So you may remember some weeks ago I blogged about Alpecin, a caffeine shampoo available at the drugstore that claims to stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss. For those unfamiliar with my current situation I am suffering post-natal shedding and losing a considerable amount of hair with every wash leaving me with almost bald temples. I will say that the Alpecin improved the situation, - you can see my 'before' shots here and my current ones lower down this post - but it's target market is men and I found the formula much too drying on the ends of my hair, a problem I doubt men worry about. So.. when I was contacted to review the LA Science Anti-Hair Loss System I was dubious. The thing that really swung it for me was that the directions state that no additional conditioner is required as the formula has conditioning agents.. very much the opposite of the Alpecin so I thought, why not?
The shampoo itself is much thicker than I'd expected and so I took it at it's word and didn't condition. I rubbed it in to my scalp for 2 or 3 minutes and then left it on my hair for a further 10, it doesn't state that this is necessary but I can't see that it would hurt. After towel drying I applied the serum to my temples and a little over the rest of my scalp and went to brush it through. Unfortunately my hair is very tangly so although my hair may not need the moisture a conditioner provides I definitely need one to get a brush through it so I did have to apply a generous helping of Macadamia Oil through the ends in order to de-tangle the lengths but I have to say after blasting it with the hairdryer my hair looked and felt thicker and fuller after only one application. I'm not yet sure how/if conditioning will alter the effects but I am very interested to see the results in a few weeks time.
Alpecin did do something and for the money it's impressive but after taking so long to nuture my hair back to almost full health I'm not going to ruin it now by using a shampoo that will strip it of every drop of oil it's ever produced. I would recommend it as an occasional clarifying shampoo or for those with very greasy hair but for the rest of us girls it's just not going to work I'm afraid. The LA Science already shows more potential and althought it's a pricier treatment hair loss can be really traumatic and if it works I know I'd pay whatever the cost. Saying that the shampoo is actually pretty reasonable at £15.29 for 250 ml, it's the serum at a whopping £30.59 for 50ml that's the kicker but rest assured I will be back to tell you whether it's worth all those hard earned pennies!
Have you suffered with hair loss? Permanent or not it's never nice so if you've found a miracle cure or just something that you feel is working/has worked leave a comment and let us know.
Miss BB
