Scalproller-A hair loss Treatment
A British biotechnology firm believe that they may have discovered the answer to hair loss in the form of a roller that is used to massage the scalp. Nanogen unveiled their new product, the Scalproller, at a recent hairloss conference in Amsterdam.
While the device does not use any new drugs to treat the hair loss, it does enhance the application of the popular topical solution minoxidil, otherwise known as Regaine. Minoxidil is one of two clinically-trialled drugs that have been proved to treat hair loss, the other being finasteride, or Propecia.
While Minoxidil can be bought over the counter worldwide, hairloss patients can only buy Propecia with a doctor’s prescription.
Nanogen say that the Scalproller enhances the penetration of minoxidil into the skin by up to five times. New research also suggests that the therapy may encourage hair growth independently of any other treatment. It also fades and removes donor scars from hair transplant surgery.
The medical director of Nanogen, Elliot Issacs, said, “The previous technology for dermatological purposes was insufficient to meet the durability and accuracy requirements of a professional medical device. Harder titanium needles and precise European engineering techniques were necessary to produce a roller that will stay sharp for over 4 months, and perforate the skin to the exact depth every time.”
The idea of using a device like this might seem odd, but it has been shown that hair loss can be extremely distressing for men and women. Indeed, it can be so distressing that many people are willing to spend large sums of money on procedures like hair transplants
Hairloss can be for some extremely embarrassing, and while it is one thing to be rolling a metal device over your head in the privacy of your bathroom, many people feel embarrassed to talk to their doctor about it. Many prefer to buy Propecia and Regaine on the net, meaning that the internet market for medications such as Propecia online is booming. Unfortunately a lot of the firms offering Regaine and Propecia online are working illegally and selling counterfeit medication.
It will be interesting to see whether the customers who are willing to spend fairly large sums of money to buy Propecia or hair transplants, or even put their health at risk by turning to the net, will react well to the roller device.
Nanogen are very hopeful that the therapy will be successful. It is already the subject of several international patents and say that models are already being used in a range of private practices. The device will be available in a home use device and in a larger clinical model.