Does DHT Blocking Shampoo Work? Everything You Need To Know

Often labeled hair thickening shampoos, DHT-blocking shampoos are formulated to block dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — a hormone associated with hair loss.

DHT is a type of testosterone that plays a role in male pattern baldness. For this reason, many hair loss treatments contain DHT-blocking ingredients and promise healthier hair growth.

But does DHT-blocking shampoo work? Or is it just an overpriced scam?

Here’s what you need to know.

As you may have guessed, DHT blockers prevent the formation of DHT. While you take some DHT blockers orally, DHT-blocking shampoos work at the scalp level.

DHT plays an important role in puberty — but after adolescence, it doesn’t have much benefit. If you’re sensitive to DHT, the hormone can attach to receptors in your scalp. It then shrinks your hair follicles over time, resulting in thinner, sparser hair.

This results in androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness), a type of hair loss that often shows up as a receding hairline or thinning hair on the crown of your head.

Instead of blocking DHT throughout your body, the ingredients in DHT-blocking shampoos lower DHT activity where it matters most for hair loss — at the hair follicle.

Many DHT-blocker shampoos contain natural ingredients like pumpkin seed oil or saw palmetto. These plant-derived substances specifically target hair fall, while other ingredients — argan oil, jojoba oil, biotin, collagen, keratin, vitamin E, green tea extract, and nettle — promote healthy, shiny hair.

It depends on the active ingredients in the shampoos. Research shows that DHT blocking shampoos may reduce hair loss if they contain finasteride, saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil, and/or ketoconazole.

But we’ll add two caveats.

First, if you’re serious about stopping hair loss, don’t use DHT blocking shampoos alone. Add them to your hair care routine, along with proven hair loss medications.

Second, DHT blocking shampoos won’t help if your hair loss isn’t caused by sensitivity to DHT.

Other causes of hair loss include:

• Alopecia areata. A type of hair loss caused by an autoimmune disease

• Telogen effluvium. A temporary form of hair loss caused by extreme mental or physical stress

• Tinea capititis. A fungal infection also called scalp ringworm

• Trichotillomania. A compulsive urge to pull out your hair, often due to stress.

• Traction alopecia. Caused by extreme strain on the follicles from harsh styling methods or tight hairstyles

In these cases, DHT blockers won’t help promote hair regrowth, since DHT isn’t the main hair loss culprit. But, other treatments may help reduce shedding and promote thicker, healthier hair growth.

We’ll get into the details about different types of DHT blocking shampoos in the next section.

Whether you want a hair re-growth shampoo or are looking to reduce hair fallout for healthier-looking hair, the best DHT-blocking shampoos for men can help.

Here are a few ingredients to look for when choosing a shampoo to help with hair loss:

• Finasteride

• Saw palmetto

• Pumpkin seed oil

• Ketoconazole

Let’s look at how each of these can help you in more detail.

Shampoo with Finasteride

One of the most well-known DHT blockers is the hair loss medication finasteride (known by the brand name Propecia^®). It works by inhibiting the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase, which reduces your body’s ability to convert testosterone to DHT.

You can take it as an oral tablet. But it’s also available in topical formulations, including shampoos. Research shows topical finasteride can effectively reduce hair loss.

Because DHT-blocking shampoos work right at the scalp, they’re unlikely to cause the (rare) sexual side effects of oral finasteride.

Saw Palmetto Shampoo

Saw palmetto (or Serenoa repens) is a palm-like shrub that hails from the Southeastern United States.

One of the main potential benefits of saw palmetto is that it seems to reduce DHT uptake by the hair follicle. In theory, less DHT equals more hair. More research is needed on saw palmetto for hair loss, but initial findings show most people seem to tolerate it well.

Our thickening shampoo with saw palmetto is an easy way to incorporate the ingredient into your everyday routine.

Pumpkin Seed Oil Shampoo

Pumpkin seeds are pretty tasty — but did you know some research supports the use of pumpkin seed oil for hair growth?

Evidence suggests the phytosterols and linoleic acid in pumpkin seed oil could block 5-alpha reductase. Since 5-alpha reductase helps your body convert testosterone to DHT, this might lower your DHT levels.

A small study compared the effects of pumpkin seed oil vs minoxidil in women with signs of female pattern hair loss. It found that pumpkin seed oil may promote hair count and hair thickness.

Although this needs to be studied further, pumpkin seed oil doesn’t carry much risk — which means there’s no harm in trying it in your grooming routine.

Ketoconazole Shampoo

Ketoconazole is an ingredient in many anti-dandruff shampoos. As an active ingredient it can help treat dandruff and scalp psoriasis.

Research shows ketoconazole may also reduce DHT levels.

Plus, while psoriasis and dandruff don’t cause hair loss per se, all that scratching can damage hair follicles, leading to breakage and hair loss over time.

If you’re interested in learning more, our guide to ketoconazole and hair loss goes into more detail about recent research on ketoconazole as an active ingredient in hair loss products.

Wondering what to look for in a hair loss shampoo? Here are some factors to keep in mind:

• Check the ingredients before you buy. Not all hair loss prevention shampoos contain science-backed active ingredients, so be sure to check the ingredients list before buying anything.

• See an ambitious claim? Look for evidence. Many shampoo brands make big claims about their products. Before grabbing that new product, put in some time to research the active ingredients.

• Be careful of ingredients that cause irritation. Some common shampoo ingredients may cause irritation. If you have sensitive skin, look for paraben-free and sulfate-free shampoo.

• Expensive doesn’t equal effective. When comparing hair loss shampoos, focus on active ingredients, not a high price tag. Many of the best DHT-blocking shampoos are budget-friendly.

• Check customer reviews before you buy. Like other hair care products, DHT-blocker shampoos can vary in quality and effectiveness. If you’re shopping online, read reviews from previous customers before committing to a product.

We also want to add some tips for using DHT-blocking shampoos effectively:

• Focus on your scalp. As with all shampoos, you want to focus on lathering DHT blockers on your scalp and the roots of your hair. Let it sit on your hair for several minutes before rinsing.

• Use a nourishing conditioner. Conditioner strengthens your hair and supports hair health. Our Thick Fix conditioner with niacinamide contains ingredients that can help your hair look thicker and fuller.

• Use a DHT shampoo alongside a hair loss medication. You’ll get the best results by combining DHT-blocking shampoos with science-based hair loss treatments like finasteride and minoxidil.

Lastly, we want to encourage you to have realistic expectations. It can take months of consistently using DHT blocking shampoo, plus hair loss medications, before you notice your hair growing back. Be patient!

DHT-blocker shampoo side effects are usually minimal, especially if you don’t have a sensitive scalp, but there are some side effects to watch out for.

Potential DHT-blocking shampoo side effects include:

• Dryness and itching. Dryness and itching can happen with shampoos containing sulfates (often listed as sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS).

• Fading colored hair. Sulfates help shampoos foam and lather, but they can be harsh, leading to fading if you have color-treated hair.

• Unwanted hair growth. If your DHT-blocking shampoo contains minoxidil as a key ingredient, make sure you’re applying it carefully and as directed. And be on the lookout for unwanted hair growth on other parts of your body.

• Skin irritation. Natural DHT blockers may contain other natural ingredients that may help fight hair loss and increase thickness, like lavender, peppermint, tea tree oil, or rosemary oil. While these are generally safe to use for most people, they can cause redness or irritation in some people.

If you’ve ever had a reaction to a new haircare product, it’s a good idea to do a patch test before trying a new shampoo. Rub a small amount of product onto the back of your forearm and wait to see if a reaction develops.

A DHT shampoo certainly deserves a spot in your shower. But to tackle hair loss from multiple angles, consider pairing hair loss medications and treatments with your new suds-ing routine.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a vasodilator, meaning it dilates blood vessels, bringing blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the scalp. It was originally used to treat high blood pressure, but researchers noticed that it had a pleasant but unintended side effect of hair growth.

Currently, we offer a topical minoxidil foam and a liquid minoxidil solution (both at 5% strength). Some people with longer hair may find the liquid solution easier to apply since it has a dropper.

Finasteride

Some hair care products contain topical finasteride. You can also use oral finasteride, a prescription medication to lower your DHT levels.

You can take oral finasteride at any time of day (as long as you’re consistent from day to day) with or without food.

Minoxidil and Finasteride Together

A 2019 meta-analysis looked at how well minoxidil and finasteride work for hair loss. Researchers found that a combo of finasteride and topical minoxidil is more effective and just as safe as using one or the other on its own.

Worried about adding another step to your routine or having more products cluttering up your bathroom? Our topical finasteride & minoxidil spray makes it easy to apply both at the same time.

Other Natural Ingredients

You might also benefit from DHT-blocking shampoos that contain other natural ingredients. For example, one review shows that rosemary leaf extract helps regenerate hair follicles in a similar way to minoxidil.

If you’re experiencing male pattern baldness, DHT-blocking shampoo can help you get thicker hair. You just need to make sure you’re purchasing the right products and using them correctly.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet to screenshot before you shop:

• Look for products that use proven ingredients. Some examples include saw palmetto or pumpkin seed oil, which may help block DHT from getting into the hair follicle.

• DHT-blocking shampoos will only work if your hair loss is caused by DHT. If you’re losing hair from stress or a lack of nutrients, try a biotin shampoo or a volumizing shampoo and volumizing conditioner.

• Expensive doesn’t equal better when it comes to hair loss shampoos (and most things!). Before you assume something works well because of its high price tag, check the active ingredients.

Ask a dermatologist or another healthcare professional about your treatment options. Together, you can figure out the best plan of action to get the healthy hair of your dreams.

Don’t want to make an in-person appointment? You can take our hair loss quiz to determine your specific hair loss needs and connect with an online healthcare professional who can help.