The introduction of peptides has taken the hair loss industry by storm. Most people are still unaware of the enormous potential it has to disrupt a 3.7 billion dollar industry, some people are extremely skeptical, and a couple hundred have given us some pretty insane feedback.
Today we are taking a look at how this revolutionary treatment compares to the existing hair loss treatments.
Finasteride: Debunking the DHT Myth
When most people think hair loss they think finasteride. Popular brands like Keeps, Hims, and Roman have become mainstay in the hair loss space for providing high quality FDA approved finasteride treatments in both pill and spray form. Finasteride, often prescribed as Propecia, is a widely-used medication for hair loss. It works by inhibiting the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone thought to be responsible for hair loss. However, this belief is based on a simplistic understanding of hair loss.
Research reveals that DHT alone is not the primary cause of baldness; it is the sensitivity of hair follicles to DHT that matters. Genetic factors play a crucial role in determining this sensitivity. Elevated DHT levels are a downstream effect of this sensitivity, not a direct cause of hair loss.
"The [androgen receptor] gene makes the receptor on hair follicles that interact with testosterone and DHT. If your receptors are particularly sensitive, they are more easily triggered by even small amounts of DHT, and hair loss occurs more easily as a result. Other genes may also play a part.” Says this study by Heathline.
Chronic inflammation and other factors, such as cellular dysfunction of hair follicle cells also contribute to premature hair loss. Finasteride, while reducing DHT, does not address the root cause of inflammation or cellular dysfunction.
The most important thing to consider when thinking about Finasteride as a viable long term solution to hair loss, is the significant health risks associated with Finasteride. When Finasteride is prescribed, it comes with a list of side affects including erectile disfunction, reduced ejaculatory volume, testicular pain, reduced sperm count, gynecomastia, and severe depression.
Most doctors will shrug off these side effects as rare, however a recent study examining the safety profile of Finasteride came back with some pretty unfavorable results. "Of 34 clinical trials, none had adequate safety reporting, 19 were partially adequate, 12 were inadequate, and 3 reported no adverse events…Available toxicity information from clinical trials of finasteride in men with [androgenic alopecia] is very limited, is of poor quality, and seems to be systematically biased.”
The final thing to consider when thinking about Finasteride is that it will only work as long as you keep taking it. In fact if you choose to stop taking it you will likely experience hair loss worse than what you had before. “The effect of finasteride on the prostate and scalp will only last as long as the medicine is taken. When it is stopped, the prostate begins to grow again and the hair will be lost.” - A study from the Mayo Clinic
Now we are not denying that Finasteride will work, theres a reason why it's the only FDA approved compound for hair loss. But it's important to call it what it is, a partial solution to hair loss. It targets a secondary effect and not the primary cause. It also is important to ask yourself what is more important, treating the entire ecosystem in the body that leads to hair loss, or treating one piece of the puzzle.
Minoxidil: A Lifelong Commitment
Minoxidil, commonly known as Rogaine, is another popular over-the-counter hair loss treatment. It works by promoting blood flow to hair follicles and stimulating hair growth. However, Minoxidil requires continuous use, as discontinuing the treatment can lead to the reversal of any progress achieved.
Originally created as a blood pressure treatment Minoxidil accounts for a very large share of the hair loss market (a projected 1.2 billion in 2024). It is by far the most well known hair loss treatment since it does not have to be prescribed, and can be branded by almost anybody.
Minoxidil has shown to be effective at delivering oxygen, blood flow and nutrients to the scalp which accounts for its efficacy in this study. However it's important to note that Minoxidil will only work as long as you keep taking it “To maintain results, it must be used continuously — if you stop using the medication, the new hair growth may reverse, and hair loss will continue.” It can also have some pretty harsh side effects. These include red itchy scalp, headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and vomiting.
“Minoxidil is better at stopping or slowing hair loss than regrowing hair. Hair regrowth is more of a secondary gain; stopping hair loss is more likely. But about 40% of men and 25% of women can experience some regrowth with minoxidil.” Says this article.
While Minoxidil may provide some benefit, it fails to address the underlying causes of hair loss. It is a lifelong commitment that requires constant application and will only offer limited results for most.
Hair Transplant Surgery: A Painful, Expensive Solution
Hair transplant surgery involves moving hair follicles from a donor area with dense hair to the balding area. While it can be effective for those with usable hair, it is expensive, requires multiple sessions, and is associated with several side effects. The transplanted hair can also gradually thin over time, and there is a limit to the number of surgeries one can undergo.
Hair transplant surgery costs thousands of dollars per session and is not covered by health insurance. It involves a lengthy and painful process, and recovery can take several months. The surgery can result in side effects such as bleeding, swelling, and a mismatch between transplanted and existing hair.
Additionally, there is a risk of damaging scalp tissue if too many surgeries are performed. Hair transplant surgery is not a permanent solution, and it does not address the root causes of hair loss.
Moreover, the success of the surgery greatly depends on the condition of the scalp and the body to remain in a state which further hair loss does not occur. Many people believe investing in a good hair transplant enables them to never have to worry about hair loss again. This couldn't be further from the truth. Countless times, we see celebrities like Wayne Rooney, Conor Mcgregor, and more who lose the results of their hair transplants over time.
It ties back to the same thing, without properly fixing the entire ecosystem that leads to hair loss, a transplant only buys you more time.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Promising but needs more research
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections have gained popularity in recent years as a non-surgical hair loss treatment. PRP involves drawing blood, processing it to extract platelet-rich plasma, and injecting it into the scalp. While some studies show positive results, the research on PRP is still evolving, and there is no standardized protocol for its use.
PRP is also a rather large commitment compared to the other hair loss solutions we have discussed. It requires you to get regularly scheduled sessions every 4-6 months in order to continue seeing results. Each session can range anywhere from 500 - 1,500 dollars.
One study found it to be a viable alternative to Finasteride and Minoxidil with fewer side effects stating “In total, 84% of the studies reported a positive effect of PRP for AGA treatment. Among them, 50% of the studies demonstrated a statistically significant improvement using objective measures and 34% of the studies showed hair density and hair thickness improvement, although no p values or statistical analysis was described."
However, due to the lack of consistent variables in focus groups, there really isn't a consensus on the efficacy of PRP. Without standardized variables like injection techniques, injection frequency, injection spacing, preparation techniques, and session length, we won't truly have accurate data to work with.
What we do know is that PRP can work well for some people. It has far less side effects than Finasteride and Minoxidil, and it is certainly something to keep on eye on especially given the revolutionary benefit that PRP has in regenerative athletic therapy. It's very possible that over time, PRP for hair loss will improve and become a mainstay in the way we treat hair loss.
Laser Hair Therapy: Promising technology, but a high price to pay
The HairMax LaserComb and the Irestore Laser Helmet are both FDA-cleared devices designed to stimulate hair growth through low-level laser therapy. It is thought to work by increasing ATP, stimulating certain protein levels, increasing blood circulation, stimulating cell proliferation, and reducing inflammation. However, research on its effectiveness is limited, with only a few studies available.
It is possible that laser therapy may be a viable hair loss treatment, but we can't ignore the limited results and limited studies that currently exist. It is also important to mention that these devices are quite expensive, about 700-2000 dollars depending on the features and model.
Scalp Juce: Fixing the entire ecosystem
Scalp Juce™ is an innovative solution for hair loss that aims to address the root causes of hair loss. GHK-Cu works so well because of its regenerative effects. By reducing chronic inflammation, improving mitochondrial function, enhancing blood flow in the dermis, and acting upon the level of DNA, Scalp Juce™ is the only solution which truly works to address all biological pathways of hair loss. Unlike Finasteride and Minoxidil, Scalp Juce™ does not interfere with hormonal balance and has zero side affects.
The mechanism of action in which Scalp Juce™ works to heal the scalp and act on the level of DNA is well documented in this study.
The results from users of Scalp Juce™ in our beta launch have been pretty insane, with an average time of 3-6 weeks to see noticeable improvements. Unlike other treatments, our small batch study along with studies done by Jay Campbell, show the effects of Scalp Juce™ are long-lasting and do not reverse upon discontinuation. In fact, Scalp Juce™ is the only hair loss loss solution that does not require you to take it for life, due to its amazing healing abilities.
Conclusion
Hair loss is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors, including genetics, chronic inflammation, and hormonal sensitivity. While treatments like Finasteride, Minoxidil, hair transplants, PRP, and the HairMax LaserComb offer varying degrees of effectiveness, they often fall short in addressing the root causes of hair loss and come with associated limitations and side effects.
Scalp Juce™ represents a promising alternative that aims to tackle the underlying factors contributing to hair loss. While no single solution is guaranteed to work for everyone, peptides are slowly drawing more and more buzz in the hair loss community. Not only because of the results they get, but because of their regenerative nature and their ability to fix hair loss without the user needing to rely upon them forever.
For the past 30 years, the hair loss industry has remained largely the same. Finasteride and Minoxidil dominate the market share with new alternatives like Laser hair therapy and Peptides popping up. The reality, is that Finasteride and Minoxidil are not only extremely unhealthy, they are designed around treating the symptoms of a very complex problem. It is never in these companies best interest to actually fix the real problem, because it would take millions out of their pockets.
If you are still convinced that you should treat hair loss by blocking DHT and essentially castrating yourself take a look at this by Dr. Loren Pickart (the first to discover GHK-CU)
“…many men have high testosterone metabolite levels but never suffer hair loss.
The ultimate factor in hair loss appears to be not DHT itself, but damage to the hair follicle.
A recent study of 3,000 individuals found no link between baldness and the genes (5-alpha reductase) controlling the production of testosterone metabolites.
Some researchers are of the opinion that if follicular health is improved or maintained, it is possible that hair loss can be reversed or minimized“ Dr. Loren Pickart
After all, DHT is a bi product of testosterone, and what man wants to purposely suppress his own testosterone. Your'e much better of optimizing your hormones through diet, exercise, supplementation, and living a healthy lifestyle. If all these are in place and your'e still experiencing hair loss, a regenerative option like Scalp Juce is by far the best solution out there.
To your health and hair,
Maneup