hello dr rassman/ pak
i want a comment on this product which can inhibit fgf-5, as they say.

Link: Lexilis lotion

thanks

According to that link, the product is described as a scalp lotion that contains “leaf extract from Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)” and “Senburi, a whole plant extract from Japanese green gentian (Swertia japonica)“. These ingredients don’t hold a lot of value to me, but if someone wants to give it a try, that is your choice to make (though at nearly $130 per bottle, that is also a financial risk you’re going to have to be willing to make).

There are a lot of herbal products out there that make unsubstantiated claims based on poorly done studies. I can’t say if this is such a product since I’ve never heard of it before, but Advangen (the maker of Lexilis) offers a few topical products that claim to inhibit FGF-5. Why are they making a big deal about FGF-5? Well, they claim it will extend the hair cycle. And it seems that they’re basing that on a study the company says they conducted on 39 people and an unknown amount of mice.

I get asked about herbal products all the time, and people are desperate to try anything to treat hair loss, so there’s a huge market out there full of snake oils, lotions, and potions that will do nothing but line the pockets of those willing to take advantage of balding folks. That’s why I always remind people of one important thing — buyer beware. You can give this one a try if you’d like, but even if the hair cycle is extended, I don’t see how that actually treats hair loss.

I have a question I am surprised not to have seen answered yet.

What are your thoughts on the recently-release Vichy Neogenic product? It is making some fairly impressive claims. Thanks.

French cosmetics giant L’Oreal is well known for its hair color products, so maybe their marketing clout means more than I can ascertain from the non-scientific material I’ve seen announcing the Neogenic product (see here). I haven’t read any peer-reviewed studies that would convince me the claims are factual, nor would I suggest that this is the hair loss cure we’ve all been waiting for. But they say this is the evolution of their Aminexil hair loss treatment, for what it’s worth.

If the consumer believes the claims are true, then in the free economy it is the consumer’s choice to try the product. Until I can see more, I’ll just remind everyone that my motto has always been buyer beware.

Hi there doctor. I’ve had two transplants now, and after my second one I believe I may have been duped in that my doctor heavily recommended me using a laser comb. I’ve used it for almost two years without seeing any positive results at all (if only I had found this site sooner.) My question is if I stop using it, will I lose any of my current hair? Is it actually helpful in stabilizing one’s current hairline? Thanks for your time.

Since I personally do not believe the Laser Comb works for treating hair loss, I would not think there would be any positives or negatives associated with stopping its use… aside from the extra time you save everyday to do other things.