|  | Conditions Treatments | Hair Loss

How DHT Affects Hair Growth

Dihydrotestosterone, more commonly referred to as simply DHT, is the leading cause of male pattern baldness. Androgenetic Alopecia, the medical name for pattern baldness, accounts for hair loss in men roughly 95 percent of the time. (Reference 3)

  1. Less Growth Time

    • DHT is created in the body when testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme is produced in the prostate, various glands, and also on the scalp.

    Follicle Effects

    • When DHT attaches itself to a hair follicle it will eventually shorten the growth phase in the hair growth cycle, which will lead to hair being shed at an accelerated rate. (Reference 1)

    Thinning Hair

    • Shrinkage of the hair follicle leads to the production of extremely fine hairs by the follicle. These uncolored hairs, called vellus hairs, are often too thin to be seen, which gives the appearance of a bare scalp area.

    Follicle Death

    • While DHT will merely shrink the majority of hair follicles, over time it will cause some hair follicles to die. No hair loss treatment can bring a dead hair follicle back to life. (Reference 2)

    Prevention/Solution

    • Many hair loss treatment products are designed to prevent the production of DHT in the body. Other hair loss treatments aim to prevent DHT from attaching itself to the hair follicle.

Hair Loss - Related Articles