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SAW PALMETTO Berry

Scientifically shown to reduce the production of DiHydro-Testosterone (DHT)

Saw palmetto Berry Extract

Can I take saw palmetto for hair loss?

The best form of saw palmetto for hair loss.

Is saw palmetto good for female hair loss?

Is saw palmetto safe for female hair loss?

What to take with saw palmetto for hair loss.

Saw palmetto for hair loss topical.

Saw palmetto hair loss oral or topical.

How long to take saw palmetto for hair loss.

How to use saw palmetto topically for hair loss

Saw palmetto products are derived from the ripe fruits (berries) of Serenoa repens (commonly known as dwarf palm, American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm, sabal). Saw palmetto (so named for its fan shaped leaves) is native to and grows wild in North America, in sandy soils from Texas and Louisiana, east to South Carolina, Georgia and south to Florida, as well as in various islands in the Bahamas and Cuba.

The plant is an evergreen shrub, usually 2 to 10 feet tall, with creeping or horizontal rhizomes and occasionally reaches the size of a small tree, up to 20 to 25 feet 1,2,3. The shrubs bloom from April through June and the fruits begin to ripen in mid- August. As ripening occurs, fruits turn in color from green (May-June) to yellow (mid-August), to orange (September), and then to bluish-black (SeptemberOctober) when ripe.

The major chemical constituents of the ripe fruits include phytosterols, fatty acids, carbohydrates, monoacylglycerides, and other compounds. The biologically active compounds are the phytosterols, fatty acids and their ethyl esters, and monoacyl-glycerides. Commercial products from saw palmetto fruits include dried or partially dried fruit powder or liposterolic extracts in liquid or powder form standardized to contain predetermined levels of fatty acids (capric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid). As reported in the USP monograph, a mixture of 11 methyl esters of fatty acids (methyl laurate, methyl oleate, methyl myristate, methyl palmitate, methyl palmitoleate, methyl linoleate, methyl linolenate, methyl caproate, methyl caprylate, methyl caprate, and methyl stearate) serve as marker compounds to confirm the identity of saw palmetto.

POTENTIAL TOPICAL APPLICATIONS

Although no actual clinical data are available, saw palmetto extract is believed to be beneficial in conditions such as androgenetic alopecia and for topical use in anti-acne formulations. These potential applications are based on the fact that in in vitro studies, saw palmetto extract was shown to inhibit both known isoforms of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. 5-alpha-reductase catalyzes the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The biological role of DHT in androgen related disorders is well documented. Animal model and human clinical data validate the beneficial effects of saw palmetto extract in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)10, an androgen-mediated disorder for which treatment measures are based on the inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase. However, the authors of one in vitro study that investigated the effects of the extract on primary cultures of fibroblasts and epithelial cells from the prostate, epididymis, testes, kidney, skin and breast reported that saw palmetto extract was an effective inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase only in prostate cells, suggesting the selectivity and specificity of the lipido-sterolic extract.

DHT and hair homeostasis:

Caspases are enzymes that degrade DNA during programmed cell death (apoptosis), and some specific caspases are believed to function as mediators of the hair growth cycle. A recent study established the role of DHT in selectively regulating the caspase genes which play an important role in signaling programmed cell death, affecting the hair growth cycle. The authors of this study postulated that DHT may be signaling greater expression of caspases, inducing apoptosis in androgenetic alopecia12 (male pattern baldness /scalp hair loss in females).

DHT and skin conditions:

Conditions such as unwanted hair growth (idiopathic female hirsutism), acne and seborrhoea (excessive secretion of sebum) result from the action of androgens on the skin. The severity of these effects are dependent upon androgen production by the ovary or adrenal gland and the bioavailability of androgen to peripheral tissues. This in turn is related to transport of plasma androgens by specific binding proteins and to peripheral metabolism of testosterone and androstenedione to the more potent DHT. An effective anti-androgen is one which blocks the androgen receptor-mediated actions of testosterone and DHT on skin.

Isotretinoin, used to treat severe acne, has been shown to induce hormonal changes, especially to reduce 5 alpha-reductase in the production of the tissue-derived dihydrotestosterone (DHT) metabolite 3 alphaAdiol. Serum levels of 3 alpha-Adiol-G reflect the extent of androgen action in peripheral tissues. Another potential application is in the management of idiopathic female hirsutism. According to researchers, an excess of skin 5 alpha-reductase activity may be considered to be a cause of hirsutism and therefore this condition could benefit from the use of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.

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Clinical Studies of Ingredients

  • SAW PALMETTO
    Source:

    US National Library of Medicine

    Serenoa Repens: Does It have Any Role in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia?


    Source:

    The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

    A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Effectiveness of Botanically Derived Inhibitors of 5AR in the Treatment of Androgentic Alopecia


    Source:

    International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

    Alopecia: Herbal Remedies


    Source:

    The Australasian College of Dermatologists

    Treatment of male androgenetic alopecia with topical products containing Serenoa repens extract.


    Source:

    European Hair Research Society

    P10.141 EFFECTIVENESS OF SERENOA REPENS ON ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA


  • GREEN TEA (EGCG)
    Source:

    National Center for Biotechnology Information

    Epigallocatechin Gallate-Mediated Alteration of the MicroRNA Expression Profile in 5α-Dihydrotestosterone Treated Human Dermal Papilla Cells


    Source:

    Science Direct          

    Human Hair Growth Enhancement In Vitro by Green Tea Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)         


    Source:

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology

    Hair Loss and Herbs for Treatment


    Source:

    Journal of Pharmacology & Clinical Research

    Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Hair Gel for Hair Growth Potential


    Source:

    Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine

    Green tea: Health benefits


    Source:

    International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

    GREEN TEA (CAMELLIA SINENSIS, L.) ETHANOLIC EXTRACT AS HAIR TONIC IN NUTRACEUTICAL: PHYSICAL STABILITY, HAIR GROWTH ACTIVITY ON RATS, AND SAFETY TEST


  • CAFFEINE
    Source:

    US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health

    Effect of caffeine and testosterone on the proliferation of human hair follicles in vitro.


    Source:

    International Journal of Trichology

    Role of Caffeine in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia


    Source:

    Journal of Applied Cosmetology

    Use of a Caffeine Shampoo for the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia


    Source:

    Journal of Cosmetology and Trichology

    Hair Restoration in Androgenetic Alopecia: Looking Beyond Minoxidil, Finasteride and Hair Transplantation


    Source:

    International Journal of Dermatology

    Effect of caffeine and testosterone on the proliferation of human hair follicles in vitro.


Our Mission

Thicker, Fuller, Healthier Hair.

We treat hundreds of patients every day at our Palm Beach dermatology practice, so we know firsthand how important it is for men and women to maintain their hair at every stage of life. Hair loss is a frustrating and difficult thing for a lot of people, even us, and this is why we invested so many years of our lives into developing the Shapiro MD product line.

Clinically Studied
Ingredients
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INGREDIENTS
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Take control of your hair and trust in Dr. Shapiro and his team to naturally achieve thicker, fuller and healthier hair.

Our products are protected by 2 United States patents. We are the only company in the world that manufactures a shampoo and conditioner with all 3 of our powerful and natural ingredients. And, the nutrient rich base that everyone loves is also proprietary, and is why most people that uses our products love the way their hair starts to feel.