Stop Itching Scalp: Stop DHT Itch

DHT Scalp itching is one of the most frustrating parts of male hair loss or the MPB experience. When men and even women start to lose their hair because of increased DHT levels, this is often accompanied by a constant itchy scalp, flaky scalp and areas of inflammation in the scalp, and sometimes even scabbing of the scalp.

This drove me crazy and I experimented with a number of shampoos and conditioners, but I found the best to be the most proven and long standing anti-itch shampoos and conditioners. They also happen to be the cheapest shampoos. Although they won't stop hair loss on their own, they will reduce the discomfort and constant itching, and so slow down the rate of hair loss. You will scratch less causing less damage to the scalp and hair follicles.

Does Head & Shoulders remove DHT? Yes, that's right, you may not believe it but this anti-dandruff old timer that has been around for ever, has been shown to actually stimulate hair growth about the same degree as minoxidil in one bit of research. Though it won't stop hair loss by itself, it's worth adding this low cost shampoo and conditioner to you stop hair loss arsenal.

Topical Zinc Pyrithione is a 5 Alpha Reductase Inhibitor

Its stop scalp itch effects are due to the active ingredient, Zinc Pyrithione; which partially inhibit 5 alpha reductase I (This is the 5 alpha reductase DHT created in the hair follicles themselves). Thus it actually suppresses the androgen receptor in the scalp temporarily. When compared to other DHT shampoos, with Ketoconazole (eg Nizoral), it was show to reduce shedding and sebum emission. Long term it will not stop the progressive miniaturization of hair diameter seen in male pattern baldness (MPB). Zinc Pyrithione shampoos and conditioners do thus do have some benefit to those with MPB, and at very low cost are worth including in your hair loss treatment regime.

How to Reduce Scalp DHT

There are many "hair loss shampoos" that simply volumize the hair making it look fuller, but doing nothing for hairloss and scalp itching. Head & shoulders does have a genuine effect to suppress scalp DHT because of the zinc pyrithione. I am very happy with it and use the Head & Shoulders Conditioner along with Nizoral shampoo (which can be quite harsh and dries the hair). I can tell that it does temporarily block DHT or at least reduce the potency of scalp DHT without side effects.

Topical Caffeine shampoo has also produced great evidence of stopping hair shedding. More on that later.

Does Nizroal work? Yes, I can confirm, Nizoral shampoo has stopped my scalp itch. I started using this after reading a number of positive posts on various hair loss blogs. It works well and quickly. The secret is in its active ingredient; Ketoconazole, ewhich ffectively fights MPB thhrough several methods; namely neutralising the inflammatory cytokines, malesszia yeast (which naturally occurs in the scalp gets out of control) and the inhibiting of dht binding to receptor sites in the scalp androgen receptors. It must be said, that it is still a topical DHT inhibitor and so is still a fairly mild DHT inhibitor, and thus must only be used to compliment other hair loss treatment, and not as a stand alone.

Nizoral shampoo contains ketoconazole, which is antifungal and effectively kills fungi and yeasts by interfering with their cell membranes. This stops the fungi from producing a substance called ergosterol, which is an essential component of fungal cell membranes, effectively causing holes in the cell membrane.

Nizoral or other Ketoconazole shampoo can be used to wash the affected areas, and left on for 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing off. For dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis, the shampoo should be used to wash the hair about twice weekly for two to four weeks. Once these conditions have cleared up then you can just maintain the situation by using the shampoo once every one to two weeks.

I've found Nizoral to be very effective, with the only side effect of a slightly dry scalp. This can be easily combatted with a good zinc pyrithione conditioner; like Head & Shoulders.

I will be testing Alpecin Caffeine inriched shampoos shortly, so watch this space.