Excessive DHT in the hair follicle causes specific immune responses. These responses cause the cells to release a substance known as Superoxide. This substance combats against any viruses, cells, or foreign tissues. SOD's claim to fight hair loss by reducing the presence of Superoxide.

As a result, the body is less prone to reject any offending hair follicles, which helps to ward off hair loss. SOD's actually treat hair loss in more than one way. Besides reducing Superoxide, they also stimulate growth and they have anti-inflammatory properties. SOD’s are topical, as well. They include Tricomin, Proxiphen, Proxiphen-N and Folligen.

Click to learn more about Anti Inflammatories

Revivogen hair loss treatment is a "3 in 1" all inclusive product that comes with scalp therapy, one eyedropper, one shampoo and one conditioner.

This topical scalp therapy treatment, equally effective for both men and women, claims to be very successful at inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which converts testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone). The makers of Revivogen claim that it is even more effective than Propecia in reducing DHT in the scalp without the unwanted side effects. It's also potentially the most potent topical antiandrogen on the market. Antiandrogen hair loss treatments like Revivogen inhibit the production of the male hormone DHT. The makers of Revivogen claim that it is even more effective than Propecia in reducing DHT in the scalp without the unwanted side effects.  This product however, has not been approved for hair loss by the FDA.

Revivogen all natural medicated shampoo is one of the few shampoos that includes ingredients scientifically supported to help inhibit the production of DHT and its binding to hair follicles. A 12oz bottle should last just under 2 months.

Revivogen shampoo has ingredients that complement the Scalp Therapy solution, increases scalp circulation, opens pores, and produces a cooling and refreshing menthol feeling on the scalp.

Revivogen Thickening Conditioner revives limp and thinning hair in men and women by moisturizing and strengthening the hair shaft. Natural proteins add natural volume, shine and create the appearance of thicker and fuller hair. For best use, we recommend using this conditioner with Revivogen Shampoo. Or, get the discounted Revivogen Shampoo and Conditioner combination instead to save money.

We strongly recommend using Nizoral shampoo every 2 or 3 days in conjunction with these treatments. Its active ingredient ketoconazolehas proven to be a moderate DHT inhibitor and has growth properties approximately as effective as Rogaine 2%.

How It Works:

Revivogen contains scientifically backed ingredients including Azelaic Acid, Vitamin B6, Zinc, Saw Palmetto, GLA and ALA which are fatty acids proven to inhibit the production of DHT. Reducing the amount of DHT in the body and scalp reduces the risk of vulnerable hair follicles dying and falling out.

For proper treatment, Revivogen should be applied at least once a day to the scalp's affected areas as well as the surrounding areas.  Once you've used the medication, you should not wash your hair for at least three hours.  This allows the active ingredients to be absorbed into your scalp  The effects of Revivogen may take some time to work.  Most users claim to experience their desired results after about 6 months of use.

Revivogen contains no reported side effects.

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. Revivogen is not clinically proven or approved by the FDA.

Revivogen and other antiandrogens (such as Propecia, Crinagen, Nizoral, Revita, etc.) may provide marginal benefit to men and women trying to maintain existing hair due to androgenic alopecia. Propecia by far is the most effective and only proven antiandrogen. For the best chance at regrowing hair non-surgically, adding a hair growth stimulant such as Rogaineor Tricomin is crucial.

Don't expect immediate results. It's recommended to use Revivogen 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 Revivogen 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.

The Ultimate in fullness and naturalness in one surgery session.

We’ve all seen the “pluggy” hair transplants of the past. But we don’t see today’s state of the art hair transplants because they go unnoticed.

Plugs Mini Micros Follicular Units

Follicular Evolution - from plugs to micro grafts to ultra refined grafts

Surgical hair restoration has dramatically evolved from the big round “plug” grafts of the 1960 ’s and 70’s, to the “mini micrografts” of the 80’s and early 90’s, to modern hair transplant procedures using entirely follicular unit grafts .

Now hair restoration surgery is going through another important evolution that is improving both the naturalness and fullness that can be achieved from any one surgical hair transplant session.

Ultra Refined Grafting - Smaller Blades, Incisions and Grafts

Today ’s micro surgical blades, like the size of hair grafts, have become ever smaller and now enable hair transplant surgeons to safely make more tiny graft incisions in a given area then ever before. Surgeons are then able to “dense pack” select areas with as many as 40 to 60 follicular unit grafts per square centimeter. This graft density is as much as twice that of the standard follicular unit hair transplant procedure.

Such high densities of transplanted hair typically produce the appearance of fullness even after only one surgical session. Patients also experience rapid healing and no visible skin distortions due to the tiny size of these incisions.

Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Grafting - Hard on the clinic but easy on the patient.

Ultra refined follicular unit grafting raises the bar for physicians and their staff. This delicate and demanding hair transplant procedure requires more skill and careful attention to be performed properly. The smaller and more tightly packed incisions require more closely dissected follicular unit grafts that are carefully trimmed under microscopes. These small and densely packed incisions are also more difficult to place the grafts into.

This procedure also requires more careful patient selection, as “dense packing” of grafts is not appropriate for all patients.

Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Transplantation – the new “Gold Standard”

In the hands of a highly skilled physician and staff the Ultra refined follicular unit hair transplant procedure can achieve excellent new hair growth that is so natural that it is undetectable even under close scrutiny.

While the standard micro “follicular unit” hair transplant does produce natural looking results, its ability to achieve high density in only one surgical session is limited. Thus patients may have to do subsequent surgical sessions in a transplanted area to achieve a full look.

The many patient benefits of this new procedure are significant and include:

• The ability to get excellent hair density in only one surgical session.
• Minimal trauma in the graft recipient area with rapid post surgical healing.
• Little or no visible pitting or distortions in the transplanted areas.
• More natural direction and angulation of the transplanted hair.

All members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physiciansare required to perform ultra refined grafting with excellent results. Learn more about the membership standards.

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.

Topical Ingredients:

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.

Oral Ingredients:

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.

Possible Side Effects

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.

Dosage

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.

Costs

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.

Conclusions and Our Opinion

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.

Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) has been called the anti-gray hair vitamin and is considered one of the lesser known members of the vitamin B complex family (despite the fact that it’s not really a vitamin at all).  PABA is a non-protein amino acid and isn’t essential in the human body.  It can be found in foods such as liver, whole grain, yeast, and kidney and is listed as an active ingredient in several popular herbal hair loss treatments such as Provillusfor women and Procerin. 

The potassium salt in PABA called POTABA is available on prescription. POTABA is indicated for Peyronie’s Disease and scleroderma. The dose for Peyronie’s disease and scleroderma is very high (12 grams daily in 4 to 5 distributions) and must only be used under medical supervision. Because of the high doses needed to achieve clinical efficacy, patient compliance is typically poor.

But can PABA actually treat male pattern baldnessor genetic female hair loss?

Some tests conclude that PABA when combined with other elements such as folate, biotin, and pantothenic acid, may restore pre-maturely graying hair to its natural color.  Some anecdotal reports suggest it might also stop hair loss, however; there are at least as many reports that contradict this.  Moreover, we haven’t seen any evidence to suggest it can stimulate new hair growth or hair regrowth.

PABA comes in doses of 100mg, 250mg, and 500mg as a standalone product.  However, since no formal clinical studies have been performed on PABA for hair loss, a suitable dosage is mostly speculation.  Additionally, since no regulations have been placed on herbal medication, one should proceed with extreme caution before taking any herbal supplement.  Consulting with a doctor is advised.

Side Effects and warnings:

Some manufacturers of herbal replacements to medication would have you believe that herbal treatments come without potential side effects.  However, this is a farce. 

The following side effects have been reported from consumers of PABA: Anorexia, vomiting, nausea, hypersensitivity, fever and rash (particularly with larger doses). These symptoms went away when PABA is stopped.

Ironically, Provillusonly includes PABA in the woman’s formula.  However, women should know that pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children should avoid using PABA.

For those with renal disease, PABA should be used with caution.  PABA should be stopped if hypersensitivity develops. Those taking pharmaceutical doses of PABA must be under medical supervision.

Diffuse Hair Loss and How to Treat It

Unlike male pattern baldness (MPB) and female pattern hair loss (FPHL), which tends to follow one of the hair loss patterns defined by the NorwoodScale and the LudwigScale, Diffuse Patterned Alopecia (DPA) is characterized by diffuse thinning throughout the front, crown and vertex(crown) with no distinct pattern evident. However, like male and female pattern balding,Diffuse Patterned Alopecia patients typically preserve the stable "permanent zone" on the sides and back of the scalp and may sometimes retain a well-defined hairline. DPA is also a type of hereditary balding condition like and rogenetic alopecia (genetic hair loss).

Diffuse Patterned Alopecia (DPA) can be difficult to diagnose and, particularly in its early stages, may be confused with a similar condition known as Diffused Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA). While both conditions are characterized by diffuse thinning, DUPA sufferers lack the stable permanent zone necessary for surgical hair restoration.

Treatment for Diffuse Patterned Alopecia

DPA often responds well to medical hair loss treatments like Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine(minoxidil) and, due to the preservation of the permanent donor region, many DPA sufferers are candidates for hairrestoration surgery.

Conclusion

It’s essential that hair loss suffering men and women seeking medical and/or surgical treatment for diffuse thinning consult with a skilled and experienced hair restoration physician. Differentiating between DPA and DUPA is critical because Diffuse Patterned Alopecia patients frequently make good hair transplant candidates, whereas DUPA patients rarely do.

The Era of the big Wig

Soon after the Middle Ages wigs became popular for women. Then in the 1600’s the flamboyant and incredibly vain King Louis XIV of France lost his hair from a severe illness and took to wearing gigantic wigs thus setting the fashion for most men of his day.

These enormous creations featured such items as cages with live birds and could weigh up to 20 lbs.!

By the 1700’s England made another contribution to bad hair loss concealers. This was the age of the long, curly, and powered wigs. Even today, English judges and lawyers continue this practice. Thus the expression for those in authority – “Big Wigs.”

The“Snake oil” Years

The early 1800’s is renowned in hair loss circles as the age of the con men. There were hundreds of so-called “hair loss solutions” and many lasted well into the late 1900’s.

These treatments were marketed by fast-talking “doctors,” skilled only in bravery and possessing nerves of steel considering they were conning hardened cowboys and outlaws!

The salesmen hawked their products from the safety of their side shows and “Wild West” spectaculars. They used endless tricks to get people to buy their products, including rubbing grease into their hair to make it look thicker.

The “Modern” Era of Hair Loss Solutions

During the past several decades, superstition, old wives tales, and guess work has gradually been replaced by science.

In 1939, a Japanese dermatologist, Dr. Okuda, published a revolutionary method in a Japanese medical journal that would lay the ground work for modern hair transplantation.

This method involved using hair transplant grafts to correct lost hair from various areas, including the scalp, eyebrow, and moustache areas. However, this study didn’t make an impact in the Western Hemisphere due to the interruption of World War II.

Hair transplants are born.

In the late 50’s one physician in particular, Dr. Norman Orentriech, began to experiment with the idea of relocating or transplanting the hair on the back and sides of the head to the balding areas.

Dr. Orentriech’s experiments showed that when bald resistant hairs from the back and sides of the head were relocated, they maintained their bald resistant genetic characteristic regardless of where they were transplanted.

This principle, known as “Donor Dominance”, established that hair could be transplanted from the bald resistant donor areas to the balding areas and continues to grow for a life time. This laid the foundation for modern hair transplantation.

During the 60’s and 70’s surgical hair restoration grew in popularity. However, the standard procedure used large grafts that were removed by round punches and often contained many hairs.

Completed Result after Multiple Sessions of Large Grafts

This now outdated technique could achieve a full look if a patient completed all planned sessions. However, a patient was typically limited in the manner they could style their hair.

Patients who stopped short of completing all planned sessions were left with hair loss solutions that looked obvious and unnatural.

Such uncompleted hair restoration results are some times referred to as “barbie doll hair” or “corn rows”.

Many who have had these older techniques now refine or complete their hair transplants with today’s very refined techniques to achieve a natural look that they can style in any manner.

From big wigs to surgical hair restoration

The Era of the big Wig

Soon after the Middle Ages wigs became popular for women. Then in the 1600’s the flamboyant and incredibly vain King Louis XIV of France lost his hair from a severe illness and took to wearing gigantic wigs thus setting the fashion for most men of his day.

These enormous creations featured such items as cages with live birds and could weigh up to 20 lbs.!

By the 1700’s England made another contribution to bad hair loss concealers. This was the age of the long, curly, and powered wigs. Even today, English judges and lawyers continue this practice. Thus the expression for those in authority – “Big Wigs.”

The“Snake oil” Years

The early 1800’s is renowned in hair loss circles as the age of the con men. There were hundreds of so-called “hair loss solutions” and many lasted well into the late 1900’s.

These treatments were marketed by fast-talking “doctors,” skilled only in bravery and possessing nerves of steel considering they were conning hardened cowboys and outlaws!

The salesmen hawked their products from the safety of their side shows and “Wild West” spectaculars. They used endless tricks to get people to buy their products, including rubbing grease into their hair to make it look thicker.

The “Modern” Era of Hair Loss Solutions

During the past several decades, superstition, old wives tales, and guess work has gradually been replaced by science.

In 1939, a Japanese dermatologist, Dr. Okuda, published a revolutionary method in a Japanese medical journal that would lay the ground work for modern hair transplantation.

This method involved using hair transplant grafts to correct lost hair from various areas, including the scalp, eyebrow, and moustache areas. However, this study didn’t make an impact in the Western Hemisphere due to the interruption of World War II.

Hair transplants are born.

In the late 50’s one physician in particular, Dr. Norman Orentriech, began to experiment with the idea of relocating or transplanting the hair on the back and sides of the head to the balding areas.

Dr. Orentriech’s experiments showed that when bald resistant hairs from the back and sides of the head were relocated, they maintained their bald resistant genetic characteristic regardless of where they were transplanted.

This principle, known as “Donor Dominance”, established that hair could be transplanted from the bald resistant donor areas to the balding areas and continues to grow for a life time. This laid the foundation for modern hair transplantation.

During the 60’s and 70’s surgical hair restoration grew in popularity. However, the standard procedure used large grafts that were removed by round punches and often contained many hairs.

Completed Result after Multiple Sessions of Large Grafts

This now outdated technique could achieve a full look if a patient completed all planned sessions. However, a patient was typically limited in the manner they could style their hair.

Patients who stopped short of completing all planned sessions were left with hair loss solutions that looked obvious and unnatural.

Such uncompleted hair restoration results are some times referred to as “barbie doll hair” or “corn rows”.

Many who have had these older techniques now refine or complete their hair transplants with today’s very refined techniques to achieve a natural look that they can style in any manner.