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Description
RPN Presents: Virile Mane Hair Growth Stimulator
Before you even get a chance to introduce yourself, you have already
been sized up. Though clothes can obscure or accentuate physique,
nothing short of a hat or wig can hide a pathetic head of hair. Like it
or not, a thick head of hair presents a strong, potent image of manhood.
Age, inflammation, hormonal milieu (both endogenous and exogenous), and
other factors of modern life take a toll on a head of hair, leading to
thin or even completely bald patches. Short of surgery, treatments
previously available have been disappointing and even dangerous.
Systemic DHT blockers take a massive toll on muscle growth and
hardness, as well as sex drive. Previous topicals have been extremely
limited in their effectiveness.
RPN, a company that has come to represent innovation of the highest degree, offers a solution - Virile Mane.
Formulated with scientifically supported ingredients, Virile Mane
combines angles to flip a trigger switch that turns on the Anagen
Follicle Growth phase, reduces inflammation, increases blood and
nutrient flow to the scalp and follicles, and forces the follicle into
overdrive. The results? Growth, baby...growth.
Presented in an extremely economical 6 ounce size (designed to last
around 6 weeks) for an unbelievable price, Virile Mane finally delivers
where other promises were....barren.
Brief scientific Intro:
The hair growth cycle consists of three distinct phases: Telogen,
catagen, and Anagen. Active growth cycle is called Anagen, where the
follicle – firmly rooted in the dermal layer – engages in active cell
division that results in the formation and growth of the hair shaft. As
long as this phase is active and unhindered, hair quality is thick and
hearty. However, nature works in cycles and what goes up must come
down. Anagen phase is followed by catagen phase (think catabolic as
opposed to anabolic), and it is exactly what you think it is. The
bulbous root drifts upwards and shrinks, losing the sheath that holds
it tight. The final insult comes in the form of the telogen phase,
where the once strong and proud hair is shed (exogen) , and the
follicle goes dormant. Normally, this dormancy signals the scalp to
recruit stem cells into development into a NEW follicle which
eventually enters anagen phase and the whole happy process continues
unabated.
This process is normally overlapping and continuously cycling, giving
the perception of a constant unchanging hairline and thick
crown…however sometimes things go horribly wrong.
The body, complicated as it is, sometimes gets things “wrong”.
Sometimes this is caused by imbalance, dietary/nutrient limitation,
haywire immune response, inflammation, excessive hormone
activity/sensitivity…or it could be a conspiracy by RPN to sell you
product. Yes, we are THAT powerful…fear us.
Humans, lacking sufficient instinct to perfectly guide our behaviours,
fortunately possess intellect, reason, and an aesthetic ideal that,
when combined, can allow us to short circuit undesired natural (and
unnatural) consequences. While some don’t mind losing their hair, I
have yet to meet someone that DESIRES a head that resembles a worn out
sheepskin seat cover. And so we set to searching for the panacea.
While some of the treatments have been mildly effective, the “magic
bullet” theory of treatment fails over and over again. In the end what
we, in the supplement industry, have figured out is that subtle
manipulations of systems and feedbacks can result in far more dramatic
results than single approach treatments…which leads us to what you are
all interested in seeing – the ingredient profile.
Virile Mane:
The goal when developing this product was to include ingredients that
work effectively and synergistically, that have been tested on humans,
and to include complementary supplement, nutrition, and lifestyle
recommendations to maximize the prevention of hair loss and improve
hair growth. Thus, the full writeup will include more thorough
background information on the hair cycle, current options for stopping
hair loss, and detailed mechanisms of how our product integrates with
current research and exploits new and novel hair treatments. A topical
delivery system was chosen in able to include effective ingredients
that may negatively effect systemic milieu, but are effacious and safe
in a local setting.
You may be wondering why our formula has so few ingredients compared to
some other products. The reason is three fold: first, there is limited
research on topical ingredients for hair growth in humans. Second,
there are many regulators in the hair cycle and many remain relatively
unexplored. And, because of this, there may be unknown interactions
with ingredients that work in similar ways (more is not always better),
or work in different ways attacking hair loss on multiple fronts, yet
produce unexpected results. There are some examples of these in this
writeup. Because of these unknowns, the ingredients we selected have
solid research backing and are unlikely to negatively interact.
Despite a multi-billion dollar hair market, only two FDA approved
products exist for hair loss: finasteride, and minoxidil. Surprisingly,
even these are often not effective and not all of their molecular
workings have been elucidated. Both will be explored further in this
full writeup. In contrast, there sits human research on other
substances that are rarely utilized in the hair market, that offer a
similar or greater stimulation of hair growth for less expense.
To understand the causes of hair loss, one must first understand the
mechanics of the complete hair cycle. Like most processes in the body,
hair follicles follow a cycle of growth and regression. It should be
noted, that many of the regulatory factors in the hair cycle are still
unknown, and even finasteride and minoxidil were accidental
discoveries. However, recent insights into important molecular players allow us to
intervene in novel ways. Fortunately, many of these discoveries are natural
interventions, thus a over the counter formula like ours can rival or outperform current prescription options.
Ingredients:
Raspberry Ketone
The central and novel ingredient in the formula, Raspberry Ketone,
works through the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1).
TRPV1 functions as an integrator of endogenous and exogenous
nociceptive stimuli. The painful response from the
consumption of hot peppers, for example, is the result of TRPV1 activation. However,
TRPV1 exists nearly ubiquitously in the body, including skin tissue.
The most researched ligand of this receptor is capsaicin, however many
endogenous activators and sensitizers exist, such as heat, acidosis,
derivatives of arachidonic acid, lipid peroxidation metabolites, and
endocannabinoids. It is quite clear from these alone how nutrition and
lifestyle can factor into this equation, and this will be further
discussed later in the article. With the existance of TRPV1 in the
epidermis, hair follicle, sebaceous gland, and some dermal cell
populations, the next logical step was to find what it does in these
areas.
The full writeup will detail mechanism and cite studies, but the gist
of it is that Raspberry Ketones, applied topically in a VERY specific
concentration (more is absolutely NOT better…but neither is too little)
are able to activate TRPV1, induce CGRP without depleting it, and
causing a rapid and pronounced increase in localized Insulinlike Growth
Factor-1 (IGF-1) synthesis. In addition, RKs show a pronounced
down-regulation of androgen receptors, as well as possibly increasing
localized NO (resulting in enhanced blood flow and nutrient delivery).
The effect is a pronounced and sustainable stimulation of hair growth.
Apple Polyphenols
The next ingredient(s) that have demonstrated exceptional results in
research so far are certain polyphenols, specifically procyanidin
oligomers are what are of most interest, which are commonly found in
plants such as apples, grape seeds, and barley. They were chosen for
this and for their unique mechanism and because there are an number of
studies on them.
In 1998 and 1999, Takahashi et al. performed studies on over 1000 plant
extracts for hair growth. They found that proanthocyanidins,
constituents in grape seeds, induced anagen. The procyanidin oligomers
(e.g. B-2) demonstrated better growth promotion than polymers and
monomers. Also in 1999, they purified procyanidin B-2 from apples and
performed a number of toxicological tests on animals. The tests
suggested that irritation and toxicity in a topical test were not an
issue even with a high dose.
Procyanidin B-2 was about 220% more effective than procyanidin C-1 at promoting
growth in epithelial cells in vitro, and about equally effective as
Procyanidin B-1 and Procyanidin B-3 – which themselves were more
effective than Minoxidil. In addition, stimulation of cAMP (and
inhibition of PKC – a potent INDUCER of inflammation) are effective at
stimulating Anagen phase. Forskolin is a possible future addition to
the formula, but at present design dosage is unknown, and using too
much would be more harmful than not using it at all.
RPN uses a potent 80% Apple polyphenol extract, standardized to contain a majority of Procyanidin b-2.
L-carnitine-L-tartrate
Last year, a study using carnitine (L-carnitine-L-tartrate) by Foitzik
et al. in cultured hair follicles resulted in the downregulation of
TGF-beta II, caspase 3 (creatine also does this) and 7 (which initiate
apoptosis), and upregulated proliferation of keratinocytes. The theory
is that it, like creatine, increases the energy supply to follicles in
anagen. Carnitine is also important for mitochondrial health. A dose of
approximately 3-4 grams of mixed carnitine salts is recommended for
oral administration, however with in vivo evidence in humans supporting
the addition in a topical formula, we included it in ours to hit hair
growth from every angle.
Rooibos Tea Extract (35% polyphenols)
The next ingredient is commonly drunk as a tea, but its constituents
have led to its use for promoting hair growth. One esoteric,
unpublished study on humans exists but the mechanisms are also
convincing. First, recall the previous antioxidative effects of the
procyanidin oligomers and the effects of TGF-beta. Some rooibos tea
constituents have similar activity to super oxide dismutase (SOD), one
of the body's natural antioxidant enzymes. An independent lab
(Dermascan, in France) performed a study for Cosmetochem International
using a rooibos preparation. The trial was on 10 women for 90 days and
used 5ml of a 10% rooibos lotion versus a placebo. There was a increase
in hair growth speed in 89% of subjects. Questionnaire results showed
that most subjects saw an improvement: 67% stated hair loss as zero or
low, and 78% indicated that they had an improvement of hair growth.
While SOD and its mineral components/peptides are patented for hair
growth, Rooibos tea is not.
Emu Oil
The last ingredient doubles as an emulsifying agent to thicken the
preparation and has evidence for hair growth promotion. Emu oil, also
trademarked Kalaya oil, was studied in 1996 by Michael Holick and
colleagues at Boston University Medical Center. The mouse model C57
BL/6 was applied with .1 ml of Emu oil for 14 days. The results of this
pilot study suggested that there was follicle proliferation to anagen
state from telogen.
Virile Mane is the result of 4 years of design work, and an immense
amount of thorough research and design by myself and Colby Vorland.
Combined with Java Lustre Hair Support Shampoo, and stacked with oral
supplements such as Toco-8 by Primordial Performance (a rich source of
both mixed tocopherols, as well as the rarer and potent Tocotrienols)
and NOxidant by RPN (systemic anti-oxidant formula), Virile Mane
promises not only to protect the precious hair you have, but to bring
back your long lost friends.
In this age of hormonal manipulation, shoddy poisoning convenience
diets, environmental toxins, and constant stress barrages, we need
every weapon in our arsenal to reach our aesthetic ideals.
Virile Mane is available in a 6 ounce dispenser tipped bottle, which should last the average user around 6 weeks.
Active ingredients:
Raspberry Ketones
Apple Polyphenol Complex (standardized for 80% BioActive Procyanidins)
L-Carnitine-L-Tartarate
Rooibos Tea
Emu Oil
Menthol
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