DHT Blocker for Beard

Before we begin with DHT blockers, let us first understand what DHT is and how it causes alopecia.

What is DHT(Dihydrotestosterone)?

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is one of the most potent androgenic hormones produced, acting on androgen sensitivity in your skin and hair in order to increase hair growth.

Androgenic alopecia most commonly known as male pattern balding is a common cause of baldness in older ages. This can occur even in women.

Another type of alopecia known for beard hair loss is alopecia barbae. It causes bald spots or patchy beards.

DHT is responsible for secondary sexual characteristics like beard, body hair, etc. But it is also the reason for early hair loss.

How does DHT Cause Hair Loss?

DHT is a testosterone derivative that is responsible for secondary sexual characteristics such as body hair, beard growth, deep voice, etc. around 10% of testosterone is made into DHT, and 5- alpha reductase is the enzyme that helps in this conversion.

DHT binds to the receptors on the hair follicles on your scalp and beard causing them to shrink. This makes the follicles less supportive condition for healthy growth.

High levels of DHT are associated with prostate cancer, enlarged prostate, and coronary heart diseases.

Even low levels of DHT can be troublesome as it can delay the onset of puberty, might learn to incomplete development of genitals, might lead to gynecomastia, etc.

Why do DHT levels impact people differently?

It is due to genetics. It is hereditary and passed down from your father to you. If your father has male pattern baldness then you are most likely to be prone to it.

High levels of DHT will shorten the hair follicle cycle, making your hair grow thinner and fall out faster.

Based on the differences in androgen receptor genes, impacts the effects of DHT. Androgen receptors are proteins to which DHT binds.

Ways To Reduce DHT

DHT blockers are popularly used for treating problems associated with DHT. DHT blockers (also called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors or 5ARIs) are the medications that prevent the binding of testosterone to the 5-alpha reductase enzyme or 5AR. This prevents the conversion of testosterone to DHT.

What are DHT Blockers?

DHT blockers are the medications that prevent the binding of DHT to 5-alpha reductase receptors at your follicles which causes follicle shrinking.

Some DHT blockers inhibit 5-alpha reductase, preventing the formation of DHT from testosterone.

Mino-xidil Topical Solution

Mino-xidil is the most commonly used DHT blocker that can help in beard growth.

A study found that using mino-xidil can be used in treating Androgen and Androgen receptor-related diseases. Many alopecia disorders including alopecia areata use FDA-approved minoxidil for treatment.

Another study found that Mino-xidil has enhanced beard growth by applying 0.5ml twice a day when compared with those under the placebo group.

For further information on mino-xidil for beard growth, check out our blog on mino-xidil.

DHT Blocker Rich Food

Including DHT-blocking foods in your diet can prevent follicle damage due to DHT

Some of the foods which can improve DHT blocking effectively are

1. Coconut Oil:

Widely used for cooking, skincare, hair & beard growth, and also for several other health benefits. Lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid had DHT blocking properties. It is a lower molecular weight active compound, which can penetrate hair shafts and protect hair protein, as per a study.

2. Pumpkin Seeds:

These seeds are good source of zinc, iron, magnesium, calcium and Omega3 fatty acids. The research found that pumpkin seed oil for hair has increased hair growth significantly in Androgenic Alopecia patients as it blocks the action of 5-alpha reductase.

3. Edamame Beans:

Edamame beans are immature soybeans often consumed as snacks. Rich in protein and fibre, it contains isoflavones, a phytoestrogen. Isoflavones are found to be reducing DHT in plasma, as per clinical research on rats.

4. Turmeric:

Indian spice is extensively used in Indian cuisine. Clinical research suggests that curcumin analogues (turmeric analogues) inhibit the androgen receptor pathway which also has an anti-cancer effect on prostate cancer cells.

5. Green Tea:

The popular drink contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Research conducted in 2016 suggests that EGCG helps in reducing the negative effects of DHT by changing mRNA expression in human dermal papilla cells (mesenchymal cells located at the bottom of hair follicles).

EGCG helps in improving dermal papilla cells through proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects, as found in a clinical trial.

6. Onions:

Onions are high in antioxidants, like quercetin which can help combat free radical damage. The antioxidant may help inhibit 5 alpha-reductase. However, more data on the DHT-blocking effects of onions is warranted.

7. Soy Milk:

Soy milk is incredibly healthy and comes loaded with isoflavones, a plant compound. Soy milk, regardless of its isoflavone concentration, had been shown to lower DHT levels. However, whether soy milk can also decrease DHT-induced hair is yet to be understood.

DHT inhibitor oils

Apart from foods, there are a few oils that are DHT inhibitors and help in beard growth. These oils contain Linoleic acid and Oleic acids are proven to be DHT inhibitors

Here is a list of a few oils that have DHT inhibiting properties.

Almond oil
Argan oil
Coconut oil
Grapeseed oil
Hemp seed oil
Lavender oil
Linseed oil
Shea butter
Tea tree oil
Castor oil
Jojoba oil

All these are most commonly used in beard grooming products such as beard balms, beard oils, beard wax, etc. Thus using the products with the above-mentioned oils can be useful in promoting beard growth and also help you in maintaining your beard.

Side Effects of DHT Blockers

Some common side effects of DHT blockers include

Itchiness
Redness of skin
Acne and dermatitis
Headache
Erectile dysfunction
Vomiting
Congestive heart failure

In case of any severe side effects are seen after taking DHT blockers consult your physician immediately.

Warning for mino-xidil usage:

Mino-xidil might increase heart rate.
Can cause poor heart functioning, so usually, doctors recommend a few other medications to prevent heart problems.
Mino-xidil can lower blood pressure

Take Away

DHT blockers are inhibitors of enzyme 5- alpha-reductase which helps in producing DHT. DHT is known to cause follicle damage. DHT blockers such as mino-xidil are very effective in treating beard hair loss.

If you want to purchase our products to help you in growing a healthy beard then you can visit our Mars by GHC website.

Frequently Asked Question

1. Does smoking increase DHT?

Another side effect of smoking is the increase of dihydrotestosterone, a kind of hormone that is responsible for providing with men masculine traits, among others. It is also believed that DHT plays a big role in male and female hair loss by affecting the hair growth cycle.

References

1. Curcumin analogues with high activity for inhibiting human prostate cancer cell growth and androgen receptor activation

2. Human hair growth enhancement in vitro by green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)