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Zinc

In laboratory tests animals fed with a zinc supplement showed signs of more hair growth, as opposed to loss of hair in animals that were deprived of zinc in their feed. It was discovered that there was a change in the hair protein structure when zinc was deficient in the diet. Severe zinc deficiency in humans has been shown to produce baldness and scalp problems that were reversed when zinc was returned to the diet. Zinc has also been shown to stop hair turning grey. One doctor taking zinc for a year reversed the grey hairs which returned to their original color. Zinc can be depleted by high stress levels. For a good source of zinc, wheat germ is the best, other sources are brewer's yeast, pumpkin seeds, oysters and mussels, shrimps and egg yolks. One delightful effect of zinc is that it has long been regarded as an aphrodisiac, and as such it can be very beneficial for your sex life, which is not a bad side effect to have.

How to use zinc?

Zinc stimulates hair growth by enhancing immune function.

Dosage: 50-100 mg daily. Do not exceed this amount.

zinc is available over the counter at any drug store

Saw Palmetto

Serenoa repens is the medical name for the herb saw palmetto. The deep red fruit of this small palm grows wild in warm climates such as those found in the Southeastern United States.

The liposerolic extract of the fruit of Saw Palmetto is the most popular herbal supplement for the promotion of prostate health in Europe.

Research has shown that the herb Saw Palmetto has the same effects as finasteride in treating patients with benign prostate enlargement. In fact, the herb is very popular and common in Germany and is available as an over-the-counter medication. There are many research and studies in Germany that confirm the effectiveness of Saw Palmetto in treating patients with prostatic disease.

Studies have shown that saw palmetto is an effective anti-androgen. It acts in a similar way that Propecia does. Firstly it lowers levels of DHT in the body by blocking 5 alpha-reductase. Secondly Saw Palmetto block receptor sites on cell membranes required for cells to absorb DHT. Although no studies have been carried out on saw palmetto and its relationship to hair growth.
Studies have been performed on the use of Saw palmetto in the treatment of benign prostatic disease which similar to Androgenetic Alopecia and also depends on the production of dihydrotestosterone(DHT). All of the studies that have been performed to date show that Saw palmetto is an effective anti-androgen and has shown conclusively to be effective in the treatment of benign prostate disease.

More and more people around the globe are starting to use Saw palmetto in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasma and in the treatment of Androgenetic alopecia

One may assume from this that since Saw palmetto is an effective antiandrogen and is used in the treatment of prostatic disease then it may also be effective in the treatment of Androgenetic alopecia.

Some studies have shown that saw palmetto may have the same effect as the drug finasteride in treating hair loss and prostate enlargement diseases. It has been suggested that both hair loss and prostate disease are related to the hormone DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) which is formed when the enzyme 5-alpha reductase interacts with the male hormone testosterone.

Finasteride works as an 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. It reduces the amount of 5-alpha reductase in our body and thereby reduces the formation of DHT, which is the main cause for hair loss and prostatic disease. DHT is formed when 5-alpha reductase interacts with the male hormone testosterone. DHT is a derivate of testosterone but is many times more potent. Hair follicles that are sensitive to DHT tend to fall off when exposed to the hormone.

Since both hair loss and prostatic disease are related to DHT, many suggest that Saw Palmetto will also be effective in treating people with hair loss by reducing the amount of DHT in our body and around the hair follicles. Although there is no formal study or testing to confirm the effectiveness of Saw Palmetto in treating hair loss, many companies are already preparing topical hair lotions that are formulated with Saw Palmetto.

Side effects?

No significant side effects have been noted in clinical trials with this herbal extract, except for rare headache or stomach upset if taken on an empty stomach.
Because of possible hormonal activity, it is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

How much to take?

As a general guideline, a common dose for men is 320 mg. of extract per day, standardized to at least 85-95% fatty acids with a guaranteed minimum of 0.2-0.4% sterols. ("Standardized" means you get the same amount of active ingredients every time).
You may decide to start with a somewhat lower dose. In men, it can be taken for six weeks before any effect is noticed.
If improvement is noted, it is recommended that men take it continuously. Since you're trying to reduce DHT like the men are, you could do the same.

Hair Loss Treatments

There are a number of products that state they promote healthy hair, reduce hair loss, or speed the post-surgical course. One of these is reviovogen. We do not find this product offers any clinical advantage or does anything positive for the consumer. This product is essentially worthless.
Saw Palmetto does reduce the DHT your body produces and may reduce hair loss. It may even re-grow hair in a small percentage of very lucky individuals. In one study it was shown just as effective in reducing the prostate size as 5mg of finasteride, but it has not been studied clinically in hair loss against Propecia.
Zinc is essential for healthy hair. Hair Structure is clearly the best post surgical product for hair restoration surgery because it delivers antioxidants to the transplanted area and the donor area. Hair structure speeds the recovery phase, and it is totally natural.
Hair cycle includes Biotin which is a major component in the natural hair manufacturing process -- it is essential to not only grow new hair, but it also plays a major role in the overall health of skin and nails.

Hair loss and hair transplant treatments Information

		Hair Cycle products
		Saw Palmetto
		Zinc
		Revivogen

Nizoral

Nizoral shampoo (Ketaconazole 2%) contains a broad-spectrum antifungal, which inhibits the growth of yeast and other fungal infections providing relief from dandruff. Ketaconazole is also known to have anti androgenic effects. Recent research indicates that long term use of Nizoral Shampoo may have some benefit the treatment of Androgenetic alopecia.
Groups of individuals have discovered that Nizoral (when used regularly) is a very useful alopecia treatment, once again it would appear that the role of a substance for the treatment of hair-loss is stumbled upon accidentally!
Nizoral contains a chemical called ketoconazole. It is known that when ketoconazole is ingested orally, it inhibits the binding of androgens to receptors in the body and this would include the binding of DHT to hair-follicle receptors.
This shampoo is beneficial in combination with Rogaine. You can use Nizoral 1-3 a week only with a doctor recommendation. However the use of oral ketoconazole is NOT recommended for many reasons, mainly because this method would present itself as a toxin and ultimately damage the liver. But topical ketoconazole (as contained in Nizoral shampoo) shows itself to have a "weak" anti-DHT binding affect in the scalp.

Inactive Ingredients

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamide MEA, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Distearate, Acrylic Acid Polymer (Carbomer 1342), Fragrance, Sodium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Quaternium -15, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrochloric Acid, FD&C Blue No. 1

Rogain (Minoxidil)

Originally Minoxidil (which is applied to the skin) was marketed in a tablet form for the treatment of high blood pressure. Unwanted hair growth was one of the side effects of this treatment. This side effect resulted in researchers producing a topical solution for treating hair loss. Topical Minoxidil (Rogaine™) has been shown to stimulate hair growth on the crowns of men's heads. In women, Rogaine™ can increase hair growth in the forehead area.

Minoxidil solution is used in the treatment of male pattern alopecia in men, and female pattern alopecia in women. It is occasionally useful for other forms of alopecia, including alopecia areata.

Minoxidil is in a class of drugs called hair growth stimulants. Trade names of minoxidil solution in New Zealand are Regaine™ and Headway™. It is available in a 2% and a 5% solution.

Rogaine™ has to be applied on the scalp at least twice daily and for at least four months to see results. It doesn't work as well in older patients, people with larger areas of baldness, or people that have been bald for longer periods of time. Rogaine™ should be applied to a normal dry scalp only and left in place. It is for external use only and for use by men only. Apply 1ml with dropper or sprayer (6 sprays) 2 times a day directly onto the scalp in the hair loss area. Using it more often will not improve results. Do not apply on other parts of the body.

Minoxidil (Rogain) normally induces new hair growth between 4 and 6 months of use. If it has not worked by 6 months it is probably not going to. It appears to begin slowing the hair loss process almost immediately but - there are no guarantees. You simply have to try it to see.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using minoxidil, tell your doctor and/or pharmacist

if you are allergic to minoxidil or any other drugs.

what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially guanethidine (Ismelin), other medications for high blood pressure, and vitamins.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, kidney, liver, or scalp disease.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using minoxidil, call your doctor.

plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Minoxidil may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.