Active hair growth ingredients in DHT blocking shampoos
Here are some popular shampoo ingredients proven to be effective in treating hair loss.
Saw palmetto
Saw palmetto is a plant that has been used in traditional medicine for many years. It can reduce the activity of 5-alpha-reductase, which reduces levels of DHT.
In a study to determine its effectiveness in treating male androgenetic alopecia, 38% of patients treated with saw palmetto had an increase in hair growth [5].
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole is the active ingredient in Nizoral shampoo, is an antifungal ingredient used to treat fungi that live on the scalp and cause dandruff.
Studies have shown that ketoconazole shampoo improves hair density and size of the hair follicles in the anagen (growth) phase of the hair growth cycle in patients with androgenetic alopecia [6].
Like other DHT blockers, ketoconazole inhibits the 5AR enzyme, reducing DHT production [7].
Pumpkin seed oil
Pumpkin seed oil is rich in phytosterols, which may have an inhibitory effect on 5AR. Research has shown that when taken orally, pumpkin seed oil increases hair count by 40% when used in men with androgenetic alopecia [8].
Another study using pumpkin seed oil topically applied to the scalp showed it is effective in treating androgenetic alopecia [9].
Caffeine
Caffeine is a chemical that occurs naturally in seeds, leaves, and the fruit of many plants and trees.
Caffeine shampoos may counteract testosterone action, enhancing the hair shaft length and increasing the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle. It also decreases the expression of a hair growth inhibitor called testosterone-induced transforming growth factor [10].
Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil is a hair growth essential oil used for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Research has shown that rosemary leaf may have an inhibitory effect on the binding of DHT to androgen receptors and is effective in promoting hair growth [11].
A study showed that rosemary oil increases the hair count after six months of usage, similarly to Minoxidil [10].
Does biotin block DHT?
Many DHT blocking shampoos are marketed as biotin shampoos. This can be confusing, as biotin isn’t known to have any DHT blocking effects.
In fact, most vitamin supplements don’t help with hair growth unless you have vitamin deficiency-related hair loss.
Which DHT blockers are proven to reduce hair loss?
Finasteride and Dutasteride are oral DHT blockers that can dramatically improve your hair loss.
So if DHT blocking shampoos haven’t worked for you, or your hair loss is too severe to be treated with topical treatments, oral DHT blockers are more likely to give you the results you want.