What is a DHT Blocker?

Do you know that one of the factors that may result in you losing hair is the effect of DHT on your body? If you’ve been researching about your hair loss there’s a huge chance that you’ve been seeing the term “DHT” in various articles. But what is DHT and why do you need aDHT Blocker

DHT, a shortened term for Dihydrotestosterone, is an androgen that is believed to have a significant effect in the development of the sex traits associated with men. Of course, among these effects is the development of body and facial hair.

The Effect of DHT on the body

DHT, as the name suggests is a derivative of the sex hormone testosterone. While testosterone is present in the bodies of both men and women, it is DHT that is primarily the cause of the male characteristics that develop when you go through puberty:

• Increase in body hair
• Development of muscle mass
• Deeper voice
• Penis and scrotum growth
• Production of sperm
• Fat distribution in the body
• Development and health of the prostate gland

DHT has a lot of good benefits to you body. Among them, the maintenance of the muscle mass that is associated with men and in maintaining fertility and your sexual health.

Biologically, men have more testosterone in the body, with about 10 percent of that converted in to DHT. This conversion is facilitated by the 5-alpha reductase (5-AR) enzyme.

DHT and hair loss

As mentioned, DHT play a big role in the development and growth of hair in men. It is the primary driver in men producing more facial and body hair.

What does DHT have to do with hair loss? According to studies, balding men have shown that their hair follicles contain a higher-than-normal level of DHT. The theory of doctors is that the DHT actually inhibits the growth of hair follicles – effectively shrinking it. The DHT prevents hair follicles from absorbing nutrients. This results in hair becoming starved and resulting in shorter and thinner hair.

At some point, the DHT will prevent new hair from growing, which leads to baldness.

The Role of DHT Blocker

Because of the correlation between DHT and hair loss and baldness, scientists have developed DHT blockers to combat this problem. These blockers, like finasteride, zeroes in on the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which disrupts the enzyme’s ability to convert testosterone into DHT. Aside from drugs, there are also supplements in the market that are being advertised as good DHT blockers, most significantly biotin.

DHT blockers have proven in some clinical studies that it can effectively address baldness – halting its progress, and in some studies, allowing hair to grow back again.

Other DHT blockers

Foods like onions, turmeric, coconut oil, green tea, edamame, and pumpkin seeds have also been touted as natural DHT blockers, although the jury is still out on these natural foods and their actual efficacy.

One of the most effective methods of delivery for DHT blockers that have been seen in studies is through topical application. This is the reason why there are a number of good DHT Blocker shampoos and conditioners that have entered the market.

Before you buy a DHT shampoo and conditioner though, you have to make sure that it does contain the ingredients that will block DHT. A good DHT-blocking shampoo combined with a drug like finasteride or can be a great protocol to help with baldness and hair loss.

Conclusion

With two-thirds of American men experiencing baldness or hair loss by the time they reach 35, and with almost 50 percent of all men suffering from hair loss by the age of 50, we’re facing a global issue.

A DHT blocker is a step in the right direction towards solving the problem of hair loss and balding in men.