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Do Anti-Aging Products Really Work?

The Lowdown on Baldness and Wrinkle Remedies, From Consumer Reports Testing and Reader Surveys

(CBS) The age-old search for the Fountain of Youth often ends at your local pharmacy.

But do products that promise to turn back the clock really work?

The May issue of Consumer Reports Health features a series of reports on the burgeoning market for products promising to turn back the clock on aging. It has the results of testing done by the magazine and of surveys of thousands of its readers about their experiences with remedies for balding and wrinkles.

And Consumer Reports Senior Projects Editor Tod Marks let “Early Show” viewers in on the results Tuesday:

TREATMENTS FOR BALDING

The bottom line here is that 53 percent of men and 40 percent of women believe the treatments were “overhyped.”

Consumer Reports National Research Center revealed that some remedies help more than others. We questioned 8,082 online subscribers (6,248 men and 1,834 women) who had lost hair. Most men and some women blamed genetic makeup or age; other women said their hair loss was due to a health condition (such as thyroid disease) or stress. We excluded respondents whose hair loss was related to chronic illness or chemotherapy. Respondents ranged in age from about 20 to 90-plus.

Finasteride (Propecia) (by prescription)

27 percent rated very effective
13 percent rated not effective

This pill, available as Propecia and in generic versions, was most successful with respondents. It’s prescribed for men only, because it can cause serious birth defects. Cost is $16 to $84 per month.

Pros: In clinical trials in which men with pattern baldness took 1 milligram per day for two years, new hair grew in 66 percent of patients. In 83 percent, hair loss was halted.

Cons: Side effects are infrequent, but might include impotence and depression, which should disappear if the medicine is stopped. Patients should commit to it for at least three months, and they eventually lose any gains when they stop taking it.

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

4 percent rate very effective
43 percent rate not effective

This topical product is sold in strengths of 2 percent (the only version approved for women) and 5 percent, which also comes as a foam. Sold under the brand name Rogaine or generically, versions go for as little as $10 per month. Minoxidil works best on patients whose hair loss is recent.

Pros: In a study cited in the journal ACP Medicine, even the 2 percent solution was shown to produce visible hair growth in about one-third of patients and fine hair growth in another third.

Cons: In the same study, Minoxidil was ineffective in one-third of patients. Our survey respondents reported that it was largely ineffective. Results might not be visible for four-to-12 months, and any benefits are lost when you stop applying the product. Side effects include dry, itchy, or irritated scalp and increased facial hair.

Surgery

Most people opt for a basic hair transplant, in which hair grafts are moved from the back of the head to the top or front. The average cost per graft is $5, and the average hair transplant can take 2,000 grafts. In many cases, the procedure must be repeated, doubling the price.

Pros: If you find a skilled surgeon and the transplants take, you can end up with a good head of hair. Contact the American Hair Loss Association or (www.americanhairloss.org) or International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons to find doctors who have undergone extensive training.

Cons: Not everyone is a successful candidate for surgery. There’s the possibility of infection, a long recovery period, scarring, or patchy hair growth.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Consumer Reports Finds Many Hair Loss Treatments, Wrinkle Serums Ineffective by Grace Gold

If you want to put the brakes on aging, forget those fancy, high-priced potions.

That seems to be the lesson found in May’s issue of Consumer Reports, which highlights studies on products marketed to the aging baby boomer generation, including balding treatments, hair dye and anti-wrinkle serums.

In a study of 8,042 participants whose hair loss wasn’t related to chemotherapy or illness, the most effective treatment was the prescription pill Propecia – though just 27 percent of men deemed the drug very effective. Rogaine can be used by both sexes with the possible not-so-sexy side effect of facial hair growth for women, though the study showed it was mainly ineffective and better suited to people with very recent hair loss. Expensive hair transplant surgery which can cost upwards of a staggering $10,000 per job, yet often needs to be repeated and carries the risk of infection, a long recovery, scarring and patchy hair growth.

“The market for baldness remedies plays to a particularly vulnerable segment of society. It’s a deeply personal, devastating issue to many who desperately want to believe that there’s a panacea out there,” said Tod Marks, Senior Editor at Consumer Reports.

“At the end of the day, the best remedy may actually be acceptance. Those surveyed pointed out actual benefits of being bald: you won’t get hat head, you won’t waste time grooming your hair, and you’ll save lots of money on shampoo, conditioner, gels, mouse, hair dryers and other haircare products,” added Marks.

We’re not so sure folks will excitedly line up to get on that bandwagon, though.

Anti-wrinkle serums didn’t fare much better, with nine face serums put to the test by 79 female and male participants aged 40 to 65 who used the products on one side of their face for six weeks – and were then analyzed by panelists with high-resolution technology.

The success of the highest ranking products – DermaSilk 5 Minute Face Lift and Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle – was still limited and fell short of the advertising claims illustrated on their boxes. Prescription retinoids, which are an aggressive form of Vitamin A, continue to excel as the only creams scientifically proven to reverse the loss of collagen that causes wrinkles.

“Consumers should focus on getting back to the basics like moisturizing and shielding skin from the sun. Beyond that, if you want to try an over-the-counter anti-wrinkle product, realize that the results may be minimal if any,” said Jamie Hirsh, Associate Editor at Consumer Reports Health.

 
Clairol Textures & Tones was rated one of the most effective gray hair concealers. Photo: Clairol.com

“For more dramatic improvements, talk to a dermatologist about using a prescription retinoid like Renova, Retin-A or their equivalent generics,” advised Hirsh.

But don’t toss your hope for budget solutions into the bucket just yet; there’s great news for gray roots.

In a test of 13 at-home hair dyes meant to color gray hair brown, the results showed that for less than $13 bucks, consumers can easily and effectively cover their own grays without a visit to the salon that could easily cost ten times or more to achieve the same look.

The high hair color achievers? Clairol Texture and Tones, L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference, Clairol Natural Instincts and Clairol Natural Instincts For Men all concealed grays the best.

For best color results, ignore the photo of the model on the front of the box and instead pay careful attention to the color charts on the back or sides to determine how a shade will work for you. Some formulations aren’t made for hair that is more than 50% gray, so read labels before opening up your wallet if your coloring needs are greater.

And if all else fails, it may be helpful to heed some sage advice from writer Mark Twain:

“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

How Does Minoxidil Work and is there an alternative?

Minoxidil (Regaine) is a slightly oily solution that is rubbed into the scalp twice a day, or as recommended by your dermatologist. In its oral or intravenous form, it is a potent anti-hypertensive medicine, used in emergencies to lower critical blood pressures. It was during this use that hair growth was noted in patients with hair loss. Its exact mechanism of action is unknown; most experts feel that it causes dilation of the blood vessels in the scalp and increased exposure of the hair follicle to this flow. It has been shown to work best on the top of the head and less well at the angles. Its predominant effect is to decrease loss and maintain existing growth.

We recommend the use of Vitastim and if necessary Biostim as well, in all cases for best results.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Is there any treatment for hair loss?

Depending on your type of hair loss, treatments are available. If a medicine is causing your hair loss, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine. Recognizing and treating an infection may help stop the hair loss. Correcting a hormone imbalance may prevent further hair loss.

Treatments may also help slow or prevent the development of common baldness. One treatment, minoxidil another is Vitastim, these are available without a prescription. It is applied to the scalp. Both men and women can use it. Another treatment, Biostim, this again is available without a prescription. It comes in a lotion form and is appropriate for both men and women to use. It may take up to 6 months before you can tell if one of these treatments is working.

If adequate treatment is not available for your type of hair loss, you may consider trying different hairstyles or wigs, hairpieces, hair weaves or artificial hair replacement. These are for extreme cases, as most types of hair loss are treatable in the early stages these days.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help