Is it Effective in Treating Baldness?Hair loss suffering men and women are always seeking new and credible treatments and with good reason. Medical science is still years from producing a true hair loss cure and current treatment options are vastly limited. Women with hair loss have even fewer options than their balding male counterparts when it comes to proven, non-surgical hair loss treatments. Additionally, there is no shortage of cunning charlatans waiting to take advantage of the unwary consumer. Thus, when a new product like Kevis Hair Rejuvenation Formula comes along claiming to be a “permanent” solution and “the most successful and potent hair loss treatment on the planet”, potential customers would be wise to remain skeptical.
Kevis hair loss treatment is not an entirely new solution. In fact, their website states that it has been sold throughout Europe and Asia for over 25 years but has only been available in the United States for 15 years. This is simply the 8th generation of the formula; hence their new name Kevis 8. But how can such an impressive treatment exist for 10 years yet remain virtually unknown to roughly 70 million balding American men and women? What’s even more surprising is that Kevis claims that published clinical studies give this solution for baldness an average success rate of 92%. So why are so many people still seeking viable hair loss treatments today?
Kevis 8 is a drug-free topical lotion developed and manufactured by Italian pharmaceutical company, Farmaka, and distributed by Kevis Rejuvenation Programs in North and South America and by Pfizer in Europe and Asia. As such, it does not come under the regulatory supervision of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is applied directly to the scalp and can be used by both men and women. Ingredients are listed as:
Water, SD Alcohol 40-c+SD Alcohol 3-c, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolized Glycosaminoglycans (Thioglycoran), Panthenol, Sorbic Acid, Methylparaben, Hyaluronic Acid (H.U.C.P.), Thurfylnicotinate HCL, Propylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide, Biotin, Fragrance.
H.U.C.P is a high concentrate of pharmaceutical grade hyaluronic acid which purportedly aids in the breakdown of accumulated DHT in the follicle and creates a binding effect in the follicle's receptor sites preventing further DHT buildup. Kevis also lists the ingredient Tricozyme™. Tricozyme is a protein enzyme that they claim attaches itself to free-floating DHT molecules rendering them “inactive and inoperable”.
Kevis claims that results from using their product are “permanent”. Once hair follicles are protected from the effects of DHT they will remain DHT resistant for life. Thus, their claim is that once the desired result is reached, there is no need to continue using Kevis. This is a hefty claim considering all other non-surgical balding solutions are required to be used for life in order to experienced continued benefits.
In an effort to demonstrate its efficacy, Kevis provides complete, downloadable copies of seven clinical studies conducted by various institutions in France and Italy and provides summaries of each. They also offer several before and after photos (including those of company founder and President Brian Reichenberg) and written testimonials. What seem to be conspicuously missing are references to third-party studies and publications in peer reviewed journals. Without these critical components it’s impossible to verify the company’s hair growth claims.
Balding men and women may want to stick with clinically proven and FDA approved medical hair loss treatments. For men those treatments are Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride). Rogaine is also approved for use by females. However, women should not ingest or even come in contact with finasteride due to the risk of specific birth defects. Men and women who are unable or unwilling to use these drugs can find credible alternatives.
When it comes to purchasing and using hair loss treatments, there is much more at stake than your hard earned money. Dedicating months or years to ineffective treatments may result in the unnecessary loss of valuable and irreplaceable hair follicles.
Traction alopecia is a form of hair loss resulting from the repeated yet unintentional pulling, twisting or rubbing of the hair. Traction alopecia can affect both men and women, though it's more commonly seen in women. Though it can be temporary, balding from traction alopecia may become permanent if these traumatic forces are applied to the hair and scalp repeatedly and for prolonged periods, resulting in scarring.
Practices that may result in traction alopecia include; wearing tight braids, ponytails or cornrows and extended use of hair extensions. Due to the popularity of these hairstyles, traction alopecia has become one of the leading causes of hair loss among African America women.
Balding from traction alopecia can also occur from repeatedly wearing tight-fitting hats, helmets or other headgear.This is likely where the popular hair loss myth about hats causing hair loss derived, but it is important to note that, under normal circumstances, wearing a properly fitted hat will not negatively impact hair growth.
The first step in treating traction alopeciais to change the habits leading to the condition. This may mean adopting a new hairstyle or altering your wardrobe. Finally, applying a vaso dilator like Rogaine(minoxidil) to the affected area can increase blood flow to the damaged follicles and effectively speed up new hair growth. Assuming the hair follicles have not been permanently damaged, new hair growth will likely occur though it may take several months.
In cases of severe and permanent tractional opecia, the only effective method of restoring hair to the bald areas is surgical hair restoration. State of the art, ultra-refined follicular unit hair transplantation allows quality surgeons to harvest DHT resistant hair from the donor region at the rear and sides of the head. These hairs are then implanted into the balding areas of the scalp, resulting in a natural and undetectable appearance. To see which physicians we recommend and for a free virtual consult, visit the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.
To learn more about how surgical hair restoration can be used to treat traction alopecia hair loss, view the following results from our hair loss forum and social community:
This hair loss product, meant for women, is a synthetic form of Progesterone, a hormone and steroid that occurs naturally in the ovaries. The body uses the Progesterone treatment to control a variety of functions. These include the regulating of the menstrual cycles, anticancer properties, the slowing and prevention of bone loss and ensuring the female sexual organs’ health. Another important function of Progesterone is to maintain the hormone balance of estrogen.
But in regards to hair loss, Progesterone treatment is an effective DHT-inhibitor. However, there has not been much research conducted as to Progesterone’s impact to male and female pattern baldness (MPB, FPB). What research was conducted showed that it may be effective at stopping hair loss, but not at hair regrowth.
Nevertheless, topical Progesterone has been used by some European dermatologists in Europe to treat MPB and FPB. For this, they only used 1% or 2% topical concentrations, and no more than 40mg a day. Researchers believe that higher doses could cause menstrual irregularities.
Topical Progesterone is available as capsules, vaginal creams and suppositories. Patients use the medication by rubbing it into the body’s soft areas, such as the breast, abdomen, inner thighs and the palms of the hands (which is thought to be the most effective area).
It’s advised that women use about 1/8-1/2 teaspoon, once to twice daily, for 21days. Physicians also advise women to stop using the medication for 5-7 days each month. They also advise women to change the application areas periodically.
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
In women with PCOS(polycystic ovarian syndrome), high levels of androgens (male hormones) in the body may cause hair loss. DHT (dihydrotestosterone), more abundant in men, is created from a combination of testosterone and5-alpha-reductase enzymes. DHT can bind to hair follicle sites, accelerate the natural hair growth cycle, and cause hair to go into resting (catagen) sooner causing thinning hair with each cycle.
Women with PCOS are more susceptible to androgenic alopecia, more commonly referred to as male pattern baldness or genetic female hair loss. Androgenic alopecia is also the number one cause of hair loss and thinning hair in the world.Women with androgenic alopecia typically lose hair in a pattern similar to the ludwig scale,and less commonly the norwood scale.
If you suspect you have PCOS, you should consult with a physician and get tested for it. Only a physician can diagnose you and recommend a proper treatment.
In the 80's hair restoration surgery as a hair loss solution evolved dramatically, as the large punch grafts were gradually replaced with a more refined combination of mini and micrografts. This "combination mini micrografting" hair transplantation procedure no longer used the punch to extract the bald resistant grafts. Rather a strip of bald resistant hair was surgically removed from the back of the head and then trimmed into mini and micrografts.
Typically the minigrafts (4-8 hairs) were used to create fullness and density, while the one, two, and three hair micrografts were used to create a refined and feathered hairline in front. This combination procedure also normally used more grafts, several hundred grafts per session, rather than the approximately 50 to 200 large grafts of the original punch graft procedure.
The 90's saw the gradual introduction of a very refined surgical procedure hair loss solution now known as "follicular unit hair transplantation" or "FUT". This exacting and labor intensive procedure transplants hairs in their naturally occurring one, two, three, and four hair "follicular unit groupings" in which they grow naturally.
To create such natural follicular unit grafts, which mimic the way hair grows naturally, typically requires the use of high powered magnification. Such magnification enables the surgical technicians to properly visualize the follicular units in the donor tissue. They are then able to isolate them and cut them into 1, 2, 3, and some times 4 hair follicular unit grafts.
Critical to the ultimate success of the follicular unit hair transplant procedure was the introduction of the binocular microscope by Dr. Bobby Limmer of San Antonio Texas in the late 1980's. Dr. Limmer found that by using the microscope he and his staff were able to successfully isolate and trim the naturally occurring follicular units into individual grafts.
For his part in pioneering the use the microscope in graft dissection and the follicular unit procedure Dr. Bobby Limmer was awarded the "Platinum Follicle Award" by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery in 1996. Many physicians now fondly refer to him as the "Godfather of Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation".
While Dr. Limmer pioneered the use of the microscope in trimming follicular unit grafts, it was Dr. Robert M. Bernstein, in collaboration with Dr. Bill Rassman, who pioneered and advanced the concept of large sessions of all follicular unit grafting. These large follicular unit sessions enabled patients to achieve both naturalness and density.
Dr. Bernstein, who coined the name "follicular unit hair transplantation", tirelessly advocated for its adoption in ground breaking articles and lectures that are today recognized as benchmarks in the advancement of this procedure. Click to read these ground breaking hair restoration articles and papers.
In recognition of his many contributions in both conceptualizing, pioneering and advocating "follicular unit hair transplantation", Dr. Bob Bernstein was awarded the "Platinum Follicle Award" by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.
Over time the merits of this refined but difficult to perform procedure became accepted and the follicular unit hair transplant procedure has become acknowledged by most hair restoration physicians to be the "Gold Standard" for surgical hair restoration. Click here to see video of a Follicular Unit Hair Transplant procedure.
Some feel that hair restoration surgery has evolved to its highest degree now that it relocates hair exactly as it grows naturally. However, even the "Gold Standard" in hair transplantation has continued to evolve by becoming even more "ultra refined".
Today some leading hair restoration surgeons, including all members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians, perform an ultra refined follicular unit hair transplant procedure using very tiny incisions that enable them to safely "dense pack" tiny grafts when appropriate. This ultra refined follicular unit procedure is a hair loss solution that enables patients to achieve cosmetic density in a given area after only one surgical session.
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
It is important to have realistic expectations and to find a hair transplant surgeon who can meet or exceed your expectations.
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.
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.