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.
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.
A Viable Alternative to Propecia in Treating Hair Loss?Folexen S-equol , produced by Australian manufacturer Eclipse Nutraceuticals is considered an "all natural" hair loss treatment that boasts an impressive 87% success rate for preventing and reversing the effects of male pattern baldness with virtually no side effects. Folexen S-equol has also been a hot topic of discussion on our popular hair loss forum. But, does this self-described "nutraceutical" live up to its hair growth hype? Is Folexen a viable alternative to Propecia for treating the effects of male pattern baldness?
According to the FAQ on Folexen's website, the active ingredient S-equol is "a metabolite of a natural isoflavone called daidzein, which occurs in soybeans and some other food products".
Isoflavones are an organic compound produced almost exclusively by various bean types. In populations that consume large quantities of soy protein, studies have shown a lower incidence of breast cancer and other common cancers because of its role in influencing sex hormone metabolism and biological activity.
As a metabolite, S-equol is the product that remains after the isoflavone is broken down or "metabolized" by the body.
In addition to its active ingredient, Folexen contains the following GRAS (generally recognized as safe) inactive ingredients: starch, maltodextrin, allantoin, propionic acid. It may also contain hypromellose (vegetarian capsule).
But is there any evidence that S-equol works to treat hair loss?
In the body, testosterone is converted to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) via the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase (5AR). It's widely known that androgenic alopecia (genetic hair loss) results when genetically vulnerable hair follicles are exposed to DHT which then binds to the receptor sites of these follicles causing them to weaken and shrink over time. This shrinking process is known as miniaturization.
The recognized leader in the battle against the balding effects of DHT is the clinically proven and FDA approved drug Propecia (finasteride). Propecia works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT, potentially slowing or even reversing the effects of androgenic alopecia. However, approximately 2% of males who take Propecia experience debilitating sexual side effects.
Unlike finasteride, Folexen's rumored ability to suppress hair loss and potentially regrow hair is based on the theory that S-equol can bind strongly to free DHT molecules, prohibiting them from binding to the hair follicles' receptor sites. Because Folexen does not suppress the conversion of testosterone to DHT, there is no resulting increase of testosterone in the body and therefore, no sexual side effects. But are there any clinical studies supporting that S-equol can truly prevent DHT from binding to hair follicle receptor sites and prevent hair loss?
Folexen's website references four articles in peer reviewed journals. Two of these studies center on S-equol's effect on prostate health while the other two don't appear to reference S-equol at all.
At this time, there appears to be no scientific data presented supporting Folexen's efficacy as a hair loss treatment.
The company claims that the product is virtually side effect free: specifically noting that it does not cause gynecomastia (enlarged breasts), erectile dysfunction or any of the other side effects that are experienced with some other treatments.
Some users however, did report mild diarrhea that dissipated within one week of commencing treatment.
The recommended dosage of Folexen is 4 capsules per day (two every 12 hours), totaling 10mg of the active ingredient. Eclipse claims that the product has been tested safe at much higher concentrations (up to hundreds of milligrams) and there is some speculation based on available data that it may, in fact, require a dose as high as 100mg to match the Propecia's hair growth results.
Folexen is only available by mail order from Australia. A bottle of 100 2.5mg capsules (25 day supply) costs approximately $40 USD + shipping but there is a discount for purchases exceeding 4 bottles and again for 9+ bottles. However, it's easy to see that even in bulk this treatment is several times more expensive than purchasing generic 5mg finasteride and quartering the tablet, as many finasteride users do.
As a natural product and not a drug, there are no shipping restrictions. Estimated delivery time is two weeks.
Time will tell if Folexen S-equol proves to be an effective weapon in the fight against androgenic alopecia or simply another product in a long line of expensive disappointments.
Currently the only solution for regrowing hair, particularly in the hairline area, is hair transplant surgery, an advanced surgical hair restoration technique.
Done right, a hair transplant is so natural that even a hair stylist cannot detect that a person has had hair transplants.
The days of the "corn row" or "Barbie Doll" hair transplants are long gone.
To achieve such truly natural results requires a dedicated and highly skilled staff doing a state of the art hair transplant procedure. The state of the art micro hair transplant procedure that our member physicians perform is called "Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation".
Hair transplant surgery involves relocating (transplanting) the bald resistant hair follicles from the back of the head to the balding areas on the top and front of the head.
This process is effective and will last a lifetime because the hair follicles taken from the back of the head are genetically resistant to baldness, no matter where they are transplanted.
This procedure is regarded by most hair restoration physicians to be the "gold standard in hair transplants". Learn more about this hair transplant procedure.
Because this very refined procedure is difficult to perform at the highest quality level only a minority of all hair restoration surgeons perform it successfully. Our member physicians have extensive experience performing this advanced and very refined procedure with excellent proven results.
Today, hair transplant surgical hair restoration is an out-patient procedure requiring only local anesthesia. Most patients are surprised by how little discomfort they experience during and after their surgery. Many patients watch TV or sleep during their procedure.
Hair transplant surgery is the only certain way of restoring significant amounts of hair in balding areas. View hair transplant photos of actual hair loss patients.
Sharing information in the Hair Loss Learning Center forum with patients who have successfully restored their hair is a good way to begin the process of selecting a hair transplant surgeon with a proven record of restoring a natural hairline. Online consultation can put you directly in touch with one of the world's top hair restoration physicians in your area who can help you assess your options.
Finding excellent in-depth information about hair restoration, beyond infomercials and brochures, can be difficult. We recommend the below books for those interested in-depth and reliable hair restoration information.
Hair Restoration has made great progress over the last several years with new techniques that have helped improve the quality and efficiency of hair transplants. Dr. Parsa Mohebi, one of the premier hair restoration surgeons, describes these groundbreaking methods, which include new, surgical techniques, hair loss medications, and non-invasive treatments in his book.
Hair loss can have a devastating effect on our self-image and can impact our personal and professional lives in innumerable ways. Dr. Mohebi assures those who are suffering with this condition that there are many medical and surgical treatments available today to help treat patients with different types of hair loss, including specific treatments for male and female patterned baldness. Dr. Mohebi gives his readers tips that can help them evaluate their current hair loss situation in order to find the best treatment available.
Modern Hair Restoration is a one of a kind A-Z guide for most types of hair loss sufferers. It is based on the latest advancements in treating male and female patterned baldness and the newest techniques of hair restoration. The medical breakthroughs described in this book have successfully treated thousands of patients and should continue to help the lives of many more hair loss sufferers for years to come.
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"The Hair Replacement Revolution" offers hair loss suffers atruly expert and comprehensive guide to all legitimate hair loss treatments.
This guidebook is written by two credible and respected physicians, Dr.Emmanuel Marrit and Dr. JamesHarris. It alsooffers suggestions for excellent hair restoration surgeons, which are NOTdetermined by financial contributions. This book can be purchased at Amazonfor $12.00 and is truly a "Must Read"!
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Hair Restoration is in demand worldwide, but because Asian hair tends to be more sparse and coarse than Caucasian hair, transplantation procedures need to be adapted to Asian patients. This book, exclusively devoted to Asian hair, is a complete and comprehensive text written by a group of authors sharing their experience in their specialized fields of hair restoration. Included are many practical tips as well as chapters on regional transplantation such as eyebrows, eyelashes, sideburns, beards, and mustaches, in addition to the usual scalp hair restoration.
With its many illustrations, the book gives readers a complete knowledge of hair restoration surgery and provides a quick, easy-to-use reference on Asian hair and the differences in patients' demands. With an influx of new physicians in this challenging field of medicine, further education and training are imperative and must be available to provide a high standard of medical practice. This compilation meets that objective and ultimately makes the valuable contribution of restoring patients' self-confidence.
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Although it is usually an unwanted sign of ageing, hair loss may no longer be inevitable. Hopefully, by the time you finish this book you will understand the proven, effective treatment options that have become so popular. In subsequent chapters you will realize that hair loss is a problem that can be solved with new and exciting methods that will be explained in detail as we move along. We live in a new era of medical innovation and possibilities. Advances in medical research, technology and surgical techniques have restored patient's faith in the field of medical and surgical hair restoration. This books explains the entire process of hair restoration today.
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This authoritative, user-friendly guide explains the pros and cons of hairpieces, fibers, foundations, and hair thickening techniques. You’ll learn about pharmaceutical, laser, and topical treatments, and you’ll find out how to determine whether you’re good candidate for hair restoration surgery. You’ll even find help in assessing costs, controlling expectations, avoiding hair replacement scams, and determining which option truly is best for you. You’ll discover:
Complete with helpful myth-busting information about the causes of hair loss and the benefits of FDA-approved treatments, and helpful comparisons of the advantages of non-surgical and surgical hair replacement, Hair Loss & Replacement For Dummies is the resource to consult before you decide on any hair replacement treatment.
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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?
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 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.
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?
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.
Alopecia areata (sometimes referred to as“spot baldness”) is a medical condition that typically results in patchy hairloss or bald spots on the scalp, beard, arms and legs. Though the exact cause of alopecia areata is unknown, it is thought to be an autoimmune disorder causing the body’s immune system to attack its own hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.
Roughly 2% of the world’s population suffers from alopecia areata and approximately 5% of these have a family history of "alopecia", the medical term for hair loss.
Alopecia areata is normally diagnosed through the observation of symptoms. However, occasionally a scalp biopsy or blood tests may be performed.
There is no cure for alopecia areata and current treatments, while sometimes effective, offer limited success. Current treatments for alopecia areata include; steroid injections, topical corticosteroids (steroid hormonesnaturally produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates), topical immunotherapy, Rogaine(minoxidil) and ultraviolet light therapy.
Although permanent hair loss is a possibility, the course of the disease is unpredictable and varies from patient to patient. The good news is that, even without treatment and after many years,the hair follicles do remain viable and ready to resume normal hair production if and when they receive the appropriate signal. Hair regrowth may, and often does, occur in time.
Patients suffering from alopecia areata are rarely considered good candidates for hair transplant surgery because donor hair grafts harvested from the “safe” zone at the rear and sides of the scalp are still vulnerable to the effects of the body’s immune system once transplanted to the recipient sites. However, if the affected area is small, has remained unchanged for an extended period of time and if there is no sign of inflammation below the scalp, hair transplantation may be an option. This would require a thorough consultation with a skilled and experienced hair restoration surgeon and the patient would need to fully understand and accept the risks of such a procedure.
Depending upon the severity of the condition, hair loss concealers like Toppik, Nanogen and DermMatch may help disguise bald patches. In more severe cases, a hair replacement system or full wig may be necessary.
Aswith all forms of hair loss, patients suffering from alopecia areata may experience emotional and psychological trauma. It’s important to reach out to family and friends, join an alopecia support group and/or seek the services of a mental health professional if you are experiencing intense, prolonged and overwhelming psychological effects.
