If you Google hair loss and ways to stop it, you will surely see some DHT blocker products sold in numerous online shops.
But the question is, what do these DHT blockers do? How do these DHT blockers work? And how can this product help to resolve our hair loss issues? If you are looking for answers to these questions, you are in the right place.
To understand and know more about these DHT blockers, in this article, we will talk about this topic and answer several questions that roam around this magnificent hair loss treatment today.
So if you are ready to find answers to your questions, keep reading, and let’s dig in!
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What Is DHT?
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen or male sex hormone derived from testosterone. With the help of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, at least 10% of testosterone is converted into DHT. This conversion occurs in the testes and prostate in men.
DHT hormone is responsible for men to develop male sex characteristics such as deep voice, muscle mass, and growth of facial hair.
But although DHT plays a significant role in the growth of different body hair, this hormone can also inflict hair thinning and hair loss. This happens when excess DHT production starts to intensify as we age.
Why Does DHT Cause Hair Loss?
High DHT levels in our bodies can lead to extreme hair loss, but why?
DHT binds itself to the receptors found in our hair follicles and shortens the hair growth cycle as it shrinks every hair follicle in a process called miniaturization. This can make our hair thinner, brittle, and more prone to damage and fall out.
This process can lead to severe hair loss conditions called androgenic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness in men, and female pattern hair loss for women. This is the most common hair loss condition in our society today.
Androgenic alopecia does not only cause hair loss. It can also disrupt the normal body hair growth of our scalp hair and prevent the development and production of new hair.
Why Does DHT Affect People Differently?
Androgenetic alopecia, as its names suggest, can be genetically acquired.
This means that male pattern baldness can be hereditary and can be passed to you by both of the genes of your mother and father. So if you are a male and your father has androgenic alopecia, do not be surprised if you can acquire it too.
Moreover, DHT affects people differently because others are more sensitive to the effect of DHT based on the variations in the androgen receptors found in their hair follicles. These androgen receptors are made of protein that allows DHT to bind to them.
What Are DHT Blockers?
Now that we know what DHT can do to prevent hair growth, this is the time for us to talk about DHT blockers.
Obviously, a DHT blocker can block DHT. But did you know that DHT blockers are designed to normalize the level of DHT hormones in our bodies? Yes, they can! And they can do this by inhibiting the production of DHT in our hair follicles and other organs.
There are 2 principal forms of DHT blockers in the market today. One is hair loss medication such as Propecia, and the other comes as DHT-blocking shampoo and conditioners.
DHT blockers are known for their capability of combatting hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia and are proven to promote hair regrowth.
How Do DHT Blockers Stop Hair Loss?
Some DHT blockers work by stopping DHT from being converted from testosterone by intercepting the effects of 5 alpha-reductase enzymes.
While on the other hand, other DHT blockers work to promote hair growth by increasing the growth phase cycle of our hair and by stimulating hair follicles by increasing the blood flow in our scalp.
Reversing hair loss might be a tough job, especially if you are treating male pattern baldness. But these DHT blockers do not only prevent further hair loss. Studies have shown that they are effective in promoting hair growth while increasing hair density and thickness.
How To Test DHT Levels
If you want to know if you have excessive DHT in your body, one of the standard ways to do this is to get a DHT blood test that requires blood drawn from your arm.
You can also opt for a saliva panel test. This procedure is considered one of the most accurate yet not invasive laboratory tests to measure the level of DHT inside your system.
If you think you have DHT-related hair loss, you should consult your doctor immediately for proper assessment and medication.
How To Reverse DHT Hair Loss
It is true that it may take time before you can successfully reverse the effects of hair loss caused by male pattern baldness. But again, that does not mean it is impossible.
In fact, here are some of the best DHT blockers that are exceptionally great in reversing hair loss effects.
Prescription Medicine As DHT Blockers
There are only a few FDA-approved prescription DHT blocking drugs on the market today. These are finasteride and minoxidil.
Finasteride is a prescription medication that many dermatologists recommend as an effective DHT blocker that is proven by many clinical trials. Finasteride blocks the 5 alpha-reductase enzymes to control the production of DHT to increase hair growth and prevent hair fall.
Minoxidil is another outstanding DHT-blocking drug. These DHT blockers work by promoting hair regrowth by stimulating the follicle growth phase and shortening their resting phase. This DHT blocker can also induce hair growth in patients with alopecia areata.
Shampoo And Conditioners As DHT Blockers
Another excellent way to inhibit DHT is by using DHT blocker shampoos. They are great for reversing hair loss effects, such as hair thinning, without any reported side effects.
One example of this is the Ketoconazole shampoo. Studies show that these DHT blockers work by interfering with the production of androgens, such as DHT.
This makes these DHT-blocking shampoos one of the best over-the-counter hair loss treatments that can treat androgenetic alopecia.
Vitamins As DHT Blockers
Taking vitamin supplements is not only great for our overall health but also for our hair. Several multivitamins can do wonders in blocking DHT in your body.
And one of the go-to options for many is biotin and iron supplements. These vitamins and minerals will not only encourage hair growth but can also strengthen existing hair.
You can use these supplements as a perfect support option to block DHT in hair loss treatments against different conditions, such as male pattern hair loss and other types of alopecia.
Natural DHT Blockers
If you do not want to take a prescription drug and opt for a natural way to block DHT, one of the best options is to use some pumpkin seed oil.
Pumpkin seed oil has shown promising effects in inhibiting DHT effects on hair loss. This oil is rich in iron, magnesium, zinc, and other antioxidants known as natural DHT blockers and can be used in reversing hair loss consequences for men diagnosed with male pattern baldness.
Foods That Are DHT Blockers
Besides pumpkin seed oil, there are other healthy organic foods that we can eat that can act as natural DHT blockers too.
An example of this is green tea which is rich in antioxidants called epigallocatechin gallate. Studies show that this antioxidant protects hair follicles from harmful elements such as DHT. Other natural DHT blockers include foods rich in biotin, such as peanuts, tuna, and bananas.
But how do these natural DHT blockers work to treat issues such as male pattern hair loss?
Vitamins and minerals found in these foods can control the levels of DHT that may attach to our hair follicles, which can trigger androgen receptors to begin miniaturizing the follicles.
What Are The Side Effects Of DHT?
Besides the severe hair loss that high levels of DHT can bring, there are also several side effects that men and women can experience. Here are the following side effects:
- Acne
- Dry and itchy skin
- Slow healing after injury
- Enlarged prostate that may lead to prostate cancer
- Depression
- Absence of menstrual periods
- Obesity
If you think that your level of DHT is abnormally too high and can experience some of the side effects indicated above, ask for professional medical advice immediately.
Fact Checked by our Director of Dermatology – We know that understanding how your skin and hair work can seem scary, so my team and I devote our time to thoroughly researching every single topic and product we write about. We hope you find our reviews helpful and informative.
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