To date, the only two FDA approved hair loss treatments include Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil). However, a number of alternative oral and topical products are marketed daily as effective hair regrowth solutions.  Though there is no question that marketing often over-reaches in order to sell a product, the real question balding men and women ask is, is there any proof that these products are effective in treating baldness?  What is the chance of regrowing hair?

Topical Hair Loss Products, Treatments and Cover Ups (Concealers)

For centuries men and women have been rubbing hair loss products including solutions, ointments, treatments and concoctions on their thinning hair in the hope of stimulating hair regrowth. In ancient Egypt it was popular to rub the fats of various animals, including lions, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, ibex, serpents and geese, onto the scalp as a hair loss cure.

Hippocrates had a personal interest in finding a treatment for baldness as he suffered from hair loss. He developed a number of different treatments, including a mixture of horseradish, cumin, pigeon droppings, and nettles to the scalp. These concoctions failed miserably and he became prominently bald. These and other treatments failures have continued to disappoint balding men and women.

Today’s Topicals - Snake Oils or Legitimate Hair Loss Products?

Today topical hair loss products such as special shampoos, conditioners, Rogaine, various scalp treatments, and cover up products can offer a potentially helpful adjunct to more effective and proven treatments such as Propecia (finasteride), Avodart (dutasteride), and or surgical hair restoration. However, many of the claims made by these topical treatments are unproven and even false.

What About Oral Hair Loss Treatments – Do They Work?

In addition to a multitude of topical hair loss treatments available, there’s an abundance of oral supplements that are conjectured to treat baldness.  Most oral solutions include ingredients that attempt to stop hair loss by inhibiting the production of DHT, the hormone responsible for androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness).  However, much like topical treatments, very little proof exists for the majority of these claims.

Many products such as Provillus, Procerin, and Extreme Hair Therapy include both an oral and topical solution that attempt to stop hair loss at its source while working to stimulate hair follicles.  But how effective are these topical, oral and all-in-one solutions?

To learn more about various Topical Hair Loss Products, click below

DHT Blockers– These topical such as Revivogen, Crinagen, Progesterone Creams, and Xandrox claim to minimize the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) present in the balding scalp. They are applied directly to the scalp.

Growth Stimulators- These topical solutions claim to work by stimulating hair growth. They include Rogaine, Tricomin, Folligen, Proxiphen (along with Prox-N and Nano Shampoo) and Retin-A.

Azelaic Acid– An active ingredient found in popular topical hair loss treatments such as Xandrox and Provillus conjectured to inhibit the production of DHT.

Superoxide Dismutase– These topicals such as Tricomin, Proxiphen, Proxiphen-N and Folligen, claim to stop hair loss by reducing Super Oxide and also stimulating hair growth and reducing tissue inflammation.

Anti-Inflammatories- These anti-inflammatory treatments claim to reduce itching, flaking, redness, and inflammation that may increase hair loss. These topical treatment options include Tricomin, Folligen, Proxiphen and Proxiphen-N, Betadine and T-Gel and Nizoral Shampoo.

Cover Ups / Concealers- Topically applied scalp/hair cover ups like Toppik, Prothik, and Couvré can do a surprisingly good job of masking and minimizing a person’s appearance of being bald. These topical concealers and “cover ups” act by reducing the contrast between a hair loss sufferer’s thinning hair and balding scalp, while increasing the volume and fullness of the thinning hair.

Rogaine (Minoxidil)) – Applied twice daily to the balding areas, this treatment has only been shown to work in the crown (back of the head). It is the only topical treatment for hair loss that is FDA approved.

Propecia (Finasteride)– An FDA approved oral hair loss solution proven to inhibit the production of DHT, the hormone responsible for genetic male pattern baldness (MPB).

Provillus– A popular oral and topical solution containing FDA approved hair regrowth solution minoxidil and a number of all-natural ingredients that supposedly inhibit the production of DHT

Saw Palmetto– A popular herbal treatment contained in many marketed hair loss products including but not limited to Provillus, Procerin, and Extreme Hair Therapy (EXT)

Extreme Hair Therapy (EXT) – A nonsurgical 5 step hair loss treatment process provided by Hair Club

Xandrox– Topical hair loss solution containing azelaic acid and FDA approved hair regrowth solution minoxidil

Revivogen– Topical hair loss solution containing a number of all natural ingredients said to inhibit the production of DHT

Crinagen – A topical spray containing ingredients said to inhibit the production of DHT

Progesterone– A synthetic form of the female hormone progesterone that has been used to treat female hair loss

TRX2- TRX2 is marketed to hair loss suffering men and women and claims to help promote and sustain healthy hair growth through potassium channels.

To learn more about these and other treatments, see what real patients are saying about them on our hair loss forum.

Most hair loss sufferers can benefit from hair transplants. However, some are better candidates than others and will achieve more dramatic results.

Different Patients Achieve Different End Results

Two Hair Transplant Sessions one totaling 1860 grafts the other 2995 grafts

It is important to have realistic expectations and to find a hair transplant surgeon who can meet or exceed your expectations.

Surgical hair restoration is largely a matter of "Supply and Demand".

The look you can and will achieve with hair transplants is determined by several factors. But the most critical factor is really a question of "supply and demand".

The supply of hair is how much viable bald resistant donor hair you have. The demand is how much bald area you want to cover and to what degree of thickness.

Your “Donor Hair” determines what you can achieve.

For virtually all hair loss sufferers, even those with severe baldness, there is typically hair that grows for life on the sides and back of the head. This is because the hair in this "donor area" is genetically different from the hair on the top of the head in people who go bald.

The hair follicles in the "donor area" are genetically resistant to the effects of such baldness causing hormones as (DHT) dihydrotestosterone. That's why they continue to grow, while the hair on the top (in the male pattern baldness area) thins and goes bald over time.

How much viable donor hair you have will largely determine how much you can accomplish with hair transplants. Most people have enough viable donor hair to do at least one or two hair transplant procedures.

While Nizoral 2% shampoo is more effective at inhibiting DHT production and its binding to hair follicles, Nizoral regular strength offers a smoother, gentler approach to treating hair loss while minimizing scalp irritating effects from other topical treatments such as Rogaine 5% liquid.

This product includes 1% of the active ingredient ketoconazole. To view the clinical abstract proving the effectiveness of ketoconazole in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, view "Ketoconazole as a hair loss treatment". Alternatively, you can obtain a prescription from your medical practitioner for the more concentrated 2%.

Developing Realistic Expectations:

Men and women sometimes suffer from hair loss for different reasons. Thus, diagnosing its cause is necessary to facilitate and promote proper treatment.

Don't expect immediate results. It's recommended to use Nizoral in conjunction with other proven treatments for at least 6 to 12 months before determining its effectiveness. Documenting your progress with bi-monthly photos can help you determine whether or not Nizoral has been successful in helping you maintain existing hair.

To date, only surgical hair restoration is proven to grow hair in completely bald areas. You are invited to have a free virtual consultation with one of our prescreened hair restoration physicians.

It was Hippocrates, the “Father of Modern Medicine”, who first recognized a connection between hair loss and the sexual organs. Hippocrates’ studies of eunuchs (men castrated before puberty) observed that these men did not suffer from hair loss.

We know today that this is due to the absence of testosterone, which is normally converted into dyhydrotestosterone or DHT – the active ingredient in baldness. In March 1995, Duke University researchers came to the conclusion that " . . . while castration may be a cure, it is not commercially acceptable."

Hippocrates had a personal interest in finding a cure for baldness as he suffered from hair loss. He developed a number of different treatments including a mixture of horseradish, cumin, pigeon droppings, and nettles to the scalp. This and other treatments failed to work and he lost the rest of his hair. The area of permanent hair on the back and sides of the head (from which donor hair is taken for hair transplants) is also known as the “Hippocratic wreath.”

Ancient Rome and Hair Loss

Moving from Greece to the Roman Empire, we find that Julius Caesar employed a variety of methods to hide his thinning hair. In addition to the laurel wreath that he wore, he first grew his hair long in the back, and then combed it forward over his bald spot. Yes, the “Comb Over” is ancient.
Learn how man has treated hair loss up to modern times.
Being a Eunuch – the sure way to stop baldness

In the 1940’s, the studies of Hippocrates and Aristotle were continued. Both men had concluded that eunuchs always kept all their hair.

This finding was backed up by the work of Dr. James Hamilton.

He discovered that certain male hormones (missing in eunuchs) were critical to the development of male pattern baldness.

Stemcelex is the newest product in a long line of hair restoration therapies claiming to “cure” hair loss via stem cell therapy. Given the recent onslaught of news regarding stem cell based hair loss treatments, injectable baldness cures, and research breakthroughs, it’s not surprising to see new therapies claiming to aggressively fight hair loss through these same mechanisms. However, is Stemcelex truly a stem cell based, regenerative hair loss cure, or is it another therapy simply riding the recent wave of interest in these types of non-invasive, revolutionary treatments?

At first glance, Stemcelex seems quite impressive. The product website is filled with scientific explanations, graphs, charts, and diagrams explaining the science behind stem cell based hair restoration. Stemcelex even states its affiliation with Dr. George Cotsarelis, a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center who, along with a talented research team, recently discovered that the bald scalp does not suffer from a lack of stem cells, but rather a dysfunction in the pathway to properly activating stem cells to produce hair. The finding was significant and Dr. Cotsarelis’ involvement and the seemingly detailed science look promising, but what about Stemcelex itself? Does it utilize these scientific breakthroughs and offer an effective treatment for hair loss?

Unfortunately, despite the impressive name recognition and detailed explanations, Stemcelex doesn’t appear to live up to its lofty hair restoration claims. Despite claiming to “activate” the dormant stem cells described by Dr. Cotsarelis, Stemcelex does not offer any sort of feasible molecular/stem cell based therapy. The website cleverly explains the science behind stem cell inactivation and the promise of reversing the dysfunctional pathway, but instead of reinforcing Dr. Cotsarelis’ view that cures for reversing the inactivation pathway are not yet understood, Stemcelex claims to actually fix the stem cell inactivation through a series of unproven homeopathic and herbal treatments for hair loss.

So, what is actually inStemcelex? The treatment involves a three day cycle of different lotions and topical treatments for baldness applied twice a day.

Day1: On the first day of the hair restoration cycle, a topical lotion made from Jaborandi Pilocarpus is applied twice after washing and thoroughly drying one’s hair. According to Stemcelex, Jaborandi Pilocarpus is a parasympathetic activator (it excites the nerves that cause the body to “rest and digest” during periods of relaxation) that rids the scalp of excess oils and dandruff that impede healthy follicular hair growth. Furthermore, Stemcelex claims that Pilocarpus naturally darkens and thickens existing, native hairs. According to the experts, Pilocarpus has no reproducible pharmacological applications and any evidence that it actually thickens and darkens hair is anecdotal.

Day 2: The second day of the cycle involves Veratrum Lobelianum, a family of herbs commonly used in Chinese medicine.  Stemcelex claims these herbs can penetrate the scalp and activate the necessary molecular signaling to “regenerate” the hair follicle stem cells. Furthermore, Veratrum allegedly down-regulates or prevents the production of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone directly responsible for male pattern baldness. According to the research, members of the Veratrum family have been used in everything from a Native American poison to a drug researched in human blood pressure.  Currently, they are used in cancer treatments. Although the science behind cancer therapies indicates that the drug could have some molecular benefit in signaling cell activation and inactivation, there has been no research or evidence suggesting that Veratrum is useful in fighting, reversing, or preventing the effects of male or female hair loss.

Day 3: During the third day of the Stemcelex cycle, a kelp based topical extract is applied twice daily to provide nutrients to the “new hair growth” and also ensure that the scalp remains clean and healthy. This step of the treatment doesn’t claim to be more than a simple dose of nutrients useful in good scalp hygiene.

After reviewing the active ingredients behind Stemcelex, there is no evidence to suggest that Stemcelex is an effective hair loss treatment at this point in time. The idea of activating the dormant stem cells is important to finding a molecular cure to hair loss, but despite understanding this importance, Stemcelex doesn’t offer any concrete stem cell reactivation agents. It’s possible that Veratrum may prove useful in cell signaling and reactivating dormant cells, but the current research and evidence simply don’t support its use at this time.  Furthermore, Stemcelex charges a hefty $99.85 for a month supply of the treatment which may keep even the most curious and enthusiastic hair loss suffering men and women away.

Altogether, the idea of reversing dormant hair follicle stem cells is important, but therapies for effectively stopping and rewiring this pathway do not seem to exist at this point in time. Unfortunately, this seems to nullify the claims made by Stemcelex and prevent it from becoming a stem cell hair loss cure.

In fighting hair loss, there may be certain unwelcome side effects produced. These side effects are the results of the body's natural immune response. These effects can increase hair loss, if not controlled.

But with anti-inflammatory hair loss cure products, such side effects as itching, flaking, redness, and naturally, inflammation, are reduced. These topical treatment options include Tricomin, Folligen, Proxiphen and Proxiphen-N, Betadine and T-Gel and Nizoral Shampoos.

Nizoral

Here’s one shampoo that fits in with any treatment option.

Nizoral, made for men and women, is available in any grocery store. Nizoral is effective at reducing itching, inflammation and other side effects of other treatments, such as Propecia. The shampoo also maintains scalp health. Plus, research has shown that using Nizoral for an extended period may help to treat male pattern baldness (MPB) and female pattern baldness (FPB).

It’s advised that you apply Nizoral once every three days, in rotation with your normal shampoo. However, as Nizoral’s effects can last for several days, it is a very inexpensive treatment option. After one month of use, you should then use Nizoral once every 1-2 weeks. The shampoo should be applied to wet hair and scalps. You should then leave it in for 3-5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

T/Gel Shampoos

T/Gel is the brand name for a variety of shampoos and hair loss cure treatments. Primarily, these products are designed to treat such scalp problems as dandruff, itching, flakiness, and excess oil.

The Original Formula shampoo contains 2% Neutar ®, which is essentially 0.5% Coal Tar. There’s also T/Gel’s Fine/Oily Hair Formula, Extra Strength Formula, and Stubborn Itch Control Formula. These varieties all feature Neutar, a patented product, which dissolves into the scalp as it treats the previously mentioned symptoms.

T/Sal® Maximum Strength Therapeutic Shampoo features 3% Salicylic Acid. This effectively treats the crusty scalp build-up of psoriasis, as well as problems caused by excessively oily skin. This product should be used at least three times a week, unless other wise directed by your physician. T/Gel’s Healthy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo also contains Salicylic Acid, specifically 1.8%. There’s also T/Scalp® Therapeutic Anti-Itch Liquid, which features 1% Hydrocortisone. This is meant for treating severe dandruff.

The prices for these products vary, but generally, a 16oz. bottle of the Original formula retails for about $13.00.

Nioxin shampoo and conditioners

If you have fine or thinning hair, you may want to consider the Nioxin family of hair products. These all-natural cleansers, conditioners, treatments and styling products are free of any drugs.

Nioxin can improve the hair’s health by cleansing the scalp’s skin, strengthening the hair follicle and energizing the cellular activity. In addition, Nioxin is supposed to restore the scalp’s proper moisture balance. On average, the Nioxin products take about 45 days to show their effects.

Nioxin has not been found to have any effect on DHT. However, by keeping the follicles healthy, these products may help delay hair loss. Because there are no side effects, the products can be used everyday. Nioxin typically costs $30-$125 per month.

Click to learn more about Hair Cover Ups