It has been known for over 30 years that minoxidil stimulates hair growth, yet understanding the mechanism of action on the hair follicle is still very limited. Minoxidil was introduced in the early 1970s as a treatment for high blood pressure. Hair growth was a common side-effect in those taking minoxidil tablets and this led to the development of minoxidil lotion for the treatment of hair loss in men and women. The 2% product was first marketed for hair regrowth in men in 1986 in the United States and the 5% product became available in 1993. Despite much research over 20 years scientists still have only a limited understanding of how minoxidil stimulates hair growth. Response of the Hair Follicle… read more

Saw Palmetto is a popular herbal treatment for benign (non cancerous) prostatic hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate. However, this tiny fruit has also been used to help prevent hair loss. Saw Palmetto has existed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. It has been known to be used by both North and South American Indians, as well as Aborigines. The herb was used for a number of purposes including appetite stimulation, painful menstruation and even as a treatment for infertility. The Link between Saw Palmetto and Hair Loss It appears that the Saw Palmetto fruit contains an agent that works against the male hormonal metabolite, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is known to be involved with causing pattern baldness in… read more

In a number of previous blog entries and also extensively in the forums, it has been reported that a cocktail of hair loss products often works better than one single hair loss product, therefore attacking the chemical and physiological causes of hair loss from a number of angles. For example, ProFusion Shampoo and Conditioner can be used with Propecia (Finasteride) and Regaine (Minoxidil). How does Finasteride Work? This involves a lot of biological terms but we have tried to explain these where possible. Finasteride inhibits an enzyme in your body called Type II 5α-reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone into Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Two distinct isoenzymes (or isozymes) are found in humans: Type I and II. Isozymes have a slightly different chemical… read more

It has been said on this blog and on a number of others, that hair loss products often work best as in combination, with people often using three or four products together therefore tackling the issue from a number of different directions. It is well reported that hair loss is caused by the hormone DHT in the scalp, causing a reduction in blood flow to the hair root. Therefore some shampoos and conditioners work by suppressing DHT in the scalp and others work by increasing blood flow, which is where ProFusion shampoo and conditioner are generally accept to fit. ProFusion shampoo and conditioner can be used with Regaine (Minoxidil) or Propecia (Finasteride), but we would like to hear your experiences… read more