Where have I been?

Greetings, readers. If you're an avid reader of my blog, then you'll have noticed that I have not ben active on here for quite some time.  In fact, this is my first post of 2019. So, happy belated new year, and I hope you are all sticking to your new year's resolutions - particularly with your hair! 

I've not been updating my blog as often as I should because of a number of things. Firstly, I've been so bogged down at work, especially since the turn on the new year, that I've had little time for much else.

Also, as many of you know,  my plan is to get a vlog up and running, which I haven't had a lot of time to do.  Ideally, I want a vlog up by the end of this year, so I can continue my hair loss journey in video format.  I think a vlog (video blog) would be even more insightful and helpful to you guys, because it would allow me to show my progress better, and it would be a better platform to review hair loss treatments. 

Anyway, with all that said, I shall still be active on this blog. Obviously I won't be as active as I usually was, but you'll still see the odd post popping up from time to time - at least until the vlog goes live. 

So, I shall continue to bring you all the latest news and updates in my world of beating hair loss, and if you have any questions, then comment below, and I'll do my best to answer them.  

Oh, and please refrain  from leaving spammy links in the comments section.  They don't do you, or me, any good.  They hinder the website, therefore they will be deleted.

The newly formulated HR23+ hair supplement review

As many of you will already know, the leading hair growth supplement, HR23+, has just undergone some slight changes, resulting in a 'new and improved' formula. 

I've used HR23+ for a number of years now, and I am delighted with the product and how effective it has been for my hair. I was suffering from severe male pattern baldness in my mid/late 20s, but since taking HR23+, my hair has stopped shedding, and my strands look thicker and healthier.  I couldn't have asked for much more. 

So, will this new formula effect the way HR23+ has already worked for me? 

Firstly, let's go through the new formula and see just what exactly has changed.  In truth, it doesn't seem like a whole lot has changed. but there have been tweaks, in order to improve the supplement and its effects. 

What changes have HR23+ made to their formula? 

• They've replaced some of their tried and trusted ingredients with purer versions.  But why have they done this?  Here's a statement I grabbed from the website: "Although our supplement has been effective in over 90% of our users, we wanted to develop it further and make it even better. There is always room for improvement, as after three successful years, we wanted to take our product to the next level. Using these purer extracts makes the supplement 'cleaner' and more effective.  What was already working, should work even better now."
• They've added Nettle Leaf Extract. It is thought that nettle leaf can help reduce hair loss and support hair growth. Nettle leaves are rich in silica and sulfur. This helps in making hair shinier and healthier.
• They've dropped the African Bark Extract. I am no entirely sure why this ingredient was dropped, as it worked in conjunction with Saw Palmetto, but for whatever reason, they've dropped the bark.

So, will these tweaks change the effectiveness of the supplement? 

They've assured us that the slight tweaks will improve the formula as a whole. For regular users of HR23+, like me, there should be no concerns, because it is effectively still the same formula, only with slight 'upgrades' of extracts used. 

As far as the actual pills go, they have remained the same size, and the daily dosage of four capsules is also the same as before.  I did notice that the new pills are slightly different in colour to the original batch.  The new batch of pills look more like a grainy sand colour, compared to the more artificial looking yellow colour of the original pill. 

Here's a picture I took of the old pill (left) and the new pill (right) placed next to each other. 

I have three bottles of the new capsules, and I shall start taking them as soon as my last bottle of the old batch runs out later this month.  I'm quite excited to see what results I get from the new lot, and, as always, I will be sharing my experience with you. 

Hair Growth Supplements Ranked from Worst to Best

What is the best hair growth supplement? 

I've been trying out dozens of treatments for my hair for about ten years, and I must admit, there seems to be four or five times more hair supplements on the market than there used to be. 

Multi-vitamin hair supplements are becoming increasingly popular with men and women who are trying to battle the devastating effects of losing their hair.  According to research, these types of products are now the leader within the hair loss industry. 

Why are hair supplements so popular? 

There are a number of reasons why supplements are such a ppular form of treatment for hair loss, and here's the main three:

• Supplements are generally safe and free from nasty side-effects.
• Supplements are easy to purchase and non-prescription.  
• Supplements are proving to be the most effective treatment.

I've tried a lot of treatments over the years, from serums, shampoos and topical lotions, to pills and even derma-rolling devices. I'll be honest, some treatments worked better than others, but the products that have worked best for my hair always tend to be supplements. 

What's the best supplement I have tried for my hair? 

Ok, so looking back, I think I have tried around a dozen hair supplements during an eight year period. Here, I am going to rank ten of the supplements that I tried, from worst to best. 

Bear in mind, this list is from my experience only, and results do vary with each individual. What works for me might not necessarily work for you, so keep that in mind. 

I have ranked each supplement based on its effects on my hair, over a minimum period of three months (the recommended timescale).

10.  TRX2 Molecular Hair Food Supplement

Of all the supplements I have tried, I cannot remember being more excited to try one as much as I was when I discovered TRX2.  I remember seeing it advertised in an in-flight magazine, and it did look very promising, so I wanted to see for myself just how effective it could be.

That made the experience of TRX2 that much more disappointing, and after nine months of taking these pills continuously, I did not notice any positive changes in my hair.  My strands were still falling out, and I did not see any new hair growth whatsoever.  TRX2 supplement was a complete waste of time, and I'm afraid I wouldn't recommend it at all.

I would be interested to know if any of you have experienced good results from using this product.  If so then let me know in the comments section below. 

9.  Har Vokse Hair Growth Supplement

I can't remember exactly when I tried the Har Vokse supplement, but it was at least a few years ago. I remember taking it after my terrible experience with TRX2, in the hope something different might actually work. 

I used Har Vokse for about three months, if I remember correctly.  I wouldn't say it's a bad supplement, as such, but it wasn't the best I've tried, that's for sure.  I did not notice any significant improvements in my hair during the 12 week usage period, but saying that, it should also be noted that I did not notice anything negative. 

I didn't hold out a lot of hope for this supplement anyway, so I wasn't too disappointed by the lack of results. 

8.  Nutrafol Men

I remember trying Nutrafol Men for a period of three months, and I was not impressed with it at all.  This is by far the most expensive hair supplement I ever tried, setting me back around £80 per bottle, which only lasts four weeks! 

Is Nutrafol Men the worst supplement in the world? Absolutely not. But is it worth £80 a bottle? No way! 

Yes, the additives are good, I'll give it that, and it's not a bad hair supplement at all.  I would be willing to bet it probably does have some effects on users, but just not for me. 

Because of its high price, I remember I stopped taking all other treatments in order to give this supplement a fair trial.  If I am honest, aside from perhaps making my hair look slightly thicker, Nutrafol did little else to convince me of its worth. 

7.  Priorin Anti-Hair Loss Capsules

Like with most treatments I try, I like to give it a minimum trial period of three months.  I think that's a fair amount of time to try something to see if it works.  I didn't see much improvement in my hair during that period of time, which left me disappointed, like with so many other treatments I'd tried.

Priorin does contain some decent ingredients like Millet Extract,
L-cystine, and Biotin, which makes it a pretty good blend, but it didn't seem to have any significant effects on my hair. 

I wouldn't say this is a bad supplement, but it was not that effective for me personally.  Perhaps I should have given it a couple more months to see if there would have been improvements in my hair. 

6.  Foligain Hair Loss Supplement

Foligain is marketed as a supplement that blocks DHT and promotes hair growth.  I would definitely say that's far-fetched! 

Firstly, there is no supplement that can block the formation of DHT.  The only pill that comes close to blocking DHT is Finasteride, which is a medically approved prescription drug.

However, I did decide to try Foligain and I wasn't too disappointed with the results.  It's got some really good ingredients in it, but if you strip it down to its core, it's just another generic hair supplement.  You can find these sorts of £30 supplements all over the market - they're nothing revolutionary, but they can help with hair loss, even if to a minimal extent. 

5.  HairXcel Hair Growth Support

Much like Foligain, HarXcel is another one of those supplements that you can find pretty much anywhere. But just because these supplements are similar, that does not mean they are bad. In fact, they're pretty good.

HairXcel actually impressed me quite a lot during the three month trial.  The rate of hair fall had slowed down, and my hair did feel thicker and fuller.  The combination of saw palmetto and biotin has always been a key factor for me, and using this supplement made me realise just how effective that blend could be for my hair. 

I'd rate this product highly on performance, but even higher on its price - at just £30 per bottle, which is very cheap in comparison with some other multi-vitamin hair supplements on the market.  The only problem is, I don't think you can purchase this product any more.  I could be wrong, but I think it ended its line. 

4.  Procerin Herbal Supplement for Men

I have fond memories of Procerin.  I started taking it when my hair was going through a severe shedding phase, and I am pretty sure Procerin helped slow down the rate of hair fall at the time.

Procerin is what I call a 'hot and cold product'.  It had excellent benefits for my hair, but it underperformed in certain areas too. 

Procerin helped me slow down the rate hair loss dramatically, but I did not see any new hair growing in that time.  Also, I noticed great results in the first two to three months of taking Procerin, but then the effects started to dip after that period.  I am not sure why this was, but I have seen countless online reviews from men who experienced the same thing.  

Procerin is a good supplement initially, but not one for the long-term. 

3.  Viviscal Hair Growth Programme

I like Viviscal, and if I hadn't discovered a different supplement (my number 1) that worked for me, then I would probably be using Viviscal today. 

This supplement contains a good blend of hair beneficiary ingredients that should help you prevent the effects of baldness and thinning hair, without having to worry about the nasty side-effects that come with the harsher medical drugs.  Viviscal acts as a good alternative to drugs like Finasteride. 

I would certainly rank Viviscal in my top 3 hair supplements, purely on its additives and its effectiveness. This is a good supplement, and even though I only tried it for three months, it did a whole lot more for my hair than the previous seven supplements did combined.

2.  Biotin & Saw Palmetto

The major breakthrough I had with my hair was when I discovered just how effective the combination of Biotin and Saw Palmetto was for me.

More tests are needed to back the claims, but key findings from research has suggested that Biotin acts as a hair growth promoter, and Saw Palmetto acts as a hair loss preventer.

The combination of the two has helped me prevent the effects of hair loss and maintain normal, healthy hair growth. 

1.  HR23+ Hair Health Supplement

HR23+ is a potent supplement designed to prevent hair loss in men and women suffering from early stages of baldness and thinning hair.  I have been taking this supplement for nearly three years, and I couldn't be happier with it. 

I discovered this supplement shortly after its release back in 2015, and I must admit, I didn't hold out much hope for it, especially after my previous disappointments.  But I decided to give it a try anyway, as I noticed it had a very good blend of ingredients. 

I started noticing results from HR23+ almost instantly, with much less hair falling out. After around three weeks I noticed my hair getting thicker, and then a couple of months in, I saw baby hairs sprouting at my receding temples. 

As the months have gone by, I am gradually seeing more and more improvements in my hair from taking HR23+.  My hair seems to look and feel better with every passing year, and I owe it mainly to this hair supplement.  It would take a miracle sure to get me off this supplement.

Why Summer is Bad for Your Hair

Why is summer season so bad for our hair?

For those of you who live in the UK like me, you'll be aware that we're in the middle of a great big heatwave, and it's set to continue for most of the summer.  Most people are revelling in the sunshine (not something we get an awful lot of here in England), but I can't stand summer season, and here's why... 

Yes, summer is a happy time of year, especially when the sun is out and our football team is doing well in the world cup, but for all its advantages, the main fact remains - the hotter months of the year are the most damaging to our hair. 

I have long been a sufferer of seasonal shedding, and although this is a perfectly normal phase that 99% of humans go through, it still isn't ideal, especially if, like me, you are already prone to losing your hair. 

When is seasonal shedding most common?

I should clarify that seasonal hair loss is slightly different for everyone - so for example, some people suffer from severe shedding around autumn season, and others may suffer from hair fall during the spring season.

Winter tends to be the season when we are least likely to shed hair, but summer season is a bit of a mixed bag.  For me, summer is the worst season for shedding, along with autumn maybe.

How to counter seasonal shedding?

Now, don't be too concerned, because seasonal shedding isn't the end of the world for most of us. As we shed, we actually regrow new hairs as a replacement for the strands we lose.  However, if we do not regrow new strands while we are shedding, that's when the problem begins.

As many of you will already know, I counter baldness with a couple of hair products, including the hair supplement, HR23+, which has worked wonders for my hair.  Without treating the issue, goodness knows how much more hair I'd have lost over the summers in particular. 

If you are prone to summer shedding like me, then you'll only need to act if you also suffer from male pattern baldness, as I have done for the past six or seven years.  Act by treating the problem at the root of the cause. 

Based on my results, I would recommend a treatment plan of Minoxidil (twice a day), Argan Oil Shampoo (three times a week), HR23+ supplement (four capsules per day), with perhaps an extra dosage of Biotin (one tablets a day).

HR23+ hair loss treatment update (progress pics)

HR23+ progress report with before and after images - 2018. 

As many of you will know, I have been taking HR23+ hair supplement for around two and a half years now, and for the most part, I am happy with the results. 

I was losing my hair in my mid to late 20s (I am now in my mid 30s), and I have tried quite a few treatments and products in an attempt to halt the balding and get thicker hair growth.  Some treatments have worked better than others, and I would say HR23+ has been one of, if not the best product that I have tried for my thinning locks. 

Since using HR23+, I have noticed much less hair fall, to the point I am not losing any more hair at all, and I am gaining much thicker hair growth.  Now, I don't want to mislead any of you into thinking that this is some magical cure for baldness, because it's not. But, it does work to a decent extent to which I am now happier with my hair and more confident in myself. 

So, just to brief those of you who haven't followed my hair loss journey - I started taking HR23+ around two and a half years ago.  I began noticing results pretty quickly.  I was shedding far less hair after just a week or two of taking this supplement, and I even noticed a few baby hairs popping up on my temple where I had previously receded.

After about a year of slowing down my hair loss, my strands stopped falling out completely, which was a very pleasant surprise. My hair has never looked as good as it does now, since taking HR23+, and I am generally pleased with the results this product has given me.  

It doesn't quite end there - Towards the end of 2017, around October time, I started noticing my hair getting much thicker, especially around the frontal area of my head.  I have never really suffered from crownal thinning, well, not to a noticeable extent any way, but the receding hairline has been more my problem. 

So, since October time, my hair seems to have got even thicker and the front area looks like it's in a much healthier position.  Many of you have asked me to post before and after images of my hairline, and as promised, I have taken a few snaps for you to see.

A

Image A above was taken at the end of October 2017, when I started noticing the hair thickening up at the frontal hairline area. I pushed my hair back for you to see the extent of my receding, and the general thinning of the frontal part of my scalp. 
 

B

The next image (B) was taken at the end of February 2018, again with my hair pushed back to the same extent as it was in image A. My hair is cut slightly shorter in this image, but you can clearly see it looks fuller, and the hairline seems to have filled in somewhat. 

It should be noted that both pictures were taken in the same place in my house, and in the same light (as close as possible).  That's a pretty remarkable change, don't you think?  

I have not made any adjustments to my hair care routine.  You can see my full hair care routine here.  I do tend to shed more in the autumn season, which may be one reason why I have experienced sudden changes in my hair recently, but I will take pictures as we approach the summer, and again in the autumn, with another update on here.

5 Unusual Techniques to Prevent Baldness

Unusual techniques that may prevent hair loss

I'd like to wish a belated happy new year to all my readers, and extend my apologies for not updating my blog for a while.  If truth be told, I am only just about recovering from the festive partying.  I went in pretty hard this time, but I am gradually getting back to my normal routine.

Oh, and before you think it, no, my hair care routine did not suffer as a consequence of overindulging over Christmas and the new year. I stayed loyal to it, and I will remain so for as long as it continues to work. If you want a reminder of my hair care routine, then check out it here.

So, what changes will I be making to my routine this year?  Well, I certainly don't intend to stop what I am currently using, but if something even better pops up, I'll be open minded enough to give it a try. My main aim this year will be to try out new things that may result in promoting hair growth.  Here is a list of five things in particular that I will be trying in order to beat hair loss...

Scalp Massage

Apparently massaging your scalp every day is great for stimulating hair follicles.  I have read this theory so many times, and even though I occasionally use a dermaroller, I intend to try this technique with the tips of my fingers, everyday.  I know it sounds crazy, but when it comes to hair loss, I have learnt never to judge anything until it is tried and tested - I have been wrong so many times before.

Headstand

Standing upside down is a great technique that can stop hair loss and promote healthy hair growth.  Is it true?  Well, good blood circulation is absolutely key for the follicles to work, so there really isn't any reason why this unorthodox technique shouldn't work.  I shall be doing this as often as I can, and I'll be sure to report back to you guys how it went.

Yoga

Ok, so I know yoga can't cure hair loss, but what if it can have some kind of underlying benefit for my locks?  I have looked into this, and apparently yoga can increase the chances of stopping baldness.  I've always been fascinated by the spiritual side of life, and I'll be even more fascinated to see if doing yoga can actually help me in my quest to put an end to this balding nonsense.

Beetroot

Beetroot helps you to complete your nutritional deficiency that causes the hair fall.  I actually love beetroot anyway, so it's great to have an excuse to stuff my face with it.  I knew about other hair beneficiary foods like green apples, green tea, and spinach leaves, but I wasn't aware of how beneficial beetroot could be.

Egg White & Curd

It may sound the most gross trick out of the lot, but egg white and curd are known to be preventers of hair loss. Eggs are a rich source of Sulphur which is an essential nutrient for healthy and strong hair. Sulphur in eggs promotes the production of keratin and collagen that prevents dandruff.

I shall keep you all posted as to how I get on with this...

My Top Hair Loss Treatments of the Year

The Most Effective Products for Hair Growth

 
With another year almost at its end, I can't quite believe how quickly the past 12 months has gone by.  Since I started losing my hair, I have always used this time of year to asses the state of my hairline and scalp. The good news is, I still have a relatively decent head of hair, which fills me with confidence for 2018. 

I feel like I have found a good set of products that have enabled me to maintain a good, healthy head of hair, and long may this trend continue.  As this will most likely be my final post of the year, I do feel it is necessary to let my readers know how I have been getting on with my hair loss journey. 

So, without further ado, here are the hair products that I rank the highest and that have worked best for me.  If you're an avid reader of my blog, then some of these products won't be of any surprise to you, but I hope these recommendations work for more men (and women) suffering from hair loss, just as well as they have for me... 

Top Shampoo for Hair Growth

I have used two shampoos over the years that have given me great hair growth results, one being Head & Shoulders Hair Endurance for Men, and the other being OGX Biotin & Collagen. If I am to choose one, then OGX Biotin & Collagen would just about edge it for me.  This thick textured formula does a terrific job on my locks, increasing the thickness and volume instantly.  

This shampoo isn't a hair loss treatment, but it is certainly a must-use formula for better, stronger, healthier hair growth. 

Top Topical Solution for Hair & Scalp

I have tried a fair few topical serums over the years, and even though I don't think I have found the right solution just yet, I have settled on Minoxidil, for now at least.  I did try Regaine for nearly a year back in the early days of treating my baldness, and I wasn't particularly impressed with it, but after trying a hat full of topical liquids, I decided to go back on the Minoxidil, just as a backup to the products I am already using.  

When it comes to buying Minoxidil, it really doesn't matter what brand it is - Minoxidil is Minoxidil after all - so, just make sure it's the 5% solution if you are male, and 2% if you are female.  I am currently using the Kirkland 5% Foam, due to it being half the price of Regaine. 

Top Hair Growth Supplement

As many of you will already know, I am a big fan of HR23+ hair supplement, and I have not looked back since I started usin it a few years ago. This multi-vitamin hair supplement contains the right blend of ingredients that has helped me prevent the severe pattern of shedding, and promoted healthier, thicker hair growth.

Unless something spectacular comes along, I won't be changing my hair supplement any time soon. If you suffer from early stages of thinning hair, then seriously consider trying HR23+, and even though it's a little on the expensive side, it's totally worth it. 

Top Hair Growth Device

Now, not every hair treatment is a pill that you consume or a serum/shampoo that can be applied. There are numerous hair brushes, infrared combs and laser devices widely available on the market that claim they can reverse the effects of baldness.  However, I have opted for the dermaroller.  

It doesn't really matter what brand you use, dermarollers are pretty much all the same.  About every 10 days or so, I use a dermaroller along my hairline to help active hair follicles.  If you stick with it, you'll notice new hair sprouting up.  This isn't an overnight fix, but I'm sure anyone suffering from hair loss would more than welcome new hairs popping up.  Try it.