DHT Shampoo: Does DHT Blocking Shampoo Work?

Hair loss is unfortunately prevalent. Male pattern baldness affects nearly half of men in their forties, [1] leading to a lot of self-confidence issues. Due to this, the idea of a shampoo that can easily reverse hair loss is undeniably alluring. However, does one exist?

What is DHT Shampoo?

You’re likely wondering, what is DHT? DHT blocking shampoo is a product sold to prevent hair loss and encourage healthy hair growth. It works by blocking the hormone DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), a hormone that males develop during puberty. It’s actually essential during male sex development, as it leads to things like a deeper voice, body hair, and fertility. However, not all of the effects of DHT are wanted – the presence of DHT in an adult man can cause things like excessive growth in body hair as well as baldness.

DHT and Hair Loss

DHT plays a big role in the development of androgenic alopecia – particularly in men. When DHT receptors are present within the hair follicles, that leads to balding. [2] It’s one of the biggest contributors to male pattern baldness.

Is DHT Present in Women?

Yes – while men produce more DHT, it is also present in women. Like men, if women produce too much DHT, this can harm the hair follicles and lead to hair loss. Hair loss in women tends to look a little different, though. Men often lose hair from their crowns and temples, while women tend to lose their hair at the top of their scalp (which is why a wider scalp is more common in women with hair loss).

Does DHT Shampoo Work?

With too much DHT being linked to hair loss, it makes sense for people to look towards products that block its production. The question is, does DHT blocking shampoo work?

The truth is that there is not a lot of evidence to suggest the significant effectiveness of DHT blocking shampoo. However, the active ingredients found in a DHT inhibitor shampoo might be enough to restore some hair growth over time. If you have experienced thinning hair or hair loss and are looking for a solution, it’s worth trying.

How to Use a DHT Blocker Shampoo

One of the best things about DHT blocking shampoos is how easy they are to use – you don’t need to change your routine that much! Simply swap out your regular shampoo for DHT shampoo and wash your hair with it while you’re in the shower. The only real difference is that you must leave the DHT shampoo on for at least a minute before washing it out so that it can work its magic. That’s it! Wash it out in the shower and carry on with your routine. If you notice promising results after a couple of months, that’s great!

What’s the Best DHT Blocking Shampoo UK?

Of course, not all DHT shampoos are the same – some might be better than others. Here are the best DHT blocking shampoos in the UK.

Sons DHT Blocking Shampoo

The Sons DHT blocking shampoo includes the ingredient saw palmetto, which acts as a DHT inhibitor. The shampoo also contains natural ingredients like Agran oil and vitamin B3, which can help with hair growth and softness. You can get this shampoo delivered monthly with a payment plan, with results showing after around 6-12 months.

ProBliva DHT Blocker Hair Loss

ProBliva’s DHT blocking shampoo comes in gel form and uses the active ingredients of green tea, vitamin E, zinc, and jojoba. It has a mild green tea scent for your enjoyment, and the active ingredients help to block the production of DHT over time. Both men and women can use it.

HLCC Script DHT Blocking Bio-Therapy Shampoo

The HLCC Script DHT Blocking Bio-Therapy Shampoo is designed to block DHT using ingredients such as green tea extract, pumpkin seed extract, saw palmetto, gamma-linolenic acid, and more. It’s a gentle herbal shampoo that cleanses the scalp thoroughly while also inhibiting DHT production, resulting in hair shine and growth.

These are our picks for the best UK DHT blocking shampoos, but there are many more out there. Don’t just pick up the first one you see – you want to be sure the DHT shampoo is worth the money. So, before purchasing DHT shampoo, always check the ingredients and look at other customer’s reviews. In particular, look out for ingredients that may cause you irritation.

Are DHT Blocking Shampoos Safe?

Generally, yes – DHT blocking shampoos are safe. However, there may be certain active ingredients within the shampoo that can irritate. If you know you are sensitive to a particular ingredient or you have an allergy, always read carefully through the list of ingredients.

Tips for Making the Most of a DHT Blocking Shampoo

If you have bought a DHT blocking shampoo and want to increase your chances of it working, these tips can help:

Leave the Shampoo on for Longer

For the active ingredients to take effect, they need time to sink into the scalp, so leave the shampoo on for a little longer while you’re in the shower.

Use it Every Day 

If you used to be someone who only washed your hair every other day, now is the time to change that. By washing your hair every day, you increase the chances of the shampoo taking effect.

Use a Hair Growing Medication as Well 

Many people find that a DHT blocker shampoo doesn’t make much of a difference on its own. If you want to see real results, it’s worth including an additional hair growth medication, such as Minoxidil, in your hair care routine.

Another Type of DHT Blocker: Finasteride

If you want to block DHT, an anti DHT shampoo isn’t your only method. The most well-known and effective DHT blocker is Finasteride, a type of medication often prescribed to men suffering from androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride works by blocking 5-alpha-reductase, which prevents testosterone from turning into DHT. As a result, the hair follicles stay in the anagen phase for longer, which will promote hair growth.

The most common way to take Finasteride is orally. You will need a prescription for this from your doctor. You can also get Finasteride in topical form, with Finasteride shampoo being a popular treatment for male pattern baldness. If other DHT blocking shampoos don’t work for you, this could be the next best step.

The Side Effects of Blocking DHT

It’s important to know the potential side effects of blocking DHT. You may experience any of the following:

• Erectile Dysfunction
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Tender Breast Area
• Fatty Breast Area
• Thickening of Body Hair
• Rashes
• Ejaculation Issues (either premature or taking a long time)

Keep in mind that these side effects won’t necessarily affect you. Plus, it’s very unlikely a DHT blocker shampoo will cause any of these side effects.

Is DHT Blocking Not Working?

You might find that your DHT-blocking shampoo doesn’t work, even after using it continuously for six months. This isn’t uncommon. There aren’t many studies showing the effectiveness of DHT blocker shampoos, after all. If this happens, you do have other options to regrow your hair.

Other Hair Loss Solutions

When it comes to hair loss solutions, you don’t only have one option. If you’ve tried and tested a DHT blocker and experienced zero results, you might want to try any of the following.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a medication that is often used to treat male pattern baldness. It’s typically used topically and doesn’t require a prescription. It’s very effective – one study showed that 5% minoxidil improved scalp coverage. [3] Be aware that the results gained from Minoxidil only last if you keep using the treatment.

Low-Level Laser Therapy 

Studies show that low-level light therapy can stimulate hair growth in those experiencing female and male hair loss. [4] You can get products online for this purpose, but it’s always worth looking at other customer reviews to see if the product is worth your money.

Hair Transplant 

A hair transplant is a very effective method for regrowing hair. It’s more invasive than the other options mentioned here (it is a surgery, after all), but the results are undeniable. By extracting healthy hair follicles and placing them in the balding/thinning section of the scalp, you can experience complete hair regrowth. Plus, hair transplants are much less invasive than they used to be – you can be in and out of the hair clinic on the same day.

In Summary 

Hopefully, you’ve learned about DHT and its role in hair loss. DHT blocking shampoos can be a good investment of your time, as they might help reverse hair loss over time. However, they aren’t necessarily the most effective method, and you might be better off going with a DHT-blocking medication like Finasteride. If nothing oral or topical helps, there is always the option of hair transplants – get in touch with us here at Harley Street Hair Clinic to learn more.

Sources: 

1. Male pattern baldness
2. Cause of Androgenic Alopecia: Crux of the Matter
3. A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men
4. Role of Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) in Androgenetic Alopecia