Dr. Richard Lee and his clinic, Regrowth (not associated with Regrowth.com) are well known for being advocates of cutting edge treatments for hair loss, having supported Minoxidil 5% and Proscar/Propecia long before the two medications were FDA approved for hair loss.  Regrowth is now offering a new formula which it is calling Xandrox which contains Minoxidil 5%, Azeleic Acid 5%, Betamethazone Valerate and Retin-A .025% (in it's night formula).

Azeleic Acid, a prescription medication commonly sold as Azelex in the US and Skinoren outside the US, is primarily used for the treatment of acne and other skin conditions, but has been shown in clinical testing to inhibit DHT formation in the skin.  DHT is the primary male hormone believed to cause hair loss.   It is their belief that this new formula will block up to 98% of DHT formation in the scalp and therefore produce better results.

Regrowth.com has not yet been able to perform a comprehensive review of this product other than to make the following notes:

• Unlike Dr. Lee's current 5% Minoxidil formula, which is an excellent alternative to Upjohn's oily Rogaine Extra Strength for leaving your hair in a natural looking, non-greasy state, this formula stiffens the hair more similarly to hair spray when it dries.  If the effects after drying are important to you, you may want to stick to the old formula.

• While Dr. Lee obviously believes in the DHT blocking abilities of Azeleic Acid, there have been no serious studies of its effects on hair loss.  Further study and use by Dr. Lee may prove that it is effective, but until that time Regrowth.com does not recommend halting the use of Proscar/Propecia in favor of Azeleic Acid.  We do feel that it will be a good additive to Propecia and may enhance the effects of Propecia, but until we find further evidence, we don't see it as an alternative.  Obviously if you have tried Propecia and decided it is not for you, then this formula will be better than a formula without a topical DHT blocker.   Since Dr. Lee will be offering the formula at a similar price to the old formula, there is no reason to not try it, just don't stop your use of Propecia because of it.

All in all, I have to applaud Dr. Lee for at least making such a formula available to people and giving them a choice as well as an alternative for people who find that they are not suited to Propecia.  Whether this new formula proves to be a vast improvement will remain to be seen, but at least there are doctors like Dr. Lee who continue to seek out ways to enhance the things we currently do know work.

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