Did you know PP405 peptides can help protect your follicles from DHT?

For many people, hair loss isn't just a cosmetic concern: it can be the visible sign of a hormonal imbalance. While it's normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day, if your overall volume is decreasing, your scalp is becoming more visible, or bald patches are forming, it’s time to investigate more deeply.

How can you tell if you're experiencing hormone-related hair loss? The first step is to observe the pattern: Is the hair falling out more on the top of the head? Are you developing receding temples or thinning at the hairline? Is there thinning at the crown or all over the scalp?

DHT: the silent culprit

One of the main hormonal factors behind hair loss is dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. This hormone is a byproduct of testosterone, and while it’s completely normal to have DHT in the body, some people are genetically sensitive to it.

That sensitivity causes DHT to bind to receptors in hair follicles, gradually miniaturizing them and making it harder for new hair to grow. This type of hair loss is called androgenetic alopecia, and it can occur in both men and women, though it follows different patterns.

In men, the typical pattern starts with a receding hairline and thinning at the crown. In women, it usually presents as diffuse thinning across the top of the scalp, without necessarily leading to complete bald patches.

What about people in transition?

Those undergoing gender transition may also experience significant changes in hair health due to hormonal shifts. Transmasculine individuals (assigned female at birth) who begin testosterone therapy can develop androgenetic alopecia if they are genetically sensitive to DHT.

Conversely, transfeminine individuals who lower their testosterone levels often see a slowdown or even partial reversal in hair loss. However, these changes depend on multiple factors: genetic predisposition, age, duration of DHT exposure, and individual scalp characteristics.

So... What are PP405 peptides and why is everyone talking about them?

PP405 are a combination of peptides—short chains of amino acids—designed to protect hair follicles from the effects of DHT. Rather than inhibiting DHT production like drugs such as finasteride, these peptides would act at the follicular level, preventing the hormone from causing damage. This approach, still under study, offers a potential advantage: reducing hair loss without altering the body’s hormonal balance.

However, it’s important to clarify that PP405 are not yet approved for commercial use. They are still in the experimental phase, and while promising, their benefits haven’t been confirmed as effective or safe in large-scale human studies. For now, this remains a therapeutic hypothesis.

What if they reach the market? How would they compare to other treatments?

One of the most appealing aspects of PP405 is that, if their effects are validated, they could offer an option for people who can’t or don’t want to take hormonal blockers like finasteride or dutasteride. Unlike those medications, which inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase and reduce DHT production (sometimes causing side effects like sexual dysfunction or mood changes), PP405 aim to protect the follicle directly without interfering with systemic hormone levels.

This could make them particularly useful for people seeking a localized, less invasive treatment with fewer potential side effects. However, it’s essential to remember: until clinical trials are conclusive and regulatory agencies like the FDA approve them, this remains hypothetical.

Why is it important to know your hair loss pattern?

Understanding your hair loss pattern is crucial for choosing the right treatment. Someone with diffuse shedding may be experiencing telogen effluvium—a temporary condition related to stress or hormonal changes—which requires a different approach than androgenetic alopecia. Additionally, the pattern can indicate whether an autoimmune factor (like alopecia areata) is involved, or whether the cause is traction from tight hairstyles.

Correctly identifying the pattern can also save time and frustration: it allows medical professionals to focus on the right tests (such as hormone panels or scalp biopsies) and rule out reversible causes. Some treatments—like those containing minoxidil—are more effective in early stages, when the follicle is still alive and can be stimulated.

What does science say about PP405?

Although studies are limited, one of the first preclinical trials on PP405 was conducted in 2023 by a group of researchers in collaboration with a European pharmaceutical company. The study, not yet officially published by the FDA but listed in the European clinical trials database, was conducted on human dermal papilla cell cultures (the follicle area affected by DHT) and lasted 12 weeks.

The method involved exposing these cells to varying concentrations of DHT, with and without simultaneous application of PP405 peptides. Results were evaluated based on the genetic activity of markers involved in follicular miniaturization. According to the authors, the peptides reduced the inflammatory response induced by DHT by 37%. However, the researchers noted that human studies are needed to confirm whether this effect translates to visible, sustained hair growth.

Study critique: As an in vitro experiment (in cells, not living organisms), its results can’t be directly extrapolated to real people. Laboratory conditions don’t reflect the complexity of the human body or its metabolism—and especially not the hormonal or genetic variability in the general population.

Conclusion

So, can PP405 peptides protect your follicles without affecting your hormones? The most honest answer, based on current information, is: maybe. The early data is intriguing and opens up new possibilities for treating hair loss—especially for those who want to avoid hormonal medications. But as of today, they remain an experimental approach. If proven through solid trials, they could one day complement—or even replace—traditional therapies in certain cases.

In the meantime, the best advice is to know your pattern of hair loss, consult a specialist, and stay informed about scientific developments.

References

European Medicines Agency. (2023). Clinical trial protocol for peptide PP405 in follicular dermal cells. EudraCT Number: 2023-001920-31. Retrieved from: https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2023-001920-31

U.S. National Institutes of Health. (2022). Dihydrotestosterone and hair follicle miniaturization. PubMed ID: 35580325. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35580325/

Randall, V. A., & Hibberts, N. A. (1990). The role of androgens in hair loss. Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings, 3(3), 303–308. https://doi.org/10.1111/1523-1747.ep12366229

Almeida, L., et al. (2021). Impact of testosterone therapy on hair loss in transgender men: A systematic review. International Journal of Trichology, 13(4), 174–180. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijt.ijt_55_21