DHT and Hair Loss
DHT - What is it and what does it do and why is it referred to so much in the hair loss community?
Well, quite simply, DHT is, in one way or another, the primary cause of hair loss in most instances of Androgenetic Alopecia in both men and women.
So, What is DHT?
DHT stands for Dihydrotestosterone. DHT is in various tissues of the body and the skin. The enzyme 5 Alpha-Reductase converts testosterone into DHT.
Why Does DHT Affect Me?
Well, too much DHT can have an impact on hair follicles for some people (see image below). As for why it affects you and not others, then who knows? It's probably down to genetics - i.e. being genetically predisposed to be affected by too much DHT. It is worth noting that too much DHT has also led to enlarged prostates in men, too, so it's something to keep an eye on if you are male.
DHT and Hair Loss
To understand how DHT causes hair loss, the image below gives a better understanding:
To deal with each numbered image in turn:
The enzyme 5 Alpha-Reductase 
converts Testosterone 
to Dihydrotestosterone 
DHT binds to Androgen Receptors 
DHT causes increased hair loss and gradual miniaturisation of the hair follicle.
Over time, the hair follicles die and the scalp becomes visible.
So, in a nutshell, DHT binds to the Androgen Receptors on your hair follicles and this, in turn, causes miniaturisation of the hair follicle. Evenutally, this can kill the follicles totally.
DHT Products - How Do They Work?
You will see on this website, and many others, products called DHT Blockers or DHT Inhibitors. So, how do they work?
Well, quite simply what they attempt to do is either reduce the production of DHT by interfering with how testosterone interacts with the enzyme 5 Alpha-Reductase AND/OR they attempt to block or inhibit the DHT from binding with the Androgen Receptors. Some products do one or the other whilst some claim to do both.
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1 comment
1 zubeir
7th November 2011 08:45
I am 18, I noticed hair loss since 2-3 years. my scalp starts showing and this upset me! i would like to get some good advice...
Peak Nutrition Replies:
The good thing is that you have caught this early and as long as your hair loss is not due to reasons such as drug side effects you should be able to combat this.
Depending on the condition of your scalp you should consider a natural supplement to help combat the DHT binding to the androgen receptors on your hair follicles - consider something like Procerin or Advecia. Then, a good topical solution to help cleanse the scalp and provide optimum nourishment and a DHT blocker. Once again, Procerin XT Foam is good for this along with products like Revivogen or Tricomin.
Finally, the HairMax LaserComb is FDA approved for combating hair loss and regrowing hair in men and women and while the initial cost is high it lasts for years so saves money quite quickly.
You should be able to get back to where your hair was around 5 years ago at the most so hopefully you can reverse this problem entirely.