The Hair Product Promise: BUYER BEWARE

From the drug store to the late night infomercials, consumers are inundated with an endless supply of “breakthrough” and “revolutionary” products promising to bring back their hair—or to help keep it for those concerned about losing their hair. Whether natural or pharmaceutical based, these products offer little more than false hope to distraught men and women.

The unfortunate reality is that hair loss is a genetic condition (thank the genes for 98% of it), for which virtually no NATURAL treatment is available. So it’s important for people to know there are only three treatments scientifically proven to treat androgenetic alopecia: Propecia (finasteride), Rogaine (minoxidil) and LLLLT (low level laser light therapy). What I prescribe in my practice depends on the individual’s needs.

I would like to add, as well, that so many products contain Saw Palmetto, a so-called “DHT Blocker” by the infomercial people. Make no mistake about it, Saw Palmetto does, indeed, block DHT to some extent, but there is NO study or evidence AT ALL that it has ANY positive effect on the hair follicle. It has been shown to be helpful to shrink the size of the prostate gland, BUT it does NOTHING for the hair follicle to stop hair shedding or to regrow hair! So, watch out for those expensive “hair vitamins” that tout the benefit of Saw Palmetto.

Another mineral that is sold to stop hair loss and to regrow hair is Biotin. This mineral does help with the strength of the current hair and, particularly, the fingernails, BUT it does not help to do anything else regarding hair loss.

My patients also often ask me what they can do to maintain healthy hair—and the regimen is pretty straightforward. I advise them to shampoo daily using a product with a copper peptide, which can help the follicles. Copper has been shown to be healthful by increasing the MICRO-circulation around the follicles.

So if you suspect you may be starting to lose your hair, get an expert evaluation to find out what’s really going on before spend money on products with no return on your supposed investment.