Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a male sex hormone, made from testosterone in certain male and female glands and tissues. This hormone is responsible for the production of male sex characteristics such as increased muscle mass, deep voice and body hair.
Interestingly, DHT is also responsible for the reverse effect in scalp hair growth, meaning that in the overproduction of this androgen, hair follicles will miniaturize, leading to male and female pattern baldness.
The overproduction of DHT may also cause hirsutism in women, i.e. excessive facial and body hair growth. The reason for this contrary effect of DHT is due to the fact that the effect of this hormone differs in different organs. While its abundance will encourage hair baldness in the scalp, it will also promote body hair growth.
Keep on reading to find out more on the effects of DHT and its involvement in hair loss/growth, and the best ways to manage its repercussions in hair health.
Index
What Is DHT?
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen, a by-product of testosterone made in the prostate, seminal vesicles, skin, ovaries, hair follicles and other glands and tissues.
The 5a-reductase enzyme is responsible for converting testosterone to DHT which is needed for developing certain male sex characteristics.
What Does DHT Do To Your Hair?
Overproduction of the DHT hormone will inevitably affect your hair growth cycle.
With scalp hair growth, DHT will interfere in the stages of hair growth by miniaturizing your hair follicles. This means that it will eventually help hair follicles shrink, making it difficult for them to produce new hair.
On the other hand, an increase of DHT may lead to excessive male-pattern body hair production, i.e. coarse hair growth in face, armpits and chest.
What Causes DHT To Increase?
You’re probably wondering why DHT may increase its production, right?
Higher DHT activity is linked to several conditions, including BPH in men, and androgenic alopecia and hirsutism in women.
The latter will encourage male pattern body hair growth in women, which can be distressing and quite uncomfortable.
The good news is there are several ways to deal with the effects DHT has on your scalp and body hair growth. Though it is always important to first understand their cause in each individual case so as to better tackle it.
What Happens When DHT Is High?
High levels of DHT may cause some positive alteration in certain parts of the body, while leading to negative ones in others. A total lack of DHT however, may cause DSDs (Disorders of Sexual Development).
What Are The Signs Of High DHT?
Some most common signs of high DHT levels in women are: increase in male-pattern hair growth (hirsutism) and acne, depression, absent menstrual periods (amenorrhoea), abnormal changes to the genitalia, as well as pattern baldness.
However, DHT may help develop strength and muscle mass and control blood sugar in people with diabetes. It may also help prevent anxiety and depression.
DHT Blocker For Women
DHT blockers do just what the name says: they reduce the amount of DHT your body produces or how it acts on hair follicles. These are medications, and a dermatologist can tell you which options make sense for you.
Studies find that one of the most effective treatments for female pattern hair loss is minoxidil. It isn't a DHT blocker: it was originally used as a blood pressure medication, and applied topically to the scalp, it's used to treat hair loss.
Other options you'll often see mentioned:
Pygeum bark - is a herb extracted from the bark of the African cherry tree. It’s usually taken orally, as a supplement.
Pumpkin seed oil - in one study of men with androgenetic alopecia (scalp hair loss), pumpkin seed oil was linked to an increase in hair count. Research in women is still limited.
Caffeine - though there is little proof whether caffeine can increase hair growth, some studies suggest that it may help in extending the hair growth phase as well as promoting keratin production and making hairs grow longer.
You may also see biotin, B vitamins, bacopa and rosemary described online as "natural DHT blockers," but the evidence is limited. If you're concerned about DHT-related hair loss, a dermatologist is the best person to talk to about proven treatments.
And for your everyday routine, our customers love adding Goldie Locks® Hair Supplements to their daily ritual.