Nioxin®
Nioxin® is a cleanser scalp therapy and scalp serum. The product contains niocidin, which inhibits demodex produced lipase. However, according Dr. Ken Washenik “there has never been any study, that I am aware, that implicates demodex lipase in hair loss” or “that shows that hair will benefit from getting rid of mites or their lipase.” Nioxin is based on bionutrient actives and protectives. Their primary methodology is to clean the scalp of DHT and to provide chemically enhanced hair with moisture/vitamin nourishment. Primarily available in salons, the product can now be found in other retail outlets.

Dutasteride
Dutasteride, from Glaxo Smith Kline, is the most promising of the products or medications outside of Rogaine and Finesturide. Approved by the FDA only for use with prostate therapy, it was not submitted for male pattern baldness. It is a DHT blocker that blocks both forms of 2-alpha reductase enzymes (type 1and 2). Early studies show promising results, that is , slightly better than finasteride; however, the potential side effects require further trials and testing for overall efficacy and safety. Other early indications show that it has a longer half-life than finasteride and that the safety data is consistent with DHT reduction. It is still awaiting phase III trials. Dutasteride has been marketed with the brand name Avodart®

Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is available from multiple sources. It is an over-the-counter herb that has been claimed as effective as a supplement for thinning hair. It has been shown to be beneficial in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, but does not affect testosterone, DHT, or PSA levels. General usage recommends taking 400mgof standardized extract with 100 mg of beta sitosterol, daily. It is claimed that results will appear in five months.

* * This information was taken from The Hair Transplant Forum International, May/June 2003, pg229-331
* Altcheck, Douglas, MD, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, in Men’s Health magazine, September 2002.

Folliguard Extra
Folliguard Extra, from Jungle MD, is very similar to Avacor both in terms of usage and formulation. Specifically, it uses a system of DHT blocker and scalp detoxifying shampoo. Its active ingredients are minoxidil 2% and saw palmetto. It costs approximately $200 for a 3 month supply.

Hair Advantage
Hair Advantage, from Daniel Rogers Laboratory, is extremely similar to both Avacor and Folliguard. It uses a DHT blocker, nutrient serum, and scalp detoxifying shampoo. Its ingredients are composed of loniten (better identified as minoxidil), saw palmetto, tarakaci, notoptcryl, maidenhair tree, vaccinium murtillus, and euisetum. The estimated cost is $180 for a 3 month supply.

Xandrox
Xandrox also claims to contain a DHT blocker as well as a topical solution. Its active ingredients are minoxidil (12.5% micronized), azeliec acid 5%, and betamethasone valerate. The company reports that the 12.5% micronized minoxidil works on the teple and hairlines (non-responsive areas), while they say the azeleic acid can act as a DHT inhibitor .

Nu Hair
Nu Hair™, from Bioteck Corp., sells for $180 for a 3-month supply. It claims to be a “supplement” for thinning hair. Its active ingredients are he shou wou, saw palmetto, horsetail, henna, rosemary, progesterone, and nettle.

Hair Prime
Hair Prime™, from Universal Biologics, sells for $210 for a 3 month supply. It requires a regimen of shampoo, lotion, and primer to deliver “nutrients,” It has two herbal and vitamin supplement tablets containing pantothenic acid, biotin, and zinc. It claims to be a natural herbal treatment and that 9 out of 10 have healthier hair growth.

Thymuskin
Thymuskin, from Bioteckne Complex Inc., sells for $210 for a 3 month supply. It is a topical solution that must be massaged directly into the scalp. It contains the extract of calf thymus glands and claims to boost immune function. The company admits it is not effective for male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia, the most common types of hair loss.

FNS
FNS, Follicle Nutrient Serum, from Osmotics, sells for $65 for a 4-ounce tube. It is a topical solution that claims to contain a unique delivery system of nutrients. It is marketed as a cosmetic product and will not be submitted for FDA approval. No trials have been performed to date .

Folligen™
Folligen™ is available in three formulations: a cream for hairlines, a lotion for denser areas of hair, and a solution therapy spray for misting over the hair. It is available through the Internet and direct sales. It is a copper peptide-based product. Its functionality is based on the theory of increasing blood supply to the scalp to combat hair loss.

Triaxon™
Triaxon™ is a topical treatment. It is available through the Internet and direct sales. It is comprised of a combination of vital nutrients and vitamins and reports it has a higher level of active ingredients designed to promote new growth. It claims to help reduce DHT levels by 90% and to give users immediate results.

EPM
EPM, from Sumitomo Electronics, is an over-the-counter topical treatment comprised of 10 amino acids. Its active ingredient is epimorphin. No clinical trial data is available and it is not available in the United States .

Procyanidin B-2
Procyanidin B-2 is a combination shampoo, lotion, and primer as a regimen to deliver nutrients. It is a polyphenyl compound, found in apples, which is said to act on hair epithelial cells as a growth-promoting factor. Their own study indicated “an increase in the number of hairs and the diameter of hairs in the designated scalp area compared to placebo.” No statistics or data were provided.

Revivogen™
Revivogen™, from Advanced Skin and Hair, costs $99 for a 3-month supply. It is available over-the-counter and includes a scalp therapy formula and bio-cleansing shampoo. It says it is an anti-DHT product, and claims there are no systemic side effects and is safe for men and women. It does not have FDA approval. On their own Website, it states that it is “not a drug, medication, treatment, or cure for hair loss.” It also claims internal studies performed showed significant decrease in hair loss in 3 months .

Spironolactone
Spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic, used in treatment for blood pressure, and has been found to have anti-androgen activity. It is a DHT blocker in topical form and must be applied daily followed by the application of a monocidil solution. It is available by prescription in tablet or foam.

LaserComb
Lasercomb, by Lexington International, claims to use photobiostimulation with low-level, cold beam laser therapy. It claims to show improvements or activation of hair in the first 5-10 weeks. It requires usage twice a day for 10 minutes per session. It has had some mixed reactions. Some of the positive responses are from respondents using other forms of hair loss remedies. It has begun FDA clinical trials. It sells for $695.

Hairogenics™
Hairogenics™ is a hair storage service in a temperature-controlled vault. The principle involves storing hair until cloning or other reproduction methods are viable. Concerns revolve around the extraction of hair and that DNA taken from existing hair would be sufficient for any cloning or reproducing possibilities. Based in Oregon, cost is an initial $50 plus $10 per annum for storage.

Dermal Fusion
Dermal Fusion, By Ryan Livingston, claims to be a hair “multiplication” technique in which microscopic biopsies of hair or scalp tissue are removed without scarring or blood. Follicles are multiplied in a type of incubation chamber and a pipette then inserts surviving cells. The procedure claims immediate hair growth without any trauma or resting phase. It is generally believed to be a hoax .