Spectral DNC v Rogaine Foam

Adenosine - 16 pages

http://www.divineskin.com/spectralDNC/ATC+2005_Tajima.pdf

Procyanidin B-2 - 11 pages

http://www.divineskin.com/spectralDNC/ProcyanidinStudy.pdf

Phytomedicine. 2000 Dec;7(6):529-36. Related Articles, Links

Investigation of topical application of procyanidin B-2 from apple to identify its potential use as a hair growing agent.

Kamimura A, Takahashi T, Watanabe Y. Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ibaraki, Japan. ayako.kamimura@kyowa.co.jp

Procyanidin B-2 is a polyphenol compound we have identified in apple which acts as a hair-growing factor in the murine model both in vitro and in vivo. This report describes our investigation of the effects of 1% procyanidin B-2 tonic on human hair growth after sequential use for 6 months. A double-blind clinical test involving a total of 29 subjects was performed. Nineteen men in the procyanidin B-2 group and 10 men in the placebo control group were subjected to analyses. No adverse side effects were observed in either group. The hair-growing effect was evaluated using a macrophotography technique combined with measurements of the hair diameter of clipped hairs. The increase in number of total hairs in the designated scalp area (0.5 cm square = 0.25 cm2 area) of procyanidin B-2 group subjects after the 6-month trial was significantly greater than that of the placebo control group subjects (procyanidin B-2, 6.68 +/- 5.53 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm2; placebo, 0.08 +/- 4.56 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm2; P < 0.005, two-sample t test). The increase in number of terminal hairs, which are defined as hairs more than 60 microm in diameter, in the designated area (0.5 cm square = 0.25 cm2 area) of the procyanidin B-2 group subjects after the 6-month trial was significantly greater than that of the placebo control group subjects (procyanidin B-2, 1.99 +/- 2.58 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm2; placebo, -0.82 +/- 3.40 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm2; P < 0.02, two-sample t test). Procyanidin B-2 therapy shows potential as a safe and promising cure for male pattern baldness.

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Phytother Res. 2001 Jun;15(4):331-6. Related Articles, Links

The first clinical trial of topical application of procyanidin B-2 to investigate its potential as a hair growing agent.

Takahashi T, Kamimura A, Yokoo Y, Honda S, Watanabe Y.

Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., 2, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0841, Japan. tomoya.takahashi@kyowa.co.jp

Procyanidin B-2 is a compound we have identified in apple which acts as a growth-promoting factor on murine hair epithelial cells. This report describes our investigation of the hair-growing effects of 1% procyanidin B-2 tonic after sequential use for 4 months. A double-blind clinical trial was performed, involving a total of 29 subjects (procyanidin B-2, 19 men; placebo, 10 men). No adverse side effects were observed in either group. In the procyanidin B-2 group, 78.9% showed an increased mean value of hair diameter, whereas only 30.0% in the placebo group showed any increase (p < 0.02, Fisher's exact probability test). The increased ratio of hairs measuring more than 40 microm in diameter after 4 months of procyanidin B-2 treatment was significantly higher than that of the placebo controls (p < 0.05, two-sample-t-test). The increase in number of total hairs in the designated scalp area (0.25 cm(2)) of procyanidin B-2 subjects after a 4 month trial was significantly greater than that of the placebo controls (procyanidin-B-2, 3.67 +/- 4.09 (mean +/- SD)/0.25 cm(2); placebo, -2.54 +/- 4.00/0.25 cm(2); p < 0.001, two-sample t-test). Procyanidin B-2 therapy shows potential as a promising cure for male pattern baldness. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Br J Dermatol. 2002 Jan;146(1):41-51. Related Articles, Links

Procyanidin B-2, extracted from apples, promotes hair growth: a laboratory study.

Kamimura A, Takahashi T. Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., 2, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0841, Japan. ayako.kamimura@kyowa.co.jp

BACKG

A RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF ADENOSINE IN ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA

Yasushi Watanabe, Kelshi Nagashima, Noriro Hanzawa, Masashl Ogo, Akihlro Ishino, Yosuke Nakazawa, Masaaki Uemura, and Masahiro Tajima

Watanabe Dermatological clinic, Tokyo, Shinjuku Biru Clinic, Tokyo, Shiseido Science division, Tokyo and Shiseido Research Center, Yokohama, Japan

Objective: Adenosine up-regulates the expression of fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on cultured dermal papilla cells via adenosine receptors. We therefore speculated that adenosine stimulates growth of hair fiber due to the action of FGF7 and VEGF for epithelial cells in hair follicles. In this study,we performed a clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of adenosine in hairloss associated with androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

Methods: Ahundred and four volunteers with AGAwere registered In a randomized double-blind trial that used an adenosine (0.7S%) topical lotion or niacin amide (0.1%)topical lotion twice daily for 6 months. Efficacy was evaluated by investigator assessments of change in global scalp coverage, change in the ratio of veilus-like(under 40 micrometers in diameter) and thick hairs (not less 60 micrometers or 80 micrometers in diameter), and hair density, in vertex.

Results: Fifty-one of 52 adenosine-treated subjects and 50 of 52 niacin amide-treated subjects completed the 6-month study. For global improvement, adenosine was significantly superior to niacin amide. Treatment with either lotion resulted in a significantlydecreased ratio of vellus- like hair and also significantly increased the ratio of thick hair, but did not change hair density. Regarding the Increase in the ratio of thick hair, adenosine was significantly superior to niacin amide. Adverse effects were not found.

Conclusion: In men with AGA,adenosine increased hair growth and thickened vellus-like hair without side effects. It would appear that the efficacy of hair growth results from the effects of FGF7 and VEGF which are stimulated by activation of adenosine receptors on dermal papilla cells.

1.....The new Rogaine Foam grew 65.88% more hair than the original 5% version at the 16 week point in clinical trials (56% growth,original v 85% growth,foam)

2.....The new foam was developed in conjunction with Connetics using their Versafoam technology

3.....The new foam has *reduced* propylene glycol, that often caused irritation and hypersensitivity to the scalp.

4.....The new foam has "Years of extensive research" behind it and "clinical trials with more than 300 test subjects"

I just wanted to emhasise point 1 above to show that the new foam, according to Rogaines manufacturers (not me), IS more effective at growing hair - 65.88% more effective than the original version at the 16 week point.

Unfortunately, we don't have any hair counts to compare as yet as the new FDA study for the Rogaine Foam isn't out yet. All we have to go on,currently, are the comments above,as supplied by the manufacturers above which clearly suggest the new Foam is significantly better at growing hair.

So its not just "cosmetically" better. It grows alot more hair, is far easier to apply, looks good and has the advantage of lower side efftcs such as red/puffy face and the usual scalp problems caused by the high PG content.

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http://www.rogaine.com/Results/?ID=1688

Men’s Rogaine Foam has Been Proven Effective

Years of extensive research were conducted resulting in the following conclusions:

A survey was done among hundreds of men which found that Men’s Rogaine Foam was overwhelmingly preferred vs Rogaine solution.

The new foam formulation was shown to be safe, well tolerated, and effective when used as directed

Clinical trials with more than 300 test subjects were conducted to determine the effectiveness of Men’s Rogaine Foam

Results From a 16-Week Study

Researchers compared twice-daily application of 5% Men’s Rogaine Foam with twice-daily application of a placebo (medication-free solution) over 16 weeks in men with hereditary hair loss.

The results showed that 85% of men regrew hair in just 16 weeks.

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In the official Rogaine 5% extra strength formula clinical trials that were submitted by Upjohn to the FDA , the following 16 week results were obtained (with the 32 week results in brackets):

Rogaine 5% extra strength formula

No growth..................44%...(14%)

Minimal Growth.........49%...(46%)

Moderate Growth.......04%...(38%)

Dense Growth............03%...(03%)

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The new foam minox was developed in conjunction with a company called Connetics.

http://www.connetics.com/2002/products/dermatology.html

"We have granted Pfizer rights to our proprietary foam delivery technology for use with Pfizer’s Rogaine® hair loss treatment."

US Patent Number 6,946,120 http://patft.uspto.gov

"Many of the formulations require (or would require where the amount of minoxidil is greater than 5%) a very high percentage (often in the range of 30 to 50%) of propylene glycol or a similar glycol product in order to improve the solubility of minoxidil. Due to the viscosity and tack of propylene glycol, large amounts of propylene glycol or similar agents in a composition are not pharmaceutically or cosmetically elegant and may be unacceptable to the consumer. In addition, high concentrations of propylene glycol may cause local irritation and hypersensitivity upon application to the scalp.

It would accordingly be a significant advance in the art if a composition could be provided which would permit the inclusion of an increased percentage of the active ingredient, but without the disadvantages associated with a high propylene glycol concentration."

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If you have lost your receipt, do what i did, just take a digital photo and email it to them. They will send you new bottles of the NEW formula containing the Adenosine & Procyanidin. These new bottles have a Serial Number beginning with "S" as opposed to the original bottles beginning with "A".

Their customer service is first rate.

Spectral DNC recall

DS Laboratories has identified a problem with a batch of Spectral DNC Hair Loss Treatment. The spray pump on Spectral DNC can cause the spray to clog and make it difficult or impossible to dispense the contents of the bottle.

We deeply regret any inconvenience caused to our customers by this problem. If you have purchased Spectral DNC with a serial number between A00112479 and A00126979 we ask that you please contact us to request a replacement bottle that will be dispatched immediately free of charge. To request a replacement bottle of Spectral DNC Hair Loss Treatment please email recall@divineskin.com with the serial number of the bottle you have purchased, where you have purchased it, and the address where a replacement can be sent. You can also request a replacement by phone at 516-620-0874.

www.ebay.com - $29.99 for Rogaine foam 3-pack

www.dermadoctor.com (USA) - $39.08 for Rogaine foam 3-pack

www.drugstore.com - $39.09 for Rogaine foam 3-pack

www.rogainedirect.com (official Rogaine site) - $53.95 for a 4 month supply

NOTE: You can also buy $5 + $10 off Rogaine foam coupons from EBAY (USA)

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SPECTRAL DNC

$35.99 pretty much everywhere.

SPECTRAL RS

$33.50 pretty much everywhere.

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anyone get it any cheaper online ? if so, please post link + price.

I have been using Minox. along my hairline now for 7 months and have seen ZERO results (3 months Nanosal 3.3% & 4 months Spectral DNC).

Needless to say, with all the positive coments about Spectral DNC, including the 48 at http://www.folica.com/Spectral_DNC_r1942_1.html

i was extremely disillusioned with Spectral DNC to say the least and was just about to switch to Rogaine Foam/Scalpmed. However, a poster made an interesting comment yesterday saying that he has tried all 3 versions of DNC, the original yellow version, the recall version and the new "s" version. He saw results with both the original and "s" version...but NO results with the recall version !

We already know they got the formula wrong for the recall version (hence the recall as the formula was clogging the nozzles). so its quite possible that this could be the reason for my total lack of results on 4 months of DNC along my hairline. All 6 of my bottles were the recall version and my new "s" bottles should be here very shortly.

So if you are using the recall version, try replacing them with the new "s" version first before binning DNC altogether.

Here was his post yesterday:

debris, (thanks again "debris") Saturday November 25, 2006 11:51 AM

I am seeing results in my hairline. Spectral was the first thing that showed me that there is possibility of regrowth there. anyway. I use it several months now (I think I'll be starting my 6th soon). And I have noticed dramatic difference between various batches of spectral. First two and half months I was on the very old saturated yellow spectral. it gave me long vellous hair in temples, and by the end of the second month they started to be pigmented. very good result imho.

then i used for one and half month newer spectral, that was not so yellowish, it was yellow-orange one. BTW it was from the famous A0 batch that there was that official recall for.

anyway, it gave me horrible itch. and I was determined to get the old one from somewhere as it didn't carry on the improvement so quickly as the first yellow one. I had one old bottle of the yellow one, so I switched to it, itch slowly subsided, temples started improved in just one month once again.

now i am using the very new S spectral. absolutely no itching, very quickly dries out, no colouring of skin. best results so far. but I must admit that for the last 2 months I am also using flutamide. and recently I added retin-a + hydrocortisone.

anyway I like the latest spectral most. I still use dropper as it is the best delivery system directly to the skin. And sprayer would be quite waste imho.

red rose Saturday November 25, 2006

Spectral DNC is the best minoxidil I have ever used.

24 months of Kirland 5% Minoxidil - nothing

6 months of Spectral DNC - general thickening to the point that I don't even need to use concealer any more.

What an awesome product.

http://www.folica.com/Spectral_DNC_r1942_1.html

Its on their website (top left) at: http://www.divineskin.com

Revita® high-performance hair growth stimulating shampoo

DS Laboratories has developed a revolutionary shampoo designed to control hair loss and stimulate hair growth. Revita® will go on sale in stores this November in North America and will hit stores internationally by the end of the year.

Pimary ingredients:

Apple Polyphenol

Copper Peptides

Spin Traps

Ketoconazole 2%

Caffeine 4%

MSM

Biotin

Emu Oil

Rooibos Tea

Carnitine Tartrate

Amino Acids: Ornitine, Taurine, Cysteine,

Technology

Revita®, the most efficient hair growth stimulating shampoo available on the market is the final result of DS Laboratories efforts on cutting edge research. Revita® is a powerful and unique combination of active ingredients specially designed to maintain scalp vitality and act on follicle dysfunctions in order to achieve the best results in short periods of time.

Performance

Revita® is the only shampoo product that combines specific anti-DHT action with antioxidant and antiflamatory effects. Revita® associates hair growth stimulating effect with powerful moisturizing properties, and provides basic amino acid supply offering significant tensile benefits to the hair shaft. This complete mechanism of action of Revita® offers unique and powerful results on scalp vitality and hair growth stimulation. Revita® increases the diameter of the hair strand while gently cleansing the scalp, leaving the hair soft with a pleasant smell. Revita® acts since the beginning, before the problem appears, until later phases of hair loss.

but even considering how much better the foam performed,compared to the liquid,if you had to choose one,would it be DNC,or the foam????

They can't claim the Foam is more effective than the liquid until (if) they apply to the FDA. This is possible as they say on the Rogaine website that they have tested it for years on more than 300 subjects. Perhaps this is enough for a new FDA application ? thats if they even need to bother as the previous version already has approval. I doubt they will spend more money just to say its around more effective anyway.

Personally, because the Rogaine Foam has been tested/proven to work, wheraas the Spectral,with all its wondeful ingredients, hasn't , i would use Rogaine Foam in the morning (as it leaves your hair better than the DNC) and the DNC just before bed.

This way, if the DNC doesn't work, atleast the Foam should.

If you use DNC for 6 months and it doesn't work, then some hair may have been lost forever before you swap back to the proven Foam.

It also brings down the cost as well, if using only the unproven DNC.

Just my personal opinion.

ive been using spectral dnc for a couple of months and i must say i like it very much. i have just received my first batch of s series.

one point though spectral dnc contains 5% minoxidil and that has been proven to work to an extent. on that basis i dont think its too much of a risk. its just a question of how well the other ingredients work.

maybe someone who knows more about this can explain better than i can.

yes, spectral contains minox.

the difference being the delivery mechanism. after 4 months use with no results i am not yet convinced that the spectral delivery mechanism is that good.

the foam , on the other, has many years testing on over 300 subjects and 85% grew hair after 16 weeks (compared to only 54% after 16 weeks in the original liquid formula).

although DS Labs say they tested the Spectral for 2 years, they will not provide anyone with any details. why ?

also, they have changed the formula twice since DNC's introduction, therefore any previous testing is now irrelevant and they couldn't have tested any of the new versions.

i find it quite offputting that they were so willing to change a formula that, they say, gives gave results.

they appear to be a "good customer service" version of Lipoxidil.

we have already seen that they are receptive to new formula ideas from members of hairloss BB's (good work Steve the Searcher by the way).

i am not saying the DNC doesn't work (although my recall version did zero), i am just questioning their delivery mechanism, why they won't release any info on their 2 year studies, and why they change the formula so often, without testing, just because they read product x was good for hair growth on a hairloss BB. How long before they change it again and why, if its working so well. If it ain't broken, don't fix it !

bearing in mind all the good reviews, i suspect its genuine, especially after now seeing regular BB posters say its working for them (www.folica.com reviews could all be from the company after all ?), so i do believe it to be the real thing and i just had the bad recall batch.

up until i saw "red rose" post that he tried all 3 versions of DNC, with both the original and new "s" version giving results and the recall batch giving him zero results, i had decided to stop DNC and switch to Foam + Scalpmed. However, as i was also using the recall version (with the formulation problem), i am going to try the foam + "s" version of DNC when it arrives.

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"Spectral DNC has very low alcohol content since we use Minoxidil Sulfate -a water soluble form of Minoxidil.

The herbal extracts are at about a 13% concentration. We use the highest quality organic extracts from various plants. The exact ingredients are: Minoxidil 5%, Diaminopyrimidine Oxide (Aminexil), Triclosan, Deionised water, Retinol, Nanosomes of Ivy, Hops, and Capsicum, Ethanol, Vitamin Complex,Copper Peptides,Propyleneglycol, Piroctone Olamine, Methyl Paraben, and Fragrance

Spectral DNC was officially introduced to the market 6 months ago and it has been in development for over 2 years."

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And chrome..now it's "low alcohol" again...and notice the "nanosomes of Ivy" etc. Not the other ingredients. (I know..sounds like a broken record) I see that was an old reply to you. Wonder what they say now- every one I've seen says something similar.

Thank you for your inquiry.

Spectral DNC uses Minoxidil Sulfate which is a soluble form of regular Minoxidil. Although this compound is more expensive, DS Laboratories prefers to use this type of Minoxidil as it is not as aggressive to the hair and scalp. Additionally, Minoxidil sulfate works as the mixing agent of the formula. This allows us to keep the concentration of alcohol and propylene glycol far lower than 1%, unlike Rogaine which uses a much higher concentration of alcohol and propylene glycol and leaves a greasy and unhealthy look on the hair. (Larger quantities of these substances can be very harmful to the skin with time.)

to tell you the truth i wouldnt put dr lee and spectral dnc in the same catagory,where as dr lee compounds his own pharmas and spectral dnc seems to be a much bigger company making and selling their products on a much bigger scale around the world.

it bothers me though that considering the fact they they claim to use minox sulfate,do not disclose the percentage of Aminexil in the product,and the addition cost of nansomal delivery should,if the numbers presented are correct,it would seem that to make an effective product that includes what they claim,it should cost much more,but then again,there have been two totally different quotes given on the cost of minox sulphate, fish scientific $80 for 25 grams,and dr lee claiming that it would be well over $300 for 25 grams.

i dont know about you but im sure that if spectral dnc does indeed use minox sulphate,they would be buying quite a bit more than 25 grams at a time,more like they would be buying it by the ton.

this could easily explain how they manage to do what small time dr lee has not been able to do.comparing dr lee to the company that makes spectral dnc,would be like comparing your local family physician to up-john.`

mike,im not arguing the price with you,im sure that minox sulfate is quite a bit more than regular minox and it is the little bit of regular minox that gets converted to minox sulphate in the scalp(like when one uses rogaine) is what many believe is what really gets hair growing.

my only argument is that your statement that "lets say they get 10 percent off this price"

i think this is way off.im not saying that spectral dnc is on the up and up and im not saying they are liars,but of they were buying minox sulphate in bulk(barrels/ton weights)you couldnt even begin to compare the price to what fisher scientific sells 25 grams or whatever for.

thats all im trying to say.

i just got some spiro pills today and i will be making a spiro topical tonight.i will mix a little bit of both together and do a little experiment and see if we get the rotten egg smell that happens when you combine spiro and minox.

if we get that smell then at least we know its some sort of minox,lol!!!

im doing what a couple others are doing on this forum.i will buy it but not rely on it for my sole source of minox.i will apply rogaine foam 2 times a day and the spectral once a day,twice every other day.

ill give these forums,you posters,my success/failure,and the internet some more time before i would make a decision to use it as my only source of minox.

man i hope they are on the up and up.although im not relying on them soly for minox,i am for their copper peptides and aminexil(two things that were next on my list when i discovered that spectral already had them in it.

but on a serious note,they are selling this shit all over the internet,as far as i understand its made in the UK(not some thirld world country)they have a license agreement with the cosmetic company(forget the name but they are big)who developed and sell Aminexil and have an exclusive agreement with said company to be the only other company to have this ingredient in their product.

if you have doubts about spectrals honesty,then at least give the cosmetic giant(who developed Aminexil,someone help me!!)enough credit to not sell exclusive rights of one their newest and(in their eyes)very effective drug to a 2 bit ,fly by night company,totally ruining the publics eye of the effectivness of Aminexil.

I have been very sceptical of the reviews on Folica as it could be DS Labs just sending in emails. This combined with the fact that i saw no results in 4 months using the recall version of DNC didn't help..

However, now that i know others have had similar poor results with the porly formulated recall version, but are having great results with other versions, including the new "s" version, i believe this is could be an excellent product.

These good reviews are from guys that i have seen post on the hairloss BB's for many years, far better than trusting the unknown posters on Folica.

Regardless of the minox. sulphate question, this stuff appears to be working far better than any other version of minox (other than the foam version maybe), especially along the hard to treat hairline.

Looking forward to my new "s" bottles now.

rogaine foam am,DNC pm is the "safe" option, just to be sure imho.

for instance,you still need liquid minox if you wanna add msm,arganine,caffine,dmso,spironolactone and whatever else i missed.

im still having trouble locating rogaine foam at a good price at a local store.

like i said before the only place locally(new jersey)is cvs that carries it and they want 50 bucks for a one month bottle.i have heard for many that they found one month supplies for half that price at their local stores.would you guys be so kind as to name these stores???i tried k mart last night and nothing!!only generic liquid.i have a 10 dollar off coupon for your next purchase that comes with the liquid box,does anyone know if similar coupons come with the foam???

ordr it from the USA from one of those i mentioned earlier.

then get them to say "free sample" or "$19.95" on the receipt/packaging. This way you avoid paying the ridiculous UK import tax/VAT double tax whammy when it arrives. (You only pay any taxes on goods above $20.00 from the USA).

i do this all the time.

most companies are aware of the UK's stupid taxes and are more than happy to do this.

chrome.

oh as far as my mixing spectral dnc with spiro to see if i can get the smell going when the two are mixed,i didnt have time last night but promise to do this tonight.if we get the rotten egg smell when combined then at least we know that its minox of some sort.i really dont care if its minox sulphate,if its just regular minox in nansomal delivery,that should be enough for me and to tell you the truth,i cant find any recent mention of minox sulphate anywhere on their page or box.they only mention that they say that they use the highest grade pharmacutical form of minox but "sulfate"i couldnt find.at leats on anything recent that they released.

but that brings up another question.i pose a question for anyone with a decent knowledge of hairloss chemistry.

minox sulphate is supposed to be water soluable and no need for PG or large amounts of alcohol.lets suppose that minox sulfate is not what they are using and it was a mistake or a misleading statement and they use plain ol minox 5 percent.without the PG,is there any other substance on the ingredient list that would allow the minox to be soluable??

How do you know that's not the DS Labs folks saying that too? ;-)

I haven't and don't and don't plan to use minox..but it is interesting that these "new" products- ppl talk about results they're now getting. Especially those with better carriers/absorption. I remember Farrel of HLH commenting about the new good results he was getting from using a liposomal minoxidil(not from Lipoxidil).

yep....i just realised i also work for DS Labs too...damn :0))

BTW Chrome, that's some pretty impressive research you've put together here.

I think this is effective cuz your gettin the Spec Dnc w/ all of its ingrediants and then the minox foam is helping to dispurse all over the head.. a nice double wammy.....

Oh yeah, I started shedding like a beeithc at the 6 week mark and still shedding a little now into my 7th week...

Rogaine foam will not prevent 'puffy face'. This is a known side effect of Minoxidil regardless of vehicle and is dose dependent. It has to do with minoxidil causing water retention.

I don't think mixing spironolactone into your spectral DNC will show you if it has minoxidil sulfate in it. Spironolactone has a stinky almost sulfury smell in solution on its own regardless of whether it is mixed with minoxidil.

If they're really putting minoxidil sulfate in at those prices the only thing I can guess is maybe they have a supplier out of India or China or something and are just getting a great deal.

As for Aminexil, I don't believe the results are claimed to be as good as Minoxidil 5% and it actually is a minoxidil related compound that is only slighly differentiated from minoxidil. Using both Aminexil and Minoxidil might provide better results -- or they might not have any benefit combined -- I'm not aware of any study of their use in combination compared to use alone -- if there is one someone post it

"Rogaine foam will not prevent 'puffy face'. This is a known side effect of Minoxidil regardless of vehicle and is dose dependent. It has to do with minoxidil causing water retention."

not strictly true. although it can often be a side effect of minoxidil, for me , it is the alcohol content used with minox.

i have personally used endless different versions of minox over the years. each version, with alcohol, has caused me to have a puffy face. every single one.

the ONLY version that i can use without getting a puffy face is the Lipoxidil nanosal 3.3% alcohol free minox. I can use twice the normal dose and i do not get a puffy face.

I still get a slightly puffy face using the DNC as it does contain alcohol, albeit not as much as other formulations. As a result, i can only use the DNC once per day. i use the nanosal am to reduce this problem.

With Rogaine foam being formulated specifically to reduce the PG content, then it could also help those, like me, who react to the high PG content.

So, in my case, i have proven beyond any doubt that its the alcohol content that causes my puffy face, not the minox.

cheers, chrome.

So I guess I disagree with John when he says "regardless of which vehicle"...although again I've never used a minox product myself.

its possible i suppose, but i think it more likely to be due to zero alcohol.

i like your thinking though.

chrome.

oh and by the way,its the minox causing the puffy face 100 percent.even if you look at the most common side effects of oral minox tablet use are water retention and "puffy face".this can not be a coincidance but shows that minox is to blame.if its a big deal take a water pill every day(pill that makes body shed retained water)it should help.ironically spironolactone,taken orally would do just that.

The only thing is I think I may be using to much. For the amount of space I want to cover with it, it seems like each bottle will only last a week. I use it on the whole front hairline and crown+temples and vertex. So im probably using 3x the recommended dosage. Each bottle will only last about 2 weeks at max im guessing using it 2x per day. so $100 every 3 months, not to bad I guess. I really am happy with this stuff and I hope it really works better then the old stuff. Also so far after 4 days of 2x usage not much itch and no dandruff at all. Well godbless! and may all the hairs on your heads grow!

Revivogen has definetly stablised my hair loss and thicked up my hair, but I haven't noticed much in the way of regrow. DNS does not seem like a very transparent company and God only knows what they are mixing in Spectral DNC.

Are there any Dermatologist that back it?

I had an aggresive bald spot/hair loss/alopecia that happened over the past 5 months towards the front of my head. I'm 34 and up until this time I had a full head of hair. Doctors told me it was stress induced and talked me out of oral medications telling me the hair would come back on it's own.

Rather than wait, since I saw no sign of the hair regrowing on it's own, I did some reasarch and decided to try Spectral.

I can tell you in 2 weeks, the hair has already thickened on my scalp. I have black straight hair and I used to have to put styling product into it to get it to stay in place....since I've been using spectral I don't need styling products....after blow drying my hair is thick and full and covers up the bald spot to the point that people don't know I have this small bald patch on the front of my head above my hairline.

I've also noticed less hair on my pillow and less hair in my hands after shampooing.

Obviously in 2 weeks there's no way to claim it's regrown any hair, but I have noticed small hairs coming in on the front of my hair line (actually lower than where my hairline is) and a few rogue hairs are coming through the bald spot area.

Now this can totally be that my hair loss was stress induced and it's coming back on it's own as the doctor predicted...but I can say this much about my immediate results with Spectral.

My hair is thicker and fuller and not coming out at the rate it was.

The pump on my bottle works pefectly. I usually just run it through hot water every few days just to keep it clear.

It's actually an easy treatment in my opinion since it takes me all of a minute or two to apply it.

It makes the hair on your head near where you apply it crispy, as if you used too much hairspray but it's not noticeable to anyone.

I've also been using the Nizoral 1% you can get at CVS about 3-4 times a week and I'm taking a boatload of vitamin supplements.

I'll report more details as the weeks turn into months here, but I thought it would be useful to give some first impressions since I have noticed a change in my hair.

It doesn't smell bad or have any smell at all. I checked with my wife on that one.

I can also say with 100% certainty that my hair is thicker than it was, or is acting like it was thicker than it was, 2 weeks ago. My wife can see the difference in the texture of my hair.

Maybe there's something in the formula that bonds to your hair to make it appear thicker? Anyone have any thoughts on that?

I don't know, but like I said, I was using styling product to keep my hair in place a few weeks ago and now I just blow dry it and brush it and it looks good. I have straight black hair and it's not acting as floppy as it always used to act.

As for shedding, maybe that is coming up, but so far there is less hair on my pillow and in my hands when I wash it then there was a few weeks ago.

This could have something to do with the vitamins I'm taking or the fact that as my doctor thought, my hair loss was caused by stress and is starting to reverse on it's own?

All I know is that in 2 weeks I've seen a difference in the texture of my hair and I'm pleased with results.

I'll keep posting results as I progress.

I've found though using the Nizoral 1% that I bought at CVS takes care of dandruff before it happens. I haven't had an incident yet where I've flaked on my clothes or anything since I'm using the Nizoral.

I haven't tried Rogaine Foam so I can't comment on it for you, but as long as you wash your hair once a day with something like Nizoral, I don't think dandruff would be a problem if you used spectral.

your best option would be to use Rogaine Foam am and DNC pm, before bed.

the foam looks great afterwards and is proven, the DNC makes your hair look a little drier/thinner imho and has not been proven. however, due to the overwhelming positive reviews thus far it is worth using. if it doesn't work then you are still using the proven foam and will not have wasted 6 months worth of hair forever.

i believe that foam/dnc or foam/scalpmed is the best minox option currently on the market.

divineskin, makers of dnc, will soon be releasing their very promising hairloss shampoo called revita. see it at www.divineskin.com.

ps only use Nizoral 2% a maximimum of twice per week as recommended. Its a very powerful shampoo, hence needing a prescription.Over the years i have seen many people complain of hair LOSS from using it more than twice per week.

DS Laboratories has developed a revolutionary shampoo designed to control hair loss and stimulate hair growth. Revita® will go on sale in stores this November in North America and will hit stores internationally by the end of the year.

Pimary ingredients:

Apple Polyphenol

Copper Peptides

Spin Traps

Ketoconazole 2% (active ingredient in Nizoral shampoo)

Caffeine 4%

MSM

Biotin

Emu Oil

Rooibos Tea

Carnitine Tartrate

Amino Acids: Ornitine, Taurine, Cysteine,

Technology

Revita®, the most efficient hair growth stimulating shampoo available on the market is the final result of DS Laboratories efforts on cutting edge research. Revita® is a powerful and unique combination of active ingredients specially designed to maintain scalp vitality and act on follicle dysfunctions in order to achieve the best results in short periods of time.

Performance

Revita® is the only shampoo product that combines specific anti-DHT action with antioxidant and antiflamatory effects. Revita® associates hair growth stimulating effect with powerful moisturizing properties, and provides basic amino acid supply offering significant tensile benefits to the hair shaft. This complete mechanism of action of Revita® offers unique and powerful results on scalp vitality and hair growth stimulation. Revita® increases the diameter of the hair strand while gently cleansing the scalp, leaving the hair soft with a pleasant smell. Revita® acts since the beginning, before the problem appears, until later phases of hair loss.