DHT cream for hair growth has garnered attention lately as a potential treatment to stimulate hair regrowth. DHT cream for hair growth contains dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that plays a pivotal yet controversial role in hair growth. On one hand, increased levels of DHT are linked to pattern hair loss in genetically prone individuals.
On the other hand, DHT is critical for stimulating the growth phase of hair follicles. This has led some to theorize that topically applied DHT in the form of DHT cream for hair growth could promote hair regrowth under certain conditions.
But does DHT cream work for hair growth? How is it used and is it safe? This article will explore the science behind topical DHT for DHT cream for hair growth.
We’ll cover how it works, directions for use, potential side effects, and unanswered questions about its efficacy and safety profile. With hair loss being a distressing problem for many, understanding the potential of emerging treatments like DHT cream for hair growth is important.
How DHT Cream May Stimulate Hair Growth?
DHT is made from testosterone and signals hair follicles to go into the growth, or anagen, phase. DHT cream contains DHT derived from plants, often combined with several other ingredients hypothesized to enhance hair growth, like vitamin E, azelaic acid, and retinoids.
The theory behind DHT cream for hair growth lies in compensating for lower DHT levels at the scalp. Some causes of hair loss like androgenetic alopecia involve increased levels of DHT toward the top of the scalp.
Lower DHT levels below this lead to shorter anagen phases and miniaturized hair. Delivering topical DHT directly where it’s lacking could promote stronger hair regrowth.
Does DHT Cream Work for Hair Growth?
There is extremely limited research either supporting or invalidating the efficacy of DHT cream for hair growth. Only one small study has looked at a topical DHT cream for treating hair loss.
While it found somewhat positive results, there were only 13 participants. Most evidence on DHT and hair growth involves taking DHT orally as a supplement, not as a topical cream.
Given the hormonal role DHT plays in hair growth, using it topically could show promise. However, genetics, dosage, and delivery methods make determining its efficacy difficult. More extensive, high-quality studies are needed to fully answer the question “Does DHT cream work for hair growth?”.
How Is DHT Cream Used?
DHT cream for hair growth is used by massaging it directly onto balding or thinning areas on the scalp once or twice per day. The exact dosage can vary depending on the concentration of DHT in the cream, with typical concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 3%.
It’s critical to carefully follow the usage instructions of whichever DHT cream for hair growth product you’re using. Using too much could increase the risk of side effects. Pay close attention to the dose, frequency, length of use, and any precautions provided.
Tracking progress through before and after photos or hair counts can help determine if the treatment is working for you. Be patient, as visible hair growth can take months. See your doctor if you don’t see improvement after 4 to 6 months.
Is DHT Cream Safe?
Despite being a natural hormone, DHT cream does carry some potential DHT cream side effects. These can include increased hair shedding at first, headaches, acne outbreaks, abnormal hair growth on other parts of the body, and disruption of sexual function like low libido.
The safety of long-term use is also unknown. Applying exogenous DHT could suppress natural testosterone and DHT production through negative feedback. It’s possible this could ultimately exacerbate hair loss once treated.
Using DHT cream for hair growth also raises prostate health concerns in those genetically prone to prostate enlargement. DHT plays an integral role in prostate growth, and elevated levels increase prostate cancer risk.
Finally, female hormonal balance presents another consideration. Though typically well-tolerated in the low doses used for hair growth, DHT can cause virilization in women. Women who are or may become pregnant should not use DHT cream.
In summary, while generally safe for external use in men at recommended doses for limited periods, unknown long-term effects remain. Proceed with caution and consult your doctor before starting DHT cream for hair growth.
Potential DHT Cream Side Effects
The most frequently reported side effects of topical DHT cream include:
- Shedding: Paradoxical hair shedding can occur as hair follicles enter the rest phase before stronger regrowth.
- Acne outbreaks: Increased sebum production alongside higher DHT levels can lead to clogged pores and acne, especially on the face and back.
- Headaches: How DHT cream may trigger headaches is unclear, but it’s a commonly cited side effect.
- Hirsutism: Excess facial or body hair growth resembling male pattern hair growth may develop in women.
- Sexual dysfunction: Either increased or decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and reduced sperm count may occur.
Monitoring for adverse reactions and stopping use if they become intolerable is advised. Compare potential risks against uncertain hair regrowth benefits with your doctor.
Conclusion
DHT cream for hair growth aims to stimulate hair regrowth by delivering the hormone DHT topically to balding regions on the scalp. In theory, compensating for localized DHT deficiencies can shift hair follicles from thinning to the active growth phase. However, significant gaps in clinical evidence exist regarding the efficacy and safety of DHT cream.
Early research hints at mild improvement in hair density and growth over 6 months. However, with only one small published study available, effectiveness compared to existing hair loss treatments remains unknown. Questions also linger around ideal DHT dosing concentrations and delivery for optimal absorption.
Safety-wise, potential adverse effects like shedding, acne, headaches, and prostate issues may occur with long-term use. Abnormal hair growth poses an additional risk for women using DHT cream for hair growth.
While an interesting experimental treatment option, expectations for dramatic regrowth should remain realistic until further research establishes clearer efficacy. Monitoring your response and discontinuing use if side effects develop is recommended.
Does DHT cream work for hair growth? More extensive controlled studies on diverse populations are required to give a truly definitive answer. For now, proceed cautiously and speak to your doctor if interested in trying DHT cream for hair growth. But staying optimistic, as shifts in our understanding of hair loss are continuously unfolding.
References
- Duverger O, Morasso MI. To grow or not to grow: hair morphogenesis and human genetic hair disorders. Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2014;25–26:22–33.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24361867/ - Messenger AG, Rundegren J. Minoxidil: mechanisms of action on hair growth. Br J Dermatol. 2004;150(2):186–194. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.05785.x.
https://academic.oup.com/bjd/article-abstract/150/2/186/6635785?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false
