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Europe’s TRX2 Molecular Hair Loss Treatment promises to halt balding and regrow hair. But, does it really work?

TRX2 is not a drug but rather an herbal, dietary supplement containing a variety of common ingredients readily available at your local nutritional supplement shop; including biotin and L-carnitine tartrate among others. The product’s website provides detailed data gathered from a “randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study” but it is unclear who conducted the study and there is no mention of publication in a peer reviewed journal. Savvy consumers may see this omission as a red flag.

Generally, there is no harm in trying herbal/natural hair loss treatments. However, the high cost of products like TRX2 may make experimentation less desirable than opting for the clinically proven and FDA approved medical treatments Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil).

For a complete listing of TRX2′s ingredients and our detailed product review see the article, “TRX2 Molecular Hair Loss Treatment from Europe: Revolutionary Hair Growth Formula?” at the Hair Loss Learning Center.

Do you have experience with or questions about TRX2? If so, join the following discussion on our popular hair restoration forum, “TRX2 Molecular Hair Loss Treatment Review“.

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David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

Hair multiplication, or the act of removing hair follicles and hair follicle stem cells, cloning the follicles/cells, and implanting the cloned follicles/cells into areas of balding scalp, is one of the most anticipated futuristic hair loss treatments. Though several methods of hair multiplication have been proposed, researchers still believe isolation, cloning, and multiplying dermal papilla stem cells from the hair bulb of the follicle represents the greatest chance of true multiplication.

In a new scientific publication, researchers at Harvard Medical School revisited the role of dermal papilla cells in hair follicle function, and confirmed the importance of these cells in the future of hair multiplication treatments. Recently, recommended hair restoration surgeon and hair follicle stem cell researcher Dr. Parsa Mohebi was kind enough to review the new article and share the important scientific information in “laymen’s terms” on his blog. According to Dr. Mohebi:

Hair stem cells and their role in the future of hair restoration has been a hot topic in recent years. It is easy to understand how success in the area of hair multiplication (or hair cloning) would be another quantum leap in hair restoration. People affected by genetic baldness could have the stem cells of hairs from their permanent zone multiplied for hair transplantation.

One day, stem cell therapy may help the blind to see and the paralyzed to walk. It may regrow lost limbs and damaged organs, cure illness and even prolong life. Given this seemingly endless potential for medical miracles, it’s no wonder that balding men and women are anxiously anticipating news of a stem cell hair loss cure and the recent advent of a 3D stem cell printer just might bring that idea one step closer to reality.

Recently, researchers from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland announced the development of a 3-D printer that uses “bio ink” (a material made from living cells that behaves much like a liquid, allowing people to “print” it in order to create a desired shape) to create living, human embryonic stem cells.

According to scientists,

“The cell printer was made from a modified CNC machine (a computer-controlled machining tool) outfitted with two ‘bio ink’ dispensers: one containing stem cells in a nutrient-rich soup called cell medium and another containing just the medium. These embryonic stem cells were dispensed through computer-operated valves, while a microscope mounted to the printer provided a close-up view of what was being printed. The two inks were then dispensed in layers, one on top of the other to create cell droplets of varying concentration. The smallest droplets were only two nanoliters, containing roughly five cells.”

About 99% of cells created through this process were alive and viable for replication. These cells then have the capacity to develop into any cell type from brain tissue to muscle, bone and even hair follicles. 

I’m a 31 year old man and have been experiencing frontal hair thinning for the past year or so.  My hair is continuing to thin and seems to be getting worse at a quicker rate. I have also recently been experiencing a dry scalp. I have not lost any hair in the back (vertex) area or on the top of my head.  It’s only limited to the front, like a receding hairline. I have been researching hair loss treatments and have read that some treatments, like Rogaine, are only for the vertex or top-back part of the head.  Is there a recommended product for the frontal part of the head?  Thanks for your help.

Unfortunately, there is no non-surgical hair loss treatment proven to regrow a receding hairline. The clinically proven and FDA approved hair loss drugs Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) are very good at maintaining and sometimes regrowing hair in the crown but not particularly effective for frontal balding.

The best option to restore a receding hairline is hair transplant surgery. I highly recommend researching hair loss on our hair restoration forum where you can benefit from the combined knowledge of our patient members as well as many of the world’s leading hair restoration physicians.

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David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

I am a 23 year old female who has been suffering from chronic Telogen Effluvium for 18 months. I have had all blood and thyroid tests that all came back normal. I believe the initial trigger was weight loss and being underweight for a few months, but I have been in a healthy weight range for over 12 months now and the hair fall has not stopped. My dermatologist recommended I use Rogaine for several months; however I have read that in most cases after stopping Rogaine all the hair it helps grow will fall out again. I am afraid to start using it at all if it will only give me a temporary hair loss solution. Can you advise what I should do?

Unlike you, most men and women using Rogaine (minoxidil) to treat hair loss are suffering from androgenic alopecia (genetic balding). Because there is no hair loss cure, treatments like minoxidil must be used indefinitely in order to maintain hair growth. However, hair follicles in the zones of permanent growth at the rear and sides of the head will not become dependent on minoxidil. Thus, should these patients eventually discontinue the drug; they will not end up balder for having used it. Instead, their thinning hair will resume and will eventually take on the same pattern they would have had if they’d never used the drug at all.

The long-awaited generic version of the hair loss drug Propecia (1mg finasteride) became available in the United States on January 3, 2013. Generic 1mg finasteride has been readily available for years in other countries but Merck’s patents in the US did not expire until October 2013, prohibiting the sale of generics and keeping prices sky high.

Until this year, balding men seeking an alternative to Propecia’s high cost ($70-$90 per month) needed to obtain a prescription for generic Proscar (5mg finasteride) and quarter the pill. This practice could bring the cost down as low as $90 for a four month supply. However, while substantially more affordable, cutting the tablets in fourths yields an average dose of 1.25mg (slightly higher than the clinically proven and FDA approved 1mg) and can also be a bit frustrating.

Unfortunately, men searching for a bargain on their medical hair loss treatments may have to wait a bit longer before prices become truly competitive. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. inked an exclusive, 180-day marketing deal in the US, meaning that only their generic will be available for the first 6 months. One pharmacy quoted $80.95 for 30 generic tablets compared to $93.85 for name brand Propecia. Not the precipitous drop in price that many were hoping for.

To learn more about Propecia, its benefits and potential side effects, view the following articles from our Hair Loss Q&A Blog:

Is Propecia Safe? Dr. Robert Bernstein Discusses the Efficacy and Safety of Finasteride

This question, from a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by Dr. Jerry Cooley of Charlotte, NC who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.

Dr. Cooley, do you now advise your patients to undertake PRP (platelet rich plasma) + ACell during their hair transplant procedure? If so, please feel free to share more of your observations.

In addition, do you believe oral collagen supplements with low Dalton weight will have a positive impact on the results of a hair transplant in terms of more naturalness and robustness of the grafts?

We now offer and recommend PRP and ACell to anyone undergoing a hair transplant with us who has significant areas of thinning (miniaturization), either in the area to be transplanted or elsewhere. In other words, the purpose is to thicken thinning hair, not necessarily beef up the results of the transplant (for which we use ACell on the grafts and liposomal ATP as a post op spray). My observations were summarized in the update, “Hair Transplant Surgery: The Effects of ACell on Healing and Hair Growth“. In short, we find that on average, we can expect moderate hair thickening in those with significant miniaturization; some get better than average results, some get less than average. I think the degree and duration of benefit likely depends on 2 factors: underlying genetic programming, and what medical maintenance treatments are in place, i.e. better if the patient is on Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil).

This question, from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums, was answered by Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. James DeYarman:

Can topical Rogaine be absorbed into the body causing negative side effects?

Rogaine was created from a drug called Loniten. It was a high blood pressure medication and the side effect was people would start to grow body hair. The strength of the pill was 100 mg. and started out at one pill per day. The active ingredient in Loniten is minoxidil and that is what was put into solution to create the first minoxidil hair loss treatment.

The side effects from Rogaine can be skin rash, hair growth on the face and, in some cases, headache. Because of the amount being used it would be hard to get any lowering of the blood pressure using the medication topically. For minoxidil to be effective on the hair follicle it has to be massaged into the scalp and because of the small amount of minoxidil in Rogaine, it is unlikely to have any effect on blood pressure. I hope this answers your question.

Dr. James DeYarman
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David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

This question comes from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums: 

I’m considering temporary Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP), but I want the option to remove the ink if I don’t like the outcome. I know permanent ink can be removed with laser treatment (“laser tattoo removal”), but what about temporary SMP ink? Can temporary SMP be removed with laser treatment?

According to Scalp Micropigmentation experts, temporary SMP ink can be removed with laser treatment (laser tattoo removal). What’s more, because the ink is placed into a more superficial layer of the scalp, the removal process is actually less invasive and may require fewer treatments.

However, one of the advantages of temporary SMP is the fact that the ink completely fades within 6 to 24 months after the procedure. This means dissatisfied SMP patients may not feel the urge to reverse inadequate results with laser treatment. But, if necessary, temporary SMP can be removed with laser therapy.

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Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning

Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

Follow our community on Twitter
Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Technorati Tags: hair loss, Scalp Micropigmentation, SMP, temporary SMP, temporary SMP ink

This question comes from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums:

I currently use liquid Rogaine (minoxidil) to treat my hair loss, but I’m now also considering temporary Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP). However, I read online that topical minoxidil can cause temporary SMP ink to prematurely fade. Is this true?

According to SMP experts, using both the liquid and foam versions of topical minoxidil can cause temporary Scalp Micropigmentation ink to fade prematurely. Minoxidil solutions contain alcohol, and excessive, continual exposure to alcohol is what causes the temporary SMP ink to fade. Normally, temporary SMP ink fades completely between 6 to 24 months after the procedure, and early ink dissipation may result in excessive SMP “touch up” procedures and an uneven appearance.

However, because minoxidil is a proven hair loss medication, individuals may still want to utilize both temporary SMP and a minoxidil-based solution. Since minoxidil foam contains less alcohol than the liquid solution, it is likely a better option for hair loss sufferers who want to use both treatments.

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Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning

Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

Follow our community on Twitter
Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Technorati Tags: hair loss, Rogaine, minoxidil, hair loss, Scalp Micropigmentation, SMP, temporary SMP, temporary Scalp Micropigmentation, hair loss medication, hair loss sufferers