Saw Palmetto is an herb that is often put into many hair loss products that claim to be able offer the reduction of shedding or even the regrowth of hair. It is one of the first things I found in 1999 when I began losing my hair. I had a vitamin book, turned to the index, searched for hair loss, and saw Saw Palmetto listed as something that can help hair loss. I consulted with no one, and went to the vitamin shop to buy that and a whole bunch of other stuff that didn’t work.. Stinging nettle, horsetail etc. You know the drill if you’ve been down that path.
It’s been around forever. You don’t need a special hair loss product to try this, it’s sold in every vitamin shop around under a zillion different brands as a dietary supplement.
It is usually the ingredient of a hair loss product that is sold as a “DHT Blocker.”
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is thought to be the cause of genetic hair loss. 5-alpha reductase is the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. Finasteride (Propecia), The FDA approved hair loss treatment for men, is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. Inhibit the 5AR and it’s possible to lower DHT levels and thereby possibly see improvement with genetic hair loss (either with slowing the progression, regrowth or both). I should note to my knowledge, this really was mainly studied in men. Finasteride is often usually ONLY prescribed to men, as it is contraindicated for some women for various reasons and pregnant women should never even handle the tablets.
Finasteride is also prescribed to women with androgenetic alopecia who are not planning on getting pregnant AT ALL while on this medication. I was prescribed this and took it at the age of 22. It didn’t work for me.
That was a tangent, but it is related because Saw Palmetto is thought to be to be a “natural DHT blocker” and it’s working along the same lines as finasteride ( Propecia) in that regard, and people often take things without knowing everything about what they are taking and the possible risks associated with them.
What I want to be known, however, is that nothing is without risk. Simply because it’s an herb or plant, doesn’t mean it doesn’t carry with it the possibility of causing yourself potential harm, beyond hair loss. You should always consult your doctor when taking any herb to ensure it’s not contraindicated to anything you are currently taking or your health in general.
As it pertains to hair loss, it is also something that could potentially cause a shed, as anything that carries the possibility of being able to remotely slow or regrow hair – also carries with it the risk of causing a shed.
That is a universal truth when it comes to hair loss treatments. Any hair loss treatment. I don’t share that to discourage anyone from trying things, however I think it’s really important to make informed decisions.
So in case you didn’t know, I wanted you to know a little more about this popular herb that is very often put into a variety of hair loss products sold on the market today.
There is no cure for androgenetic alopecia, only treatments and only TWO are FDA approved.
Stay informed. Do your research.
Share your thoughts and comments below.
Sending Much Love To All!
XOXO
~Y
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