Sebum is Your Enemy (sort of!)
There are many potential causes and triggers for hairloss, one commonly mentioned cause is related to Sebum. Sebum is produced by glands in the skin, it is an oily substance that is used to moisturise the skin preventing it from drying out keeping hair and skin conditioned and healthy. It also helps prevent the build up of certain bacteria. Basically sebum is vital for healthy hair and skin.
Now you’re probably wondering why Sebum is bad in respects to keeping hold of your hair? Well, it’s a case of a double edged sword. The sebaceous glands that produce the sebum lead into the follicles of your hair, the problem is the sebum is often not washed out by shampooing, so what can happen is it builds up in the follicle. Eventually it makes it’s way to the top of the scalp and oxidises with the air. This causes the sebum to harden, bacteria thrive of this hardened sebum damaging the follicle. Also eventually the blockage stops nutrients getting into the follicle making it practically impossible for hair to grow. This is called seborrheic alopecia, not to be confused with alopecia due to seborrheic dermatitis.
Further to that, sebum causes high levels of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to occur, I won’t go into detail right now, suffice to say DHT is very strongly linked with male baldness. Excessive sebum causes high levels of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone to DHT, and therfore could the catalyst behind one aspect of hair loss called androgenic alopecia. It follows if you can keep sebum at healthy levels then your hair will have a much better chance.
Responses to This Article
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Chris said on October 12, 2005
This is a very interesting article from the Guardian (a respected UK newspaper), that discusses sebum and hair loss. Nothing is proven, it’s based on theory at the minute but it’s interesting and potentially very helpfull:
http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,9830,1474950,00.html
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said on October 25, 2005
Sirs;
Thank you for the insight about premature baldness and sebum.
I am the person that developed this theory. If you want to learn more, please visit http://www.againstalopeciaandbaldness.com where you can download the full study.
Only a comment, if you eat a toast with virgin olive oil is very healthy, but if you eat the same toast after, ex. two o three monts, it will convert in a enemy for your health.
Sebum, analogy to the toast, is necesary and good for hair, but it is easily oxidiced and then convert in a venom for hair. So, fresh sebum is crucial for healthy hair but sebum oxidiced is a problem.
My theory explain the difference incidence of hair loss between sexes, and the special pattern of hair loss.Have a nice day
Armando -
said on June 28, 2009
Everyday I take a shower at about 8 pm. On the following day especially in the afternoon if I itch my hair I get white soft stuff underneath my fingernails. Is that the sebum you are speaking of? If so what is the best way to get rid of the accessive sebum? Thank you for your help.
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This article was written on October 10, 2005 was posted in these categories Hair Loss Causes .
