It’s only the third such patent to be registered in the United States. The other patents are for Johnson & Johnson with its Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) technology. A patient may choose hair replacement medication over surgery. Which one used depends on the type and place of hair loss and/or thinning.
PROMISING NEW HAIR THINNING TREATMENT
Sharon di Stefano, a contributor to the financial investment digital title, Seeking Alpha, stated that she thinks the DS Healthcare product is promising. Due to a continual increase in interest for effective new hair thinning treatments, di Stefano thinks it will be popular. Di Stefano equates the DS Healthcare new hair thinning treatment tablet as a competitor with Propecia, which she refers to as a “bad drug” due to its potential side effects that may include impotence, weight gain and swelling of break tissue.
DS Healthcare plans to platform launch the new hair thinning treatment tablet in Mexico, with additional plans underway to increase distribution to North and South America and China. The company has traditionally focused on topical skin care products and hair care products. The new hair thinning treatment tablet will be marketed as a nutraceutical. The company also claims the tablet has proven to be more effective in clinical trials when compared to similar products on the market.
Though no concrete details have been released on the exact formulation, DS Healthcare says its development team focused on complex peptides and antioxidants. The complex peptides and antioxidants are combined with other ingredients to enhance potency and efficacy. The new hair thinning treatment tablet launches in Mexico in the first quarter of 2014 and then continues to worldwide distribution.
ROGAINE HAIR THINNING TREATMENT
Rogaine works by revitalizing hair follicles and re-growing hair. Minoxidil is the active ingredient in Rogaine, which reactivates hair’s natural growth cycle. Hair follicles shrink due to hereditary hair loss, and overtime using Rogaine can decrease hair loss and increase volume and thickness. It is available as a foam or solution. Foam is massaged into the entire scalp, while the topical solution is applied directly to areas of hair loss.
A patient should use Rogaine twice a day, every day. During the first two weeks or so of use, the patient begins to shed hair. This is a positive effect because it eliminates older, weaker hair to make room for new growth of stronger, thicker hair. Regrowth of new hair starts at approximately four, which may appear as soft and colorless. A patient must continue to use Rogaine daily to maintain results and minimize hair loss. Rogaine is FDA-approved to treat hereditary hair loss in both men and women.
Possible Side Effects
- Dry, itchy scalp
- Irritation of the scalp
- Unwanted facial hair
For those who choose hair restoration medication over surgery, only Rogaine and Propecia are available. However, Florida-based DS Healthcare is entering the market with its new hair thinning treatment tablet.
PROPECIA HAIR THINNING TREATMENT
Propecia is a prescription pill taken once daily to treat hair loss in the anterior mid-scalp and on the vortex (top of head). Finasteride is the active ingredient, which blocks the formation of DHT on the scalp. Decreasing DHT levels are thought to inhibit shrinking of hair follicles, which results in thinner hair and hair loss.
Propecia has more side effects than Rogaine and is not FDA-approved in women. On men, hair regrowth is apparent by six months and sometime three months. If hair growth does not occur in 12 months, it is unlikely it will work on the patient at all. Propecia use needs to be continuous or new hair taken the course of treatment will likely fall out.
Possible Side Effects
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased libido
- Testicular pain
- Increased breast size
- Itching
- Hives/rash
- Swelling in the face and/or lips
- Depression