5-Alpha Reductase

The medical term for the enzyme in the body this converts testosterone to DHT.

5-Alpha Reeducates Inhibitors

5-alpha reeducates inhibitors prevent the body from converting testosterone to DHT by blocking the action of the enzyme 5-alpha reeducates.

Alopecia

The medical term describing any hair loss.

Alopecia Areata

An autoimmune form of hair loss not related to male pattern loss. Sometimes people confuse this for male pattern loss, but alopecia areata occurs in patches anywhere on the head and sometimes results in total loss of hair on the head and body.

Anagen Phase

This is the phase in which hair is growing.

Androgens

The medical term for male hormones.

Androgenetic Alopecia

The medical term for male pattern loss. It is also experienced by some women, mostly after menopause.

Antiandrogen

The medical term for a substance that counteracts male hormones (androgens). Sometimes they only work against specific androgens, sometimes against multiple androgens. There are two main types of antiandrogens, androgen blockers and androgen inhibitors. Blockers prevent male hormones from binding to receptors by using those receptors themselves. In this way the male hormone still exists, but is unable to do what it was going to do. Inhibitors prevent one hormone (such as Tester one) from being converted to another male hormone, such as DHT. Since these other male hormones do a lot of the real work (damage), preventing them from being produced often prevents them from doing damage.

Aromatization

The process of converting one enzyme to another, such as Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone.

Catagen Phase

The transition phase in hair growth where a hair is not growing but has not fallen out.

Di-Hydro-Testosterone (DHT)

The male hormone (androgen) believed to be most responsible for male pattern baldness. DHT is produced when the enzyme 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone into DHT. The current theory is that at the onset of puberty, DHT in the hair follicles causes some kind of damage. The actual method by which the DHT causes the damage to the follicle is still unknown.

Male Pattern Baldness

The common term for androgenetic alopecia (male hair loss) in men.

Minoxidil

The only FDA approved drug in the US for treatment of hair loss. It is not the only substance proven to grow hair, but the only one allowed to be sold and advertised for hair loss in the US.

Nitric Oxide

One of the natural substances in the body which is believed to play a role in signaling hair to grow. Low levels of NO are associated with slow growth or loss, while increased levels are associated with growth. NO levels are inhibited by Super oxide Radicals. Chemically it is similar to Minoxidil.

Sebaceous Glands

A substance which destroys super oxide radical and may stimulates hair growth.

Superoxide Dismutase

A substance which destroys super oxide radical and may stimulates hair growth.

Super oxide Radical

This natural substance signals hair to enter its resting phase and decreases NO levels.

Telogen Phase

The resting phase in hair growth.

Termina Hair

This is the term for normal, pigmented hair.

Testosterone

The primary male hormone (androgen). DHT is converted directly from testosterone. Contary to "popular" belief, Testosterone does not cause MPB. Testosterone is often referred to as "T" in medical studies.

Vellus Hair

Vellus hairs are small fine hairs without pigmentation. These occur naturally on much of the body and are what most hairs affected by male pattern loss change into as the follicle grows smaller.