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Although the topic of green tea as a hair loss remedy  is a popular subject, few discussions focus on the tea as a topical therapy. Because of this, many wonder if applying green tea to the scalp can help slow or reverse androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness. According to a study conducted at the Seoul University National Hospital, a key ingredient in green tea may have some validity as a topical hair loss treatment.

The study focuses on epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a compound found in green tea, and its effect on dermal papilla cells and hair growth cycles. After removing and treating a section of follicular units from research subjects, the scientific team found that the EGCG stimulates hair growth by forcing hair follicles to remain in the expansion, or Anagen phase, and by increasing the active stage of dermal papilla cells (which are robust and lively during the follicular growth phase). However, despite the fact that these results seem promising, there are several issues to consider before concluding that topical green tea can help battle balding.

This question comes from a member of the Hair Restoration Discussion Forums:

For the past few months, I’ve use Propecia to battle my ongoing hair loss. It’s working well, but I’m considering adding some herbal hair loss medications, particularly He shou wu (Fo-Ti). Does anyone know if these herbal medications negatively interfere with finasteride?

He shou wu, also known as Fo-Ti, is a native Chinese plant used by many for anti-aging purposes. In fact, the Chinese name Fo-Ti translates to “black-haired Mr. He” – an old, Chinese villager who allegedly used the root to change his grey hair black! In modern times, Individuals utilize the herb to prevent pre-mature aging, grey hair, certain sexual dysfunctions, and increase overall vitality and strength.

However, despite centuries of usage, Fo-Ti has only demonstrated a slight ability to lower cholesterol levels and improve immune function. Additionally, no legitimate studies on the effectiveness of Fo-Ti in humans exist, and possible side-effects include diarrhea, limb numbness and, in some severe cases, liver complications.

Frankly, it’s unclear (but unlikely) that He shou wu would interact with your Propecia regimen. However, because of unproven results, untested usage, and potential side-effects, it may not be an effective or recommended therapy in general (especially for hair restoration). Furthermore, proven medications, such as minoxidil (or Rogaine) will most likely produce a much more consistent, safe result and are usually suggested before alternative medications like Fo-Ti. I recommend consulting with one of our  recommended hair restoration physicians (to further address any concerns) and consider adding minoxidil to your hair loss regimen.

This insightful article was written by “PanamaJimmy”, an active member of our hair loss forum and social community.

I’ve seen lots of ads lately for a hair loss product called Provillus. They claim it has an FDA approved ingredient for regrowing hair. Is this product legit?

Provillus  does contain an FDA approved ingredient for hair loss. The ingredient, minoxidil, is one many balding men and women are already familiar with. Each application of Provillus consists of a tablet and topical solution.

In a nutshell, most everyone agrees there are no new “miracle breakthrough” ingredients in Provillus making it a successful hair loss treatment. In fact, the angle being worked upon the consumer is as old as consumerism itself, and can be summed up in a word: marketing. If you believe that taking existing products and combining them makes a product more effective than the sum of its parts, then Provillus may be for you.

Fact: there are only two hair loss drugs  approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). These drugs are Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride).  Therefore, anytime someone claims a hair loss product contains an FDA approved ingredient, it must be one of these two drugs. Let’s start at the beginning of the hair loss drug timeline for a clear understanding of why these two drugs have been proven and FDA approved to treat baldness.

Our popular  hair loss  forum community includes dozens of active patient and physician members devoted to answering your hair loss questions daily.   Get past the hype and learn about proven treatments that really work to stop baldness.

Below, we’ve compiled answers to hot topic hair loss related questions we received from our Associate Publisher Bill Seemiller and expert hair restoration physicians.  

Feel free to ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or privately by using the “contact us” form.  

Do All Good Doctors Shave the Patient’s Head for Hair Transplant Surgery? (Dr. Glenn Charles)

Can Saw Palmetto Really Reduce Hair Loss?

Can Oxygen Deprivation Cause Hair Loss? (Dr. Scott Alexander)

Creating a Natural Looking Female Hairline with a Hair Transplant (Dr. Bernard Nusbaum)

Bill Seemiller
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
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Watch hair transplant videos  on YouTube

Technorati Tags: hair loss, baldness, Bill Seemiller, hair restoration, Bill Seemiller

When flipping through the channels on TV late at night, I sometimes get sucked into the Scalp Med infomercials promising a new thick head of hair.   It also claims to be FDA approved.   Is this the hair loss cure we’ve all been waiting for?

Scalp Med infomercials are very popular this time of year, especially as the holidays approach.   Sold as a treatment for female and male pattern baldness, Scalp Med boasts that the “results will provide you with thicker, cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful hair”.   The Scalp Med infomercial presents dozens of rich  consumer testimonies  praising Scalp Med  and providing us wild dreams of  restoring  a full head of hair.   While one woman claims, “it was nothing short of a miracle for me”, another male consumer  boasts, “there’s nothing better out there”.   Oh really?  

Scalp Med is Just Overpriced Minoxidil

While Scalp Med is technically a viable hair loss treatment, what they don’t readily tell you is that that the only “active” ingredient in both the men’s and women’s solution is minoxidil, and significantly overpriced at that.  

Because minoxidil has been FDA approved as a treatment for male and female hair loss, Scalp Med can make the same claims Rogaine can.   The extra cash you could be saving by purchasing Rogaine (minoxidil) most likely goes toward marketing and the  ”inactive” ingredients that do nothing to stop genetic baldness or regrow hair.  

Copper Peptides are known for their healing properties which is why products like Graftcyte are very popular for patients who’ve just undergone hair transplant surgery. Copper Peptides also have also shown some science behind it indicating it may prove to be beneficial for those with hair loss.

However, despite the claims of potential successful hair regrowth with Copper Peptides, clinical evidence and supporting proof are required to cut past the hype. To see what members of our community are saying, view the topic “Copper Peptides” on our forum. Feel free to share your own experience with this product and/or your opinion of it.

Bill
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: Copper Peptides, Graftcyte, hair transplant, hair loss, hair regrowth

Does saw palmetto  really reduce hair loss? If not, then what is the best treatment for stopping hair loss?

Saw palmetto is conjectured to block DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and thus has been used as a natural supplement to treat an enlarged prostate (BPH). And though some believe saw palmetto can successfully stop hair loss as effectively as Propecia (finasteride), I have yet to see any clinical evidence to prove this. Not too long ago, we decided to do some research on saw palmetto and cited our findings on the Hair Loss Learning Center. To learn more about saw palmetto and whether or not it can be a successful treatment for baldness, visit “Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss“.

To date, Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) are the most effective treatments for thinning hair and baldness.

Best wishes in restoring your hair,

Bill Seemiller
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: saw palmetto, hair loss, DHT, dihydrotestosterone, enlarged prostate, BPH, baldness, Propecia, finasteride, Rogaine, minoxidil, thinning hair

Every week, hundreds of hair loss questions are answered on our hair restoration forum and received in our inbox. Below, we’ve collected some of these hot topic questions of the week and posted responses by veteran hair transplant patients and leading hair restoration physicians.

You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair forum or privately by using the contact page.

Which “All Natural” Treatments Are Most Effective?

Do Higher Hair Transplant Densities Affect Hair Growth Survival? (Dr. Beehner)

How an Underactive Thyroid Can Contribute to Female Hair Loss

Is it ok to take Finasteride and Dutasteride Simultaneously to Treat Baldness?

Contradictory Reports: Does Nioxin Cause or Stop Balding?

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair restoration, hair transplant

Due to the potential side effects of proven hair loss treatments like Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil), alternatives are created and marketed all the time. Provillus and Procerin are two recent treatments that claim to stop hair loss without unwanted sexual side effects.

Recently, forum member “LT” asks about the validity of these treatments and how effective they are in treating baldness. Join in the discussion to share your experiences and read what others have to say about the efficacy of alternative treatments for baldness.

Bill
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss treatments, hair loss, baldness

Our hair loss community was created  for balding men and women to review, critique, and challenge marketing hype and learn the most effective ways to treat baldness.

Below we’ve listed and reviewed several popular hair loss products on the market today. Follow the links below to a product you’d like to know more about learn whether these popular products show any proof they can stop hair loss.

Procerin Hair Treatment for Men: This “All-Natural” product includes a number of ingredients considered alternatives to Propecia (finasteride), a drug proven to block the production of DHT and  treat baldness.

Extreme Hair Therapy (EXT): This non-surgical 5 step hair loss treatment program has been developed by Hair Club to “rejuvenate your hair”.

Revivogen: This popular topical  treatment contains several “all-natural” ingredients conjectured to  stop alopecia in its tracks by blocking DHT naturally without side effects.

Revita Shampoo: Relatively new to the market, this shampoo boasts a number of ingredients, many of which claim to contribute to stopping further loss of hair and possibly stimulate hair regrowth.

Saw Palmetto: This highly popular “All-Natural” supplement is found in many popular hair loss treatments and conjectured to block DHT.   Learn the facts about saw palmetto and draw your own conclusions on whether or not it can treat baldness.

Bill
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, balding, baldness, hair loss products, stop hair loss, Propecia, finasteride, DHT, treat baldness, hair loss treatment, Hair Club, alopecia, hair regrowth, hair loss treatments, saw palmetto