Everything You Need to Know About DHT Blockers in 2022
FAQ about DHT Blockers in 2022
When you begin to experience hair loss and want to learn about ways to promote hair growth, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by all of the information available online. Even harder still, it’s difficult to get all of your questions answered in one place.
So today, we are going to take the guesswork out of the equation, and answer your most frequently asked questions about DHT.
What are DHT Blockers?
As we have gone over in other videos (see our video All About DHT), DHT or dihydrotestosterone is a male sex hormone that can bind to receptors in the scalp, leading to hair loss. DHT blockers prevent the DHT from attaching to the hair follicle.
Do DHT Blockers Work?
Yes, though the efficacy depends on if your hair loss is a result of DHT or vitamin or mineral deficiency.
How Do DHT Blockers Work?
DHT blockers reduce the effect of the 5a-reductase enzyme, which is responsible for converting testosterone to DHT.
How Do DHT Blockers Affect Hair Follicles?
Some DHT blockers work by attaching to the hair follicle, therefore preventing the DHT from attaching to the hair follicle. This prevents the hair follicle from shrinking. It’s best to use DHT blockers sooner rather than later, to avoid hair fall from shrinking hair follicles.
Are DHT Blockers Effective?
Yes. They can inhibit hair loss while also promoting hair growth. Oral prescriptions have shown to be effective, as well as natural DHT blockers including biotin, pumpkin seed oil, and green tea.
Are DHT Blockers Safe?
When it comes to prescription DHT Blockers, as with many prescription drugs, there is a risk of side effects. The most commonly reported side effect for prescription DHT blockers is a loss of sex drive.
Understandably, this can lead many people to look for an alternative solution. Luckily, there are natural DHT blockers which can be safely used, whether it’s food, supplements, or topical treatments. Of course, always be sure to talk to your doctor about any underlying conditions or potential interactions with your medications.
Can DHT Blockers Cause Hair Loss?
Nope!
Can DHT Blockers Reverse Hair Loss?
Yes. Oral prescription as well as topical DHT blockers are considered very effective at reversing hair loss. Also, according to studies, natural DHT blockers such as caffeine, when used topically, can block the effects of DHT in hair follicles. It stimulates hair elongation, which results in longer hair, with wider hair roots.
What Dosage of DHT Blockers Should I Be Taking?
Because everybody has different needs and every person’s body chemistry is different, it’s best to speak to your doctor or specialist about what dosages you should be taking.
Do DHT Blockers Affect Testosterone?
Because DHT blockers prevent some testosterone from being converted to DHT, you could have a slight increase of testosterone in your body.
Do DHT Blockers Affect Muscle Growth?
No, they do not!
Which DHT Blocker is the Best?
First, you want to take a look at what kind of DHT blocker you want to use. It’s a good idea to consider an internal and external approach, meaning, treating DHT with what you consume, as well as what you are using on your scalp and hair.
If you do have a surplus of DHT, it’s good to take a look at your diet and consider taking a high quality supplement. DHT blockers in supplement form contain different minerals and plant ingredients that are known to stifle DHT receptors, as well as promote hair growth. One extremely effective and popular ingredient in both supplements and topical treatments is Saw Palmetto. Saw Palmetto is a palm plant grown in the southeastern US. It has been shown to stop hair loss in up to 90% of men taking the supplement. This is a great option because it does not have harsh side effects that pharmaceutical medications can have. Studies have found that a 200-500mg dosage is most effective.
When it comes to prescription medications, finasteride and minoxidil are popular DHT blockers, but be sure to look into the side effects and talk to your doctor about what is best for you.
What is DHT Blocker Shampoo?
DHT blocker shampoo works externally to help clean your scalp and hair follicles, by gently exfoliating and nourishing your scalp. An additional bonus of DHT blocking shampoo, is it removes DHT crystals that build up in and around the hair follicle, causing hair loss.
Does DHT Blocker Shampoo Work?
It depends on the ingredients in the shampoo. A high quality shampoo that nourishes your scalp with vegetable extracts, as well as caffeine (which stimulates hair growth) can do wonders for your hair. A shampoo with saw palmetto, coconut oil, and jojoba oil is incredibly nourishing to the hair and scalp as well and promotes thick and healthy hair. You should notice a difference as soon as several weeks, to a couple of months. If you are interested in using a high quality DHT Blocker Shampoo, we recommend Febron’s Intense Caffeine Shampoo, which is enriched with biotin, keratin, castor oil and saw palmetto. It’s great for both men and women, and will help you block DHT, while also keeping your hair healthy and shiny. Check out the link in the description box to learn more!
How Does DHT Blocker Shampoo Work?
When you wash your hair with a DHT blocker shampoo, the DHT blockers bind topically to the follicle and prevent DHT from attaching to the follicle instead. For example, jojoba oil can help increase follicle numbers, dermal thickness, and follicle depth. Caffeine can stimulate hair growth in the scalp.
Are DHT Blocker Shampoos Safe?
DHT blocking shampoos are safe and very helpful when used properly. When lathering with them, you will want to let the product sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing it out. You should try to avoid any shampoos that contain sulfates, harsh chemicals, or parabens. It’s important to use a shampoo that is hydrating, because too much dehydration can irritate the scalp and even lead to more hair loss and you certainly don’t want that!
Can DHT Blockers Cause Depression?
Few clinical studies have been conducted on the connection between prescription DHT blockers and depression, though there have been incidences of self-reported claims to drug companies, which include anxiety, decreased libido, and in some cases, even depression. Always be sure to talk to your doctor before changing any medication.
Do DHT Blockers Cause Infertility?
No, but prescription DHT blockers can cause side effects such as lower libido, and lower semen volume.
Are DHT Blockers Safe During Pregnancy? Studies have shown that in some cases, a woman can absorb DHT blockers from her partner, but it is such a small amount that it is not likely to last in the system, much less cause any problems. However, many people choose to either lower their dosages (ie: Finasteride) or go off it completely when trying to conceive. Natural supplements can be a better choice, but always be sure to have a conversation with your doctor about what will work best for you
Are DHT Blockers Good for Beards?
Actually, no. DHT itself is good for your beard! It is not great for your head hair, but great for your beard. Because of this, DHT blockers could actually inhibit your beard from growing out to its full potential, so beware if you are trying to grow a thick beard.
What are the Best DHT Blocking Foods?
There are many foods you can eat to help block DHT naturally. Let’s go through a list of some of the most powerful foods you can eat to block DHT, starting with:
Watermelon - This fruit contains lycopene and vitamin C, which is beneficial for healing the scalp and blocking DHT. It also supports kidney function and circulation.
Walnuts - This nut, rich in Omega 3 fatty acid, promotes hair growth and is anti-inflammatory.
Wheat Germ - Wheat Germ contains high concentrations of minerals and vitamins like folate, vitamin E, and B vitamins, all essential for your hair.
Tomatoes - This fruit is rich in vitamin C, and contains high levels of lycopene, a compound that restores cell growth and improves blood circulation, which is very helpful for hair growth. Look for darker varieties of tomatoes, as they tend to be higher in lycopene.
Swiss Chard - Swiss chard blocks DHT, and has a slew of antioxidants. As a bonus, it lowers blood sugar and inflammation in the body. A strong regulator of hormones, it is an essential food for fighting DHT.
Pumpkin seeds - These seeds are packed with steroids that block DHT.
Peanuts - Grab a handful of peanuts for your next snack! These are full of DHT blockers, as well as saturated fats that keep hair healthy.
Cashews - Another nut that has trace minerals that help regrow hair, cashews are full of manganese, copper, and zinc.
Pecans - Pecans actually strengthen hair follicles. In addition, they contain vitamin E, iron, selenium and magnesium, all important for hair growth.
Kale - This dark leafy green is very popular for its many health benefits, but did you know that Kale has flavonoids that fight diseases of the scalp? High in vitamin C and folates, this is a great food for hair health.
Oysters - Oysters are rich in magnesium, zinc, calcium, potassium, and iron.
Mangoes - Tomatoes aren’t the only fruit containing lycopene! Mangoes contain lycopene, and are rich in vitamin C and E, all beneficial to help your hair get the nutrients it needs while promoting good circulation.
When should I take a DHT blocker?
The best time to take DHT blockers is when you first start losing your hair. Specifically, if you are losing hair around the front, crown, and sides of your scalp. This type of hair loss is likely due to DHT binding to hair follicles.
Where Can I Buy DHT Blockers?
Prescription DHT blockers such as finasteride and minoxidil are available through your doctor. However, topical minoxidil does not require a prescription.
Many DHT blocking shampoos, serums, and supplements can be found online or in pharmacies. However, be sure to do your research and read all of the ingredients listed on the products and product websites. Some cheap products that seem too good to be true could very well contain chemicals such as sulfates, parabens, and preservatives that you do not need in your hair!
We hope we have answered your most Frequently Asked Questions about DHT. As always, at Febron, we are here to help you stay up to date with all of the latest and greatest tips and information about healthy hair! Until next time..
