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The hair regrowth protocol
🕑 Added 2025-04-01 18:15:47 +0000 UTCLet’s set the record straight: when it comes to hair loss, the conversation often gets tangled up in DHT. Many people still believe this hormone is the primary villain, leading to an over abundance of products aimed at blocking it. But here’s the thing : while DHT can contribute to hair loss, it’s not the only factor at play. Some people, like infants or women, can have high levels of DHT without any hair thinning. So why are we focusing solely on this one pathway?
This is similar to how many people hyper-focus on genes for histamine intolerance while ignoring the impact that healthy histamine-degrading microflora (good bacteria in the gut) have on eliminating dietary histamine intolerance almost entirely. The dysfunctional genes only people apparent when we lose tone and function in other systems.
Sure, you might see short-term results from blocking DHT just like those with histamine intolerance may see benefits from anti-histamine and anti-acid medications…but at what cost?
Congratulations! you've got your hair back—but now you’re dealing with issues like decreased libido and erectile dysfunction. You just robbed Peter to pay Paul.
Or in the case of histamine intolerance: you don’t have a runny nose anymore ! But now you have low stomach acid and SIBO!
Are these really the trade offs you want to make?
This isn’t just hyperbole; many who have taken finasteride for hair loss have reported serious side effects, including depression and even suicidal ideation. Is that a risk you want to take? The reality is that blocking DHT can lead to cellular aging, endocrine disruption, and a host of other problems that are often overlooked in the race to restore hair.
Don’t believe me? Do some digging on post finasteride syndrome. It’s real. It’s terrible. And It’s debilitated thousands of men.
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “But what about minoxidil. It increases blood flow to the scalp and doesn’t block DHT”. Sure, that’s true, but let’s not forget the downsides: Dizziness, low blood pressure, and even amplified hair loss when you stop using it are just a few of the potential issues. And while increasing blood flow is important, it’s not the be-all and end-all solution for hair loss either.
This is where a more holistic approach comes into play. Instead of just blocking DHT or relying solely on drugs like minoxidil, we need to be focusing on multiple mechanisms that promote hair health.
Let’s be real: hair loss is complex, and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s about finding a balanced approach that looks at scalp health holistically just like all health issues So, if you’re battling hair loss, remember that there’s more to the story than just DHT blockers.
The importance of foundational, whole body health
Before we dive into specific hair loss strategies, we also need to consider the importance of foundational health practices first.
Want to regrow hair?
Want to heal a damaged tendon?
Want to heal a disc?
That’s great! But the body doesn't really care when it isn't getting the right nutrients. The impact of diet and nutrition is often a passing thought for many. They’re always looking for specific treatments or "hacks" they can implement for [insert any one of the above], while ignoring all of the underlying prerequisites needed for those things to actually work.
For example, vitamin E and silica are great for hair health! We’ll touch on those in the article. But can you absorb them? How do you know those nutrients will be allocated toward hair growth (which is a very low priority for your body) when your joints, gut, and brain are on fire?
Hair regrowth—or trying to achieve any health or cosmetic goal that requires a surplus of cellular energy and nutrient reserves—without a healthy gut or metabolism is like a factory that can produce all the parts needed to build 30 cars in a day...but only two engines. It doesn't matter what you do to improve the other parts of the manufacturing process; it won't enhance your success or lead times if you're still producing only two engines. Bottlenecks in energy metabolism work the same way, and this is a big reason why few people achieve their health goals. I promise, hair is REALLY low on the priority list for your body when your gut and brain are screaming.
This is why I always recommend establishing a solid foundation of health before attempting to repair joints, regrow hair, or even worry about cosmetic outcomes. In fact, I wouldn’t even consider anything listed in this article until you’ve implemented some of the suggestions below for at least 3 to 4 months. Otherwise, you’re going to waste a lot of money.
So, what are those prerequisites?
1. Follow the fungal protocol. Fix your gut. I won’t elaborate on this here because you should already be familiar with the purpose and aim of gut restoration. Use the search bar and read all of the fungal articles if not.
2. Try some of the detox and lifestyle strategies in the testosterone optimization protocol. I wrote this article with improving testosterone levels in mind, but many of the recommendations included are central to goals like hair regrowth as well. This is particularly important when it comes to eliminating endocrine disruptors and toxic skin and hair care products. This is a section worth emphasizing.
Got it? Come back when you’ve done that….
You’re back?
Now that you’ve fixed your gut, restored nutrient status, ditched toxic skin care products and hopefully kicked a few of bad habits around poor light exposure and junk food, let’s dive into some specific hair regrowth strategies
As with most of the articles I write, there’s going to be a lot of shit in here. In a perfect world you’d do all of it. And if you’re trying to regrow a lot of lost hair, you probably need to honestly. I also understand that this is a lot of commitment and that not everyone has an unlimited budget to spend on all of the things listed here. So I’m going to do my best to put these things in a theoretical ‘order of importance’ so you can priotize the things with the highest ROI first.
The first 3 things listed are the most important and need to be prioritized.
If you’re dealing with a lot of hair loss, you’ll likely needed to use a combination approach — this is because many of the things listed here are synergistic and or sometimes dependent entirely on other treatments.
I don’t want to hear anyone say “I’ve already tried [insert therapy] and it didn’t work”. Of course it didn’t. Many of these things need to be combined!
If you’ve lost ALL of your hair, you’ll likely need to seek out treatments like PRP in combination with the suggested strategies bellow.
We’ll cover all of the treatments below as well as an explanation for each. The protocol itself will be at the bottom of the article
The stuff in the protocol and why it works
Treatment 1 — Photobiomodulation (red light)
Red light therapy or photobiomodulation is one of the most evidence-backed treatments for hair loss and is poised to be a cornerstone of any hair loss protocol. Why? Because RLT isn’t just a hair loss treatment; it works due to the fact that light-tissue interactions—primarily red, infrared, and UV light from the sun—are fundamental to health and regeneration. They are a key component of how organisms evolved to interact in a dynamic, entangled, symbiotic relationship with their external environment. Without red, infrared, and even UV light, we cannot access the latent repair and regeneration programs that exist in all mammalian cell types, including hair.
The primary mechanism of RLT is photobiomodulation, a light-tissue mediated process in which light energy is absorbed by cells, leading to biological responses. Red light typically operates in the wavelength range of 600 to 650 nanometers, while near-infrared light ranges from 800 to 880 nanometers. When these wavelengths penetrate or are absorbed into the skin, they interact with chromophores (light-absorbing molecules) within cells, particularly in the mitochondria. Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for producing ATP, the energy currency of the cell. RLT stimulates the mitochondria to produce more ATP, providing the body with the energy it needs to perform work—specifically, repair and regeneration, which, in this case, means hair regrowth. Additionally, RLT stimulates local blood flow, which is crucial for hair regrowth.
If you cannot afford to purchase a red light therapy device, try to spend as much time in the sun as you can, particularly in the morning and evening when the sun emits predominantly red and long-wavelength light. However, a concentrated device or RLT panel is ideal for optimal results. Getting some UV light on the head is also important.
Treatment 2 — topical GHK-cu + thymalin & DMSO + PTB-DBM
GHK-Cu, also known as copper peptide, is one of the most well-known peptide therapies—and likely the most effective—for hair regrowth, as well as for a variety of cosmetic applications. It is also used extensively in regenerative medicine to improve injury healing.
GHK-Cu stimulates the proliferation of dermal papilla cells, which are essential for hair follicle development and growth. This stimulation promotes the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle, making GHK a crucial component of our regrowth efforts. The peptide can also improve blood flow to the scalp, as well as angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) helping hair follicles receive adequate nutrients and oxygen. Additionally, GHK-Cu promotes the production of collagen and elastin, which improves the overall health of the scalp and creates a more favorable tissue microenvironment for hair growth.
Thymalin contains thymic peptides that directly stimulate hair follicle growth. Research on thymic derived, short-chain peptides found thymalin show that these peptides can activate keratinocytes, the cells responsible for hair formation. When activated, this leads to enhanced hair growth rates and improved overall hair health. In laboratory studies, thymulin has been shown to significantly increase the growth rates of human hair follicles. Thynmalin also modulates the local immune response on the skin, stimulating the immune cells to clear inflammatory debris and stimulate growth and tissue repair
The combination of GHK, thynmalin and DMSO (which allows the peptides to penetrate deeper into the scalp) is an ideal synergistic preparation for hair regrowth.
PTD-DBM is another peptide often combined with GHK designed to promote hair regrowth by targeting specific molecular interactions that inhibit follicle development. Its primary mechanism involves disrupting the binding of the CXXC5 protein to the dishevelled protein, which is key in the WNT/beta-catenin signaling pathway. This pathway is essential for hair follicle development and regeneration. preventing CXXC5 from inhibiting dishevelled enhances beta-catenin activation, which stimulates those hair follicle proliferation cascades and promotes the formation of new hair follicles themselves! PTD-DBM also supports the regeneration of damaged tissues and accelerate wound healing, which is particularly relevant in androgenetic alopecia
Treatment 3: REVIVHAIR
REVIVHAIR is a product containing a blend of topical exosomes, stem cells, antioxidants, growth factors and unique peptides. It also contains some herbal DHT blockers that work in the scalp rather that systemically in the body.
RevivHair products utilize a blend of ingredients to combat hair thinning and promote growth. Key ingredients include Redensyl, which is a patented compound that targets hair follicle stem cells to stimulate hair growth and improve hair density. It works by enhancing the proliferation of dermal papilla cells, which are necessary for hair growth cycles. Additionally, things like AnaGain are derived from pea sprouts and is studied for its ability to reactivate hair growth by signaling the dermal papilla to promote hair follicle activity. This ingredient has been shown to reduce hair loss and improve hair thickness as well. Other notable components include Fluidipure 8G, which helps to soothe the scalp and reduce irritation, and keratinocyte growth factor which supports the health of hair follicles. The formulations also incorporate peptides that strengthen hair and improve its overall health. Ingredients like caffeine and zinc enhance blood circulation to the scalp. the combination of these ingredients works synergistically to not only prevent hair loss but also to enhance the appearance of thicker, healthier hair
Treatment 4. Topical Pal-AHK
PAL-AHK-is another peptides with very similar mechanisms of action as GHK-Cu. AHKaffects hair loss in two significant ways: it stimulates the secretion VEGF, which enhances blood flow to hair follicles. increased circulation provides essential nutrients as mentioned with GHK, promoting the growth of existing hair follicles and possibly encouraging the formation of new ones as well. If you’ve lost a lot of hair, this should be of significant interest. AHK also reduces the levels of. TGF-B1, an inflammatory protein that mediates/exacerbates the local effects of
DHT. Are you now seeing how inflammation and immune dysfunction play into the DHT equation? Many inflammatory cascades need to be present in order for DHT to even contribute to hair loss
Treatment 5 — derma rolling
Here’s an anology —- if red light therapy is rain water, GHK and other peptides are the fertilizer, then you can think of DR as tilling the soil.
DR isn’t going to do much by itself. But it will dramatically improve the effictivness of the other treatments it’s combined with. That’s why it’s a key constituent in the protocol.
Derma rolling (which is essentially the same thing as Micro needling procedures) basically involves creating tiny injuries in the scalp, which stimulates blood flow and promotes a healing response. This enhances the absorption of topical treatments like GHK and can trigger the activation of hair follicle stem cells, improving hair density and thickness.
The micro-injuries also promote blood circulation and release growth factors that rejuvenate hair follicles as well, and this is particularly useful when combined with peptides and other topical treatments. We will be combing derma rolling with many of the treatments listed above and bellow in a very specific, sequential process
Treatment 6 —topical carbon 60
Carbon 60, sometimes referred to as fullerene, promotes hair regrowth primarily through its powerful antioxidant properties. C60 reduces oxidative stress and local inflammatory cascades in hair follicles and the local ECM, which can otherwise lead to hair loss. C60 also dramatically enhances mitochondrial function, improving energy production in cells (think back to what we said about the benefits of red light), including those in hair follicles. This increased energy stimulates hair growth. Topical applications of C60 have shown promising results in animal studies, with significant hair regrowth observed when applied to the scalp. Some formulations combine C60 with other growth-promoting ingredients like GHK.
Treatment 7 — carbon dioxide therapy
Carbon dioxide therapy (along with red light therapy) is one of the most effective ways to improve blood supply and local oxygen. It knocks the socks off minoxidil and also improves tissue quality, skin irritation and hair growth directly
Treatment 8 — Cold plasma (violet ray) —
The violet ray generates a high-frequency electrical current, typically in the range of kilohertz to megahertz. That current is applied to a glass electrode filled with a low-pressure noble gas, (often argon), which emits a violet light when ionized. The electric current ionizes the gas, creating a plasma state, aka ‘cold theraphetic plasma’. The ionized gas emits ultraviolet and visible light as well, producing its characteristic violet glow. This plasma can produce a variety of effects on tissues, particularly hair and the scalp. Cold plasma can enhance cellular metabolism and proliferation, particularly in hair follicle cells. This leads to increased hair growth rates and improved hair follicle health.The application of cold plasma may improve local blood flow and oxygenation as well, delivering more nutrients to the hair follicles.
Treatment 9 — targeted supplementation (B-vitamins, sillica, vitamin E)
While supplements and nutrients alone will probably not promote the regrowth of hair itself, (there are a few possible exceptions discussed bellow) they can be very useful to support thickness and the viability of existing hair OR hair regrown through the means and methods discussed above. In fact, improving the appearerance, health and overall thickness of the hair you do have — or even a small bit you manage to regrow intitially — may turn out to be a considerable plus from a visual/cosmetic standpoint. Particularly if you have a lot of bald spots or a receding hairline. That may mean you need to regrow less hair overall in order to achieve the appearance you want. Supplements can help you maximize what you have.
We’re not going to cover foundational nutrients (like magnesium, probiotics etc) in this article. These also have many supportive benefits for hair (particularly hormone related hair loss) and are covered in more detail in the testosterone protocol.
1. Biosil — Silica, particularly in the form of orthosilicic acid, is the primary active ingredient in BioSil. Silica is essential for collagen synthesis, a protein that provides structure to hair follicles. Increased collagen production enhance the overall quality of hair, making it stronger and less prone to breakage. Silica is also involved in bone mineralization and is believed to be concentrated in hair and skin tissues. While direct studies on humans are limited, silica deficiency has been linked to poor hair shaft structure, suggesting that adequate silica levels could be important for maintaining hair health. Clinical studies on BioSil in particular DO show that it can increase hair shaft thickness and improve resistance to breakage. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with fine hair that reveal a lot of bald spots
2. Mitolife vitamin E Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant that helps combat oxidative stress caused by free radicals which can damage hair follicles and lead to hair loss. Some studies suggest that vitamin E may enhance blood flow to the scalp as well, which can improve nutrient delivery to hair follicles as mentioned. Vitamin E's anti-inflammatory properties will hel soothe the scalp and can reduce conditions that could hinder hair growth, mainly dandruff and dermatitis. There is some evidence that vitamin E supplementation may help prevent hair loss as well. For instance, a small study indicated that individuals with alopecia areata (an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss) experienced increased hair growth when taking vitamin E supplements compared to a placebo group. Vitamin E also helps restore moisture to the hair and promotes thickness.
3. Biotin and B-vitamins — the role of B-vitamins like biotin in hair loss has been subject to some debate. Many argue that biotin supplementation doesn’t benefit hair growth or prevent hair loss unless you’re deficient. The truth? Almost everyone is deficient in B-vitamins and likely needs to supplement a good, reasonably dosed B-complex. Biotin and other b-complex vitamins are critical for the production of keratin, a key protein that makes up hair, skin, and nails. B-vitamins are burned through quickly during stress (particularly physical stress). Remember what we mentioned before — in order for the body to allocate resources to hair growth, we need a surplus or ‘biological reserve’ of micro-nutrients avaliable. This is going to be difficult to achieve if you’re 1. not even hitting the RDA for B-vitamins 2. Burning through them during exercise or mental stress and 3. Aren’t producing them endogenously via the microbiome (yes, the bacteria in your gut make B-vitamins)
The protocol — 6 months daily routine
If you’re traveling, simply try to stay as consistent with as many parts of the routine as you can. This is why I prefer smaller read panels that can be packed in a go-bag over the larger, bulkier RLT devices
In the morning after showering:
1. Do red light therapy for 15-20min followed by violet ray. , at least 5-6x a week with one or two days off. Do 7-10min with the panel directly on the head. This will allow the near infrared wavelengths to penetrate deeper into the scalp. Then do 7-10min about 5-6 inches away from the head. This will actually allow the more superficial layers of the hair follicles and scalp to absorb more of the visible red light. Both are important. Any panel works (as long as it near near and visible red light) but I like the small portable vector 4 https://gembared.com/products/gembared-vector-mini-red-and-nir-led-light-panel (you can use code GRANTFOWLER15 for 10% off)
For violet ray, comb through hair using hair attachement for 5min
https://amzn.to/3Gucj5J (NuDerma Professional Skin therapy want is brand)
2. Carbon dioxide therapy soak: fill a large bowl with 1/4 cup citric acid and baking soda. This reaction will create C02 in the water. Pour slowly to avoid it fizzing over. Use cold water as warm water will cause evaporation. Use a large bowl and dip the top of the head in the bowl for 5min. Red light, carbon dioxide and fulvic acid will open and diliate blood vessels and make tissues more permeable to absorb the peptides . Follow ideally in the order listed if possible
3. Derma FIRST roll THEN apply the stuff bellow 👇🏻 https://www.amazon.com/Beard-Club-Derma-Roller-Scalp/dp/
4. Apply fulvic acid spray and massage into the scalp https://a.co/d/8pACdij
5. Apply GHK-cu + thymalin.One dropper full. You will be using a product called infiniwell DUO for this. Massage into the scalp or apply a concentrated dose specifically to receding hairline, bald spots or areas that need regrowth. https://infiniwell.com/products/duo-cosmetic-ghk-cu-zu-thymulin (you code GRANTFOWLER15 for 10% off this one)
6. Apply REVIVHAIRand massage into scalp https://revivserums.com/collections/hair-serums/products/hair-stimulating-serum
7. Apply PTB-DBM and massage into scalp https://infiniwell.com/products/ptd-dbm-methyl-vanillate (use GRANTFOWLER15 for 10% off)
In the evening 45-60min ideally BEFORE showering this time
1. Apply topical carbon 60. Massage into the scalp. Undefined - Premier Skin Care Solutions | Derma RX – Wizard Sciences
2. Apply Pal-AHKand massage into the scalp. https://www.peptidesciences.com/pal-ahk-200mg-topical
this one is expensive so prioritize the ones above first. Despite the price, this one will last over 200 days because the dose needed is only 1mg. You can use a dropper bottle (like the DUO) and a conversion calculator to find the dosage
Supplements
1. 1 capsule of mitolife vitamin E daily with any fat containing meal. You can use code GRANTFOWLER15
2. 2 capsules of BioSil sillica with any meal daily
3. 1-2 capsules of Ignite (biotin and other B-vitamins) daily in the morning. Use patreon subscriber code SUBSCRIBER10
https://fowlerfitness1.myshopify.com/
Comments
Jordan Glazer
Hi Grant, is this designed to be repeated as needed (i.e. 6 month protocol every few years), or as a one off? Thanks in advance
David Lippincott
Would you use the same protocol for facial hair growth?
Felipe
Curious about thoughts on the Fleur brand that has a good chunk of these peptides. Maybe adding DMSO and a derma roller would be prudent.
Fowler Fitness
The protocol is 6 months
Ryan
Hey grant derma roller link busted for those outside US - but you’re suggesting 0.3MM dermaroller daily ? For how long ideally? Thanks man
Fowler Fitness
Because it barely works
David Le
Rosemary oil gets a lot of press, surprised it’s not mentioned here
