DHT, or Dihydrotestosterone, is a natural metabolite produced by the body, primarily in males, that causes most hair loss. Androgens are male hormones that assist in both hair growth and hair loss. What happens in hair loss is the androgen testosterone interacts with the 5 alpha reductase, an enzyme, producing DHT.
Down inside the hair follicle, at the base of each individual strand of hair, is a structure called the dermal papilla. The papilla is a clump of rapidly multiplying cells. It contains receptors for androgens, more so in men than in women.
However, some women develop more DHT than some men. Women are susceptible to female pattern balding, if they produce an unusual amount of DHT. Men who produce less than most men tend to maintain their hair throughout life.
DHT blocks the papilla’s ability to absorb the all-important nutrients, like protein and vitamins that hair needs to grow properly. With DHT, a waxy substance, in the way, the hair follicle will slow hair production, until it stops.
DHT also causes miniaturization, the process whereby thick strands of hair slowly become more fine and weak. This, like the slowing of hair growth, occurs in balding as well. 95% of all hair loss is a result of excessive DHT production inside the hair follicle.
