Is biotin a DHT blocker?

Biotin doesn't block DHT, but it can still lend a hand in promoting hair growth.

healthline.com - The 10 Best DHT Blocking Shampoos to Fight Hair Loss - Healthline

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Keep reading to see our list and to learn more about DHT.

However, there are certain shampoos and treatments that work to block DHT to help prevent hair loss . We combed through (pun intended) dozens of shampoos to find the best options out there. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a sex hormone that plays a few different roles in the body — some hairy, some helpful. Unfortunately, hair loss is one of DHT’s less helpful specialties. Over time, testosterone and DHT contribute benefits, like keeping up overall muscle mass and supporting sexual health and fertility . DHT is a sex hormone known as an androgen. This hormone is derived from testosterone and has a hand in developing what are commonly thought of as “male” sex characteristics , like:

This can also lead to :

Testosterone is converted to DHT thanks to an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase (5-AR). After it gets rolling through the bloodstream, DHT is able to connect to receptors on the scalp’s hair follicles, making them shrink. Although other genders can also experience this type of hair loss , it’s less common. Around 50 million men in the United States experience this condition, compared to 30 million women. Androgenic alopecia — also known as male pattern baldness — is one of the more common culprits behind hair loss for older men. Finally, we looked carefully at customer reviews, choosing only products that reviewers mostly rated highly. We also included some products with potential DHT blockers, like certain essential oils. These don’t have as much research behind them, but they may be helpful. We looked for products from reputable brands that contain DHT-blocking ingredients with the most significant research behind them, including: While there are lots of products out there with ingredients that companies claim block DHT, not all of them are supported by research.

Best over-the-counter DHT-blocking shampoo

This shampoo uses saw palmetto to target DHT. It promises to promote volume and moisture. Users seem happy with its peppermint and tea tree scent. You can buy the shampoo as a one-time purchase or subscribe on the company website for automatic shipping options. A major perk of this shampoo is that you can also pick it up in stores or online at Target. If you’re thinking beyond shampoo, Hims also features a whole line of products devoted to improving hair regrowth.

Pros saw palmetto is a promising hair loss–fighting ingredient

pleasant scent

Hims offers free hair loss consultation

affordable price point Cons returns not accepted

doesn’t help with all causes of hair thinning

Best subscription DHT blocking shampoo

Keeps offers a range of products for fighting hair loss, including this shampoo. It has the mighty DHT-blocking saw palmetto that we mentioned earlier, as well as biotin (for improving keratin production), caffeine (for stimulating hair follicles), and green tea (for boosting hair quality). It’s intended to be purchased through a subscription, where the product is shipped to you every 3 months. Overall, reviews on the company’s website are largely positive. Buyers note that the online service and consultations are convenient, and the pricing is reasonable. (The initial online consultation is free!) Reviewers also mention that the treatment plans seem to work best for male pattern hair loss — not so much for other types of hair loss.

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One last note: The full ingredient list is only available on the product packaging, not the Keeps website. You’ll have to email Keeps directly to request the list if you want to see it ahead of purchasing. This is especially important if you have any allergies.

Pros multiple hair growth stimulating ingredients

lower price point

good reviews Cons not suitable for all types of hair loss

ingredients not listed on the website

not designed for one-off purchases

Best highly rated DHT blocking shampoo

This shampoo is highly rated on Amazon, with thousands of happy reviewers. It seems this pick is most loved for its thickening properties and fresh scent. It has saw palmetto and nettle extract for blocking DHT, as well as other natural ingredients, like He Shou Wu, red Korean seaweed, and argan oil, that work to boost scalp health, support hair growth, and moisturize. Other helpful ingredients in this shampoo include biotin, pumpkin seed, black cumin seed oil, and vitamin E. This shampoo is said to fight hair loss not just attributed to male pattern balding, making it a solid choice for women experiencing hair loss as well.

This shampoo is vegan and cruelty-free.

Pros suitable for both male and female pattern baldness

cruelty-free

highly rated Cons unpleasant scent

could leave hair dry and brittle

Best splurge DHT-blocking shampoo

This shampoo is formulated with ketoconazole, caffeine, saw palmetto, and peppermint oil. The combination blends a couple different DHT blockers to boost performance. Happy Amazon reviewers say they saw results in just 1 or 2 months.

This shampoo is made in the United States and is cruelty-free.

Pros fast results

effective hair loss–fighting ingredients

good reviews Cons pricey

can be drying

super thick formula is difficult to lather

Best budget DHT-blocking shampoo

This shampoo has an herbal scent, is the most affordable pick on our list, and has thousands of happy Amazon reviewers on its side. It’s formulated with many beneficial ingredients, one of which is biotin (vitamin H). Biotin doesn’t block DHT, but it can still lend a hand in promoting hair growth. This shampoo offers several scalp-friendly ingredients, like jojoba oil, coconut oil, and vitamin B5. It also contains tea tree oil, rosemary oil, and zinc. Although there isn’t strong evidence for these ingredients as DHT-blockers, limited research suggests they might be useful. For instance, a 2013 pilot study found that combining minoxidil with tea tree oil and diclofenac was more effective than using minoxidil alone. This cruelty-free shampoo is also free of silicone, sulfates, and parabens, making it a good choice for those with skin sensitivities.

Pros affordable option

effective ingredients

free from silicone, sulfates, and parabens Cons unpleasant scent

doesn’t work for some people

Best scented DHT-blocking shampoo

This shampoo has a proprietary blend of plant ingredients known for stimulating hair growth and blocking DHT. This includes saw palmetto. It also has amino acids, biotin, and keratin, for shine and fullness. Pure Biology says this shampoo works on all hair types, including dry and curly. However, the shampoo contains sulfates, which can be drying and aren’t great for color-treated hair. Amazon reviewers are a fan of the citrus scent. Some pick up notes of lemongrass and others are happy with the peppermint that gives off a cooling sensation.

This pick is non-GMO, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and made in the United States.

Pros cool, citrus scent

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contains nourishing oils and vitamins

cruelty-free Cons contains sulfates

may irritate skin

Best sulfate-free DHT-blocking shampoo

This DHT-blocking shampoo is non-GMO, paraben-free, and sulfate-free. It contains a kapilarine complex, a blend of botanicals that the company says works to prevent hair loss. It also contains green tea extract, which may help block DHT. However, more research is needed. The shampoo also contains other hair-happy ingredients, like vitamin E, vitamin B5, keratin, and collagen amino acids. Amazon reviewers are overall impressed with this pick, with many seeing results in just a few weeks.

Pros smells great

nourishing ingredients

good results Cons may cause dandruff

doesn’t work for everyone

Best moisturizing DHT-blocking shampoo

Along with saw palmetto extract for blocking DHT, this shampoo also has aloe vera and seaweed extracts, to help deeply moisturize the scalp. It has biotin to help strengthen brittle hair. There’s also vitamin B5 and collagen peptides to help with hair regrowth. Pronexa says you’ll see thicker hair in 60 days, but the company also recommends using it for 6 months, suggesting that people use it with their other products for best results.

The company also offers a 100 percent money-back guarantee.

This shampoo is made in the United States and is said to be good for all hair types. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, color-safe, paraben-free, and sulfate-free.

Pros money-back guarantee

contains hair growth vitamins

leaves hair soft and moisturized Cons must use for several months

can strip tone from colored hair

Best DHT-blocking shampoo with the most DHT blockers

This shampoo has a good amount of DHT blockers, 14 to be exact. Not all of them are backed by substantial research, but it does contain saw palmetto. The formula also contains argan oil (which is moisturizing and scalp-friendly) and biotin (which helps with keratin production). It’s paraben-free and sulfate-free and is said to be safe for all hair types, including color-treated hair. Many reviewers say they experienced improved thickness and volume, with some noting reduced hair loss as well. Some reviewers don’t love the smell, describing it as overwhelming.

Pros accessible price point

many potentially useful hair loss–ingredients

paraben- and sulfate-free Cons powerful scent

may irritate scalp

Best topical treatment to fight hair loss

If you’re looking for something other than shampoo, you may want to try this topical treatment from Roman. Roman is a company that offers health services, including treatment options for erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and general health. The treatment combines finasteride with minoxidil. It requires a prescription through an online visit with a U.S.-licensed healthcare professional. The company website explains that finasteride and minoxidil usually take 3 to 4 months of daily use to see visible changes. It may also take up to a year to see full results. As long as you’re not experiencing side effects, it’s a good idea to keep using the treatment for a full year before determining if it’s working for you or not, since it works differently for everyone. For the best results, the company says you should continue using hair loss medication. Otherwise, hair loss can come back.

Roman also has other prescription and non-prescription options for hair loss.

healthline.com - The 10 Best DHT Blocking Shampoos to Fight Hair Loss - Healthline

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