Used effectively, DHT blockers like finasteride and our Hair Thickening Shampoo can help you to slow down or stop androgenic hair loss. In many cases, they can even stimulate growth and let you maintain a full head of thicker, healthier hair well into your 40s, 50s and 60s.
DHT blockers are designed to block DHT from binding to receptors in your scalp before it's too late and triggers hair loss. It is crucial to note DHT blockers are not going to stop male pattern baldness completely. But, they can slow hair loss down and possibly prevent further hair loss from occurring.
Increased DHT activity at your hair follicles is partly responsible for this hair loss, in addition to other factors, including genetic ones. High levels of DHT can shrink your hair follicles and shorten the hair growth cycle, resulting in hair loss.
When DHT levels are reduced, either intentionally or unintentionally, it can impact these functions in unwanted ways and cause: Impotence. Lower sex drive. Difficulty achieving orgasm.
CONS OF DHT BLOCKERS:
The use of blockers has shown lots of side effects in men. The biggest being it stops hair growth all over the body, adversely impacts the libido, leads to sexual dysfunction and also results in loss of muscle tissue.
Propecia isn't a quick fix - it can take from three to six months before you'll see any effect from using it and it has to be taken every day. You'll need to use it long term too, because if you stop using it, the balding process tends to start again within six months to a year.
It helps develop reproductive organs and masculine characteristics in men. It also boosts libido and sexual health. Besides that, some researchers believe that DHT may support blood sugar control, mental health and cognition, bone and muscle strength, and immunity.
DHT prevents nutrients from being absorbed by hair follicles, which causes them to shrink and eventually fall out. Several treatments have been developed to block the effect of DHT and thus help stop or reverse male pattern baldness.
Women with too much dihydrotestosterone may develop increased body, facial and pubic hair growth (called hirsutism), stopping of menstrual periods (amenorrhoea) and increased acne. Abnormal changes to the genitalia may also occur in women with too much dihydrotestosterone.
Not necessarily. The relationship between testosterone and male pattern hair loss is complex. Only a small percentage of testosterone gets converted to DHT, and if you have high DHT levels, you may have more severe health issues that need to be addressed.
Because DHT blockers like finasteride stop the conversion of testosterone to DHT, they may contribute to a slight increase in your total testosterone levels. In a study published in the journal Urology in 2003, researchers found that long-term use of finasteride was associated with a modest increase in testosterone.
Increased DHT (dihydrotestosterone) can be caused by conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, male pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia), and excessive male-pattern hair growth in females (hirsutism).
5α-Reductase inhibition does not adversely affect muscle mass.
A DHT blocker can help restore natural levels of the DHT hormone. Unfortunately, DHT blockers do not magically erase the negative effects of male pattern baldness. Rather, when you add them to your daily routine, they slow down or prevent further hair loss.
That can lead to the growth of new hairs depending on your stage of hair loss. In a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, around two-thirds of the participants using a popular DHT-blocker experienced some regrowth. Even more of them preserved their original hair follicles.
As you can see, the DHT levels steadily decreased in each age group. As a result, the findings reported "a significant decline in DHT and T levels of 80- to 89-year-age group compared those of 30- to 39-year-age group (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.005 respectively).
The hormone is made in the adrenal glands and affects the testes, prostate and hair follicles. According to a study published on the National Institute of Health's PubMed, exercise does have the potential to increase DHT levels.
Foods rich in lycopene such as tomatoes, watermelons, carrots, and mangoes naturally block DHT production. Biotin-rich foods like berries, liver, legumes, oily fish, and bananas condition the skin and scalp creating an overall healthy environment for strong hair.
Niacin, one of the B vitamins, promotes healthy blood flow to the scalp which keeps the follicles healthy and helps blocks DHT. This nutrient is also essential for other cosmetic purposes, such as aging and general health.
Getting a blood test is the most common way to establish your DHT levels, but a saliva panel test is considered more accurate. These tests are not generally available through your GP although your doctor should be able to point you in the direction of a specialist who can run these tests for you, privately.
Strengthens and thickens: Biotin "is well known for its positive effects on hair including growing stronger thicker strands," says Friese. Protects: Because biotin strengthens hair, it is less likely to break off at the ends, promoting and protecting length, explains Friese.
Men experiencing male pattern baldness usually have a high level of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a byproduct of testosterone that has been broken down for use by the body. DHT has been proven to shrink hair follicles, which makes it impossible for healthy hair to survive.