Electrotherapeutic device improves appearance of thinning hair

New York - ElectroTrichoGenesis (ETG), an electrotheraputic device, based on a TrichoGenesis (Current Technology Corporation) platform, that helps to regrow hair and prevent further hair loss, has a 10-year history of safety and efficacy abroad.

Now a cosmetic unit based on the TrichoGenesis platform, that reportedly improves the appearance of thinning hair, is available in the United States.

Morris Westfried, M.D., a New York City dermatologist and hair loss expert, has added this cosmetic unit, the CosmeticTrichoGenesis (CTG) Mark 5, to his armamentarium because of what he describes as a societal demand for energy-based modalities over pharmaceutical or surgical intervention, as well as because of the platform's advantages over other available options.

Not gender-specific Dr. Westfried is a hair transplant expert and author of the first medical article on the use of minoxidil, "Reversal of male pattern alopecia with minoxidil". He says a session with CTG is unique in that it can improve the appearance of thinning hair in males and females.

Dr. Westfried stresses that ETG - not the cosmetic form CTG - has been used outside the United States for male and female pattern hair loss as well as chemotherapy-induced hair loss and allergic hair loss.

"No other system available internationally has an affect on so many different types of hair problems," he tells Dermatology Times.

Like Rogaine (minoxidil, Pharmacia and Upjohn) and Propecia (finasteride, Merck), ElectroTrichoGenesis works better at preventing further hair loss than in restoring hair.

"In a higher percentage of people ElectroTrichoGenesis will prevent additional thinning as opposed to bringing hair back, and that makes sense because it's easier to keep something that you have than to bring something back," he says.

Like Rogaine and Propecia, ElectroTrichoGenesis must be used indefinitely to maintain results. But, ElectroTrichoGenesis, he adds, offers advantages that the others do not, including lack of side effects. "ETG," he says, "has zero side effects."

Gender differences In women, 2 percent Rogaine reportedly works in the majority of users, however, Dr. Westfried points out that because it is an over-the-counter treatment, side effects are probably underestimated. Furthermore, he says, women don't expect to lose hair so, when they do, they get very disturbed by it psychologically, making an OTC treatment without physician supervision an ill-advised choice.

In men, 5 percent Rogaine is limited to the crown area only, he says.

"The other problem is that whenever you have something that you do on your own, you're going to be very impatient for results. My impression is that both women and men, and more women than men, give up on Rogaine very quickly," he adds.

Regardless of the etiology of the hair loss, Dr. Westfried says, electrotherapy delivered by the ETG device stops continued hair loss and, in more than 50 percent of people, fosters additional hair growth.

"Whether it's a drug-induced hair loss, hormonally-induced hair loss or inflammatory allergic hair loss, the delivery of the low-level electrical pulses stops the hair loss and regrows hair," he explains. "A pattern of electrical pulses is designed to optimize hair growth for each client. Dr. Westfried points to radiation therapy literature for an explanation of the system's results, reasoning that the electrical pulses affect intercellular magnesium levels, and that this somehow is responsible for the outcomes.