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In 1989, the FDA banned the marketing of all over-the-counter hair growth products, except those approved under the agency’s New Drug Application process. To date only minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia) have been approved through this process.

Interestingly enough, the ban hasn’t stopped many in the hair loss industry from blatantly violating FDA regulations until now.

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New Hope For Hair Loss?

Last week, Dr. Gail Naughton, CEO of Histrogen, Inc. a regenerative medicine company that develops solutions based on the products of  newborn fibroblasts grown under embryonic conditions, addressed attendees at the 4th Annual Stem Cell Summit in New York. Dr. Naughton presented preliminary mid-trial results from Histrogen’s first human clinical evaluation of  it’s promising breakthrough hair loss product ReGenica™
 

Histrogen’s clinical trial was primarily designed to assess the safety of its product over a five-month period by using a placebo-controlled, randomized study.  Its second objective was to examine ReGenica’s efficiency.

At the 12-week scheduled evaluation point, the company was pleased to announce that they not only found no adverse reactions of ReGenica but also that they could honestly say that they were able to see more hair, thicker hair shafts, and what appeared to be the growth of completely new hair follicles on a siggnificant percentage of  the test subjects who were treated with ReGenica.

ReGenica is a liquid formula that is the first naturally stabilized and bioactive formulation of wnt proteins and natural cofactors, which are thought to act in the formation of new hair follicles. The trial is currently ongoing, and Histogen expects to release full results from this first clinical study in the first half of 2009.

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Celebrity Hair Loss Treatments Exposed

Apparently hair loss sufferers of the world are not created equal. Whether it’s online, in print or on TV, rumor has it that certain unnamed celebrities have found the fountain of youth and are unwilling to share its hair raising properties with the rest of us.

Yes, a large segment of the hair loss world believes that celebrities have access to secret hair loss treatments that the rest of us mere mortals will never be able to afford, or get our grubby little hands on.

It must be true, just read the online message forums or the UK gossip rags. It’s all there in black and white.

Take a look at some of the ads promoting hair loss products and services. Many companies boast having a celebrity clientele. Some claim that their products were once reserved for the rich and famous, and are now for the first time being sold to the the general public. Even the hair piece industry has created names for their wigs like, Hollywood Lace or Celebrity Skin (this one might work well in another industry). [Read more]

What Is Your Opinion of Kevis Hair Rejuvenation, Inc. ?

What is your opinion of Kevis Hair Rejuvenation, Inc. I have considered buying this product, is it just a snake oil?

Thank You,
Shayne
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Dear Shayne,

At this point there is no conclusive evidence, that I am aware of, that shows Kevis to be an effective treatment for the prevention and treatment of hair loss. It’s important that hair loss consumers understand that there are only two FDA approved medications to treat hair loss, and that hair loss is indeed a medical condition that needs to be addressed medically. This means that you should see a doctor when seeking effective treatment for this condition.

Simple rule of thumb: If the product is not FDA approved or recommended by the the American Hair Loss Association stay clear.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Spencer Kobren
Host of The Bald Truth Radio Show
Founder, American Hair Loss Association
Founder and Director of Consumer/Patient Affairs, International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS.ORG)

Jude Law’s Hair Loss Inspires Shoddy Online Journalism

By now, we all know that gossip magazines and websites are more than happy to dish on the latest goings-on with all the stars and celebrities. Hopefully, readers are aware that a lot of what they print and publish is pure fiction. More importantly, readers should realize that sometimes these rags are too quick to publish their writers’ vicious opinions.

Take dailygoss.com for example. In an article about Jude Law’s alleged hair loss treatment, titled “Jude Law Gets Help for His Hair Loss, Hurrah!” the site stated, “The actor’s looks have gone down the pan since he’s been sporting a seriously bad receding hairline.”

Interestingly enough, whoever wrote the brazen comments about Jude’s hair is anonymous, since there is no byline and the site’s “About Us” page tells little about who’s running the show, although headquarters are stated as being in London.

Even though dailygoss.com is clearly a gossip site, its ethics are questionable and its practices cruel, even by gossip standards. Why would a writer be relieved if Jude Law is seeking hair loss treatment? Instead of promoting positive body image or discussing the difficulties that hair loss presents in the lives of sufferers, they join the ranks of mean bullies who’d rather point and laugh than reach out a helping hand or actually publish content that raises awareness.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with a little Hollywood gossip, but this is just plain bashing. Maybe dailygoss.com should change their name to dailybash.com.

The site provides no credentials about its sources or medical knowledge, yet it encourages Jude Law’s reported use of Mesotherapy, an unproven treatment involving vitamins injected into the scalp as a means to provoke hair growth.

Because Mesotherapy is not widely accepted and there are no conclusive studies that support or prove its effectiveness, only time will tell if the treatments help Jude Law, assuming he’s really receiving these treatments. Since the journalism in this case is clearly less than professional, the whole article may be one big ruse.

In any case, Law might be better off going to his own doctor and getting a prescription for Propecia. Apparently the state of Jude Law’s scalp is on the tip of more than one tongue since another site, makemeheal.com, also published an article that discusses the actor’s scalp. Makemeheal.com publishes articles about “celebrity plastic surgery, news, gossip.”

The piece, titled “Did Jude Law Get a Hair Transplant?” makes claims that Jude Law has undergone hair transplant surgery. Clearly, this is in direct conflict with the reporting over at dailygoss.com.

There’s no way of knowing whether Jude Law is using Mesotherapy or has received a transplant unless he or his reps confirm or dispute the reports. In fact, it’s entirely possible that Law has grown his hair out a bit, colored and combed it forward. He could be using makeup or even a small frontal piece.

The writing on these sites is poor, the claims are questionable, and the facts are somewhat twisted. And there’s no reason for anyone to be picking on Jude Law. He’s still a cool looking guy who looks great with or without his deep widow’s peak. After all, he’s one of us. And he wears it well!

Hair Loss at 25, Need To Find an Low Cost Treatment

Hello, my name is J.Freeman. I am 25 years old and have been noticing hair loss for approximately a year. I do not have insurance and cannot afford Propecia treatments. I am also concerned about the side affect that come along with it. I was hoping to get information on a inexpensive hair growth regimen.
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Dear J,

The truth is, if you are contending with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) your first line of attack should always be to take the hormonal route. Propecia is an extremely effective drug that stops or slows the progression of hair loss in the vast majority of men who use it. There is also a relatively large percetage of men who receive significant cosmetically appreciable regrowth. By not using this incredibly effective treatment, it is my opinion that you are doing yourself a great disservice. Just so you know, insurance does not cover Propecia, so even if you had good health coverage you would still be responsible for paying for it out of pocket.

With that said, in most parts of the country, Propecia will cost approximately $55 / month. If your hair loss concerns you to the point where you seeking treatment, it would be my suggestion to perhaps forgo a dinner out once a month so that you can afford this relatively inexpensive treatment.

If this is absolutely out of the question then you could aways give generic minoxidil a try. Generic minoxidil cost approximately $20 / month. Whatever you do, do not waste your hard earned money on any of the countless, questionable hair loss products you see being advertised on the internet, late night television infomercials, or on the radio.

As far as your concern for the side effects of Propecia, any reported side effects occurred in less than 2% of those patients taking the drug during clinical trials. If for some reason you were to experience any adverse side effects you could always stop taking the medication. It is also important to note that approximately 60% of those that did experience side effects only experienced them temporarily, and were able to continue taking the medication.

I wish there were more hair loss treatment options available, unfortunately the above mentioned are the only two FDA approved hair loss treatments. If you haven’t already consulted with a physician, it is imperative to receive a professional medical diagnosis before considering either of the two treatments I suggested.

Hope this helps.

Spencer Kobren
Host of The Bald Truth Radio Show
Founder, American Hair Loss Association
Founder and Director of Consumer/Patient Affairs, International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS.ORG)