching holes is key to follicle regeneration in hair transplant surgery.

Traditional Chinese Medicine also offers an effective hair growth method known as tapping the scalp with a plum blossom needle. This method, commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine hair growth clinics, creates artificial wounds in the balding area. Even without stem cell stimulation, these wounds can potentially lead to the regeneration of new hair follicles during the healing process.

Another approach mentioned is the use of chlorine dioxide to directly target damaged or aging tissues. Chlorine dioxide eliminates damaged and aging cells, creating space for the growth of new tissue. It also mimics intracellular signaling molecules, stimulating the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of stem cells, aiding in the healing process. By clearing aging cells and making room for new tissue formation, chlorine dioxide can promote the regeneration of healthy tissue.

Under the guidance of the author, many individuals have treated hair loss with chlorine dioxide solution. New hair growth can be observed within approximately 5 days of treatment. In areas with existing hair, a shedding phase may occur before new growth, while completely bald areas may experience delayed hair regrowth. Consistent use of chlorine dioxide over a year may potentially lead to a recovery that is visually indistinguishable from a non-balding condition.

It is important to note that while chlorine dioxide has shown significant hair regrowth effects, it may not stimulate hair growth as rapidly as hair transplant surgery. Therefore, some individuals may discontinue treatment after a short period. However, consistent and long-term use has been reported to result in noticeable new hair growth.