How DHT Causes Hair Loss: What Everyone Should Know

How DHT Causes Hair Loss: What Everyone Should Know

Hair loss is a concern that affects millions of men and women, and one of the key contributors is a hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Understanding how DHT affects the scalp can help you recognise early changes and take informed steps to maintain healthy hair.

What Is DHT?

DHT is a hormone produced when testosterone is converted by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. While DHT plays a normal role in the body, certain hair follicles are genetically sensitive to it. This sensitivity can lead to gradual thinning and hair loss over time.

It’s important to note that DHT itself isn’t harmful—it’s the follicle response to DHT that matters.

How DHT Causes Hair Loss

In people with DHT-sensitive follicles, the hormone binds to the scalp’s hair follicles and triggers miniaturisation, a process where follicles shrink gradually. As a result:

• Hair becomes thinner and weaker
• The growth phase shortens
• New hair takes longer to grow
• Follicles may eventually stop producing visible hair

This process is gradual, often developing over months or years, which is why hair loss can sometimes go unnoticed until it becomes more visible.

Why Hair Loss Appears in Certain Areas

DHT doesn’t affect all hair equally. Follicles along the hairline, temples, and crown are usually more sensitive, while the sides and back of the scalp are more resistant. This is why pattern hair loss often follows predictable shapes, like a receding hairline or thinning crown.

Genetics and DHT Sensitivity

Hair loss isn’t caused by having “too much” DHT, but by how strongly your follicles respond to it. Factors that influence DHT-related hair loss include:

• Inherited follicle sensitivity
• Number of DHT receptors in the scalp
• Individual hormonal balance

This is why hair loss often runs in families and why the severity can vary between people.

DHT and the Hair Growth Cycle

Healthy hair grows in cycles:

1. Anagen (growth phase)
2. Catagen (transition phase)
3. Telogen (resting/shedding phase)

DHT disrupts this cycle by shortening the growth phase and increasing resting time. Over time, hairs become finer and fewer, leading to noticeable thinning.

DHT and Women’s Hair

Women can also be affected by DHT. Female pattern hair loss often appears as:

• Thinning across the crown
• Widening part lines
• Reduced overall volume

Although the pattern differs from men, the underlying hormonal mechanism is similar.

When to Seek Professional Advice

While DHT is a major factor in pattern hair loss, other causes may contribute, including:

• Stress or lifestyle factors
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Hormonal changes
• Scalp health issues

Because hair loss is multifactorial, a personalised assessment is the best way to understand what’s happening with your hair.

Key Takeaway

DHT-related hair loss is a gradual, predictable process caused by genetic sensitivity in hair follicles. Early recognition and professional guidance can help you maintain hair health and make informed decisions about treatments.

If you’re noticing thinning or changes in your hair, our clinic can provide a thorough assessment to determine the role of DHT and create a tailored plan for your hair.

This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.