Procerin and saw palmetto are two natural treatments for hair loss. While natural treatments have not been proven to be effective for hair loss by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, they remain a popular alternative to traditional methods. Herbal hair loss treatments are frequently used due to the side effects of the FDA-approved Propecia, but natural supplements may also have side effects and should not be taken without first consulting your physician.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is dependent on several things, such as age and heredity, with an overabundance of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, or simply DHT, one of the primary culprits. Testosterone is converted to DHT in the body. DHT will attach itself to hair follicles, which will shorten the hair growth cycle and eventually cause the follicle to produce thinner, weaker hair which is unable to survive. Both saw palmetto and many of the ingredients in Procerin are believed to be able to block DHT from reaching the hair follicle receptor by proponents of natural hair loss treatments.
Procerin
Procerin is a two-part hair loss treatment that consists of a tablet and a foam that is applied directly to the scalp. Many of the ingredients in both the tablet and the foam are popular herbs for treating hair loss. The tablet is made from 17 different supplements and vitamins, including saw palmetto berries, nettles, pumpkin seed, gotu kola and eleuthero root.
The ingredients in the topical foam include saw palmetto extract, niacin, grape seed extract and evening primrose oil.
Saw Palmetto
Sal palmetto remains the most popular of the herbal hair loss treatments and is found in many natural hair loss treatment products including Procerin and Provillus. The popularity of saw palmetto to treat hair loss is based on anecdotal evidence. The Mayo Clinic states saw palmetto appears to be able to block the conversion of testosterone to DHT, but more testing is required before it can be considered to be a viable hair loss treatment.
Which is Best?
Those wishing to start a natural hair loss treatment consisting of Procerin or saw palmetto will have several variables to consider, such as effectiveness, safety and cost. While Procerin not only includes saw palmetto but other ingredients, there is no clinical support to verify their effectiveness. As all supplements have the potential for side effects, saw palmetto alone would pose the least risk for adverse effects, and it is the cheaper of the two products. According to the Procerin website, as of the time of publication, a six-month supply of Procerin tablets costs $119.95, while the foam is an additional $159.95 for six months. A six-month supply of saw palmetto berries will cost approximately $40 if 1,500 mg are taken daily.
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