Nettle root extract can be found in a number of popular hair loss treatments, such as Provillus and Procerin, and at your local health food store as a standalone product. Conjectured to effectively inhibit the production of DHT, below we examine whether or not nettles are as effective as Propecia (finasteride) in blocking DHT and stopping the progression of male or female pattern hair loss.
“Nettles” is the common name for Urtica Dioica, an herbal plant also known as the Stinging Nettle. This perennial herb is often eaten in many parts of the world and is often added to soups, salads or cooked as greens, though less frequently. Nettle leaves are long and pointy, but only the shoots and top of the plant are eaten. Nettle plants have dark green leaves and typically grow about 2 or 3 feet tall and its flowers are covered with tiny stinging hairs that contain an irritant. Allergic reactions are common if they come in contact with human skin.
Nettle root extract was found to partially block 2 enzymes by researchers such as R. Hartmann. The first is 5-alpha-reductase that when combined with testosterone, produces DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT is the hormone responsible for androgenic alopecia hair loss. The second enzyme is aromatase, which makes estrogen. Combining nettle root extract with another herbal agent pygeum has been found to inhibit these two enzymes more effectively than either one alon It was shown that nettle root extract had to be used at high dosages in order to effective whereas lower doses of pygeum worked well. Prostatonin, the combination product of nettles and pygeum have been used to treat BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy).
Studies by researchers JJ Lichius and others have shown a reduction in prostate growth in mice when large doses of nettle extract were taken orally. Combining nettle root extracts with saw palmetto berries in BPH patients reduced the amount of testosterone and estrogen. Conversely, it has been conjectured that nettles can block testosterone from binding to the sex hormone globulin, a carrier protein that binds testosterone and limits its bioavailability in the body. As a result, nettles have been called an aphrodisiac since it may help maintain testosterone levels.
Other uses of Nettles include treatment for arthritis, asthma, kidney, urinary tract infections, and last but not least, baldness.
Nettle Root as a Hair Loss TreatmentLike many other herbal supplements with some clinical evidence suggesting efficacy in treating enlarged prostates (BPH), some have claimed that nettle root extract may stop hair loss and maybe even aid hair regrowth. Because Propecia (finasteride) works to stop the progression of male pattern baldness by inhibiting the production of DHT, it is conjectured that nettle root extract may be of similar benefit.
Nettle root is a popular ingredient taken orally in a couple big name hair loss products such as Provillus and Procerin. Some have also conjectured that applying nettle root extract topically to the scalp may also facilitate new hair growth. Because many topical irritant type products are used to treat alopecia areata hair loss, some suggest nettle root extract applied topically may be effective in treating it. Those who conjecture its efficacy to treat baldness recommend doses of 500mg or more daily.
Though some have declared that nettle root extract may be an effective hair loss treatment, no clinical controlled studies have been performed proving its efficacy for androgenic alopecia (genetic female hair loss and male pattern baldness) or alopecia areata.
Despite claims made that “all natural” herbal supplements are free from side effects, nettle root has its share of warnings. When topically applied, irritation of the scalp or an allergic reaction can occur. When taken orally, it can cause upset stomach, burning, difficulty with urination, bloating and edema. Nettle root extract should not be used in patients with heart or kidney problems, due to fluid retention properties.
Those who want to try nettle root extract as a hair loss treatment should proceed with caution and consult their doctor before using it.
With hair loss treatments often being marketed without regulation or accountability, hair loss sufferers need credible information about legitimate treatments and the ethical physicians who provide them.
The Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians is a carefully selected group of skilled and ethical physicians who are united in providing patients with outstanding education and results.
Membership in the Coalition requires members to maintain a high degree of patient satisfaction. Members care for their patients knowing that their patients are free to post their experiences on the popular Hair Restoration Discussion Forum. On this open forum patients are free to critique physicians and to hold them accountable for their actions. This forum is run and moderated by hair restoration patients.
In such a transparent environment our members are held publicly accountable for their actions and results. Members who fail to meet the high technical and ethical membership standards set by the Coalition are removed from the group.
However, we ask that patients first give their physician the opportunity to satisfy their concerns privately before posting any public criticisms on the discussion forum.
If the issue is not resolved to the patient’s satisfaction they are encouraged to contact the Coalition by email to service at hairtransplantnetwork dot com
Member clinics also agree to open their clinics up to inspection. Many of these inspections have been reported on the Hair Restoration Discussion Forum. View some of these clinic visits.
The skill, technique and talent of hair restoration physicians vary widely, as do the end results. Only a minority of leading physicians provide truly state of the art hair restoration.
Coalition members are carefully reviewed and granted membership based strictly on their high level of integrity, skill, experience and ability to perform ultra refined follicular unit transplantation.
All Coalition members have made the investment in time and resources to perform a highly refined and difficult to perform state of the art procedure called “Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation”.
While many surgeons now perform standard follicular unit grafting, only a minority have risen to the challenge of using very tiny incisions and grafts to achieve ultra refined results. This ultra refined procedure, while very demanding on the physician and staff, produces excellent results for the patient with optimal density and rapid healing. It also allows the patient to achieve their goal for fullness and density with a minimal number of surgical sessions.
To learn more about Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation
A physician must meet the following requirements before being granted membership in the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians:
Note - All members contribute dues to support our joint educational resources and services.
We are open to reviewing experienced surgeons for possible membership. Apply for membership as a physician.
Membership Selection Process
Physicians with a proven track record of providing excellent ultra refined follicular unit hair transplantation and who meet the Coalition’s membership criteria will be considered for membership.
In addition to reviewing the applicant physician’s credentials, technique and results, input from patients and current members of the Coalition will be considered prior to membership being granted.
Is this hair loss treatment effective?Extreme Hair Therapy (EXT) for thinning hair is a 5 "step" hair loss treatment solution created by Hair Club that claims not only to rejuvenate your hair, but "rejuvenate your life". Making claims to be FDA approved, EXT claims to stimulate hair regrowth in thinning areas by keeping hair in the anagen (hair growth) phase longer.
Balding men and women seeking hair loss solutions should be careful to do their due diligence in researching all products they are considering. Is this one of the hair loss products that really works to treat baldness? Can Extreme Hair Therapy really deliver what it promises?
Below we take a look at each of the 5 “steps” and separate treatments and analyze whether or not EXT can remedy alopecia in men and women.
Step One: Moisturizing or Revitalizing Cleanser
This moisturizing shampoo is rich with vitamins and works to cleanse the scalp. Though it claims to revitalize and strengthen thinning hair, the ingredients are not listed on their website. Many hair rejuvenators and thickening agents (commonly referred to as volumizing shampoos) help to make hair appear thicker as they take on hydration and swell. Unfortunately, these thickening agents do nothing to stop the progression of male pattern baldness, even if it temporarily makes the hair shaft appear fatter.
Step Two: Enzyme Scalp Cleanser
Claiming to be a “new breakthrough”, this organic formula removes sebum oils that can sometimes hinder hair growth. Though sebum buildup, excessive dandruff, and scalp dermatitis are sometimes responsible for certain non-genetic types of balding such as diffuse alopecia or telogen effluvium, it does not promote androgenic alopecia (hereditary male or female hair loss).
Step Three: Energizing Conditioner
Adding nutrients such as proteins and wheat amino acids, this conditioner helps to promote a healthy scalp and hair growth. It should be noted that nothing in this step claims to stop hair loss or stimulate hair regrowth.
Step Four: Hair Revitalizing Complex
This dietary supplement containing Vitamins B3, D, and E, Biotin, saw palmetto and nettle root is taken twice daily, once in the morning and once at night. Some of these ingredients can also be found in several other hair loss products such as Provillus, Procerin, and Avacor.
Though some of these ingredients work to treat benign prostatic hyperplasis (BPH) in men by inhibiting DHT (the hormone responsible for female and male pattern baldness), no formal clinical studies have been performed on successful hair loss treatment. It should be noted that tocotrienol molecules in Vitamin E may effectively treat alopecia but its counterpart tocopherol (commonly found in alternative herbal hair loss treatments such as HairMax MD), is not supported. Additionally, because there are no regulations on herbal medications in the United States, the daily recommended value and dosage in Extreme Hair Therapy is based on something other than FDA regulation.
Step Five: Minoxidil (2% or 5%)
Minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine and Xandrox) is an FDA approved hair regrowth formula and is used by many balding men and women with great success. Because Extreme Hair Therapy includes this, they are legally allowed to claim it to be FDA approved.
Unfortunately, this information is not available on the Hair Club website. Upon calling the toll free number for this information, we are told that we must schedule a consultation with a Hair Club specialist. Customer service representatives are apparently not provided with this information.
No EXT side effects are reported on the Hair Club website however, Minoxidil may cause scalp irritation or redness, chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, faintness, swelling of the hands and/or feet, and unwanted facial hair growth. Be sure to discuss the use of herbal medication with your physician before taking them. Saw Palmetto should be avoided by pregnant women with hair loss.
The only FDA proven ingredient in Hair Club’s Extreme Hair Therapy hair loss treatment is Minoxidil. Though Saw Palmettoand nettle root may be effective in treating men with an enlarged prostate by inhibiting DHT, no formal tests have been performed on them.
Childbirth may result in hair loss. It's common for many women to notice hair loss about 3 months after they've had a baby. This too, is caused by hormones. But this is not something to worry about. You see, during pregnancy, hair that normally falls out is kept in by high levels of hormones. Once the hormones have returned to pre-pregnancy levels, this extra hair falls out. The normal cycle of hair growth and loss then begins again.
It seems that lately, new hair loss treatments based on “revolutionary scientific research” hit the rumor mill on a monthly basis. Some of these treatments come to light via reputable scientific journals while others, like Recoverup, materialize one day with a flashy website, a lot of promises and very little verifiable data. Recoverup is a UK based company that claims to offer stem cell treatments for hair loss through clinics in Taipei, Taiwan and Penang, Malaysia. According to their website, this treatment is so quick and easy it can be performed in a single day with startling results visible in only one month. Does this sound too good to be true?
Recoverup’s baldness treatment process claims to rely upon Autologous Adipose Adult Stem Cells (AAA). Unlike controversial embryonic stem cell treatments, Autologous Adipose Stem Cells are derived from the patient’s own fat cells through a small liposuction procedure and are then grown into a culture to increase volume. These stem cells are then “differentiated” with “growth factors” and injected into the scalp in order to induce new hair growth. This multistage process from extraction to injection can be performed in two appointments scheduled in the same day.
The question is, does Recoverup’s baldness treatment really grow hair? They state that “Empirical data indicates patients would expect to see at least 40% of all treated areas showing one of four results; (1) darker hair (2) thicker hair (3) faster growing hair or (4) more hair per follicle. Overall the effect is of more volume, and density, in those areas which were treated.” However, the Recoverup website offers very little in the way of photo documentation. The few photos that are presented are of poor quality and covered in text making them very difficult to evaluate.
The estimated cost for the one day hair loss treatment is between $8,000 and $13,000 depending upon the area to be treated. However, if the area to be treated is sufficiently large enough to merit a second day of treatments then this fee increases. Recoverup states that the long-term effects of the treatment are unknown and are dependent upon such factors as the patient’s age and quality of the source stem cells. “However, as a general guide, in other areas of stem cell treatment, data indicates approximately 3-5 years of positive results from each treatment.” Recoverup does offer a 30-day money back guarantee if a patient experiences no new hair growth but is also quick to point out that the results will vary. One can imagine quibbling over whether or not a single follicle that didn’t appear to exist prior to treatment would constitute success under their definition. In summary, assuming Recoverup’s AAA stem cell treatment does stimulate hair regrowth, a patient can expect to pay upwards of $13,000 plus travel expenses to Asia for a treatment that is, by their own estimates, about 40% effective and may last between 3 and 5 years. This hardly sounds like an attractive alternative or even supplement to today’s state of the art, ultra-refined follicular unit hair transplantation combined with the clinically proven medical treatments Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil). It is recommended that patients approach all unproven, “revolutionary” medical treatments with cautious optimism. Androgenic alopecia is progressive and avoiding proven surgical and medical treatments in favor of experimental procedures may lead to further hair loss.
Alopecia is the medical name for hair loss to the scalp or body. While Androgenetic Alopecia (genetic hair loss) is the most common, there are many other forms of alopecia related hair loss worth discussing. Each medically named alopecia comes with distinct symptoms, a unique cause and exclusive treatments. Below, we've compiled a list of and description for the most common types of alopecia related hair loss along with the available treatment options for each.
While the information on this website can be used as a guide, men and women who believe they are experiencing hair loss should always be properly diagnosed by a qualified hair restoration physician to determine its cause. To learn more about each distinctive alopecia hair loss condition, click the links below.
Traction Alopecia
Alopecia Areata
Diffuse Patterned Alopecia
Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA)
Cicatricial alopecia (Scarring Alopecia)
Alopecia Universalis and Alopecia Totalis
One of the more popular hair loss products on the market today for those with thinning hair is Provillus. Available for both men and women, making promises to “re-grow beautiful healthy hair”, this product consists of a topical and oral solution with an FDA approved hair regrowth ingredient and a number of conjectured “all-natural” dihydrotestosterone (DHT) blockers.
Other ingredients that promote a healthy scalp and head of hair are also contained in this product. The theory behind Provillus is to revive the hair follicles with growth stimulators and attack hair loss at its source by blocking DHT.
In order to fully evaluate the efficacy of this product, we must further explore each ingredient to determine whether or not this hair loss treatment delivers what it promises. Below you will find a list of ingredients and information that will help you determine whether or not Provillus is right for you.
Minoxidil (found in Rogaine, Xandrox and other solutions) is an FDA approved hair growth treatment and many balding men and women use it with great success. This particular ingredient is what allows Provillus to advertise their product as FDA approved.
Azelaic acid has been found to clean the skin and potentially inhibit DHT, the hormone responsible for androgenic alopecia.
Combining these two “forces” therefore in theory, may be a more powerful treatment than minoxidil alone. However, no clinical studies have been performed on azelaic acid as a standalone product therefore, whether or not it can stop hair loss is purely conjecture.
The Provillus oral solution contains a number of supposed DHT blockers including saw palmetto for hair loss, Vitamin B6 and Zinc, pumpkin or cucurbita maxima, and nettle root. Because evidence exists that these ingredients may be an effective treatment for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), theories have been produced that they might also effectively treat baldness. Though we can appreciate the aspiration for balding men and women to use herbal products as an “all-natural” replacement for Propecia (finasteride), the problem we have is that most of them only contain anecdotal if any evidence at all that they can successfully treat baldness.
Provillus oral solution also contains a number of components that are said to promote healthy hair growth and cleanse the scalp. These include eleuthero, uva-ursi, muria puama, horsetail, para-aminobenzoid acid (PABA), and magnesium. Understand however, that promoting a healthy scalp and hair is not the same as stimulating newhair growth and hair regrowth, nor does it signify an effective hair loss treatment.
The only side effect that we could find listed on the Provillus website is an upset stomach. It is reported that taking it with food often stops this. Be sure to follow the links to the ingredients listed above as many of them also have potentially reported side effects. Consulting with a physician before taking any herbal hair loss medication is advised.
Currently there are no standards on dosages of herbal medications in the United States. In addition, no formal clinical studies have been performed on them for treating baldness. Therefore, the suggested daily value listed on the ingredient package is based on something other than government regulation and scientific study.
A one month supply of Provillus topical and oral supplement for men or for women costs about $50 per month. Discounted prices are available when bought in bulk.
For the cost of Provillus, one can purchase generic finasteride and generic minoxidil which are FDA approved hair loss treatments for safety and efficacy.
Given that Provillus topical treatment contains FDA approved hair regrowth ingredient minoxidil; we can at least agree that it may have some marginal benefit for men and women suffering from androgenic alopecia. However, due to the lack of compelling evidence in these other conjectured hair loss solutions, it may be more beneficial and cost effective to spend your money on Propecia (finasteride)for men only and Rogaine (minoxidil) that has helped balding men and women worldwide.