Understanding Pattern Hair Loss: Roots² Hair Thinning Support Explained

Dr Heng Jiacheng
Jun 22
7 min read

Updated: 17h

Written by Dr Heng Jiacheng, MBBS, Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine (AAAM)Associate Member, ISHRS · Member, AAHRS. Insights from a Singapore-based hair-loss physician

Most hair supplements list twenty ingredients on the back of the box. Few explain why those ingredients were chosen, what the evidence behind them is, or how they work together. This article does exactly that for the Roots² AGA Protocol, the formula designed for adults experiencing androgenetic alopecia AKA pattern-related hair thinning.

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women, a condition I see in clinic on a daily basis. Its primary driver is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent androgen derived from testosterone via the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. In genetically susceptible individuals, DHT binds to androgen receptors in the hair follicle, causing progressive miniaturisation and shortening of the hair growth cycle. What is inherited is not hair loss itself, but the sensitivity of follicles to DHT.

The Roots² AGA Protocol is built around six functional areas that address this process and the nutritional environment surrounding it.

1. DHT Modulation

For patients with significant hair loss, prescription 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as finasteride and dutasteride remain the most effective pharmaceutical intervention. The botanical DHT-modulating ingredients in Roots² are not a substitute for these in moderate to severe AGA. Their role is adjunctive, providing multi-pathway support through complementary mechanisms, and serving as the primary intervention in patients with mild or early-stage thinning who are not yet at the point of requiring medication.

Saw Palmetto Extract — 320 mg

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) inhibits 5-alpha reductase, reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT at the follicular level. Clinical studies show it can stabilise hair loss and improve hair density, though its effects are generally smaller in magnitude than pharmaceutical 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. [1,2,3]

Pumpkin Seed Extract — 100 mg

Pumpkin seed extract contains phytosterols that inhibit 5-alpha reductase and support scalp health through anti-inflammatory activity. A randomised clinical trial demonstrated significant improvement in hair growth and patient satisfaction in men with androgenetic alopecia. [4,2]

Soy Isoflavones (from Soybean Extract) — 75 mg

Soy isoflavones are plant-derived compounds with emerging evidence for activity against androgen-related hair loss mechanisms and hair growth signalling pathways. They provide a complementary third pathway of androgen modulation alongside saw palmetto and pumpkin seed extract. [5,2]

Together, these three ingredients target DHT-related follicular miniaturisation through different but complementary mechanisms, a more robust approach than relying on a single botanical.

2. Hair Follicle Nutrition

Hair follicles are among the most metabolically active structures in the body. Normal follicular function depends on an adequate supply of micronutrients supporting cell division, keratin synthesis, and immune regulation. The following nutrients were selected based on deficiencies commonly observed in patients presenting with hair loss in clinical practice, with particular relevance to nutritional patterns seen in Asian populations. [6,7]

Zinc (as Zinc Picolinate) — 15 mg

Zinc is essential for hair follicle repair, protein synthesis, and cell division. Zinc deficiency is associated with telogen effluvium and hair thinning. Zinc picolinate is used for its superior bioavailability compared to other zinc forms. Supplementation may improve hair density in deficient individuals. [7,6]

Biotin (D-Biotin) — 900 mcg

Biotin supports keratin production as a cofactor in carboxylase enzymes. The evidence for biotin supplementation is strongest in individuals with documented deficiency. Roots² includes biotin at 900 mcg, a dose that provides coverage in the rare case of true deficiency, without the excessive dosing seen in most commercial supplements (commonly 2,500–10,000 mcg) that has been flagged by the FDA for interference with laboratory testing. [6,8]

Vitamin D3 (as Cholecalciferol) — 10 mcg (1,000 IU)

Vitamin D receptors are highly expressed within hair follicles and play a role in normal hair cycle regulation. Low vitamin D levels have been associated with several forms of hair loss. Evidence for supplementation appears strongest in individuals with deficiency, a relevant consideration given that vitamin D insufficiency is common in Singapore despite the equatorial climate, largely due to indoor lifestyles and sun avoidance. [6,7]

Folic Acid — 900 mcg

Folic acid supports DNA synthesis and cellular turnover, processes essential for the rapidly dividing hair matrix cells at the base of the follicle. Reduced folate levels have been observed in certain hair loss conditions. [6,9]

Vitamin A (as Beta Carotene) — 1,000 IU

Vitamin A supports normal epithelial cell differentiation and follicular health. Beta carotene is used as the source because it is converted to vitamin A on demand, avoiding the risk of toxicity associated with preformed vitamin A supplementation. Both deficiency and excessive intake can adversely affect the hair cycle. [9,6]

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) — 25 mg

Riboflavin is a cofactor in cellular energy production and antioxidant pathways, contributing to normal tissue maintenance. It is included as part of comprehensive micronutrient support. [6,9]

Camu Camu Fruit Extract (Vitamin C) — 100 mg

Vitamin C is an antioxidant required for collagen synthesis and protection against oxidative stress at the follicle level. It also enhances non-haem iron absorption, particularly relevant in patients with borderline iron stores and supports connective tissue formation around the follicle. [6,10]

3. Hair Structure Support

Hydrolysed Marine Collagen (Type I & III) — 300 mg

Marine collagen provides amino acids required for extracellular matrix support around the hair follicle and contributes to hair shaft strength. Clinical research shows collagen supplementation can increase hair counts and improve hair quality when used as part of multi-nutrient therapy. [10,11]

Hydrolysed Keratin — 30 mg

Keratin is the primary structural protein of hair fibres. Supplementation with keratin-derived peptides has been shown to improve hair strength and reduce breakage by supporting the structural integrity of the hair shaft. [10]

4. Keratin-Building Amino Acids

L-Cysteine, L-Lysine, L-Methionine — 30 mg each

These amino acids are rate-limiting substrates for keratin synthesis. Without adequate availability of cysteine and methionine in particular, keratin production is limited regardless of other inputs. Clinical studies show these amino acids improve hair growth response and anagen hair rates when used in hair loss treatment protocols. [10,12]

5. Hair Growth Signalling

Capsicum Fruit Extract — 6 mg

Capsaicin stimulates insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) production in hair follicles and improves scalp microcirculation. Studies show capsaicin, particularly when combined with isoflavones (in our case soy isoflavones), promotes hair growth and follicle activity. [13,14]

6. Stress Response Support

Ashwagandha Extract — 300 mg

Stress is a recognised upstream trigger for telogen effluvium and can compound the progression of androgenetic alopecia. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogenic botanical with emerging clinical evidence supporting improvements in hair density, growth rate, and the proportion of follicles in the active growth (anagen) phase [15,16]

In practice, many patients presenting with pattern thinning also have a significant stress component. Addressing this through adaptogenic support is a clinically meaningful addition to a DHT-focused protocol.

How the Protocol Fits Together for patients with pattern hair loss

The Roots² Hair Thinning Support is not a list of popular ingredients assembled for label appeal. Each component addresses a specific aspect of the biology of androgenetic alopecia: androgen modulation, follicular nutrition, structural hair support, keratin substrate availability, growth signalling, and stress resilience.

For patients with mild to moderate AGA who are not yet on prescription medication, this multi-pathway approach provides meaningful adjunctive support. For patients on finasteride, dutasteride, or minoxidil, it complements pharmaceutical treatment by optimising the nutritional environment in which follicles are trying to recover.

What it does not do is replace medical treatment in significant hair loss. If you are experiencing rapid progression, a widening part, or recession beyond the early stages, a consultation with a hair loss physician should come before and not AFTER supplements.

References

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Gupta AK, Talukder M, Bamimore MA. Natural products for male androgenetic alopecia. Dermatologic Therapy. 2022;35(4).
Broadley D, Le Riche A, Guénin S, et al. A proprietary lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens promotes hair growth through mechanisms that extend beyond 5-alpha reductase inhibition: Insights from human hair follicle organ culture. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2026.
Cho YH, Lee SY, Jeong DW, et al. Effect of pumpkin seed oil on hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014;2014:549721.
Youssef A, et al. Evaluation of hair growth promoting activity of standardized soybean extract on testosterone-induced alopecia. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2025;28(1):75–86.
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Lengg N, Heidecker B, Seifert B, Trüeb RM. Dietary supplement increases anagen hair rate in women with telogen effluvium: Results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled tria l. Therapy. 2007;4(1):59–65.
Harada N, Okajima K, Arai M, Kurihara H, Nakagata N. Administration of capsaicin and isoflavone promotes hair growth by increasing insulin-like growth factor-I production in mice and in humans with alopecia. Growth Hormone & IGF Research. 2007;17(5):408–415.
Eid AY, et al. Topical application of standardized capsicum and rosemary extracts promotes hair growth in testosterone-induced alopecia in Wistar rats: Histological and morphometric evaluation. Indian Journal of Pharmacology. 2025.
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