DHT hair loss is caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent hormone derived from testosterone that gradually shrinks genetically sensitive hair follicles on the scalp. In people predisposed to male or female pattern baldness, DHT binds to follicle receptors, shortening each growth cycle until hairs become thin, short and eventually stop growing. It is the single biggest hormonal driver of pattern hair loss.<\/p>\n
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen \u2014 a male sex hormone that is also present in women in smaller amounts. It is produced when the enzyme 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone into DHT. Although DHT plays an important role in normal development, the same hormone that supports body hair and other male characteristics can work against the hair on your head.<\/p>\n
DHT is roughly several times more potent than testosterone at binding to androgen receptors. Most of the body’s DHT is created in tissues such as the skin, hair follicles and prostate rather than circulating freely in large amounts. This is why a person can have normal testosterone levels and still experience significant hair thinning \u2014 what matters is local DHT activity and how sensitive your follicles are to it.<\/p>\n
The process behind DHT hair loss is called follicle miniaturisation. DHT attaches to androgen receptors inside susceptible follicles and progressively interferes with the normal hair growth cycle. Over many cycles, follicles produce hairs that are finer, shorter and lighter, until growth stops altogether.<\/p>\n
The hair cycle has three main phases, and DHT primarily shortens the most important one:<\/p>\n
With each shortened cycle, the follicle gets smaller. Eventually it produces only fine “vellus” hair, similar to peach fuzz, and may stop producing visible hair entirely. This is why pattern loss is gradual rather than sudden.<\/p>\n
The key factor is not how much DHT you produce but how sensitive your follicles are to it \u2014 and that sensitivity is largely inherited. Follicles on the crown and hairline are typically the most DHT-sensitive, while those at the back and sides of the head are usually resistant. This is the entire basis of hair transplant surgery: DHT-resistant follicles from the donor area keep growing even when relocated to a balding zone.<\/p>\n
Genetics, age and hormonal changes all influence how DHT affects you. Two men with identical hormone levels can have completely different outcomes because one inherited more receptor-sensitive follicles. It is not a sign of having “too much” testosterone \u2014 a common myth.<\/p>\n
Yes. Women produce androgens in smaller amounts, and DHT can contribute to female pattern hair loss, typically seen as diffuse thinning across the crown rather than a receding hairline. Hormonal shifts around menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and certain conditions can increase androgen activity. Because female hair loss often has several overlapping causes, a proper clinical assessment is especially important to identify what is driving the thinning before choosing a treatment.<\/p>\n
Most evidence-based hair loss treatments work by either reducing DHT levels or supporting follicles against its effects. The table below compares the main approaches commonly discussed in the UK.<\/p>\n