Our physician members perform a very refined hair transplant procedure called "Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation". Today there are two methods for doing this procedure. They differ only in the methods used to harvest and prepare the grafts.

Follicular Unit Extraction Video is provided courtesy of Dr. Alan Bauman.

How the follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplant procedure is different than standard strip excision hair transplant surgery.

How the minimally invasive hair transplant procedure known as Follicular Unit Extraction or FUE is performed.

How follicular unit grafts are created under microscopic dissection and then placed into tiny incisions in the balding areas.

Truly "Personal Care Luxury?"

Of all the types of concealers available today, one of the longest lasting may be the "spray on," color-matching aerosol topical. Although many brands and differing types of spray on concealers currently exist, ProTHIK is considered by many to be one of the most trusted. What makes this product so popular in the hair loss community? How does ProTHIK work to conceal hair loss? Is ProTHIK truly a "personal care luxury for men" like their website indicates?

ProTHIK: What is it, and how does it Work?

ProTHIK belongs to the popular "aerosol" variety of spray applications. It is applied properly by spraying an appropriate amount of the aerosolized solution onto balding areas of the scalp. Due to its resin technology and variety of natural color choices, spraying ProTHIK onto areas of the balding scalp or thinning hair eliminates unsightly "bald spots" and reportedly leaves the patient with a realistic looking and undetectable appearance. But what does ProTHIK offer that similar hair loss products do not?

The Benefits of ProTHIK

According to the manufacturers, ProTHIK is superior to similar products for a number of important reasons.

First, ProTHIK allegedly possesses superior rub-resistance, a single component formulation (meaning multiple applications during one sitting is not necessary), superior water resistance, and a greater overall durability.

Second, when applied to the scalp, ProTHIK supposedly creates a natural, undetectable appearance (to both visual and physical inspection) that is resistant to excessive amounts of sweat. What’s more, ProTHIK is proposed to last overnight or between showers, and washes off easily with basic shampoo.

Third, ProTHIK is designed to provide adequate coverage in a variety of hair loss scenarios. For example, ProTHIK is reportedly able to conceal scalp regions with only 10 to 15% remaining hair and "bald patches" as large as 3-4 centimeters in diameter.

ProTHIK Product Reviews

Like other aerosol products, ProTHIK is only recommended for areas of hair loss 1.5 - 1 inches posterior to the frontal hairline however, it's considered especially effective in the vertex (crown) region.  Despite the more specific application, ProTHIK remains popular with many consumers because of its overall effective nature, natural appearance, and lasting durability.  On the flip side, some ProTHIK users have expressed concerns about messy application and clogging.

Unlike similar products, ProTHIK reports that it requires fewer applications and its resin technology does not create a shiny, thickened, or "sticky" appearance when applied to areas of balding scalp.

Additionally, manufacturers of ProTHIK report that it remains effective in hair thinned up to 85 – 90% of its original density and bald patches as large as 3-4 centimetres in diameter. For these, and many other reasons, ProTHIK remains a popular, trusted choice for individuals seeking a quality aerosol concealer.

What Real Hair Loss Sufferers are Saying About ProTHIK

To learn what hair loss suffering men and women who've used ProTHIK are saying, visit our popular hair loss forum and social community.

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.

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

As the field of medical hair restoration continues advancing and evolving, hair loss sufferers look toward new, cutting edge clinics and corporations for faster, more effective, and less invasive hair loss treatments. In various but not all cases, the breakthroughs achieved through oral medications and topical solutions (seen in proven hair loss treatments like Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) are fantastic.  Thus, hair restoration entities continue striving to create the next advancement and bring the world closer to a “hair loss cure.” However, for each hair restoration treatment that’s proven safe, effective, and efficient, it seems as if a dozen others are rejected for being unproven, inefficient, or unsafe.

For this reason, it’s always advantageous to thoroughly research the newest hair loss solutions and determine whether they are safe and effective, or if they fail to live up to the high expectations set by the current gold standard treatments such as proven solutions Propecia and Rogaine.   Below, we evaluate whether Spectral.DNC, a topical solution created by Divine Skin Laboratories (DS Laboratories) can help stop hair loss and regrow hair.

Spectral.DNC is a topical treatment formulated by DS Laboratories which claims its “the world’s most effective topical hair loss treatment.” But can Spectral.DNC live up to these lofty claims and offer a more effective solution, or will it suffer the fate of many therapies before it and fail to gain the approval of the hair restoration patient community?

According to DS Laboratories, Spectral.DNC is applied (as an atomized mist or liquid) to the balding scalp twice daily, once in the morning and once at night. Along with a series of vitamins and herbal supplements (herbal extracts, copper peptides, and a vitamin complex), the active ingredients in Spectral. DNC are 5% minoxidil, Aminexil (SP94), and Retinol. Since minoxidil is also the proven, active ingredient in topical Rogaine, Divine Skin utilizes a frequently asked questions feature on its website to explain how Spectral.DNC is different and more effective than minoxidil. According to Divine Skin, it’s the two other active ingredients – Aminexil and Retinol that make Spectral.DNC more effective than Rogaine.

Aminexil (or Aminexil SP94) is a compound currently featured as an active ingredient in a line of healthy hair shampoos by L’Oreal. Aminexil is allegedly helpful in the treatment of perifollicular fibrosis – a pre-mature aging of hair shafts caused by inflammation and an overproduction of collagen proteins. It’s worth noting that while some reputable sources have researched its connection to perifollicular fibrosis, it hasn’t been conclusively linked to hair loss (especially androgenic alopecia hair loss), nor is Aminexil proven to treat perifollicular fibrosis. Furthermore, Aminexil is not recognized or approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for any type of hair loss.

DS Laboratories indirectly counters these statements by sharing the results of a “worldwide” study which demonstrated an 8% increase in hair growth and a 6% increase in hair shaft diameter in hair loss sufferers using Aminexil (compared to a placebo group). This study however, is not without its limitations.  This study was conducted in 1994, only contained 130 participants, lasted for 42 days, and doesn’t appear to be published in any sort of peer reviewed publication. Because of this, it’s difficult to evaluate whether or not the addition of Aminexil as an improvement over simple 5% minoxidil. But what about the Retinol?

Retinol (and its derivatives) is a form of Vitamin A, often used in medical dermatology for maintaining healthy skin and treating specific types of acne. Allegedly, certain forms of Retinol act as hair restoration drugs (after periods of long term usage) by preventing hair loss hormones from binding to target receptors and killing healthy hair follicles. While evidence of these claims was difficult to find, many Retinol users claim that the drug is harsh on skin and utilizing it in the scalp would cause irritation and require small, likely ineffective dosages. Much like Aminexil, there’s no solid evidence to suggest that Retinol makes Spectral.DNC a more effective hair loss solution than Rogaine or other minoxidil related products. Interestingly enough, while copper peptidesare listed as in inactive ingredient, research supports that copper peptides may play a role in transforming thin vellus hairs into thicker terminal hairs, increasing follicular size, and regenerating healthy scalp skin.  However, because copper peptides aren’t listed as an official “active ingredient” by DS Laboratories nor do we know its concentration, it’s difficult to gauge its efficacy within Spectral.DNC.

The only proven and FDA approved ingredient in Spectral.DNC is 5% minoxidil. While minoxidil is safe and efficient, it’s unclear what the additional ingredients in Spectral.DNC may actually accomplish. Furthermore, the cost of Spectral.DNC runs between $35.00 and $45.00 for a month supply, compared to around $ 25.00 for a three month supply of generic 5% minoxidil.  According to DS Laboratories, the only known side effects revolve around minoxidil (which are no different than those associated with Rogaine).  Although minoxidil is relatively safe and effective, it’s been used as a hair loss treatment for decades.

Those hair loss sufferers considering using Spectral.DNC as a treatment for thinning hair can feel confident knowing that they will, at the very least, obtain similar results to using minoxidil 5%.  Until the other active ingredients are peer reviewed, whether or not Spectral.DNC is more effective than Rogaine 5% is mostly conjecture.