Provillus Review: Hair Loss Helper or Overambitious Multivitamin?

by Dean Anderson

Provillus, a new set of products from Ultra Herbal, provides men and women suffering from androgenic alopecia with two non-prescription methods of combating their hair loss: a topical serum and an oral supplement.

Provillus’ topical solution brings nothing new to the table, utilizing one of the only two drugs FDA approved for hair loss, minoxidil. Minoxidil is known to help combat the balding process by reversing the hair follicle shriveling effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone behind for male and female pattern balding. Containing a 5% minoxidil solution for men and a 2% solution for women, Provillus’ topical regimen is an exact replica of Rogaine’s male and female packages. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing though; statistics show that approximately 50% of men and 66% women found that they re-grew lost hair while using Rogaine for twelve months. But where Provillus is attempting to revolutionize the hair restoration process regards its wide array of natural ingredients contained in the supplementary pills.

The oral supplements, dubbed “Hair Support,” are packaged sixty pills per bottle, or a bottle per month under the recommended twice daily dosage. The supplement’s literature claims that it provides all of the vitamins, nutrients, and herbs necessary to combat DHT and promote a healthier scalp. Provillus' ingredients include:

Vitamin B6 – Water soluble B6 supports many protein growth functions linked to healthy skin, nails, and hair.

Biotin – Also known as B7, this vitamin is known to encourage hair growth and follicle flexibility. Hair loss due to malnutrition has been directly linked to biotin deficiency.

Magnesium – Magnesium encourages all manner of protein synthesis and energy metabolism, possibly benefiting hair production.

Zinc – Zinc is a vital mineral for the promotion of cell production, tissue repair, and priming the body for vitamin absorption.

Saw Palmetto – Saw palmetto has been used to treat hair loss for hundreds of years. While little research exists as to how it works, many suspect its anti-adrogenic qualities come from blocking the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme that leads to DHT production.

Pumpkin – Sometimes referred to as “cucurbita maxima,” oil extracted from pumpkin seeds is purported to naturally lower testosterone levels linked to DHT production.

Eleuthero – More commonly known as Siberian ginseng, this herbal extract is believed to reduce stress, increase physical endurance, and safely lower testosterone.

Nettle Root – Similar to prescription Propecia, this supplement has been used to lower DHT rates in those with hair loss or enlarged prostates. Some claim the root’s aromatase and 5-alpha-reductase enzyme reducing abilities are key to its effects.

Uva-Ursi – Uva-ursi reduces bloating and may contribute to overall scalp health via its anti-microbial properties.

Muria Puama – The African muria puama herb has been linked to protein synthesis and metabolic processes which could promote healthy hair growth.

While our research turned up several accounts of people finding success with the Provillus treatment package, there are no clinical studies available on any of Provillus’ products, neither topically, orally, nor in combination. Without such data we can only conclude that those who purchase the Provillus’ topical serum should have every reason to believe that it will be as effective as popular products like Rogaine, but whether or not the oral supplement amplifies this hair restoration remains to be seen. Similarly, it’s important to emphasize that the inclusion of topical minoxidil is what allowed Provillus to gain its FDA approval for hair restoration, not the oral supplement. Those considering Provillus capsules as a supplement to minoxidil or other hair loss treatments should do so only after discussing its ingredients with a doctor or hair loss specialist.

Though Provillus offers a unique combination of natural hair boosters and time-tested topical minoxidil, it and other hair restoration products require continual application in order to prevent hair fall. If you’re looking for a more permanent solution to hair loss, consider hair transplant surgery. Contact us today if you’re interested in scheduling a free, no obligation consultation with a hair loss specialist near you!