How to Remove DHT From Your Scalp

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA, or male pattern hair loss) is a problem that will affect most men at some point in their lives (1). By the age of 50, about 50% of men will suffer from some degree of hair loss, which rises to well over 90% in old age. 

DHT (short for dihydrotestosterone) is the male hormone believed to be responsible for the gradual process of hair follicle miniaturization and eventual baldness (2). Like everywhere else in the body, DHT exerts its actions on hair follicles via the androgen receptor (AR). Individuals who suffer from androgen insensitivity syndrome and lack a functional AR do not go bald (3). Androgen receptors are 30% more abundant in the front hair follicles of men with AGA compared to the occipital hair follicles in the back of the head which never miniaturize. Also, the enzymes that synthesize DHT (discussed below) are found in 60% greater quantities in the frontal follicles of these men compared to occipital ones (4).

There is a vast and daunting market of products and purported solutions for removing DHT from your scalp and reversing hair loss. This article will direct you to the simplest, science-backed ways for achieving this. 

DHT Blocking Shampoos

Intuitively, a shampoo seems like the most straightforward way to block DHT in the scalp. There is currently no shampoo that’s been FDA-approved specifically for this purpose. The problem is two-fold: first, there is the limited time during which any shampoo is left on the scalp (allowing absorption to the follicle), and second a lack of proven compounds that could go into such a shampoo.

Arguably the closest there is to a true DHT-blocking shampoo are ketoconazole-based shampoos (4). These are usually sold under the brand name Nizoral, though there are countless generic versions for a fraction of the price.

Though sold primarily as an anti-dandruff shampoo, research has found regular use of a ketoconazole shampoo gives hair growth comparable to that obtained with minoxidil (5). There is still no consensus on the mechanism through which ketoconazole achieves this effect, but it is widely thought to be down to its mild anti-androgenic properties, including disruption of the DHT pathway (6). This is at least partly mediated through ketoconazole’s blocking of testosterone, the precursor hormone to DHT. 

The best way to use such a shampoo would be to apply it at the start of your shower, and meticulously rub it in so it is absorbed into the scalp. Allow it to absorb while cleaning the rest of your body, and rinse it off at the very end, at which point you can use your standard shampoo if you wish. Aim for a minimum 5-minute application. 

It is worth repeating that this shampoo is sold as anti-dandruff medication and is meant to be used for a limited period of time, so it is best to consult with your doctor prior to starting long-term treatment for hair loss.

Blocking DHT Systemically

Removing and blocking DHT at the source is the obvious first step, but most DHT is not produced at the scalp (2). Instead, it is synthesized from testosterone in other tissues in the body – notably the liver – before entering circulation and eventually reaching the scalp. Lowering systemic DHT is therefore almost certain to dramatically reduce its levels in the scalp.

The most straightforward way of achieving this is through an oral 5-alpha-reductase (5αr) inhibitor. As the name suggests, these medications inhibit the 5αr enzyme which converts testosterone to DHT. Without a functioning enzyme, DHT levels in the blood plummet which is quickly reflected in the scalp.

The most widely used 5αr inhibitor for baldness is finasteride, which was FDA-approved for this purpose more than 20 years ago (7). Aside from reducing serum (blood) DHT levels by over 70%, the standard 1mg daily finasteride dosage has been shown to decrease scalp-skin DHT levels by up to 64%.

It is worth noting that a dosage one-fifth as strong, namely 0.2mg daily, is still sufficient to decrease scalp DHT levels by 56% (8). Given the strong nature of this medication and the potential for side effects, it is advisable to aim for the lowest possible dosage. 

Another 5αr inhibitor prescribed off-label for baldness is dutasteride, which is even more potent at blocking 5αr compared to finasteride. A 2.5mg daily dosage of dutasteride has been found to decrease scalp DHT levels by 79%, dropping to 51% for the 05.mg dosage (9). Predictably, this dutasteride-induced reduction in scalp DHT inversely correlates with hair counts. In other words the lower a man’s scalp DHT levels, the more hairs are regrown. 

Both finasteride and dutasteride are prescription-only medications and should be commenced after consultation with a dermatologist or other qualified health professional.

Fortunately for those who wish to avoid the pharmacological route, there are some plant-based treatments known to block DHT. By far the most popular of these is saw palmetto (serenoa repens), which blocks the 5αr enzyme and decreases DHT’s ability to bind to the androgen receptors in the hair follicles (10).

Direct experimental data on saw palmetto’s effects on scalp DHT levels are lacking. However, a well-designed randomized study that compared its efficacy to finasteride over two years found it produced regrowth in 38% of patients (vs finasteride’s 68%) and halted hair loss for 90% of men (similar to finasteride) (11). Saw palmetto’s slightly lower efficacy is counterbalanced by a very low incidence of side effects compared to finasteride or dutasteride.

Diet and Supplementation

Aside from saw palmetto, several other plant substances are thought to block DHT to varying degrees, and many of these can be incorporated into one’s diet. These include green tea, stinging nettle, and pumpkin seeds. With regards to pumpkin seeds in particular, an influential 2014 paper reported that 400mg of pumpkin seed oil daily increased hair counts by up to 40% when taken orally (12). Future studies to corroborate these preliminary results are urgently needed.

Given the popularity of finasteride and other 5αr inhibitors, it is understandable that most men will emphasize blocking the production of DHT. But the other, generally overlooked aspect of the DHT equation concerns its metabolism: in other words how fast our body breaks it down (13). Upregulating these metabolic processes should – in principle – contribute to lowering DHT levels. 

The primary pathway through which DHT is metabolized is called glucuronidation (14) This is a fundamental biochemical process in the metabolism not only of DHT and other androgens but also various toxins and carcinogens.

Many foods have been proposed as inducing the UGT enzymes that underlie glucuronidation. These include primarily cruciferous vegetables, resveratrol, and citrus, as well as soy, green tea, dandelion, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, and curcumin. The compound in cruciferous vegetables believed to promote glucuronidation is sulforaphane, and the food in which it is found in the highest concentration is broccoli sprouts.

Scalp Hygiene and Exfoliation

The primary concern of many men with hair loss is removing or blocking DHT from the scalp, and this is understandable. As important as removing the DHT itself is establishing good scalp hygiene, which is primarily a process of elimination. This means eliminating the natural and unnatural substances that have built up, which can often contribute to aggravating hair loss problems.

The very first step involves exfoliating. Proper scalp exfoliation involves removing dead skin to allow for new healthy cells to grow and works similar to other parts of the body. The exfoliation process will also remove sebum, sweat, and residues that accumulate in the epidermis from the regular use of cosmetics and hair styling products.

There are endless scalp exfoliating products for sale online, though a homemade exfoliate can be made relatively simply. 

Ingredients

• Himalayan or Celtic sea salt
• Powdered activated charcoal
• Ginger
• Cucumber
• Lemon juice
• A juicing machine (or a blender and muslin cloth)

Method

Take half a tablespoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of powdered activated charcoal, approximately 100ml of mixed ginger and cucumber juice, and the juice of 1 whole lemon.

To make the cucumber and ginger juice you will need a juicing machine.

If you don’t yet have a juicer, you can always use an electric blender. Take a large handful of ginger chunks and put them in our high-speed blender along with a whole cucumber. Squeeze in the juice of a whole lemon. Blend up the mixture, without water, or you can add a small amount of water if it’s too dry.

Then, take the mixture and remove the pulp using a muslin cloth or equivalent. This will remove all the pulp and fiber just leaving the cleansing liquid.

Combine all of the ingredients in a small plastic bottle such as a used shampoo bottle and shake thoroughly until well-mixed.

Apply the mixture to the area of scalp that you want to regrow and gently massage into the region. Leave the mixture to sit on the scalp for 5-10 minutes before rinsing out with warm (but not hot) water.

It varies from person to person but there is a good chance you will need another few peels to fully exfoliate. 

Lifestyle Changes

Exfoliation is an excellent tool for removing accumulation on the scalp epidermis, but it is even better to not get it there in the first place. A few simple lifestyle changes may go a long way in this regard.

Firstly, try to avoid – and preferably eliminate –hairstyling products like gel, mousse, and wax. These products are typically laced with preservatives that can lead to irritation of the scalp and upsetting of your scalp’s delicate pH balance. 

Worse off, as these products dry off they will leave your scalp clogged with debris, leading you to increase your frequency of shampooing. Excessive shampooing strips away the scalp’s natural oils, forcing it to upregulate its production of sebum, which leads to your head becoming oily very quickly again. A repeating cycle of frequent shampooing which leads to further sebum imbalances then follows.

Conclusion

Removing DHT from your scalp to the point of substantially lowering its levels is certainly feasible, and this article has covered some of the best methods. A multi-pronged approach with simultaneous topical, oral, and lifestyle changes is likely to bring about the largest reductions.