Hair loss is more complicated than most people realize. It can occur as a result of a whole constellation of causes, not just one or a small number of individual pathways. However, many of the product options that are available for treating or managing hair loss only address the issues of DHT and blood circulation to the scalp. In reality, it becomes necessary to hone in on multiple targets within a larger, comprehensive picture.
Since this would be difficult to achieve using synthetic chemicals, a new alternative is needed. According to Case Studies in Dermatological Medicine, whole-plant extracts offer a safe approach for improving the health and hair-producing capabilities of our follicles. Their report, authored by Sanusi Umar MD, is entitled, A Multimodal Hair Loss Treatment Using A New Topical Phytoactive Formulation.
Beyond DHT and Blood Circulation
According to Dr. Umar, we have to consider a much broader view of hair loss conditions as a “cascade of physiological events.” For example, the transitions between the different hair cycle stages are mediated by regulatory proteins. And the upregulation of certain compounds like TFG-B, for example, will cause our follicles to slow the production of hair, transitioning them from anagen (i.e. active growth phase) to catagen (i.e. transition phase towards the telogen, non-growth phase).
Also, inflammation can damage the ability of our follicles to create new hair shafts.
Oxidative stress may also affect these structures, causing them to age prematurely.
While high DHT levels certainly contribute to genetic pattern hair loss (i.e. androgenic alopecia), it is not involved in other conditions such as traction alopecia, for example).
Likewise, addressing the issue of low blood circulation may not always be relevant to every individual hair loss scenario.
Five Hair Loss Patients Treated With GASHEE
Dr. Umar’s publication documents the experience of five patients who were treated with his topical, all-natural botanical formulation known as GASHEE.
This treatment includes various phytoactives derived from plant resources such as Fenugreek, Gotu Kola, Green Tea, and Eclipta Alba, among many others. Furthermore, these botanicals were processed to optimize the bioactivity of constituents using a proprietary cold formulation method that he developed to omit the use of heat, using close-to-ambient temperatures.
Four out of Dr. Umar’s five subjects had used Minoxidil for over a year, only to end up with failed results.
All five patients used GASHEE for 3-15 months before their hair growth improvements were documented using high-resolution photography, personal accounts, and in-clinic observations.
Why Plants?
Whole plant derivatives contain a variety of different compound variations, making them capable of addressing the multiple targets responsible for hair loss conditions.
Also, they are safer. Not only do they contain active ingredient compounds, but also variations that serve to neutralize their effects when needed.
To many, it may seem that using natural plant-based compounds to address hair loss is the stuff of make-believe science fiction or just plain wishful thinking. However, Dr.Umar’s publication offers a valid explanation of the feasibility of considering carefully selected botanical extracts for therapeutic applications on different forms of alopecia. And the promising results experienced by his five patients provide real-life support for the usefulness of the multimodal paradigm.
The Concept of Hair Wellness
In reality, the follicular processes involved in the decline of our hair are more complicated than most of us are aware of. And across individuals, these phenomena cannot be attributed to just one or two factors as the basis for treatments.
More and more, we now have to think in terms of hair wellness and the overall state of health of our hair follicles.
As my publication discusses, the natural design of the whole plant and all its variations of useful phytoactive compounds is now something to consider over many forms of synthetic drugs, due to the complex, multifaceted nature of health conditions, such as hair loss.
While further studies will be needed to obtain more in-depth insights on my GASHEE formulation, we should all be encouraged to think of nature through a new perspective in our modern era.
Dr.Umar’s study sheds light on the idea that nature already has the answers for our health and well-being. It is simply up to us to look more deeply and discover these solutions for ourselves.