Lixilis Lotion, a FGF-5 Inhibitor?

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.