Over-the-Counter Preventions for Hair Loss
Hair loss happens inevitably to many men and women. Men sometimes disguise it by shaving their entire heads and going fashionably bald, while some women choose fashionable hats, scarves or wigs to cover their heads. If you suffer from hair loss, but disguising it is not your preference–you are in luck! Some hair products are available for purchase without a prescription to help regrow hair and prevent hair loss.
Provillus
The Top Consumer Reviews website states that Provillus is the best product they’ve found to treat hair loss. Most people who use Provillus see results within three to four weeks of use. This hair growth product contains a formula that blocks DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormonal byproduct responsible for more than 90 percent of hair loss that shrinks the hair follicles until hair no longer grows. Provillus contains 5 percent Minoxidil, the only FDA-approved topical ingredient. In a randomized study of 143 subjects sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Consumer & Personal Products Worldwide and recorded by the federal Clinical Trials website in 2008, 5 percent topical Minoxidil was superior to placebo in increasing hair regrowth in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or hair loss in men. Aside from the topical treatment, Provillus also comes with an oral supplement that helps enable the growth of healthy, voluminous hair.
Provillus offers separate formulas for men and women. Having separate formulas is important because there are differences in hair loss by gender and the best way to tackle each condition is by developing a separate formula for each type. Provillus has no known side effects and is available without a prescription. The price for a month’s supply was about $49 in 2010.
Procerin
Like Provillus, Procerin is also an effectively proven hair loss treatment; however, it only treats men’s hair loss. Men with hair loss problem can take a Procerin tablet twice a day and apply the topical serum to the scalp.
Saw palmetto berry extract (SPBE) is the active ingredient in Procerin. According to U.S. Patent Office, SPBE blocks 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that turns the hormone testosterone to DHT, significantly reducing current hair loss while helping to prevent future loss.
Procerin benefits men between the ages of 18 and 35 because their hair is still in the growth phase; it also benefits men past their hair growth stage, helping them retain existing hair. Procerin is available over-the-counter. As of 2010, the cost was about $49 for a full month’s supply.
Sephren
Sephren attacks hair loss in a two-pronged approach–dietary supplements and topical serums. The dietary supplement contains herbs and comes in a form of a tablet taken twice a day that has nutritional importance and consists of ingredients such as Vitamin B6, magnesium and para-amino benzoic acid (PABA), which are all all necessary for hair growth. Vitamin B6 helps restore hair growth while magnesium aids in the metabolism of amino acids that make up proteins. According to “Physicians’ Desk Reference for Nutritional Supplements,” published by Medical Economics Company, PABA helps prevent hair loss and influences proper hair pigmentation by restoring color to graying hair.
Applied twice a day, the topical serums come in a foam form that helps condition the scalp and revitalizes the hair follicles. The serums (Sephren’s Texas White Cedarwood and Spanish Rosemary oils) help increase blood circulation, reactivate previously dormant follicles and promote new hair growth.
A full month’s supply of Sephren costs $69 as of 2010; it is available without prescription.
