April 18 2007, 11:32 am PT | Posted in: Hair Products
hi dr. Rassman,
i would like to know your opinion on Eastern Medicine regarding hairloss, particularly this product which i’ve heard over an asian website recently http://www.101international.com/created by Dr Zhao Zhangguang. Do you think this is a scam? thank you
I do not know much of eastern medicine nor of Dr. Zhangguang so it would be unfair for me to comment on it. There could be value here, but no one knows. There have been many products and treatments for hair loss since the beginning of time. To date, I only know of two products for treating hair loss that have been scientifically proven and approved by the FDA to work — Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride). Even Rogaine and Propecia have limitations and neither are a miracle cure. Remember that the power of suggestion and the placebo effect (sugar pills) can also work for some.
Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):
After buying several bottles myself, and doing much research about the product, I’ve concluded that the only active ingredient in zhang guang 101 (fabao) is capsaicin. While the company won’t actively admit that their entire line of products are based on one simple molecule found in hot chili peppers, I’m almost certain of it. Capsaicin was found to increase the release of substance P from dermal papilla cells, and this, in turn, promotes the release of IGF-1, which is crucial for hair growth. The effectiveness and long term effects of capsaicin use are not known.
Years ago my parents bought about 2 years supply from 101, and I had used it for a year and half without any effect at all. Interestingly, a couple of years later. My hair grew back by itself without taking any medicine, probably because I’m having better sleep.