Is Minoxidil considered a DHT blocker? Just how does Minoxidil aid in hair loss efforts? Learn more about how it works here!
Minoxidil was the very first medication to be approved for use in male pattern hair loss, and it has been available for this indication since way back in 1986. Clearly, the approval of Minoxidil for male pattern hair loss is an iconic step in the world of hair treatments.
But, just what is Minoxidil classified as? There is a lot of talk about DHT blockers as a great way to stave off male pattern hair loss, so is Minoxidil a DHT blocker?
Below, we will answer whether Minoxidil is a DHT blocker, just what Minoxidil can do for hair, why DHT blocking is an important part of the male pattern hair loss puzzle, and why pairing your Minoxidil with other active ingredients is a common well-rounded approach to hair loss.
Also Read: Minoxidil Strengths: Is Minoxidil 5% the Highest Strength?
With all the emphasis on DHT blocking when it comes to male pattern hair loss treatment, you may be surprised to learn that Minoxidil is not a DHT blocking medication.
But, just because Minoxidil’s mechanism is not DHT reduction, does not mean that this active ingredient can’t play an important role in hair restoration and growth.
Minoxidil’s main function is to help promote the fast growth of thicker and healthier hairs. And, while we do not fully know the exact mechanism behind how it does this, we do know a few things.
Minoxidil was initially used as a blood pressure medication, because of its ability to dilate the blood vessels and allow for better blood flow.
For its use as a blood pressure medication, these target vessels were located around the body and in the cardiac region.
But, for its use as a hair growth treatment, the targeted vessels are those in the scalp. Dilated blood vessels in the scalp may bring a better supply of oxygen and nutrients to help nourish hair follicles, and may stimulate growth.
Additionally, Minoxidil has been found to change up the hair growth cycle, for the better. Normally, in people dealing with androgenetic alopecia (the term for male pattern and female pattern hair loss), the growth phase of each hair shortens, and the resting and shedding phases become longer.
This leads to hairs that get can only grow so long, before they fall out. With Minoxidil, these growth cycles tend to adapt for better growth by extending the length of time hairs are in the anagen (growth) phase.
Also Read: Dermaroller and Minoxidil: Benefits and Studies
DHT is Dihydrotestosterone, which is formed from a natural conversion of some of the Testosterone produced by your body. It has been discovered that DHT is the cause behind the damage to the hair follicles in male pattern hair loss.
This damage causes the follicles to miniaturize, and produce finer and shorter hairs over time, potentially leading to not growing a hair at all.
Reducing the amount of DHT in the scalp for people with male pattern hair loss that are sensitive to its effects can help slow the progression of this hereditary hair loss.
Basically, DHT blocking helps slow the root cause of male pattern hair loss -- damage from DHT.
Read Related: Does Minoxidil Work For A Receding Hairline?
As you now know, using a DHT blocker can help slow male pattern hair loss by reducing the exposure to the root cause -- DHT.
But, in order to take your hair treatment to the next level, some men opt to combine addressing the DHT root cause along with encouraging fast and healthy growth of the follicles which are still producing hairs.
This is where combination treatments with Minoxidil plus a DHT blocker fit in.
Studies have also shown that by using Minoxidil along with a DHT blocker, Finasteride, patients can achieve better hair treatment results than using either of the two medications alone.
Prescription DHT blockers that are commonly used in male pattern hair loss treatment include Finasteride and Dutasteride.
Here at Strut Health, we put together hair loss treatment regimens that rely on multiple effective ingredients that address hair loss and growth from different angles, to help try and deliver the best results possible.
We offer topical and oral treatments that can be customized to suit your current hair, your preferences, and what you have tried before.
You can look through our prescription hair loss offerings containing ingredients like Minoxidil, Finasteride, Dutasteride, Tretinoin, and Biotin.
If you are interested in giving prescription hair loss treatments a try, you can have a free online questionnaire and image-based telemedicine consult with our U.S. licensed doctors today.
If you are a good candidate for a prescription treatment, your medication will be shipped to your front door with our free shipping.
.png)
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
