THE BELGRAVIA CENTRE HAIR LOSS BLOG

MHRA Medical License | FDA Approval

Revivogen is a brand of natural hair products and topical treatments that claim to prevent hair loss by combining a range of beneficial natural ingredients such as azaleic acid, zinc and saw palmetto to help inhibit the formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp.

Revivogen products are classified as natural, and therefore are not subject to licensing or approval by medical regulatory bodies. The Medicines and Healthcare Product Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US are responsible for ensuring a medicinal product is safe and clinically proven to be effective for its intended use.

Revivogen is not a medicinal product and only two hair loss treatments have been granted the approval and licensing required by the MHRA and FDA, meaning they are the only ones proven to be effective for the prevention of hair loss and regrowth of hair. You can find out more about those products here – Hair Loss Treatment for Men | Hair Loss Treatment for Women.

The Belgravia Centre does not offer Revivogen as part of its treatment programmes, but you can purchase it on various websites.

The active ingredients in Revivogen products (as stated on its website) include:
Alpha Linolenic acid (ALA)
Azaleic Acid
Beta-Sitosterol
Gamma Linolenic acid (GLA)
Linoleic Acid
Oleic Acid
Procyanidin Oligomers
Saw Palmetto Extract
Vitamin B6
Zinc

Zulvera Herbal Hair Shampoo is a natural hair loss remedy created by WellWorth Cosmetics, an Ayurvedic product manufacturing and marketing company based in India. They claim Zulvera works to produce stronger hair roots, revitalise dying hair follicles, and produce renewed hair growth, and can be used by men and women of all ages to “prevent hair loss and baldness“.

How is it MEANT to work?

Zulvera Herbal Hair Shampoo contains ingredients such as chamomile, sage, tea tree, witch hazel and saw palmetto, which its manufacturers say have medicinal properties and help revive dying hair follicles. Apparently Zulvera has been “scientifically prepared using the principles of Ayurveda” that aggressively nourishes the scalp to create the optimum environment for new, healthy hair.

The idea is that Zulvera will keep the scalp clean and strengthen and fortify the hair follicles to enable them to endure or resist the effects of DHT, the most common cause of hair loss, and continue producing hair growth. It also attests to work successfully for the receding hairline and that “areas which lost hair most recently will show the first results.”

DOES it work?

According to Zulvera Herbal Hair Shampoo’s website, “studies indicate that its very effective for the majority of people. It has a very high success rate.” However, they do not provide a reference to any study that would allow the consumer to evaluate that claim and determine if Zulvera is in fact effective for hair loss.

Some of the ingredients such as saw palmetto, also contained in Belgravia’s Hair Vitalics, have been shown to benefit hair health. But there is no proof that any of them can effectively stabilise, stop or even prevent hair loss. Additionally, in its disclaimer, Zulvera’s manufacturers say, “We do not make any claims to the effectiveness of the product contained in this site. It is by no means conclusive, and does not guarantee results. It is not meant to take the place of medical treatment.”

Only two products have been medically approved and licensed for the treatment of hair loss. Following years of extensive clinical trials and studies, these hair loss treatments have proven both safe and effective for that express purpose. Zulvera is a natural herbal product and is not approved or licensed by the FDA or MHRA. There is no conclusive evidence that Zulvera is effective for hair loss.

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Pilfood is a brand of products, created by Spanish pharmaceutical and health products company Laboratorios Serra Pamies, which includes shampoos, a hair supplement, and a topical anti-hair loss treatment. It is said that Pil Food products will help ensure healthy hair growth and the strengthening of damaged and brittle hair, and that Pilfood Direct can stop hair loss.

Pilfood Direct is a cosmetic product, according to Laboratorias Serra Pamies. It is not a medicinal product and it is not licensed by the MHRA for the treatment of hair loss, however, much of its product information may be misconstrued by some consumers.

Pilfood Direct is claimed to:

*Stop / Slow down hair loss by 90% 
*Speed up growth of new hair by 64%
*Bring strength and volume to hair by 73%

Pilfood Direct is “indicated for all those situation, in men as well as women, in which there is an excessive hair loss”. It boasts PRO-ANAGEX as its active ingredient, which manufacturers claim to be an “anti hair loss can capillary reviving molecule”. However, there are no studies or conclusive evidence to confirm that Pilfood Direct can alone stop, stabilise, or prevent hair loss in men or women.

How is it MEANT to work?

According to Pilfood manufacturers and marketers, Pil Food Direct works to:

Stop/Slow Down Hair Loss – by restoring “hormone equilibrium”. The main cause of hair loss, most of the time, is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an active bi-product of testosterone that gradually weakens and shrivels the hair follicle and hinders hair growth. Pilfood Direct claims to slow this process down and increase the number of hairs in anagen against those in telogen (see hair growth cycle).

Speed Up Hair Growth – by promoting the transport of essential nutrients for hair growth to the follicles. It is said the ingredients of Pilfood Direct work to stimulate cell activity in the hair follicle and promote new hair growth.

Improve Hair Strength and Volume – by repairing the capillary structure and improving the cuticle surface. Pro-Anagex is claimed to fight fragility and capillary weakness and strengthen and thicken the hair.

DOES it Work?

Manufacturers claim in vitro tests were used to assess the effect Pro-Anagex had on hair. In an artificial environment, they say an increase of new hair against loss of hair was observed. There is no indication that it has been examined and proven to have the same effect in practical human use.

The details of the clinical study relating specifically to Pro-Anagex and Pilfood Direct are unknown.* At this stage there is no way of knowing how comprehensive the study was and whether the results hold any significant value, or if they are accurate.

The trademarked Pro-Anagex soy compound formula has not been independently tested and confirmed to have any effect on stabilising hair loss. Pro-Anagex is derived from a pulse cultivated in the Mediterranean region known as lupinus albus, or white lupin. According to Pilfood manufacturers and marketers, it is an active compound rich in amino acids, vitamins and nutrients and has powerful effects on slowing down hair loss and stimulating growth. But no vitamin, mineral or amino acid has ever been proven to have such a significant effect on hair loss.

The product information about Pilfood Direct Anti-Hair Loss Treatment does concede that it should be used “as a supplement of oral treatments and/or topical anti-hair loss products”. That is, in addition to clinically proven and licensed hair loss treatments. There are no studies that firmly prove Pilfood Direct is an effective treatment for hair loss.

* Belgravia has contacted the manufacturer in regards to specifics of the study. This post may be updated once further details are acquired. 

More Information:
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Hair Loss in Women
Hair Loss Product Guide

Zenagen is a shampoo containing a blend of natural extracts including bioflavanoids, serenoa repens, polyphenol antioxidants, that claims to be “the world’s first shampoo especially formulated to help men prevent going bald.” However, while the ingredients may provide the support the scalp needs to nourish the hair follicles, there is no evidence that “Zenagen Natural Hair Loss Shampoo is the best product to stop and protect against hair loss.”

How is it MEANT to work?

According to its website, “Zenagen blocks DHT, protects the scalp and hair follicles from harmful UV rays, increases hair growth, and prevents balding!”

It claims to reduce dihydrotestosterone (DHT) naturally by interfering with the conversion process that turns testosterone into DHT. “This dual-prong approach”, it says, reduces local testosterone levels and neutralises DHT, eliminating the main factor that causes hair loss.

Zenagen also says it stimulates blood flow to the hair follicles and speeds up hair growth. Apparently, the “powerful botanical extracts” provide the maximum protection against thinning hair, help stop hair loss and increase hair thickness.

DOES it work?

Although Zenagen claim to singularly be an effective product for hair loss, it does allow that it is “designed to be able to be used with other hair loss products like minoxidil and Propecia.”

There are, in fact, no clinical studies about how effective Zenagen shampoo is for men experiencing various stages of hair loss. Rather, it is claimed “Zenagen is scientifically and medically designed and formulated using third party research studies”. However, while the natural ingredients may provide some benefit in maintaining a healthy scalp for optimal hair growth, none have actually been proven effective in preventing or stabilising hair loss.

Zenagen is not licensed by the MHRA or FDA-approved. It is categorised as a dietary supplement and as such, Zenagen has more lenient rules regarding what it can and can’t say about it’s product than medical treatments. Still, it’s current claims may be giving some people the wrong idea about what Zenagen Natural Hair Loss Shampoo can actually do for them.

Despite Zenagen’s claim to be “the best hair loss product”, there are only two hair loss treatments that have been clinically proven, medically approved and licensed to help prevent and reverse hair loss. These products, if prescribed at the optimum dose to suit the individual and used and combined correctly, will ensure the best opportunity for hair loss stabilisation and hair regrowth.

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Avacor is a company that produces products under the same name that aim to help re-grow hair and prevent future hair loss.

How is it MEANT to work?

Avacor sell a range of hair loss products and they claim one of these products is FDA-approved. However, it is one of the ingredients in this one product that is FDA approved for hair loss, not the Avacor product itself.

The Avacor Physician’s Formula contains minoxidil, one of only two clinically proven treatments for hair loss. According to Avacor, their Physician’s Formula contains “the highest concentration of the proven hair growth medication minoxidil” which “slows down further hair loss and starts your hair regrowth”. And even if you’re not thinning or losing hair, Avacor says that its products can help thicken hair.

DOES it Work?

Minoxidil, as an individual treatment, has been licensed by the MHRA and FDA-approved for hair loss. Because the Avacor Physician’s Formula contains minoxidil, there is a good chance that users will receive some benefit. However, there is no proven way of increasing hair thickness. Clinically proven hair loss treatments work to restore the hair to its former glory, but they will not improve its thickness if the hair is naturally thin.

Avacor Physician’s Formula contains a 5% concentration of minoxidil, which it claims is “the highest concentration”. However, there is a belief that the concentration of minoxidil one requires to achieve the best results should be individually determined. This is why minoxidil is available in strengths that range from 2% lotion to a 12.5% minoxidil cream.

There are only two clinically proven hair loss treatments that have been medically approved and licenced to help prevent and reverse hair loss. If prescribed at the optimum dose to suit the individual, and used and combined correctly, most users will experience stabilisation of loss and hair regrowth with use of these products.

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Viviscal is essentially a natural supplement available in a men’s and women’s formula, although they do also sell shampoo, conditioner and scalp lotion. According to its website, Viviscal says it has been “scientifically proven to stop thinning hair, and promote healthy hair growth”, but according to the criterion set by the MHRA and UK Advertising Standards Authority for natural supplements, such a claim may be crossing the lines of truthfulness and substantiation.

How is it MEANT to Work?

Viviscal says it provides nourishment for your hair and “is used extensively by models and actors to promote longer, stronger, more beautiful looking hair”. It contains a combination of silica compounds, vitamin C, and a “highly concentrated marine protein”. Like Belgravia’s own Hair Vitalics, natural supplements can help provide the nutrients your hair needs for optimum health but they are not licensed treatments for hair loss. Lax regulation in regards to food supplements, however, means embellished statements can sometimes go by the wayside, but there is no sufficient evidence that proves any supplement is effective in stabilising or reversing hair loss, not even Viviscal.

DOES it Work?

As a natural supplement, Viviscal are not required to prove that their remedy works. Their independent studies are not overseen by any regulatory body and, according to the MHRA, as long as their supplement avoids promising to cure a specific ailment, Viviscal can say pretty much whatever they want.

Although Viviscal’s “clinically proven hair loss treatment that can turn thinning hair into thicker hair” is walking a very fine line in advertising standards, it does not hold much significance in the treatment of hair loss. Viviscal’s formulations may promote healthy hair growth by providing beneficial nutrients to the follicles, but none of its ingredients have been individually proven to help stop hair loss or stimulate new hair growth. And although there are no studies that conclude Viviscal is not beneficial in treating hair loss, there is no reliable or conclusive evidence to say that it is.

Unlike food supplements, medical hair loss treatments are subjected to exacting scientific trial to prove them both safe and also effective and are overseen by medical regulatory bodies. Only two products have been clinically proven and licensed by the MHRA and FDA approved for the treatment of hair loss.

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Wellman specialise in nutritional products that aim to support “the human body in its own natural processes”. The hair growth cycle is a natural process and Wellman Tricologic is a nutritional supplement designed to help “nourish hair and maintain healthy hair follicles”. Its ingredients indicate that it may be effective for this specific purpose, however, there is no evidence to suggest that Wellman Tricologic is useful in preventing the onset or controlling the progression of hair loss.

How is it MEANT to work?

Wellman has developed two different formulas for its Tricologic product – one for men, one for women. They say “supplementation can play an important role in safeguarding an individual’s nutritional intake” and that the carefully considered blend of vitamins and minerals in Wellman Tricologic can help maintain scalp health and nourish hair follicles by ensuring the right nutrients are delivered “directly to the hair roots for maximum benefit,” which in turn will help “keep hair looking thick and healthy.”

DOES it work?

According to science, there is no way of increasing hair diametre if your hair is naturally thin. Equally, if you’re experiencing thinning hair as a result of a genetic predisposition, natural supplements can’t improve thickness or stop it from thinning any further.

As a hair supplement, the ingredients contained in Wellman Tricologic – such as iron, zinc, biotin and L-cysteine (ingredients found also in Belgravia’s own natural supplement, Hair Vitalics) – have all shown to benefit the hair and scalp. By supporting the structure of hair and encouraging cellular metabolism, Wellman Tricologic may help improve the quality of existing hair, but none of its ingredients can individually prevent, stabilise or reverse hair loss.

There are only two clinically proven hair loss treatments that have been medically approved and licenced to help prevent and reverse hair loss. If prescribed at the optimum dose to suit the individual, and used and combined correctly, most users will experience stabilisation of loss and hair regrowth with use of these products.

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Natural Hair Supplements vs. Proven Hair Loss Treatments

Provillus is a two-part product consisting of a natural supplement and a liquid formula that says it “aggressively seeds your scalp” to create the optimum environment for healthy hair growth and supplies the hair follicles with nutrients “required to bring damaged, dead hair follicles back to life.” While the ingredients in Provillus can help maintain a healthy scalp and hair, there is no way of renewing dormant hair follicles and there is no evidence that Provillus can prevent hair loss in men or women.

How is it MEANT to work?

Provillus have developed two different formulas – one for men, one for women. According to Provillus, their product contains “an FDA-approved ingredient for hair growth” and the treatment provides “all the vital elements for faster growing, strong and beautiful hair”.  However, it fails to mention any evidence that would indicate that it can be used as an effective treatment for hair loss and in fact their website discloses that “This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”

DOES it work?

The Provillus supplement contains palmetto, nettle root, zinc, biotin, vitamin B6 and uva-ursi, ingredients found also in Belgravia’s own natural supplement, Hair Vitalics. Some of these elements have been found to be beneficial to the quality of hair, but none of them will individually encourage new hair growth or stop the natural progression of hair loss.

The liquid part of the Provillus treatment boasts minoxidil as a key component. It is not what you would call a ‘natural’ ingredient, but it is a liquid and a product in itself. Minoxidil, in fact, is an FDA-approved and MHRA-licenced treatment for hair loss, which when properly administered at the optimal dose has alone proven to regrow hair in most people who use it.

No external studies have been conducted to conclusively prove the effectiveness of Provillus as a hair loss treatment and it is likely that if any hair growth was to be experienced through the use of the complete Provillus range, it would be thanks largely to the minoxidil.  However, many UK suppliers seem to only offer the supplement, for which there is no substantial proof that any natural supplement can reverse or control hair loss.

There are only two clinically proven hair loss treatments that have been medically approved and licenced to help prevent and reverse hair loss. If prescribed at the optimum dose to suit the individual, and used and combined correctly, most users will experience stabilisation of loss and hair regrowth with use of these products.

Provillus Information

Propecia vs. Procerin vs. Provillus

Provillus - Does it Work for a Receding Hairline?

Procerin is a hair supplement designed specifically for men and comes in tablet and topical liquid form, containing various vitamins, minerals and nutrients that Procerin say is “effective in reversing hair loss in men caused by androgenetic alopecia”, or male pattern baldness. While ingredients such as saw palmetto, azelaic acid and vitamin B6 may be beneficial to promoting healthy existing hair growth and vitality, there is no substantial evidence that Procerin can encourage renewed hair growth or prevent the onset or progression of hair loss.

How is it MEANT to work?

Procerin says it is scientifically designed to help men retain and regrow their hair by blocking “DHT from getting to your body” and providing a specifically tailored combination of nutrients to “prevent hair loss and help you to regrow hair naturally”. Although Procerin say it is beneficial for men whose hair is still growing, it concedes that its effectiveness may be limited for those whose hair is no longer growing.

DOES it work?

Procerin is not a product that has been licenced by the MHRA or FDA approved for the prevention of hair loss or the regrowth of hair, and has not been through the rigorous testing that medical hair loss treatments are subjected to. And because it is a natural supplement, Procerin has much more lenient regulations when it comes to the statements that it, as a company, can make about the product.

Procerin says you can “prevent hair loss and regrow hair in just weeks” by using the treatment twice a day. In a 90-day observational clinical study that Procerin conducted itself, it concluded that three-quarters of the men said Procerin was effective in slowing down or stopping hair loss. However, there are a number of limitations in this study that make is difficult to assess whether Procerin really is an effective method of hair loss prevention. It was not overseen by any external organisation for one, and an observational study of 21 men “experiencing some level of thinning hair and or hair loss” may be too small and unspecific to prove the real level of efficacy of any hair loss treatment.

Additionally, there aren’t any ingredients in Procerin that have been conclusively proven to have an effect on hair growth. For example, studies have shown saw palmetto is an effective anti-androgen and lowers DHT levels and it is even used in the treatment of prostatic disease. But it is only assumed to also be effective in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, there is no firm evidence that it – or Procerin – can help.

There are only two clinically proven hair loss treatments that have been medically approved and licenced to help prevent and reverse hair loss. If prescribed at the optimum dose to suit the individual, and used and combined correctly, most users will experience stabilisation of loss and hair regrowth with use of these products.

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Propecia vs. Procerin vs. Provillus

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Nourkrin is essentially a natural hair supplement, but it has also branched out into lotions and shampoos. On each of its packages it states that Nourkrin “Nourishes thinning hair and promotes existing hair growth.” And while its ingredients may help to provide an optimal environment for healthy hair growth, there is no substantial evidence that Nourkrin can encourage renewed hair growth or prevent the onset or progression of hair loss.

How is it MEANT to work?

Nourkrin says it “is an entirely natural, drug-free food supplement designed to supply your body with the specific nutrients needed to promote good, natural hair growth from the follicles.” Containing a range of marine based extracts, vitamins and minerals, Nourkrin as a hair supplement boasts ingredients that have been found to be beneficial to promoting good quality hair. But Nourkrin also says that its Extra Strength range “slows down and reduces thinning hair” in the first two months of use, and that the “key ingredient is a protein compound of marine extracts, including the cartilage of deep-sea fish.”

DOES it work?

Nourkrin is a product that has not been licenced by the MHRA or FDA  and has therefore not been through the rigorous testing that medical hair loss treatments are subjected to. As far as the individual ingredients are concerned, none of them have been proven to have an effect of the course of hair loss.

There are only two clinically proven hair loss treatments that have been medically approved and licenced to help prevent and reverse hair loss. If prescribed at the optimum dose to suit the individual, and used and combined correctly, most users will experience stabilisation of loss and hair regrowth with use of these products.

Nourkrin Information

Hair Loss Product Guide

Herbal Hair Supplements vs. Proven Hair Loss Treatments