How DHT Causes Hair Loss
DHT shrinks the follicles, making it difficult for hair to survive in the follicle. Over time, damaged hair follicles will show reduced hair production or thinner hair, worsening until they stop producing hair entirely.
It is this process of testosterone converting to DHT which causes hair loss in men and women. Although women typically have only trace amounts of testosterone, there can still be enough DHT to trigger hair loss, even if lab tests show that the levels are normal.
To make matters worse, when the female hormones are reduced, it gives androgens like DHT a chance to rise, resulting in hair loss and other problems.
While hormones are cyclical in men and women, both sexes go through hormonal changes as they age. Men's testosterone levels are reduced by as much as 10 percent every ten years after a man passes age thirty. Women's hormone levels reduce as they approach menopause, dropping dramatically at menopause and in the years following.
The principal strategy to stop DHT-caused hair loss is to block DHT. There are many products on the market to inhibit DHT.
It is this process of testosterone converting to DHT which causes hair loss in men and women. Although women typically have only trace amounts of testosterone, there can still be enough DHT to trigger hair loss, even if lab tests show that the levels are normal.
To make matters worse, when the female hormones are reduced, it gives androgens like DHT a chance to rise, resulting in hair loss and other problems.
While hormones are cyclical in men and women, both sexes go through hormonal changes as they age. Men's testosterone levels are reduced by as much as 10 percent every ten years after a man passes age thirty. Women's hormone levels reduce as they approach menopause, dropping dramatically at menopause and in the years following.
The principal strategy to stop DHT-caused hair loss is to block DHT. There are many products on the market to inhibit DHT.
Ways DHT Can Be Blocked
- Reduce the production of DHT
- Inhibit 5 alpha reductase, the enzyme that can convert testosterone into DHT
- Reducing certain substances like cholesterol, which produce the 5 alpha reductase enzyme
- Prevent DHT from attaching to receptors in your hair follicles
By blocking DHT, you may be able to prevent the DHT from harming your hair follicles. This is crucial in the fight against hair loss.
The most popular pharmaceutical drug for DHT is Propecia. It works by reducing DHT in the body through blocking the enzyme 5 alpha reductase. However, it has side effects such as erectile dysfunction and semen reduction. The drug is so strong and potentially harmful to an unborn fetus that pregnant women should not even touch a broken pill.
If you want to avoid using pharmaceutical DHT blockers, you should consider natural alternatives.
- Inhibit 5 alpha reductase, the enzyme that can convert testosterone into DHT
- Reducing certain substances like cholesterol, which produce the 5 alpha reductase enzyme
- Prevent DHT from attaching to receptors in your hair follicles
By blocking DHT, you may be able to prevent the DHT from harming your hair follicles. This is crucial in the fight against hair loss.
The most popular pharmaceutical drug for DHT is Propecia. It works by reducing DHT in the body through blocking the enzyme 5 alpha reductase. However, it has side effects such as erectile dysfunction and semen reduction. The drug is so strong and potentially harmful to an unborn fetus that pregnant women should not even touch a broken pill.
If you want to avoid using pharmaceutical DHT blockers, you should consider natural alternatives.
Natural DHT Blockers
Beta Sitosterols
Nettles
Pygeum
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Emu Oil
Green Tea
Soy Isoflavones
Saw Palmetto
These DHT inhibitors can reduce the damage to hair follicles caused by DHT. It's important to note that because of the long life cycle of hair, it takes months for hair to begin falling out after follicles are damaged, and likewise it may take many months of treatment before you'll notice a slow increase of hair production. Therefore, be sure to continue your hair regrowth treatments for at least 9 to 12 months, in order to restore balance to your body. By that time, you should be seeing evidence of more hair growth.
One more product to consider in your DHT inhibitor regimen is L-lysine. L-lysine doesn't actually inhibit DHT, but studies have shown that when combined with a DHT inhibitor, L-lysine can help promote hair growth for those with androgenetic alopecia.
By using modern science and natural supplements to block the culprit DHT, you may be able to tackle—and possibly reverse—your hair loss.
Nettles
Pygeum
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Emu Oil
Green Tea
Soy Isoflavones
Saw Palmetto
These DHT inhibitors can reduce the damage to hair follicles caused by DHT. It's important to note that because of the long life cycle of hair, it takes months for hair to begin falling out after follicles are damaged, and likewise it may take many months of treatment before you'll notice a slow increase of hair production. Therefore, be sure to continue your hair regrowth treatments for at least 9 to 12 months, in order to restore balance to your body. By that time, you should be seeing evidence of more hair growth.
One more product to consider in your DHT inhibitor regimen is L-lysine. L-lysine doesn't actually inhibit DHT, but studies have shown that when combined with a DHT inhibitor, L-lysine can help promote hair growth for those with androgenetic alopecia.
By using modern science and natural supplements to block the culprit DHT, you may be able to tackle—and possibly reverse—your hair loss.