DHT Blocking Shampoo Safety and Efficacy

Are you looking for an effective DHT blocking shampoo to help you reverse hair loss? According to studies, DHT, a naturally occurring hormone derived from the male hormone testosterone, can bind to receptors in the hair follicles, causing hair shrinkage and balding. People with a genetic predisposition to hair loss experience more DHT binding and blocking the hormone may protect hair follicles from the damages. However, if you are shopping for a hair loss shampoo, it is vital to consult your dermatologist and research each ingredient in the bottle. Here’s a quick overview of what a DHT blocking shampoo is, its safety and efficacy in preventing or reversing hair loss.

Is DHT Blocking Shampoo Effective?

DHT or dihydrotestosterone is produced when the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone. The body naturally converts about 5% of testosterone to DHT. High levels of DHT are known to damage hair follicles, causing shrinkage and hair loss. As such, blocking DHT can prevent hair loss triggered by an increase of the hormone. DHT blockers don’t inhibit the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Instead, they prevent the hormone from binding to receptors in the hair follicles.

The efficacy of DHT shampoos has not been well researched and there are no studies to suggest they will prevent hair loss or reverse it. Blocking DHT has a litany of potential side effects and not advisable outside the recommendation of a certified doctor, such as a dermatologist. However, some ingredients found in hair loss shampoos have been shown to block DHT. These include:

Ketoconazole: Refers to an anti-fungal common in shampoos used for dandruff and psoriasis.

Saw Palmetto: An herbal ingredient that has demonstrated DHT blocking properties and common in hair loss medications.

Biotin: Biotin vitamins, such as vitamin H, B7, and B8 (lavender oil), have been shown to promote hair growth.

Other ingredients used in hair loss treatments include rosemary oil, pumpkin seed oil, and tea tree oil. Using a DHT blocking shampoo may be able to reduce the shrinking of hair follicles, assuming your hair loss is due to high levels of DHT. However, there’s no proof they work, and it is advisable to consult a doctor before using any DHT blocking shampoo.

Is DHT Blocking Shampoo Safe?

DHT blockers come in various forms, including pills, foams, solutions, and shampoos. Using a DHT blocking shampoo may successfully deter the hormone from binding to receptors in your hair follicles. Unfortunately, DHT blocking shampoos have adverse effects, including headaches, gynecomastia, rashes, thickening/darkening of upper body hair, increased facial hair, and burning on the scalp. Other side effects include nausea, vomiting, erectile dysfunction, vertigo, stomach upset, diarrhea, prostate cancer, water retention, and congestive heart failure. In rare cases, DHT blockers have been reported to cause liver damage, pancreatitis, and bleeding in the brain. Note that some of the adverse effects are from DHT blocker pills rather than shampoos.

Summary

It is essential to research all ingredients in the DHT blocking shampoo before using it. More importantly, you should consult a doctor who can evaluate your medical history and determine the best hair loss treatment, considering DHT blockers have many potential side effects and lack substantial research to suggest they are effective. Also, you’ll continue to lose hair as soon as you stop using DHT blockers, and the shampoos neither reverse hair loss nor prevent it in patients with a genetic predisposition to male pattern baldness.