Unproven Remedies
The desire for a healthy head of hair was just as strong in the 16th century as it is today - and history has at times been particularly tough on the balding man.
n 1980, an advisory panel to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) evaluated a number of substances used in hair lotions and creams - including amino acids, aminobenzoic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, B vitamins, hormones, jojoba oil, lanolin, polysorbates 20 and 660, sulphanilamide, tetracaine hydrochloride, urea, and wheat germ oil - and subsequently proposed that these products be removed from the market. Other ineffective remedies include scalp massage, dietary modification, frequent shampooing, electrical stimulation, and Chinese herbal extracts.
Today, we have scientifically proven treatments that can prevent further hair loss and need not resolve to unproven remedies that were used. Some of the remedies of yesteryears are listed below :
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Egyptian men used to rub snake oil on their head. |
| Hippocrates created a concoction from opium, horseradish and pigeon droppings. |
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Mild electrical currents were believed to increase hair growth. |
| Some men went to the extent of standing upside down. |
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Others sipped tea brewed from maidenhair fern. |
| At one time, the Chinese turned to acupuncture. |
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Many men also turn to unproven topical lotions. |
| Some men are convinced that special shampoo will make a difference. |
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Many believe in taking the right vitamins. |
Disclaimer : The above characters and copy are purely fictional and have no resemblance to any person(s) you may or may not know. Any similarities are purely coincidential.