One of the biggest causes of hair loss in both men and women is androgenic alopecia. People with this condition have a sensitivity to DHT, which can cause hair follicles to shrink and eventually stop producing hairs. Regrettably, this pesky problem can be particularly difficult to treat. However, you can stop this form of hair loss in its tracks by blocking DHT. Here, we look at 4 natural DHT blockers for your hair and how you can best use them to keep hair loss at bay.
What is DHT?
It is necessary to understand what DHT is and why some people are sensitive to it. DHT, which stands for dihydrotestosterone, is a derivative of testosterone. Both men and women have testosterone, although it is in much higher concentrations in men. Testosterone is an androgen, or male sex hormone, that gives rise to male sex characteristics like a deeper voice and increased body hair and muscle mass.
About 10% of testosterone is converted to DHT by the 5-alpha reductase (5-AR) enzyme. Some people can be particularly sensitive to DHT, whereas others may have higher levels of DHT in their system.
When DHT is circulating in your bloodstream, it can link to receptors on your hair follicles. When they attach, it causes hair follicles to shrink and eventually fail to produce hair. DHT also shortens the hair growth cycle, so your hair falls out quicker and takes longer to regrow.
We don’t fully know why some people are more sensitive to DHT than others. However, research shows that DHT sensitivity is genetic, so if you are experiencing hair loss, it is likely that someone else in your family has hair loss as well. DHT sensitivity likely comes down to variations on the androgen receptor gene, which may encourage your hair follicles to be more receptive to DHT attacking them.
4 Natural DHT Blockers for Your Hair
Because DHT is the culprit behind androgenic alopecia, it is essential to block its activity. However, you do not want to block it everywhere in your body because it can have many health consequences. For this reason, men often turn away from medications like finasteride that can cause problems like sexual dysfunction. Ideally, DHT blockers should be used on the scalp. And fortunately, some natural DHT blockers are perfect for treating hair loss.
Caffeine
If you think drinking caffeine will help with hair growth, you will be disappointed. Unfortunately, caffeine consumption through your diet is not the way to reverse hair loss, and it may even worsen hair loss. However, when applied topically, caffeine reverses the effects of DHT. Once DHT attaches to hair follicles, it shortens anagen, the growth phase of the hair growth cycle, and also hinders blood flow to the follicles.
Caffeine reverses all of these adverse effects by:
- Increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, and
- Extending the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle, so hair stays on your head for longer.
Caffeine is also an anti-inflammatory, which can further encourage hair growth, especially if inflammation is at the root of your hair thinning.
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole is an anti-fungal medication that is essential for stopping hair loss. This anti-fungal not only fights common fungal overgrowth problems that can hinder hair growth (like Malassezia), but it is also clinically proven to prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT. When it is applied topically, ketoconazole can prevent this conversion at the follicular level, thereby blocking DHT in the scalp without extending into other areas of the body.
Furthermore, because of its anti-fungal properties, ketoconazole can also reduce scalp inflammation.
Shop Ketoconazole + Caffeine Shampoo
Pumpkin Seed Oil
We don't fully know why pumpkin seed oil is an effective natural DHT blocker, but studies show that it can increase your hair count by as much as 40% after 6 months of use. One reason pumpkin seed oil may be effective at treating hair loss is that it has rare amino acids that block DHT, and therefore stimulate hair growth.
Azelaic Acid
This naturally occurring acid is a potent DHT blocker with anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. Derived from grains like wheat, barley, and rye, azelaic acid is often preferred over other DHT blockers because of its high bioavailability and few side effects.
Azelaic acid has been well-studied for several decades now and is a potent ingredient found in many hair growth formulas. Where most natural DHT blockers work to encourage hair growth by inhibiting DHT, azelaic acid is known for blocking the 5-alpha reductase enzyme and DHT. What is more, this acid is even useful in extremely difficult-to-treat conditions like the autoimmune condition alopecia areata.
Shop Caffeine + Azelaic Acid Serum
Where to Find DHT Lockers for Your Hair
You don’t have to use these ingredients separately in order to get their full effects, nor would you want to. When combined in a single formulation, caffeine, ketoconazole, pumpkin seed oil, and azelaic acid can be extremely powerful against hair loss caused by DHT sensitivity.
DS Laboratories combines all of these natural DHT blockers, along with other powerful ingredients for hair growth in several formulations designed to combat hair loss.
REVITA Shampoo and Conditioner
The first place you will want to start is with your cleansing regimen. The REVITA shampoo line contains all of these ingredients that:
- Prevent hair loss
- Strengthen hair follicles
- Stimulate hair growth
- Combat follicular dysfunction, and
- Promote scalp vitality
By using the REVITA line, you can take action against hair loss with every wash.
Spectral.DNC-N
The SPECTRAL.DNC-N Redensifying Serum with Nanoxidil 5% is a clinically tested and proven way to combat hair loss. This serum contains Nanoxidil 5%, which employs nanosome technology that allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin because of its low molecular weight.
Along with Nanoxidil 5% (which is a powerful DHT blocker), this serum also uses natural DHT blockers like azelaic acid and caffeine to inhibit DHT in the scalp.
When used together, both the REVITA and SPECTRAL.DNC-N products make a powerful team in preventing hair loss and restoring hair growth on your head.
Shop Your DHT Blockers Routine Now
When used together, both the REVITA and SPECTRAL.DNC-N products make a powerful team in preventing hair loss and restoring hair growth on your head.