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Hairloss FAQ - The Less Researched Hairloss Treatments By John Ertel |
The following drugs (except for the 'natural' treatments) are drugs which were intended for a purpose other than hairloss and don't have as much 'hard science' behind them as the well researched Minoxidil, Retin-A, and Proscar. Unlike Retin-A and Proscar, however, they are not as commonly prescribed for hairloss and treatment for hairloss is not as well researched for them. These treatments are treatments that might help but there just isn't enough testing of them to tell how much (buyer beware).
Tricomin is a superoxide dismutase formed from a metal complexed peptide. This works as a hair growth stimulant by improving collagen synthesis and possibly repairing skin and hair function. An 80% response rate has been reported for Tricomin in early tests. Phase II FDA clinical trial results were released recently which reported positive growth effects. Click here for trial results. The company has released a line of products which are available from doctors and mail order distributors. They are marketing the product as a cosmetic rather than going through FDA approval.
Ketoconazole is an imidazole antimycotic drug, commonly
used for the treatment of fungal infections. Nizoral is a shampoo for treatment of fungal
infections of the scalp. Ketoconazole itself has been studied and shown to be a weak but
still potent antiandrogen, meaning it lowers the male hormones that cause baldness when
applied to your scalp. There has not been extensive testing on how well it works in hairloss treatment.
Spironolactone was initially developed as a diuretic, but
is one of the stronger antiandrogens available. It reduces not only the androgen DHT which
causes hairloss, but other male hormones as well, which is why it is not prescribed
orally for hairloss. However, it is one of the best drugs to apply topically since it is
well absorbed topically but generally does not get absorbed systematically (throughout the
rest of your body). Unfortunately, it is not very stable in liquid form and even in cream
form tends to break down after a while causing an unpleasant smell. This is another reason
it is not used in hairloss often.
Iamin is a new drug that was just FDA approved in 1996. Iamin is one of the Superoxide Dismutases (copper binding peptide). It was FDA approved as an antiinflammatory wound healing gel. The company that makes Iamin, ProCyte, is working on getting FDA approval for one of its other SODases, Tricomin, for use in hairloss treatment. Iamin hit the shelves in early July of 1996. Results of Iamin so far seem to indicate that it helps some people in hairloss. Some people have reported hair growth directly related to Iamin. Almost all who have used it have at least reported a strengthening of existing hair. Many have also reported that it will sooth irritation caused by Retin-A if applied afterwards.
ProCyte, the makers of Iamin, have recently announced the release a new product, GrafCyte. GrafCyte is basically Iamin in a few different forms. It has been approved by the FDA for use after transplants to prevent newly transplanted hairs from going into a resting phase. This means that more hairs will grow immediately after transplants and you'll see results sooner, rather than the typical 6-8 months to see worthwhile results. The product will be released in moist press applications to be applied for an hour, 4 times per day for 4 days following a transplant. A mist spray and a shampoo have also been announced. Obviously a mist spray and shampoo would benefit those suffering hairloss. The moist presses will only be available directly from transplant surgeons.
Polysorbate 80 has been around since the early 80s. It
was used in the 'Helsinki Formula' popularly sold on TV in the 80s (until the FDA banned
such advertisements). It seems that Polysorbate 80 does grow some hair in some people, but
it is not that effective in most individuals.
Folligen is a new treatment similar to Iamin Gel, but in
cream form. Folligen contains not only a copper complex, but Saw Palmetto
for use as an antiandrogen, along with other ingredients. Like Iamin, since it is new, it
has not been thoroughly tested for positive results.
There are many 'natural' treatments such as vitamins,
minerals, and extracts from naturally occuring plants or animals. The general consensus is
that they do help to promote healthy growing hair, although it is not known how well they
help to regrow lost hair. Unless otherwise noted, they should not be harmful unless you
take them in extremely large doses (anything taken in too large of a dose causes
problems). The good thing about these is that you can find them in just about any grocery
store, drug store, or health store without a prescription. The bad news is they probably
won't regrow any hair or completely stop progression of balding.
This is one of the amino acids. It plays a strong role in
hair growth, as it is one of the substances hair follicles use to actually build the hair.
It can be taken in oral or liquid form. Most people recommend 500-1000mg a few times a
week.
This is another amino acid. It is the primary amino acid
used by hair follicles to make hair (also used in making nails).
A lot has been brought up about whether Biotin or Folic
Acid supplementation helps grow hair. Here's the scoop: Biotin and Folic Acid are required
for proper hair growth. If you have a deficiency in these, you may experience hairloss
(not relegated to just the top of your head but on the sides and back, too). Increased
dosages have NOT been shown to regrow lost hair, unless it was related to deficiency in
one of these. In fact, excess megadose levels of these can cause hairloss and unhealthy
build up of toxins in your body, so don't take excessive levels. Just make sure you have
enough in your diet, and if not supplement. A good general nutritional vitamin supplement
should do just fine.
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa Repens) berries grow naturally.
Their extract has antiandrogenic properties. There have not been extensive studies to show
how antiandrogenic they are, but typical side effects include breast growth in males,
which seems to indicate it does not act on DHT alone. To be effective, you must get the
extract of the berries, not the berries themselves. It usually comes in capsule form
Zinc has been shown in medical studies to affect hormonal levels when taken internally and inhibit the production of DHT when applied topically. There are now several studies backing this up, along with the fact that topical Zinc is used in the treatment of acne, which is often androgen related. Zinc specifically inhibits the type of DHT created in the skin.
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