Since these shampoos are quite hard to find I decided to scour the net, looking through the ingredients of hair loss shampoos to find ones that contain DHT blocker ingredients. The main ingredient we’re looking for here is saw palmetto. DHT blocker shampoos use saw palmetto to inhibit DHT. Other ingredients that may block DHT include Nettle, Azelaic acid and pumpkin seed oil.

All of the following shampoos contain ingredients that may block DHT.

Scroll down to the bottom to see my verdict on which one of these is the best and if any are actually worth buying.

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  DS Labratories Revita Anti-DHT Hair Loss Shampoo Around $40 for 6oz

  Key ingredients: Caffeine, Ketoconazole (anti-fungal), Apple Seed Extract, Roobios Leaf, Apple Polyphenol (Procyanidin B-1), Carnitine HCl, MSM

  The good: SLS free. Quality ingredients. Apple polyphenols may increase circulation. Roibios may inhibit DHT. Ketaconazole will help with dandruff.

  The bad: Probably least effective against DHT. Very expensive.

• 

  Groganics DHT Blocker Shampoo Around $8 for 8oz

  Key ingredients: Saw palmetto, Nettle Leaf, Shea Butter.

  The good: Saw palmetto and nettle may inhibit DHT. Low price.

  The bad: Main base ingredient is ammonium laurl sulphate.

• 

  Nioxin Cleanser Anti-DHT Shampoos Around $19 for 10.5oz

  Key ingredients: Co-enzyme A, Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine (Viutamin B6), Cyanocobalamin, Biotin, Folic Acid, Niacin, Thiamine HC1, Ubiquinone (Co-enzyme Q10), Yarrow plant, Cammomile, Camellia sinensis, Pomelo, Horsetail, lots of other plant extracts including saw palmetto.

  The good: Lots of B vitamins and lots of plant extracts that may contain beneficial chemicals.

  The bad: Negligable amounts of saw palmetto — unlikely to have much (if any) impact on DHT. Contains sodium laureth sulphate.

• 

  Nisim Hair Loss Shampoo Around $24 for 8.5oz

  Key ingredients: Blend of plant extracts including Ginseng. B vitamins Inositol, Panthenol and Biotin. Amino acids Cystine, Cysteine and Methionine.

  The good: A good mix of B vitamins and amino acids

  The bad: Contains sodium laureth sulphate, sodium laurl sulphate, preservatives and artificial colours. None of it’s ingredients are known to inhibit DHT as far as I know.

• 

  Revivogen Anti DHT Shampoo Around $45 for 12.5oz

  Key ingredients: Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil, Panthenol, Ascorbic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Zinc Sulfate, Linoleic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Vitamin B6, Niacin, Saw Palmetto, Menthol.

  The good: Azelaic acid and saw palmetto are probably the best natural DHT inhibitors available. Lots of beneficial ingredients in this shampoo.

  The bad: Lot’s of rubbish too. Also the levels of azelaic acid and saw palmetto are probably less than 5% and so won’t do much to inhibit DHT.

• 

  HairGenesis Anti DHT Shampoo Around $31 for 7.5oz

  Key ingredients: Saw Palmetto, L-Carnitine, Beta-Sitosterol, R-Thioctic Acid, Borage Oil,
  Evening Primrose Oil, Prunus Africana Bark Extract, Japanese Green Tea, Biotin.

  The good: This is the first anti-DHT shampoo I’ve seen that has decent levels of saw palmetto in it. Borage oil and Evening Primrose oil also major benefits. Green tea should contain anti-oxidants.

  The bad: Contains Sodium Laureth Sulphate.

The Verdict

It’s debatable as to whether saw palmetto is effective at inhibitting scalp DHT topically. It’s also debatable as to whether these shampoos will carry the saw palmetto and other active ingredients into the scalp and papillas. That said, if you’re massaging a shampoo into your scalp every day, it’s worth massaging quality ingredients that may also help reduce scalp DHT levels and even feed the hair.

A lot of the shampoos I’ve looked at claim that they contain ingredients that block DHT, but the volume of active ingredients is so low they’re unlikely to do anything. It’s better to go for a shampoo with less ingredients, but higher levels of the important active ingredients. For that reason my top anti-DHT shampoo is the HairGenesis. Although it contains some less desirable ingredients it has the highest concentration of saw palmetto (of the shampoos I’ve reviewed).

Have I missed anything?

If you’ve found an anti-DHT shampoo that you’d like me to take a look at let me know in the comments. If you have any other questions or comments about DHT blocker shampoo use the comments form below.

The Dermaroller is a plastic roller about 3 cm wide, which is covered in metal needles of about 2-3 mm in length. It is used by rolling the needles over the skin, gently puncturing the outer layers of skin. It is marketed as a device for improving the condition of the skin — healing scars, stretch marks and other skin conditions.

However, having studied and tested this product I have found it to be an excellent weapon in the fight against hair loss. The theory behind the Dermaroller is absolutely in sync with my theories on hair loss and hair growth.

The Dermaroller works by causing very minor damage to the skin (puncturing the skin with the tiny needles). This encourages the skin to regenerate and heal, where it would otherwise not do so.

The Dermaroller for Hair Loss/Hair Growth

Because the Dermaroller stimulates regeneration in the areas it is applied to, it can also work to stimulate hair re-growth (in places where hair loss has occurred). Stimulating blood circulation is a proven way of stopping hair loss and encouraging hair growth because it increases the supply if raw materials to the hair, thus encouraging increased growth.

Increased blood circulation in the scalp may also help reduce DHT levels in the scalp because the increased blood flow may help remove more DHT from the hair papilla –providing there is less DHT in the blood than there is in the papilla it travels to and from.

Would I recommend the Dermaroller for treating Hair Loss?

Absolutely. If you follow my views on how to stop hair loss and encourage hair growth you’ll know that the Dermaroller can be used to improve on the methods I outline in the circulation section of my hair loss eBook.

Causing minor short term damage to the scalp is an excellent way of encouraging scalp regeneration. The trick is to make sure that the regeneration involves hair regrowth — to do that you need to make sure your scalp is in ‘hair growth mode’ and not ‘hair loss mode’, as I put it in my book.

Click here for more information about the Dermaroller

• 

  suki daily organic shampoo revitalizing Around £25 for 150ml

  Primary ingredients: Organic horse chestnut, organic yerba protein, rice protein.

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  Bentley Organic Shampoo Around £4 for 250ml

  Primary ingredients: orange, lemon, grapefruit, chamomile.

• 

  Green People Aloe Vera Organic Shampoo Around £8 for 200ml

  Primary ingredients: Aloe vera, lavender, olive oil.

  See also: Green People’s other SLS free organic shampoos.

• 

  Natura Fortifying Organic Shampoo Around £11 for 250ml

  Primary ingredients: Sage, lemon, nettle.

• 

  Natraderm Organic Shampoo Around £7.50 for 150ml

  Primary ingredients: Olive oil, jajoba oil, coconut oil, aloe vera.

• 

  Natraderm Organic Shampoo Around £9 for 250ml

  Primary ingredients: Rosa Damascena Flower Water, linseed, nettle, plantain, horse chestnut.

• 

  Organic Blue Shampoo Around £4 for 250ml

  Primary ingredients: Neem, mandarin, clover flower, edler flower, passion flower, ginger root, lemon, lime.

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  John Masters Honey and Hibiscus Hair Reconstructing Organic Shampoo Around £25 for 177ml

  Primary ingredients: Wheat germ oil, jajoba oil, hibiscus extract, honey, lavender, pink grapefruit, ylang ylang.

• 

  Skin Blossom Complete Care Organic Shampoo Around £5 for 200ml

  Primary ingredients: Aloe leaf rosemary oil, bergamot oil, lemon oil, lime oil, sweet orange oil.

• 

  Rawganic Conditioning Shampoo – For Sensitive Skin Around £3 for 200ml

  Primary ingredients: Aloe vera, frankincense, sandalwood.

Here’s a quick guide on how much it could cost you to treat your hair loss, for anyone who’s fairly new to the world of hair loss treatments – and whether you’ll actually get any results for your money.

Hair loss shampoos

These specialist shampoos cost between £5 and £50, with an average price of around £10. If you want a hair loss shampoo that works you’ll probably need to spend about £20 on something like Spectral DNC (see my guide to hair loss shampoos for more). This should last around two months costing you around £120 a year.

Minoxidil

Shampoo is not likely to be enough to stop anyone’s hair loss. If you’re bothered enough about your hair loss to buy a specialist shampoo you’re probably happy enough to use a topical minoxidil product like Rogaine. Rogaine costs around £20 per month but you can buy a cheaper brand like Kirkland for about £20 for a three months supply. So that’s going to set you back an additional £60 per year.

Using shampoo and minoxidil will improve circulation in the scalp, which is a powerful way of boosting hair growth (see turbo charge circulation in the scalp to stop hair loss). However this isn’t enough for men suffering from androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness).

DHT inhibitors

DHT is the primary cause of hair loss. So f you want to stop hair loss you’ll most likely need to reduce your body’s DHT levels and remove DHT from your scalp. You can achieve reasonable success at this using a liquid saw palmetto supplement. This could cost you up to £20 per month. With multi-buy discounts you might get this for under £10 a month, costing you around £120 a year.

Adding it all up

Even doing all of this I would say the average 30 year old male suffering relatively mild premature hair loss would have a 60% chance of preventing further hair loss. This is why there is a lot of money in the hair loss industry. Because even if you spend £300 a year you still only have about a 60% chance of maintaining your hair, let alone regrowing lost hair (which is what anyone buying a hair loss treatment really wants).

Conclusions and recommendations

Using an expensive hair loss shampoo, a topical minoxidil product and a DHT inhibitor may seem like a comprehensive strategy against hair loss, but it’s not likely to achieve more than maintenance in most cases. This strategy doesn’t take into account the shiny sebum based plaque that clogs the pores of many peoples scalps. Without removing this layer, the minoxidil and shampoo are less likely to be effective. Furthermore this strategy doesn’t deal with stress related hair loss or hair loss linked to poor liver efficiency.

The other problem with the shampoo, minoxidil and saw palmetto strategy is that it only works while you continue to follow it. As soon as you stop the hair loss will certainly start again.

You’re better off following a strategy like this:

Step 1: Remove the sebum based plaque and DHT from the scalp, clearing the pores
Step 1.1: If necessary reduce sebum production, using an inexpensive supplement
Step 1.2: Feed the hairs directly via the scalp
Step 2: Boost circulation to the scalp using some simple techniques
Step 3: Improve the efficiency of the liver to help used hormone and fat elimination
Step 4: Normalise hormonal balance by increasing ‘prostaglandins’
Step 4.1: Reduce DHT production further using inexpensive superfoods
Step 5: Feed the hair internally using some key superfoods
Step 6: If necessary train your mind to react calmly to stress, pressure and worry to stop stress related hair loss

Step 1 is a very important step for most people, which isn’t really addressed by any commercial hair loss treatment. If you haven’t completed this first step yet, your miles behind in your fight against hair loss.

The other steps can be completed in various orders. For people suffering from stress, it’s wise to get onto a mind training programme early as this can be followed while you complete the other steps.

DHT is obviously one of the primary concerns for any hair loss sufferer. Unfortunately supplements are often ineffective against DHT as the body has a hard time assimilating them. You’re better off using super foods that contain ingredients that do the same things as hair loss supplements but are more easily digested and of course a lot cheaper.

Making fighting hair loss easy

Fighting hair loss can be a complicated task. There are so many factors to consider – DHT, blood circulation, diet, stress and much more. You could easily spend hundreds of pounds on treatments that don’t even treat the specific cause of your hair loss. That’s why it’s a good idea to get informed.

By following the simple instructions in my eBook you’ll know exactly what to do to eliminate the key underlying causes of hair loss and get your body into a condition (with regard to hormonal balance, mental condition and nutrient intake) that promotes hair growth rather than causing hair loss.

Until your body is in ‘hair growth mode’ you will continue to lose hair, no matter what hair loss treatments you use.

What to look for in a shampoo

If you want to fight hair loss and help your hair grow you want a shampoo that contains ingredients that improve circulation in the scalp. You also need a shampoo that cleanses your scalp well, otherwise pores may become blocked, leading to hair loss. These are the primary two concerns. After that you can start to look for shampoos containing nutrients that help feed your hair or energize cells in the scalp. Read on to learn which shampoos do this.

What to avoid in a shampoo

You need a shampoo that cleanses your scalp well, but you should avoid shampoos with harsh chemicals like “sodium laurl sulfate” — this is like a bleach, which after years of use may cause hair follicle miniaturization and may also be toxic if absorbed through your skin (though in small doses is safe). Take a look at this Dr. Mercola article for more information on toxic chemicals in shampoo.

My review of hair loss shampoos — what is the best shampoo for hair loss prevention and hair growth promotion?

I’ve listed below some of the hair loss shampoos available. Where I’ve listed the benefits and drawbacks for each shampoo I have listed ALL the benefits and ALL the drawbacks (as far as I can see). So if there’s only one benefit, there’s only one benefit — likewise with the drawbacks. If you want me to look at any other shampoos, let me know in the comments.

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  Natur Vital Hair Loss Shampoo Around £9.99 for 300ml

  • Contains pro-vitamin B5 and vitamins A, B3, B7, E, F, H, H1
  • Contains nutrients from germinated wheat

  • Full ingredients list undisclosed
• 

  Korres Men Magnesium and Wheat Proteins Anti Hair Loss Shampoo Around £9.00 for 250ml

  • Contains pro-vitamin B5, magnesium, zinc and wheat proteins

  • Contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate
• 

  LA Science Anti Hair Loss Shampoo Around £14.00 for 250ml

  • May improve blood circulation in the scalp to increase nutrient flow to the hair
  • Copper peptides may help deliver nutrients to the hair through the skin

  • Full ingredients list undisclosed
• 

  Viviscal Shampoo and Scalp Cleanser Around £9.00 for 150ml

  • May help keep pores clear in scalp

  • Contains Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
• 

  Revlon PROYOU Anti-Hair Loss Shampoo Around £8.00 for 350ml

  • Active ingredient Swertia may help stimulate increased blood circulation
  • Has been clinically tested by Institute of Skin and Product Evaluation of Milan with positive results

  • Full ingredients list undisclosed
• 

  Mirage Anti Hair Loss Shampoo Around £13.00 for 300ml

  • Contains a good number of natural ingredients and vitamins including: A, B1, B2, B3-Niacin, B5, B6, B12, C-Ascorbic Acid, D, E and K
  • Contains nettle, which may inhibit DHT

  • Contains Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
• 

  Follicare® Revitalizing Anti-Hair Loss Shampoo with UV Protection Around £15.00 for 240ml

  • Claims to remove sebum from the scalp leaving pores clear (however this will probably not work for many people – see here for explanation)
  • Contains nettle, which may inhibit DHT
  • Free of sulfates and parabens

  • I’m slightly weary of a shampoo that leaves UV protection on your hair/scalp, when it should be cleaning/removing chemicals from your hair scalp rather than leaving chemicals behind after rinsing
  • Contains Sodium methyl Cocoyl Taurate and Sodium Xylene Sulfonate (not as bad as sodium laurl sulfate but may still be toxic)
• 

  American Crew Revitalising Daily Anti-Hair Loss Shampoo Around £8.00 for 250ml

  • Contains copper peptides, which may improve absorption of ingredients
  • Contains saw palmetto, which may inhibit DHT

  • Contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Chloride
• 

  DS Laboratories Revita Hair Growth Stimulating Shampoo Around £20.00 for 180ml

  • Contains copper peptides, which may improve absorption of ingredients
  • Contains apple polyphenol, which may improve circulation in the scalp
  • Contains MSM, amino acids and biotin
  • Contains emu oil, which contains nutrients and may help nutrient absorption
  • Contains caffeine and carnetine tartrate, which may increase cell energy in scalp, increasing hair growth
• 

  Sebamed Anti-Hair loss Shampoo Around £5.00 for 200ml

  • Contains ginkgo biloba and niacin, which may increase blood circulation in the scalp
  • Contains caffeine, which may help increase circulation and energize cells to increase hair growth

  • Contains sodium laurl sulfate
• 

  Plantur Caffeine Shampoo Around £8.00 for 250ml

  • Contains caffeine, which may help increase circulation and energize cells to increase hair growth

  • Contains sodium laurl sulfate
• 

  FAST Hair Growth Accelerating Shampoo Around £12.00 for 350ml

  • Contains pantenol, inositol, cysteine, biotin and methionine, which may help feed the hair

  • Contains sodium laurl sulfate
• 

  Nourkrin Shampoo Around £8.00 for 150ml

  • Contains the Nourkrin marine protein compound

  • Contains disodium laureth sulfosuccinate (similar to sodium laurl sulfate)
• 

  QS 3D Hair Loss Shampoo Around £10.00 for 330ml

  • Piroctone olamine may help with dandruff

  • Contains sodium laurl sulfate
• 

  Klorane Quinine B6 Shampoo For Hair Loss Around £5.00 for 200ml

  • Contains biotin and panthenol

  • Contains sodium laurl sulfate
• 

  Nisim New Hair Biofactors Shampoo Around £15.00 for 240ml

  • Contains gingseng extract, inositol, panthenol, cystine, cysteine and biotin

  • Contains sodium laurl sulfate and sodium chloride

Conclusion: What is the ideal shampoo for hair loss sufferers?

The first and foremost requirement of a shampoo is that it cleans your hair and scalp, helping to keep your pores clear. If you’ve read my hair loss eBook you’ll know how to keep your pores clear of embedded sebum — in this case your best bet is to use a gentle shampoo, as you have the most powerful method of keeping your pores clear.

The second most important requirement is that your shampoo contains no harsh chemicals that may cause your hairs to miniaturize or break with continued regular use (like bleaching does). Try to avoid shampoos containing sodium laurl sulfate if possible.

Now, if you’re looking for a shampoo that helps promote hair growth the best way of achieving this is to increase circulation in the scalp. You should be getting the nutrients required for hair growth through diet. Improved circulation in the scalp will help get these nutrients to your hair.

If you want to try to boost direct nutrient intake in the scalp using your shampoo, choose a shampoo that contains biotin, cysteine and proteins. However, unless your scalp is free of embedded sebum these nutrients are unlikely to penetrate the scalp — some shampoos get around this by using ‘copper peptides’ (tiny particles) that are thought to help nutrients penetrate the skin. These are not likely to help people with permanently shiny scalps though — you will need to use my method to solve this problem.

In my opinion the best shampoo out there is DS Laboratories Revita Hair Growth Stimulating Shampoo. This shampoo ticks all the boxes. However, it’s very expensive. If £20 is a bit excessive (which it probably is for most people), you’re probably better off going for a natural or even organic shampoo that is isn’t specifically labelled as a hair loss shampoo. The problem with a lot of hair loss shampoos is they contain ingredients that may help promote hair growth, but to save money they’ve used cheap toxic base ingredients.

So if you’re not prepared to pay for the DS Labs Revita shampoo, you’re probably better off looking for an organic shampoo. But be careful; just because it says it’s organic doesn’t mean it doesn’t contain toxic ingredients. Even the ‘mop organic shampoos’ contain sodium laurl sulfate.

Check out my article on organic SLS free shampoos. You’ll see that most of these have similar ingredients to the hair loss shampoos listed above, and in most cases will have just as good effects — if not better.