How DHT affects hair growth

When you’re looking for the possible causes of hair loss, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is at the top of the list. This byproduct of testosterone is normally responsible for male-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), a condition that affects up to 80% of men by the age of 70.

In this article, we’ll look at how DHT interacts with your hair follicles and what you can do to control its impact.

What does DHT do?

DHT is derived from testosterone, it binds to receptors in your hair follicles and affects their growth cycles. It’s vital for developing male characteristics like facial and body hair. However, DHT can:

• Shrink hair follicles over time on your scalp, meaning you get thinner and finer hair (a particular issue if you’re genetically predisposed to hair loss).
• Shorten your hair growth cycle, giving hair less time to grow before falling out.
• Prevent hair follicles from absorbing important nutrients, which means less healthy hair is more likely to fall out.

What happens when DHT levels are high?

While DHT affects facial hair in a positive way, often encouraging thicker growth, it's a different story on your scalp. High DHT levels can shrink hair follicles on your scalp, shortening the growth phase and producing thinner, weaker strands. Over time, this can result in significant hair loss, with affected follicles eventually failing to grow hair at all.

Hair cycles and DHT

Your hair follows a natural cycle:

• The growing phase (anagen)
• The transitional phase (catagen)
• The resting phase (telogen)

DHT can cause hair loss in two ways. First by shortening the anagen phase, during which hair actively grows. Then by prolonging the telogen phase, when hair sheds and follicles remain dormant. This imbalance reduces the number of active hair follicles and leads to visible thinning.

Can you stop DHT attacking hair follicles?

Yes, you can reduce DHT’s impact on hair follicles. Medications like finasteride lower DHT levels, while topical solutions block it from binding to receptors in the follicles.

If you’re wondering how to stop DHT from attacking hair follicles naturally, options like saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil, and green tea extract supplements and shampoos may offer some protection. Speak to your doctor or one of our clinicians who can advise you after a short online consultation.

DHT blockers (medical and natural)

DHT blockers work by targeting the hormone’s interaction with hair follicles. Medical treatments like finasteride and propecia are highly effective at reducing DHT and slowing hair loss. Natural blockers like saw palmetto and green tea extract may offer a gentler alternative, though there’s limited evidence to support their effectiveness.

The best DHT blocker for hair growth depends on your specific needs and how your body responds to treatment. Many people combine approaches to get the best results, and your doctor or one of our clinicians can advise on this.

Potential side effects of DHT blockers

Does blocking DHT stop hair loss? In many cases, yes, however they do come with a risk of some side effects. Medications like finasteride, for example, may cause a decreased libido or hormonal imbalances. Finasteride is also associated with suicidal thoughts and sexual dysfunction. However, some men experience no side-effects at all.

While natural options generally have fewer risks, they may not deliver the same level of effectiveness. To make an informed choice, speak to your doctor or start an online consultation to get the expert opinion of one of our clinicians.

Alternative hair loss treatments

If DHT blockers aren’t right for you, there are other options to consider. You can bypass the impact of DHT altogether with treatments like:

• Hair transplants
• Low-level laser therapy
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy

These approaches target existing follicles or add resistant transplanted hairs that are less affected by DHT. Does DHT affect transplanted hair? Typically, transplanted hair resists DHT and this makes it a reliable solution for many people.

It’s worth exploring alternatives to find a treatment that fits your needs, and your doctor or one of our clinicians can help guide you.

• References

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss/
  https://patient.info/mens-health/male-pattern-baldness
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34741573/
  https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/finasteride-reminder-of-the-risk-psychiatric-side-effects-and-of-sexual-side-effects-which-may-persist-after-discontinuation-of-treatment
  

  Images for illustrative purposes only. Posed by models.