DHT Blockers & 5-AR Inhibitors for Hair Loss and Baldness

DHT Blockers and DHT Inhibitors against hair loss, the best ones, just below the simple explanation paragraph.

Simple Explanation.  If you are reading this page you are probably already aware that the most common type of hair loss is directly connected to the damaging effect DHT (dihydrotestosterone) has on your scalp hair. A large number of men and roughly 1 in 8 women are particularly susceptible to its damaging effects; these people will, sooner or later, suffer from hair loss which, if not stopped, will eventually result in baldness for men and significant hair reduction in women.  So, in order to stop this type of hair thinning, you need to tackle it from 2 perspectives: 1) DHT-blocking products and 2) hair follicle-stimulating products. 

1. DHT BLOCKERS.

Some of these products aim to reduce the levels of DHT in your body, particularly around the hair follicles; many of them (often referred to as ‘DHT inhibitors’, do so by reducing or partially ‘de-activating the enzyme 5-AR (5-alpha-reductase) which converts the hormone testosterone to the ‘hair-follicle-damaging’ DHT. A few other products or ‘drugs’ tend to reduce the amount of testosterone available for conversion; however, this option is not very suitable to men and, these days, it is considered too ‘drastic’ and often unnecessary). Other products prevent whatever amount of DHT is present in the scalp from binding to the hair-follicles, a very important part of any hair loss treatment.

2. FOLLICLE STIMULATORS.

These types of products, often a good accompanying strategy to step 1 indicated above, aim to improve blood flow to the scalp and around the follicles, thus allowing more nutrients to reach the follicles and providing a better ‘environment’ for hair growth. If you suffer from DHT-related hair loss, the most common form of baldness and hair thinning, stimulating the hair follicles alone will not work: in simple terms, allowing more blood and nutrients to the hair follicles is useless if DHT prevents them from absorbing the nutrients! You must always address the DHT problem first before or while stimulating your hair growth. Minoxidil is a potent follicle stimulator, amongst traditional topical medications.

DHT BLOCKERS TRADITIONAL MEDICATIONS include a common hair loss oral treatment, mostly available to men (although post-menopausal women can use them too):  

Finasteride (also known as Dutasteride, Propecia, Proscar and Avodart). You can have your dermatologist or general doctor prescribe them to you or, of course, you can buy them online; I always recommend that any medication be taken with the full knowledge of one’s physician. Some people are reluctant to use these drugs because a small number of men may suffer from some side effects, such as a small decrease in libido over long periods of usage.

DHT BLOCKERS TO BE APPLIED DIRECTLY TO THE SCALP (lotions and other topical DHT inhibitors); these include the creams and topical solutions containing a high amount of Azelaid Acid (which, some studies suggest, may be a strong Type-1 5AR inhibitor, with zinc and Vitamin B6) and Spironolactone (in a 5% concentration usually). Cyproterone Acetate and Progesterone are other similar alternatives.  There are also great shampoos which work very well as DHT Blockers.  Supplements against Hair Loss.