DHT Blockers for Hair Growth | A Complete Guide for Healthy Hair
We all have that one fine day when we are brushing our hair, and it seems like a little too much hair loss for a single day. Another day, you might notice that your ponytail is too thin or you might find bald spots on your head that weren’t there a few weeks ago. The stress of hair loss may even cause you to lose more until it all seems too much.
Hair loss can be quite a debilitating condition for anyone, even though it’s such a common problem. Male Pattern Baldness is called androgenic alopecia is affects millions of men each year. Women also experience a similar form of hair loss, but it’s less common in females. Around 50 million males have this kind of hair loss compared to 30 million females in the United States.
The result of such hair loss can stem from a lot of challenges such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, stigma, and many other issues. Once you start researching hair loss or even how to stop it, you will hear a lot of about DHT and DHT Blockers for hair growth. But what are they exactly and how are they affecting your hair? Here is a complete guide on DHT Blockers for hair growth so that you can have healthier hair too.
WHAT IS DHT?
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen. What does that mean? Basically, it is a male sex hormone that is made from the testosterone released by the testes, prostate, and other glands. It is important for the development of certain male characteristics, such as facial hair, deep voice, and muscles. Testosterone is also found in females, which is why women can also face hair loss.
How does that affect your hair? Well, hair grows on the body out of structures called follicles. These follicles are present under the skin and are small capsules that hold a single hair strand. Each hair inside the follicle has a growth cycle that runs from two to six years. When you cut or shave the hair, the same hair grows back from the hair root present inside the follicle.
After the growth cycle is completed, the hair then enters a resting place before it falls out entirely a few weeks or months later. The hair follicle now produces a new strand of hair, and the cycle continues. When DHT is introduced in the picture, this growth can become affected.
Testosterone turns into the DHT when it is an introduction to 5α-reductase. This enzyme is found in the hair follicle oil glands on our scalps. If you are predisposed to male pattern baldness or hair loss, the DHT binds the receptors of the hair follicles. This causes the follicle to shrink, which can limit hair growth.
It can also significantly shorten the life cycle of hair, which can cause your hair to appear brittle and thin. The brittleness also increases the risk of the hair strand breaking. DHT also slows down the process of growing new hair once the old one falls out, which can cause bald spots.
Some people are more susceptible to DHT side effects since they have a varied Androgen Receptor (AR) gene. The AR gene is made up of proteins that can be bound by hormones like DHT and testosterone. Such binding activity is known for being essential for daily hormonal processes such as hair growth. However, if you have variations in the androgen receptor gene, it can increase the receptivity in the hair follicles on your scalp. This can result in more risk for male pattern baldness and general hair loss.
IS DHT JUST BAD FOR THE HAIR?
You may stay unconcerned about the DHT production in your body if you think it will only damage your hair, but it does so much more than that. Once DHT begins to travel through the body via the bloodstream, it does a lot more damage than reducing hair growth.
Research shows that DHT can cause an enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, coronary heart disease, and slow healing after injury.
WHAT ARE DHT BLOCKERS FOR HAIR GROWTH?
So how do DHT blockers work for hair growth? They help to reduce the side effects of increased levels of DHT in the body. The DHT blocker work by preventing the hormone from damaging the hair follicles or shrinking them. DHT blockers can come in the shape of pills or shampoos.
Supplements to block DHT effects have the following positive effects:
- Reduction in the production of DHT
- Reduced production of the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme that facilitates the conversion of testosterone to DHT
- Prevents DHT from getting attached to the hair follicle receptors
- Reduces cholesterol levels in the body which contribute to the production of the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme
- Removes excess sebum and DHT in the scalp
This can have various positive effects on hair growth and hair loss, which can result in better hair.
WHAT ARE DHT BLOCKERS FOR HAIR GROWTH MADE OF?
The main ingredients that used in DHT blockers for hair growth include:
- Saw Palmetto
- Biotin
- Green Tea
- Horsetail
- Nettle Extract
- Fo-TI
- Pygeum Bark Powder
Some DHT blockers use other ingredients too while some may use a few of these. The best DHT blockers for hair growth attempt to incorporate all of these since they have combined to bring out the best output. Hairfinity DHT Blocker and Healthy Hair Formula is one such DHT blocker that has all of these ingredients.
Let’s learn a bit more about how each of these ingredients helps to boost hair growth and prevent DHT from damaging your scalp.
Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto is also known as Serenoa Repens. It is a palm tree that is native to the southeastern region of the United States. The berries of the palm plant are commonly found in DHT blocker supplements for healthier hair. Saw Palmetto can help combat hair loss by balancing hormone levels in the body.
The ingredient is essential for blocking the 5-alpha reductase activity of converting testosterone to DHT. The reduced levels of DHT in the follicles of the scalp can decrease the ability to bind the AR gene too. A study shows that Saw Palmetto improved hair growth in men who had male pattern baldness from the ages of 23 to 64 with 60% effectiveness.
Another research of 62 adults showed that using Saw Palmetto for 3 months topically helped to increase the density of the hair by 35%. This shows that you can have healthier and thicker hair after incorporating Saw Palmetto into your diet via supplements.
Biotin
Biotin is also called Vitamin H and is a type of Vitamin B complex that is crucial for converting food into energy. It is known to keep the nervous system, eyes, skin, lover, and of course, hair healthy.
There are several studies that have found evidence that daily supplements with biotin can help increase hair growth and decrease hair shedding or loss. Taking them for 3 to 6 months is known to have a positive impact. One study found that sample that took biotin supplement had more hair volume improvements, thicker hair, and overall scalp coverage then control-treated sample. This was over a period of 90 days while over a period of 180 days, participants experienced hair shine, skin smoothness, and moisture retention.
In 2017, a review on the effectiveness of hair growth of biotin found that 18 cases of biotin exist for positive hair changes. Patients who received supplements that contained biotin were known to have had poor hair all their lives but clinically improved after they received the supplements.
When you have a deficiency of Vitamin H in the body, it can be hard to maintain healthy hair. You may experience brittle, splitting, and thinning hair that breaks too easily.
DHT blockers for hair growth that contain biotin can help to support the production of enzymes and proteins that you need for hair growth. It improves the keratin infrastructure and protein synthesis, which can have a positive impact on your hair.
According to more research, taking biotin can help treat hair that feels brittle and weak. Hence, this is not only a preventative measure but also a treatment for weak hair. One thing that you should note is that biotin is in many hair masks, facial creams, and shampoos, but it is more effective when it is ingested through supplements rather than applied.
Green Tea
Green tea is used in many hair loss treatments because it can help men and women treat it in a significant manner. In a pilot study of 10 participants, a green tea supplement was given to people with androgenetic alopecia. 80% of the sample had significant improvements to the health of their hair and the level of regrowth.
In another study, it was found that mice who received a treatment of a green tea-rich EGCG saw a significant reduction in hair loss than the control group. The green tea supplement helped reduce hair loss, specifically induced by testosterone. It helped by increasing the androgen levels of hair growth and even slowing down the telogen phase where hair shedding occurs.
Green tea also works wonders in regrowth of hair. In a study, it was found that when supplements that include green tea extracts were given to patients with alopecia, there was significant hair growth activity. This change was seen in just four days of green tea supplement use.
The green tea works by stimulating the follicles in the scalp to increase hair growth. It also prevents damage to the hair and skin cells, which can result in healthier hair and scalp. Researchers also found that 33% of mice that had green tea extract regularly experienced hair regrowth in under 6 months. The mice in the control group made no such improvements.
Green tea also helps with the delivery of nutrients to the hair, which can give you shiner, thicker, and stronger hair. Hair is part of the integumentary system, which includes all accessory structures like skin, nails, and hair. Hair grows directly from the skin, and they need proper blood flow and increased nutrition during the growth stage. If they do not receive the right amount of nutrients, it can make it harder for the hair to grow properly.
In a study, it was found that supplements that contain green tea extract, if consumed for 12 weeks, can increase the oxygen delivery and blood flow by almost 30%. This means that green tea can improve the delivery of essential nutrients to the hair, resulting in improved hair quality and quicker growth.
Under the same study, it was found that participants who drank around 4 cups of green tea daily for 12 weeks showed amazing improvements in skin hydration. If your scalp is dry and flaky, it can weaken the hair and result in more production of sebum. Your hair will be more likely to feel brittle and dry if the skin is dehydrated. This is why green tea is so important for hair health. DHT blockers for hair growth should contain green tea since it can enhance hair growth quickly and efficiently.
Nettle Extract
The extract from the stinging nettle is to help with hair growth and rejuvenation. The scalp requires minerals, vitamins, and other compounds to ensure the health of the hair. Nettle extract is beneficial for the hair since it contains all the essential nutrients your hair needs to grow and fight against DHT.
Nettle extract provides the hair with a powerhouse vitamin boost. Since the leaves have a high concentration of A, C, D, E, and B vitamins, you will find that your hair gets an amazing boost from the supplement. Deficiencies in Vitamin A have been known to lead to alopecia areata, which causes hair loss and baldness. Vitamin B2 plays an important role in the regeneration of cells in the hair and improves their functioning. This can be crucial in how the hair follicles grow new hair. Deficiencies have been known to increase hair loss significantly.
Vitamin B3 increases the blood flow to the hair by suppressing inflammation and increasing overall circulation. It is also a transporter for crucial nutrients that can boost hair health and strength. It also helps to take away the waste products such as DHT. Folate (vitamin B9) is known to stimulate the growth of follicle cells that help to effectively grow new hair.
Vitamin C helps by directly blocking the production of DHT in the scalp, resulting in better hair growth that can be maintained over a long time.
Supplements that contain the nettle extract have been known to minimize hair cell oxidation and block DHT. This can be a viable option for people who suffer from hair loss.
Pygeum Bark Powder
The Pygeum Bark Powder is made from the African Plum Tree that was used in Africa for centuries for traditional medicine and is now of growing interest in Western medicine. Clinical tests show that they improve BPH symptoms in men. When a connection between BPH and androgenic alopecia was discovered, researchers found that both occur due to the production of the DHT hormone.
Since the African Plum tree bark helps control DHT to provide relief from BPH, researchers wondered if it could help with hair loss. As it turns out, that the pygeum bark powder played a great role in inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. This prevents the production of DHT and helps to facilitate the growth of new hair on the scalp.
Fo-TI
The Fo-TI root is a Chinese herb, also known as Ho Shou Wu. The word translates to Mr. Ho’s hair is black, because it is known to reverse graying in the hair. The root boosts the follicle’s ability to grow new hair, which turns up healthier, shiner, and stronger. In 2002, a controlled and randomized study of 26 women used the Fo-TI root for hair loss. They took for 3 to 6 months, and the study found that 95% of the women experienced a significant improvement in hair loss while 77% agreed that there was a dramatic and significant improvement in the thickness of the hair.
Horsetail
If you are imagining that the Hairfinity DHT Blocker and Healthy Hair Formula include tail hair from horses, you are definitely on the wrong track. The Horsetail plant is a multi-purpose herb that has a high amount of silica. Silica is a natural substance that helps the body by balancing hormone production. This can decrease the amount of testosterone being converted into the dreaded DHT.
One study in 2017 found that the horsetail plant was a crucial ingredient to inhibit the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme, which is the main reason why DHT is produced on the scalp. By diminishing the enzyme, testosterone conversion is reduced, resulting in better hair growth for the individual.
CAN DHT BLOCKERS BE USED FOR ALL HAIR TYPES?
It usually depends on the supplements you are using for the hair. If you are using a DHT blocker that you have to apply to the hair, you may find some variation between the products. For supplements, you will find more hair types can use them to rejuvenate their hair.
The Hairfinity DHT Blocker and Healthy Hair Formula are known to work for all types of hair in the same way. If you have colored or keratin-treated, permed, natural, and curly hair, you can still benefit from their formula. The combined ingredients create a unique blend that works with any hair type to make sure that you can have your hair back to its premium softness, thickness, and volume in no time.
CONCLUSION
Losing your hair can be a terrible journey and result in all sorts of challenges for self-esteem and image. A lot of people find it embarrassing to have bald spots or thinning hair, even though it’s so common. Instead of continuing to suffer through such issues, you can do something about it by taking DHT blockers. There is nothing wrong with trying DHT blockers for hair growth. They can help you with improved hair health and increased hair strength.
Hairfinity DHT Blocker and Healthy Hair Formula is a unique blend of ingredients that can do wonders for hair health and growth. All the ingredients are clinically proven to block DHT from putting havoc on the hair and scalp. By decreasing the production of DHT, improving hair follicle health, and boosting growth, the Hairfinity formula is designed to provide significant relief from hair loss.
You will definitely be satisfied with the results from this DHT blocker for hair growth!