For various reasons which are generally out of the persons control like hormonal or genetic, some people lose an unusual amount of hair. This is almost come be expected once a person has reached a ‘certain age’ but can be upsetting if hair loss starts when young. As time passes by restriction of hair growth occurs. Recent research has shown that in some cases a longer period of time passes between hair falling out and a new one growing. Over time this imbalance leads to a sparser head of hair and the individual hairs become finer Dercos Shampoo and Ampoules contain aminexil a relatively new drug developed by Vichy in France. Vichy’s results have shown that with regular use Dercos improves condition, thickness and the quantity of hairs on the head. In clinical trials Dercos produced an 8% improvement compared to placebo in just 6 weeks. In a total of 8 weeks those using placebo lost 3% of their growing hair compared to those using Dercos who showed 5% more hair growth than they had previously. Vichy have spent a considerable amount of time studying the traits of baldness. They found in both men and women that there was one common problem, a condition called perifollicular fibrosis. This is the excessive production of thick rigid collagen that in turn builds to block and hinder new hair growth. This causes less rooted hair within the scalp thus causing the hair to fall out prematurely. Dercos is the first patented substance to fight and prevent perifollicular fibrosis. Dercos enables the collagen to soften therefore free from build up. This helps the root stay in the scalp and is not forced upwards. The conclusion of various clinical and hospital trials is that Dercos has proven to significantly preserve existing hair growth. Minsaw A is special product used to supply the roots of the hair with nutrients and maintain a good blood supply to the follicle. Minsaw A is so named because of its three main ingredients, all proven to be effective in skin and hair conditions – the chemicals minoxidil and retinolic acid (Retin A) and the herb Saw Palmetto. Our Minsaw A contains the most proven strength of minoxidil for hair re-growth – 3%. It has been demonstrated that regular usage of minoxidil increases blood supply to the hair follicle therefore improving the availablity of nutrients. It is also a successful remover of built up toxins. Minoxidil has been used for over 25 years as a hair improvement product. Retinolic acid is an extremely poplular and powerful substance which also improves blood supply but this time to the skin. Most of the large cosmetic companies have finally caught up with science and use tiny amounts of retinolic acid in many of there anti-aging skin products. We have been selling the original and clinical strength retinolic acid for 15 years now with enormous success under the brand name of Retin-A., It works by shedding old surface skin and speeding up the appearance of new younger skin from under the old. The same principle in function can be used on the scalp as well as the face which is why it is one of the three main ingredients in Minsaw A. The most effective and proven level of retinolic acid of 0.025% is used in this preparation (unlike the miniscule amounts used by rip-off cosmetic giants!). Its inclusion boosts the effectiveness of the minoxidil. The third active-ingredient is Saw Palmetto the herb which has shown much promise in preventing the conversion of testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT is believed to be a factor in male pattern baldness and also responsible for the appearance of body hair as we age. The blocking of DHT in the body has been accomplished with drugs like Propecia, Proscar and Dutasteride which contain finasteride. These drugs are used for prostate conditions which are often the conclusion of DHT converted testosterone. Although proven to be effective for hair loss, due to the serious conditions for which these drugs are intended, we strongly recommend this treatment should only be conducted under the guidance of a physician. Meanwhile, Saw Palmetto has been used safely by millions of men as a supplement for the treatment or prevention of prostate problems. Nizoral is another hugely popular treatment for hair loss and scalp conditions killing fungal infections and eradicating dandruff with its active ingredient ketoconazole. The amount of ketoconazole is important because to fully function actively the common 1% simply isn’t strong enough. We offer the clinically proven strength at 2%. Ketoconazol’s role is the removal of a fatty deposit called sebum which accumulates on the scalp where the hair comes through the skin. Sebum is a mixture of fat and debris from dead fat-producing cells found in hair follicles. These cells are constantly replaced by new growth at the base of the sebum producing glands. The sebum is deposited on the hairs inside the follicles and is brought up to the surface of the scalp along the hair shaft. Nizoral removes the sebum therefore allowing room for growth. It has become popular to use a combination of the products to aid and enhance hair growth. A suggested 12-week intensive anti-alopecia course would require: - 2x Dercos Ampoules (each box contains 18-ampoules).
- 2x Dercos Shampoo (each bottle contains 200ml).
- 2x Minsaw A (each bottle contains 125ml).
- 2x Nizoral Shampoo (each bottle contains 120ml at 2% strength).
After the intensive treatment, a regular 12-week course may only require the following amounts: Dercos ampoules 2 per week; Dercos shampoo in place of "usual" shampoo (equals 2 bottles); <a href="../azmedicines/minsawa.html">Dercos</a> applied a minimum 3 times per week (equals 1 bottle); Nizoral Shampoo used once a week (equals 1 bottle). In October 2002 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug application for Dutasteride which is being marked under the brand names, Avodart and Avolve. Dutasteride manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is being used for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate. It will improve urinary symptoms, reduce risk of acute urinary retention (AUR) and reduce the risk for the need to undergo BPH-related surgery. Dutasteride Inhibits the enzymes 5-alpha-reductase type 1 and 2 which are responsible for the conversion of testosterone to DHT – the major cause of prostate enlargement. It has two medical applications: (1) a treatment of BPH and (2) the treatment of male-pattern baldness. It is noted that Dutasteride can reduce levels of DHT by up to 90% in just two weeks and by doing so reduces the size of the enlarged prostate. Dutasteride is not currently approved for use in treatment of male pattern baldness. Future research may indicate whether it may be investigated as a treatment for hair loss. The 5-alpha-reductase inhibiting drugs are not recommended for use by women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant, or by children. In fact women should avoid touching this medicine. Also please make sure your doctor knows if you have liver disease, call your doctor should symptoms not improve or if they get worse, do not donate blood for at least 6 months after you have discontinued usage. Finasteride is available in 5mg dosage under the brand name Proscar or in 1 mg dosage under the brand name Propecia. Proscar was the first on the market as a treatment for BPH. People began to notice after some time of using the product that finasteride had a positive effect on hair growth. It wasn’t long before the manufacturers began to trial the effect on baldness using the product. Due to potential side effects a small dose of 1mg was used as a potential hair loss treatment. Nearly 10 years ago the FDA approved its first ever hair loss drug – Propecia. It has become the usual practice now for hair loss experts to prescribe the use of Propecia along with minoxidil (see Minsaw A) to maximise results. Unlike Dutasteride, Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor for type 2 only. Before using finasteride, you should be absolutely aware that DHT has a role with our body and the elimination of it might not be universally advantageous. Like Dutasteride, Propecia and Proscar are for men ONLY. | 
