If you suffer from male pattern baldness, you’ve probably heard all the rave surrounding DHT blocker shampoos. If you’re a skeptic (and you often should be towards things concerning your health), you may be wondering what exactly a DHT blocking shampoo is, what it does, and most importantly, if it really works. Of course, they work differently for everyone, but there is quite a bit of evidence that DHT blocking shampoos can have a positive effect on slowing hair loss.
If you’ve decided to try one out for yourself, you may be lost in all the options available to you. Don’t worry, though, because we are here to help you choose the best DHT blocker shampoo for your hair loss problem.
Understanding Male Pattern Baldness
While it is hard for researchers to pinpoint the exact cause of alopecia, especially male pattern baldness, it is accepted among professionals that DHT often plays a role. DHT, called dihydrotestosterone, is a male hormone that helps give men the characteristics that set them apart from females.
The hormone is especially important during puberty, but later in life (and earlier for some men than others), DHT can become a problem that leads to severe hair loss. DHT is created when testosterone meets with the 5a-reductase enzyme. This enzyme is a catalyst for the chemical reaction that changes testosterone into DHT.
So, what does DHT have to do with hair loss? Researchers believe that DHT binds to receptors in the hair follicle and kick-starts a process often called “miniaturizing,” which affects the phases of hair growth. Hair growth happens in three phases. The first phase, called the anagen phase, lasts between 3 and 5 years. This first phase is responsible for new hair growth.
The second phase, called the catagen phase, lasts around 1 to 2 weeks. This phase is when the new hair growth binds to the old hair strand. The last phase, called the telogen phase, is a resting phase where the hair follicle prepares to re-enter the anagen phase. This last phase lasts 3 to 4 months.
During the miniaturizing process, the length of the anagen phase becomes greatly reduced, while the length of the telogen phase increases. Eventually, the anagen phase becomes so short that new hair growth does not even have time to peek through the scalp. Because of the short amount of time allowed for new growth, the hair is not anchored very well in the scalp. Therefore, these hairs fall out more easily, eventually leading to bald spots, or leaving you completely bald.
What Is A DHT Blocker and How Does It Work?
It is important to note that DHT blockers do not reverse the effects of male pattern baldness. A DHT blocker can, however, help prevent future hair loss. DHT blockers really have very little to do with DHT directly. In fact, DHT blockers work to block the 5a-reductase enzyme. Reducing the amount of this enzyme in your body will, in turn, reduce the amount of testosterone that is converted to DHT. Reducing the production of DHT can help to slow and even stop the effects of hair loss in most people.
DHT blockers are available in many forms, including salves, creams, and oral medicines. One of the most popular options is the DHT blocker shampoo. These shampoos are often recommended by professionals because they are both effective and easy to use. In fact, they can take the place of your regular shampoo,and most require no extra steps in your regular daily hair growth routine.
Choosing a DHT Blocker Shampoo
There is no one best DHT shampoo for everyone but understanding what DHT blocking shampoos are can help you choose the best one for you. First, you should understand that DHT blocking shampoos are not often “FDA approved,” meaning they may boast active ingredients that are accepted as viable DHT blocking substances, but they have often not been tested and approved according to the strict standards of the FDA.
Sometimes, you will find DHT blocking shampoos with active ingredients that have very little backing as DHT blocking substances. However, there are some chemicals and natural substances that are more tried and true than others.
When choosing the best DHT blocking shampoo for you, always check the ingredients list. Here are some active ingredients that we think (based on scientific data and real results) work best to block the production of DHT:
- Ketoconazole: Ketoconazole has shown to not only help block the production of DHT but to reduce inflammation and damage done to the hair follicle by the DHT hormone.
- Saw Palmetto: Although on a weaker level than ketoconazole, saw palmetto is a natural substance that has shown some effect on lessening the production of DHT in the body.
- Zinc: Many studies have shown that zinc helps to stop the accumulation of DHT, especially in the hair follicle.
Some DHT blocking shampoos may use only one of these DHT blocking substances, while others may use a combination of the three or combine them with other substances. Of course, you may need to try a few different products to find the one that works best for you but looking for these three ingredients is a great place to start.
You should try a new DHT blocking shampoo for an extended period of time before deciding that it does not work. Many specialists recommend giving a DHT blocker at least six months to show results before discontinuing its use.
A Look at Inactive Ingredients in DHT Blocker Shampoo
DHT blocking shampoos contain inactive ingredients as well, some of which are equally as important to treating hair loss as the active ingredients. These ingredients are mostly an arrangement of vitamins that help prepare the hair follicles and scalp for new hair growth. While the active ingredients may help prevent future hair loss, typically the added vitamins and minerals help to promote new hair growth in balding areas.
Some of these ingredients include:
- Biotin: Biotin, along with other B vitamins, is essential to new hair growth. Aside from stimulating hair growth, it also helps hair grow stronger, making new hair growth less susceptible to damage.
- Rosemary Oil: Aside from adding a fresh scent, rosemary oil, when applied topically, has shown to stimulate hair growth in the hair follicles.
- Pumpkin Seed Oil: Many studies have shown that pumpkin seed oil can aid and even speed the production of new hair growth by 20%.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A is importantto the body for new cell growth and plays a huge role in new hair growth as well.
