DrFormulas® HairOmega® DHT Blocking Hair Loss Shampoo

Shampooing your hair is part of your regular grooming routine, and while you may choose your shampoo based on your type of hair, what you may not know is that it could contain ingredients that are harmful for your hair and scalp. It may even contain ingredients that can cause your hair to break or thin. That’s why you should choose a natural shampoo like DrFormulas® HairOmega® DHT Blocker Shampoo to support healthy hair growth. It has been thoroughly researched to contain the most effective ingredients to support hair growth.

Sulfate-Free DHT Blocker Shampoo

Most shampoos contain detergents, also called surfactants, which act to take away grease and oils in your hair by attracting both oil and water. Their molecules clean hair by attracting oils to the detergents, which then get rinsed out along with the shampoo.

Sulfates are a surfactant compound commonly added to shampoos, soaps, and other cleaning and personal care products. Sulfate is a salt or ester form of sulfuric acid. Sulfates in shampoos refer to a group of synthetic sulfate-based chemicals that are often produced using petroleum and certain plant sources, such as coconut and palm oils. Although they do act as surfactants, sulfates are primarily added as a lathering agent, which provides the illusion of a deeper, more effective clean. The two most common sulfates found in shampoos and soaps are sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).⁵

While sulfates wash away the grime from your hair, they can also take away some of your hair’s natural antimicrobial peptides, oils, and proteins. Without these, your hair is vulnerable to damage and your scalp is vulnerable to irritation.

Sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate is one of the most irritating detergents used in the hair care industry. Physical contact with sulfates can irritate your skin, eyes, mouth, and lungs. Those with sensitive skin may experience more acne breakouts and clogged pores. It is also used in clinical studies to test barrier repair agents (think moisturizers and conditioners that repair the skin) since it’s so good at stripping away oils and moisture.³ Along with its irritating potential, sulfates can negatively charge your hair, all of which ultimately results in dull, lifeless hair.⁶

Along with its potential for irritation, sodium laureth sulfate can contain some trace amounts of cancer-causing chemicals because it is derived from petroleum. These potentially carcinogenic chemicals include ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Fortunately, concentrations of these chemicals are rarely high and usually negligible, though researchers continue to monitor and review them.⁶

Aside from immediate health effects, experts question the environmental impact of sulfates. Palm oil requires deforestation to install palm tree plantations. Sulfates washed down the drain may also prove toxic to marine life.⁵ The best DHT blocking shampoo should minimize or avoid the inclusion of sulfates.

Even with a sulfate-free DHT blocker shampoo, it is important to use a conditioner to rebalance the natural oils on your scalp. Using a conditioner with naturally moisturizing conditioners such as Moroccan argan oil, avocado oil, or jojoba oil after you shampoo can help with this. It restores the hair’s natural balance of oils and moisture. It also smooths down the cuticle of each hair so that the hair shaft is strengthened.

Conditioners are designed to reduce friction, remove tangles, improve comb-ability, and minimize frizz. They work by neutralizing the negative electrical charge of hair fibers, a result of using shampoo, by adding positive charge to the hair. Conditioners also lubricate the cuticle to reduce fiber hydrophilicity (essentially the hair’s ability to absorb water) and restore hydrophobicity. Conditioners made from smaller molecules can penetrate deeper into the hair, reaching the hair’s cortex, while larger molecules simply act on the surface cuticle.¹²

A quality conditioner will leave your hair strong and shiny and will help prevent frizz while reducing static and undoing tangles. There are many different carrier oils to choose from, including coconut, grape, argan, and jojoba oil. Jojoba oil has been found to closely mimic the oils secreted by the skin and scalp.

Paraben-Free DHT Blocker Shampoo

Some of the most harmful ingredients commonly found in shampoo that you should avoid are parabens. Parabens are a group of synthetic compounds that were first commercialized in the 1950s and include:

• Butylparaben
• Ethylparaben
• Isobutylparaben
• Methylparaben
• Propylparaben

Parabens have since been added in shampoos, soaps, and a variety of other health and personal care products as a preservative to prevent the growth of fungi, bacteria, and other potentially harmful microbes.⁴

According to research¹ conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, long-term exposure to these chemicals can harm your endocrine system. Once absorbed through the skin, parabens end up stored in the body’s fatty tissue where they accumulate over time. If their build-up becomes concentrated, they bind to estrogen receptors, allowing them to interfere with normal body function.²  Estrogens in excess are known to inhibit hair growth.¹⁴

The main worry is that, while individual products contain negligible amounts of parabens, cumulative exposure to parabens from a variety of different sources could eventually add up, overload the body, and result in health problems. Some researchers have found that parabens can be found in measurable amounts in about 90 percent of the average person’s typical groceries.⁴ Many health advocates have pressured the FDA to ban the use of parabens in products. The more you use products with parabens, the higher risk you have for hormonal imbalances.

Thankfully, many brands have found natural and organic alternatives to parabens that can effectively prevent microbial growth in personal care products without presenting any potential health risks. Paraben-free shampoos, such as HairOmega® DHT Blocker Shampoo, are the best choice for healthy hair growth.

Hair Growth Shampoo with Essential Oils

Essential oils help rehydrate the skin and scalp, preventing dryness and itching. They can also help prevent hair from becoming dry and brittle and support hair growth.

Jojoba Oil

A common ingredient in DHT shampoo and conditioner, this plant oil is extracted from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis plant. It contains antioxidants, vitamins A and E, oleic, linoleic, and palmitic fatty acids. This non-greasy oil is suitable for all hair types, and helps to moisturize and strengthen hair, tame frizz, and keep split ends at bay. It also protects from heat damage from curlers, hair dryers, and flat irons, while adding body to your hair and leaving a lustrous shine. Because it’s gentle, this natural oil will not irritate your scalp.

Argan Oil

Argan oil, also known as Moroccan argan oil or simply Moroccan oil, is packed with a variety of vitamins and nutrients, particularly vitamins A, C, and E, along with omega-6 fatty acids and lineolic acid. It also has rich antioxidant properties that allow it to neutralize and regulate free radicals. All of these nutrients in an argan oil of Morocco shampoo may protect hair while increasing hair’s elasticity to restore shine to dull hair and prevent breakage and split-ends.⁷

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil has natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory characteristics which help to reduce itching and dryness in the scalp. Studies also suggest that menthol, the main active ingredient in peppermint oil, may act as a vasodilator (similar to minoxidil). A topical solution of 4% menthol was found to increase blood flow in cutaneous microvasculature more than placebo solutions.⁸

In a study involving mice. subjects were split into four groups given topical applications of either saline, jojoba oil, 3% minoxidil, or 3% peppermint oil over a 4-week period. Researchers evaluated results based on hair growth, enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase, gene expressions of IGF-1, and histological analysis.

Researchers found that the topical peppermint oil solution showed the most prominent effects on hair growth, including significant increases in dermal thickness, follicle depth, and total number of follicles. Most importantly, peppermint oil had no signs of toxicity or effect on weight gain and food efficiency. This suggests that peppermint oil may help to stimulate hair growth by inducing a rapid anagen phase without any noticeable side effects.⁹

Other Ingredients in DrFormulas® HairOmega® DHT Blocker Shampoo

As the best DHT blocker shampoo, our shampoo contains a variety of other active ingredients to support hair growth and promote healthy locks.

Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is a common ingredient in DHT blocker shampoos. DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is an androgen hormone. Excess levels of DHT have been linked to male and female pattern baldness by causing hair follicles to shrink, ultimately resulting in hair loss. Saw palmetto has been found to inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme is known to convert testosterone into DHT, resulting in higher DHT levels. Saw palmetto may help to regulate DHT and balance hormone levels to reduce hair loss and promote hair growth. Saw palmetto is also one of the most popular treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate), a condition often linked to high DHT levels.¹⁰

Biotin

Biotin is a B vitamin commonly found in yeast, egg yolks, sardines, legumes, and other foods. It plays a variety of roles in the human body, but it is best known for its potential to reduce hair loss. Studies show that biotin deficiency can result in hair loss, so using a biotin shampoo may stimulate hair growth and support thicker, healthier hair.¹¹

Caffeine

Best known as the active component in coffee, caffeine may be beneficial to your hair’s growth and health. Studies have found that topical applications of caffeine in concentrations of 0.001 percent and 0.005 percent could counteract the suppressive effects of testosterone on hair growth in scalp samples affected with androgenetic alopecia. This resulted in increased hair shaft elongation. The mechanisms of action may include inhibition of phosphodiesterase, penetration of hair follicles, and improvement in barrier function, all leading to potential hair growth. Further studies are necessary to understand these mechanisms and how caffeine may be used in a DHT blocker shampoo.¹³

DrFormulas® HairOmega® DHT Blocker Hair Growth Shampoo is the perfect complement to your hair health regime. The gentle, all-natural ingredients will protect your hair, leaving hair looking vibrant and feeling soft and strong. For extra hair health support, use DrFormulas® HairOmega® DHT Blocker Hair Growth Conditioner alongside our shampoo.

Sources:

1. https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_Report.cfm?dirEntryID=188453
   
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20381602
   
3. Baumann, Leslie MD. Cosmeceuticals and Cosmetic Ingredients. 2015. McGraw Hill Medical.
4. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/should-people-be-concerned-about-parabens-in-beauty-products/
5. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/sulfates
6. https://sciencing.com/sulfate-5457669.html
7. https://www.byrdie.com/argan-oil-for-hair
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4289931/
9. https://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/hepo.2014.60.issue-2/hepo-2014-0010/hepo-2014-0010.pdf
10. https://www.healthline.com/health/saw-palmetto-hair-loss
11. https://www.verywellhealth.com/biotin-for-hair-growth-89236

12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387693/#sec1-6title
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3500065/
14. https://www.pnas.org/content/93/22/12525.short