When you start researching what causes balding, DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is the first thing that comes up. That is because dihydrotestosterone plays a key role in hair growth, not just on your scalp, but on your entire body.
Before you begin a hair-loss prevention regimen, you need to understand what is causing your hair loss. Once you know what is causing your hair loss, you can understand the best way to reduce balding.
What is DHT?
DHT stands for dihydrotestosterone. It is a hormone (androgen) that affects how and where your hair grows. Androgens are hormones that regulate male or masculine characteristics in both males and females. DHT and testosterone are typically higher in men than in women and start to rise during puberty.
How does DHT affect balding?
DHT is a product of testosterone that is high during puberty. It causes physical changes in the body, such as pubic hair and facial hair growth.
We continue to produce DHT after puberty to continue our development. As adults, DHT serves a different purpose. Too much DHT causes our hair follicles to constrict, which makes our hair thinner. DHT is the primary cause of balding in both men and women.
Androgenic Alopecia
When hair loss is caused by DHT, it is referred to as Androgenic Alopecia. Androgenic Alopecia is also referred to as male-pattern baldness. With this condition, you suffer from hair loss in certain parts of your head, rather than complete baldness.
Androgenic Alopecia in men means a receding hairline and a bald spot at the top of the head. In women, Androgenic Alopecia can look like thinning hair around the part.
The earlier you catch Androgenic Alopecia, the easier it is to slow it down. As soon as you notice your hair getting thin, it is time to take action. Use a DHT blocker to help slow down and possibly reverse the effects of Androgenic Alopecia.
How to slow down Androgenic Alopecia
To slow down Androgenic Alopecia and reduce balding, you must start using the right shampoo. The right shampoo will contain an ingredient that prevents DHT, such as saw palmetto.
DHT can cause your hair follicles to contract, which means your hair follicles shrink. After you have been using shampoo with DHT blocking ingredients for a while, your hair follicles will get bigger. Bigger hair follicles allow your hair to grow uninhibited.
When our hair follicles are at a healthy size, our hair grows at a normal rate. That’s why using a shampoo that blocks DHT and enlarges hair follicles helps reduce balding.
If you suffer from Androgenic Alopecia, there are products that can help. Shampoo with DHT blockers works by reducing DHT, which makes your hair grow thicker and fuller.
The right shampoo to prevent hair loss should also include ingredients such as pumpkin seed oil or argan oil. These moisturizing ingredients help hydrate your scalp, which helps keep your scalp healthy and promotes hair growth.
A dry, irritated scalp is not suitable for hair growth. If your shampoo is causing your scalp to feel raw and itchy, it is time to switch to a better shampoo.
