Adrenal glands and relation to hair growth

Remember, the adrenal glands are part of the endocrine/hormonal system that can either promote or interfere with your normal hair cycle. There are three parts to the adrenal glands. However, the cortex and the medulla are two of the main parts, though having separate roles.

The cortex is responsible for the production of corticosteroids (especially cortisol), mineral corticosteroids (especially aldosterone) and the sex hormones (especially dehydroepiandrosterone - DHEA).

These hormones control metabolism, blood pressure, and body features such as hair growth.

The medulla, on the other hand, manages your responses to sudden stress known as the fight or flight response, which was discussed in part last week.

When it comes to hair growth, it is the adrenal cortex that plays an active role through its hormone, DHEA.

DHEA is precursor for testosterone (male hormone) and oestrogen (female hormone). But it is the androgen that is responsible for the development of facial and body hairs.

Contrary to popular belief, both males and females carry varying levels of testosterone and oestrogen. Testosterone defines a man’s masculinity while oestrogen defines the femininity in women.

If there is something wrong with your adrenal cortex, the levels of these respective hormones may be out of balance. Your testosterone level can cause overstimulation of the hair follicles. Meaning, there will be increased hair growth on your body. This condition is called hirsutism.

A sustained increase of testosterone can also reverse hirsutism, but in a more complicated sense. This time, though, it will lead to the secretion of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the hair follicle’s number one enemy.

Think of it as a wildfire, destroying all vegetation in the forest. It takes many extreme measures, for long periods of time, to recover from such a disaster. Similarly, high levels of DHT will cause the miniaturisation of the hair follicles, leading to hair loss, and extreme steps, for an extended period of time, must be taken to regrow the hair.

Aside from your adrenal cortex, your adrenal medulla can influence your hair growth through stress.

Yes, that word again. As I explained earlier, your body can only cope with it for a short time. If you are constantly stressed out, your adrenal medulla will be exhausted, too. Why? Because it will continuously activate its stress ports, draining its capacity to normalise the other adrenal hormones.

Imagine your adrenal cortex and medulla as yin and yang. They complement each other.

But in order for them to work perfectly, there must be some balance.

Damage on one part will prompt the other part to overwork, causing further imbalance.

Maintaining your health is basically your best defence from any illness. However, if you are experiencing severe hair loss or shedding, consult your trichologist immediately for your hair loss and/or an endocrinologist to assist in correcting the hormonal issues, that may be causing the issue of hair loss.

You should always be alert when it comes to hair loss, as in most cases, hair loss is a side effect of an underlying problem.

Germaine Williams Beckles is a doctor of trichology (DT TECT) and a nutrition consultant (NC), Rayogee Wellness Lifestyle, Woodbrook; geesexclusive.

com. Email your questions to queries@ geesexclusive.com or 627-4659.