DHT hair loss

DHT is called Dihydrotestosterone which is the resulting product of direct contact between the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, found in the skin and the scalp, with the hormone testosterone.

DHT hair loss affects both men and women.

DHT hair loss is caused by the DHT binding to receptor sites on the scalp and hair follicles which interrupts and interacts with the normal chain of events involved in continual healthy hair growth.

To put it another way, DHT hair loss happens when DHT takes over the receptor cell (the cells on the hair follicle that bind to DHT) and sends false signals to the functioning cells responsible for proper hair growth.

Men usually lose hair first in the temporal area, second in the crown, and third, in the vertex or top of the scalp. This is due to the concentration of sweat glands that carry DHT in these areas.

Women on the other hand generally thin in a diffuse manner.

Fortunately for women, estrogen and progesterone protect the hair follicle from the destructive effects of DHT. However, many women develop female pattern hair loss and thinning hair due to increased DHT production and fluctuations of estrogen levels which occur with age or after menopause.

DHT is extremely harmful to the hair follicle, which causes it to produce weaker and thinner hair with a shorter life cycle. If untreated, the follicle will gradually shrink and may die - creating permanent baldness.

With shorten life cycles, hair will be dropping off faster and in larger quantity than normal. Eventually, with diminished size and volume, the remaining hair on the scalp will appear scanty, thin and weak and may gradually lead to complete baldness.

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