I posted this on alt.baldspot almost exactly four years ago:
This is my fourteenth excerpt from "Alopecia: Unapproved Treatments or Indications", by Drs. Marty Sawaya and Jerry Shapiro.
"Kevis Hair Rejuvenation Program"
"Kevis is another OTC agent that is available to men and women with different hair loss problems from Androgenetic Alopecia to effluviums; it claims to bind and block the 5a-DHT receptor; which is the AR. It claims to be safe and effective for men and women of all ages, to be "cost-effeicient" and to prevent hair loss and make one's hair healthier than ever before. Kevis claims to "have an anti-falling-out effect" -- that is, seeing less hair shedding.
"While the claims seem a bit broad, the active ingredients are a composition of mucopolysaccharides and glycoproteins, associated with substances that favor their bioavailability. Kevis contains HUCP (hyaluronic acid); glyco-proteins; amino acids, which have a hydrating and anti-inflammatory action; thioglycoran -- a natural mucopolysaccharide acides; thurtyl nicotinate -- a cutaneous vasodilator, and sodium pantothenate and biotin. Studies claim to help women with postpartum effluviums, with other claims included for acne, wrinkles, lipodystrophies, dermosclerosis, Androgenetic Alopecia, hypertrichosis, and others.
"The claims on the mode of action of Kevis are difficult to comprehend as the literature states that it "blocks DHT" or "blocks the androgen receptor" by creating a cell-wall barrier to keep DHT out of the follicle.
"Studies on Kevis have been done in Europe. One study cites localization of "5a-DHT" in hair follicle by use of monoclonal antibodies, and it is not clear whether the researchers are assessing the enzyme 5a-R, the hormone DHT, or the androgen receptor. Their findings stated that "whatever" they localized, it was found in the dermal papilla. The dermal papilla is always mentioned as where most androgen-related factors are found; much of the older literature mentions this as the major site of control for hair follicle growth. Investigations in the last few years have, in fact, cited other important areas of the hair follicle involved in regulation of growth, such as the follicular stem cells in the "bulge" as well as the fact that many androgen-related factors, such as 5aR and AR, are also expressed in the outer root sheath of hair follicles, not just dermal papilla.
"Clinical testing of Kevis in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study indicated in the Kevis-treated group, after 90 days of treatment, that telogen hairs decreased by 16% versus 6% in the placebo group. There was no mention of anagen/telogen ratios. The 10% difference found in telogen hairs is of no significance as this can be due to error, hair cycling, and does not mention if these hairs that cycled out of telogen were stimu-latedback to anagen, as no anagen counts are given. Also, it was not clear what one of the endpoints (a "three-comb stroke" test) was, as this is not a standardized measurement for clinical trials in the United States or Canada.
"Importantly, the cost of Kevis should be of concern. When patients call the toll-free number to speak to a Kevis consultant, they are given information on the hair rejuvenation program, which can cost between $650.00 to $975.00 per year (U.S. dollars). This cost is for a 12-month supply, which is 216 vials (each vial contains 2 tablespoons of Kevis lotion to be applied topically to the scalp) and 8 bottles of shampoo. The $650 value is a nonrefundable package, and patients not satisfied cannot get their money back. For $900.00, patients can get the same 12-month supply but with a money-back guarantee. There is also the Extra Strength Kevis, a 25% stronger formulation that sells for $715.00 (nonrefundable plan) or $975.00 (refundable plan).
"The cost of this OTC product is much greater than what a patient would pay for an approved product like Propecia, or Extra Strength Rogaine (5%), which would cost $600.00 and $360.00, respectively, per year.
"Overall, it is uncertain whether there are any side effects with Kevis, but mention is made in one study that revealed an increase in pityriasis scaling and increase in pruritus. The main concern is "cost to efficacy" as no rigidly standardized double-blind studies have shown true increases in hair counts in studies over 12-month periods. Some of the above studies mentioned are for only 36 to 90 days, which may not be adequate testing time, as the miniaturization process takes multiple hair cycles to see a reversal in hair growth to a full anagen stage. These studies have been traditionally done over periods of 2, 3, 4, and even 5 years, such as was done when testing minoxidil by Pharmacia-Upjohn, and finasteride by Merck & Co. So, unless these agents adhere to such testing, their efficacy can be debated."
Bryan
. I'm personally gonna call them up tomorrow and request some more info and see if they give me the same crap! I'll let you know!