Lain
07-17-2009, 06:49 AM
One of the most heavily used phrases by Dr. Rassman on the balding blog these days is: “Buyer beware!” He has already given us a very nice instruction guide on how to avoid doctors that try to rip their patients off.
Read it here: http://www.baldingblog.com/2009/07/10/unethical-graft-counting-avoid-the-scam/
Also very good read: http://www.baldingblog.com/2009/07/01/learn-how-to-select-your-hair-transplant-doctor/
Okay, but how are we supposed to find out when a certain product that promises hair growth is nothing more than a so called “snake oil.” The guide that I am writing is based on my own evidence and from what I have learned from reading the blog.
“100 % guarantee that it's working! For men and women! Hair regrowth within 1 month!”
People...in the world of medicine there is no such a thing like 100 %. Hair transplants will not grow 100 % and drugs will not work 100 %. Nothing in life in fact is 100 % except death. Now its really funny when companies say that their product works in 100 % of the cases but according to some study that they have conducted only in 67 % of the subjects the hair loss has stopped! Errr... so 100 % in 67 % or what? Paradox?
Source: http://www.baldingblog.com/2009/06/30/segals-solutions/
The most effective products for fighting hair loss in men currently are Propecia and Minoxidil. Propecia as having the highest potential of hair regrowth says that hair regrowth may start at the 9th month. Hair growth is very slowly. Once hair has stopped to grow you simply cannot expect it to regrow within a month! When you see such promises it is highly recommended to be skeptical and avoid the product. Maybe one day there will be a super grow substance but looking at it from today this is still far away.
“Minoxidil. No no, there's no limit!”
2 % and 5 % Minoxidil solutions are the most common in use these days. “The higher concentration of minoxidil (10% or even 15%, for example) runs a greater risk of side effects, including systemic side effects like dangerously low blood pressure, fainting, and skin irritation.”
Source: http://www.baldingblog.com/2009/07/09/why-doesnt-rogaine-make-a-stronger-formula/
Greater risk with no greater results. Pharmacy corps always try to be unique to be able to sell their product. First they developed 7 % Minox concentration to be outstanding from the others. Then another one shouted “Heeeey! 9 % Minox solution over here!! Stronger is better!!” Now we are at 15 % already and we can probably expect 16 % any time soon.
“All natural! Herbal solutions! Stop your hair loss with mother nature!”
Olive oil, garlic, onions, chillies, avocado oil, beer mixes, green tea, getting your scalp licked by a cow, honey, cinnamon powder (shall I go on?) I am just quoting a few of mother natures “finest” hair loss remedies from the blog. If the solution would be so easy to hair loss I honestly tell you that there would be nobody running around bald. I wish I would have better news but as we speak the only thing which might have a little benefit on hair regrowth is saw palmetto. However no scientific studies have been conducted that actually prove this claim. Dr. Rassman remains critical as well: “Call me a pessimist, but I doubt that saw palmetto will add much value to your hair growth. “
Source: http://www.baldingblog.com/2008/03/25/does-saw-palmetto-block-propecia-from-working/
“According to a study...”
I love it when people throw around numbers and actually the numbers simply have no value. As being from social science the problem is especially centralized here. However also in medical science this appears to occur. Lets say a website providing a certain product says: “According to studies 85 % of the men had hair regrowth!!!” Now its your turn: Be critical! My professor at university told me “Christian (my real life name) think like a scientist!” And this is what you are expected to do as well:
Who conducted the study?
How many people participated?
What were the criteria to be included?
What did the placebo control group yield for results?
Who evaluated the study?
Did it get peer-reviewed?
How are the results defined? (Terminology)
Can you provide me with the data?
You must know under what circumstances numbers add up in the end! If the study was conducted with 10 people its not representative. If it was not evaluated by a neutral organization - remain critical. If the placebo group is missing, again remain critical! And so on and so on. Ask for answers.
Look at www.Propecia.com It is a good example on how a company should provide you with information. Its detailed, clear and shows a scientific approach. When you are thinking about buying a certain product from a certain website compare it with Propecia.com and look what evidence one must provide to be able to claim that their product has been well enough tested!
Also its always great when they say “Since 30 years our product is used against hair loss!” 30 years...hmm why haven't I heard from it till now?!
“Never judge a book by its cover, but...”
Lets say a company has unlocked the ultimate secret for hair loss. By that they have hit the multi billion jackpot. So when their product works in 100 % of the cases we would assume they would try to have the best marketing agent you can possibly think of and hit the news as often as possible. But when going through some websites that make these very promising claims sometimes they are done horrible crappy. (for example they use a free website host) It just would not make any sense.
“Vitamins are good, the more the better!”
Taking more vitamins than what the WHO standard is bad. So be careful when chomping these supplements. Proteins and Vitamins are truly needed for hair growth. Till now I have seen no study or person that was able to explain to me why more vitamins are supposed to stop hair loss in individuals that don't suffer from malnutrition. Don t forget: Dr. Rassman wrote that in 99 % of the cases men suffer from hair loss due to genetics!
Source: http://www.baldingblog.com/2009/07/16/are-you-sure-sebum-doesnt-cause-hair-loss/
Also why are women not losing hair if its just the lack of vitamins? Do women have supper hairs that just don't need them to grow? And why we never lose our hair below our ear? Is that powering itself without vitamins?
Okay input is really welcome. I think that its important to tell how bad pharmacy corps sometimes play with us. I really am not “Mr Conspiracy – 9/11 inside job” guy. But I fear that industries that can be drained for money carry their potential exploits. Knowledge is power. That's the reason why this forum exists I guess: To educate and help people. If we all stick together and share our experience we might be able to come up with the perfect guide one day.
Whenever you are not sure about a product: JUST ASK BEFORE YOU BUY!!!
Read it here: http://www.baldingblog.com/2009/07/10/unethical-graft-counting-avoid-the-scam/
Also very good read: http://www.baldingblog.com/2009/07/01/learn-how-to-select-your-hair-transplant-doctor/
Okay, but how are we supposed to find out when a certain product that promises hair growth is nothing more than a so called “snake oil.” The guide that I am writing is based on my own evidence and from what I have learned from reading the blog.
“100 % guarantee that it's working! For men and women! Hair regrowth within 1 month!”
People...in the world of medicine there is no such a thing like 100 %. Hair transplants will not grow 100 % and drugs will not work 100 %. Nothing in life in fact is 100 % except death. Now its really funny when companies say that their product works in 100 % of the cases but according to some study that they have conducted only in 67 % of the subjects the hair loss has stopped! Errr... so 100 % in 67 % or what? Paradox?
Source: http://www.baldingblog.com/2009/06/30/segals-solutions/
The most effective products for fighting hair loss in men currently are Propecia and Minoxidil. Propecia as having the highest potential of hair regrowth says that hair regrowth may start at the 9th month. Hair growth is very slowly. Once hair has stopped to grow you simply cannot expect it to regrow within a month! When you see such promises it is highly recommended to be skeptical and avoid the product. Maybe one day there will be a super grow substance but looking at it from today this is still far away.
“Minoxidil. No no, there's no limit!”
2 % and 5 % Minoxidil solutions are the most common in use these days. “The higher concentration of minoxidil (10% or even 15%, for example) runs a greater risk of side effects, including systemic side effects like dangerously low blood pressure, fainting, and skin irritation.”
Source: http://www.baldingblog.com/2009/07/09/why-doesnt-rogaine-make-a-stronger-formula/
Greater risk with no greater results. Pharmacy corps always try to be unique to be able to sell their product. First they developed 7 % Minox concentration to be outstanding from the others. Then another one shouted “Heeeey! 9 % Minox solution over here!! Stronger is better!!” Now we are at 15 % already and we can probably expect 16 % any time soon.
“All natural! Herbal solutions! Stop your hair loss with mother nature!”
Olive oil, garlic, onions, chillies, avocado oil, beer mixes, green tea, getting your scalp licked by a cow, honey, cinnamon powder (shall I go on?) I am just quoting a few of mother natures “finest” hair loss remedies from the blog. If the solution would be so easy to hair loss I honestly tell you that there would be nobody running around bald. I wish I would have better news but as we speak the only thing which might have a little benefit on hair regrowth is saw palmetto. However no scientific studies have been conducted that actually prove this claim. Dr. Rassman remains critical as well: “Call me a pessimist, but I doubt that saw palmetto will add much value to your hair growth. “
Source: http://www.baldingblog.com/2008/03/25/does-saw-palmetto-block-propecia-from-working/
“According to a study...”
I love it when people throw around numbers and actually the numbers simply have no value. As being from social science the problem is especially centralized here. However also in medical science this appears to occur. Lets say a website providing a certain product says: “According to studies 85 % of the men had hair regrowth!!!” Now its your turn: Be critical! My professor at university told me “Christian (my real life name) think like a scientist!” And this is what you are expected to do as well:
Who conducted the study?
How many people participated?
What were the criteria to be included?
What did the placebo control group yield for results?
Who evaluated the study?
Did it get peer-reviewed?
How are the results defined? (Terminology)
Can you provide me with the data?
You must know under what circumstances numbers add up in the end! If the study was conducted with 10 people its not representative. If it was not evaluated by a neutral organization - remain critical. If the placebo group is missing, again remain critical! And so on and so on. Ask for answers.
Look at www.Propecia.com It is a good example on how a company should provide you with information. Its detailed, clear and shows a scientific approach. When you are thinking about buying a certain product from a certain website compare it with Propecia.com and look what evidence one must provide to be able to claim that their product has been well enough tested!
Also its always great when they say “Since 30 years our product is used against hair loss!” 30 years...hmm why haven't I heard from it till now?!
“Never judge a book by its cover, but...”
Lets say a company has unlocked the ultimate secret for hair loss. By that they have hit the multi billion jackpot. So when their product works in 100 % of the cases we would assume they would try to have the best marketing agent you can possibly think of and hit the news as often as possible. But when going through some websites that make these very promising claims sometimes they are done horrible crappy. (for example they use a free website host) It just would not make any sense.
“Vitamins are good, the more the better!”
Taking more vitamins than what the WHO standard is bad. So be careful when chomping these supplements. Proteins and Vitamins are truly needed for hair growth. Till now I have seen no study or person that was able to explain to me why more vitamins are supposed to stop hair loss in individuals that don't suffer from malnutrition. Don t forget: Dr. Rassman wrote that in 99 % of the cases men suffer from hair loss due to genetics!
Source: http://www.baldingblog.com/2009/07/16/are-you-sure-sebum-doesnt-cause-hair-loss/
Also why are women not losing hair if its just the lack of vitamins? Do women have supper hairs that just don't need them to grow? And why we never lose our hair below our ear? Is that powering itself without vitamins?
Okay input is really welcome. I think that its important to tell how bad pharmacy corps sometimes play with us. I really am not “Mr Conspiracy – 9/11 inside job” guy. But I fear that industries that can be drained for money carry their potential exploits. Knowledge is power. That's the reason why this forum exists I guess: To educate and help people. If we all stick together and share our experience we might be able to come up with the perfect guide one day.
Whenever you are not sure about a product: JUST ASK BEFORE YOU BUY!!!