Adegen is a hair loss brand created by John Goss after his own struggle with hair loss in his early twenties that led to very low self esteem and even depression.
His depression fueled him to spend countless hours researching the cause of hair loss, and eventually he discovered “that the real one and only cause of hair loss is caused by a restriction of blood flow to the hair follicle.”
With this knowledge, John started Adegen, a brand that now offers a lineup of products specifically formulated for those experiencing thinning hair. In fact, John even makes the bold claim that he knows how to stop and reverse hair loss safely and permanently.
So do Adegen hair care products really reverse hair loss? Is there any research to support the ingredients in these products? Are there any side effects?
Below we’ll answer these questions and more, discussing everything you need to know about the Adegen products.
We’ll also share some Adegen reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of this brand.
What Are The Adegen Hair Care Products?
Adegen Shampoo
Adegen Shampoo is formulated to do more than just cleanse the scalp, it contains active ingredients to support hair regrowth. Specifically, caffeine and niacin increase blood flow to hair follicles, while Adegen ARB inhibits DHT from attaching to the androgen receptor of the follicle.
ARB Topical Solutions (5 and 15)
Adegen sells two topical solutions (5 and 15), and they share the same ingredient profile but Adegen ARB Topical Solution–15 is triple the strength.
Similar to the Adegen Shampoo, the Topical Solutions contain key ingredients like caffeine, niacin, and the Adegen ARB proprietary complex. The Topical Solutions also contain minoxidil, the only FDA approved medication for the treatment of hair loss.
10X Roller
The Adegen 10X roller is an epidermis roller specifically designed for hair loss and scalp health. It works by creating micro-channels in the epidermis, allowing better absorption of topical solutions. According to the brand, these channels increase absorption by over 1500% compared to using topicals alone while also promoting increased blood flow and nutrient delivery to the scalp.
What Are The Key Ingredients in Adegen?
In order to determine how well Adegen performs, we’ll have to evaluate the key ingredients in this formula. Let’s get started.
Adegen ARB
Adegen ARB is a proprietary blend of linoleic and oleic organic fatty acids that are said to block DHT from attaching to the androgen receptor of the hair follicle. According to the brand, this addresses the underlying cause of hair loss, not just the symptom of hair loss. However, no clinical trials have been found to support its effectiveness in treating hair loss.
Minoxidil
Both of the Adegen Topical Solutions contain minoxidil, an over-the-counter (OTC) topical drug that’s FDA approved for the treatment of mild to moderate androgenetic hair loss in men and women.
Although the exact mechanism of minoxidil remains unclear, it’s known to function as a vasodilator, which means it expands blood vessels and helps increase blood flow to the hair follicle.
Therefore, minoxidil may assist in hair loss treatment by enlarging hair follicles and extending the growth phase of hair. This prolonged growth phase can result in enhanced hair coverage on the scalp.
Considerable research supports the efficacy of topical minoxidil in stimulating hair growth, especially in addressing male and female pattern hair loss.
For example, a publication in the journal Drug Design, Development and Therapy states that minoxidil enhances hair growth and reduces hair loss by affecting the follicular cells.
Taking a look at a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s clear that both 2% and 5% topical minoxidil are effective, although 5% produces better results.
The randomized, placebo-controlled trial compared 5% and 2% topical minoxidil solutions in the treatment of female pattern hair loss.
In the 48-week study of 381 women, 5% topical minoxidil outperformed placebo in promoting hair growth, as assessed by changes in nonvellus hair count and patient/investigator evaluations of hair growth and scalp coverage.
Application of 2% topical minoxidil also surpassed placebo in nonvellus hair counts and investigator assessments at week 48, with no significant differences in patient evaluations compared to placebo.
Overall, the 5% group demonstrated statistical superiority over the 2% group in patients’ evaluation of treatment benefit by week 48, with both concentrations proving to be well-tolerated without any systemic adverse effects.
Niacin
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is included in the Adegen Shampoo and Topical Solutions because this ingredient helps increase blood circulation to the scalp. Improved blood flow can potentially deliver more nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles, supporting their health and function. This leads to less hair fall, less thinning, and faster, thicker hair growth.
Biotin
One B vitamin that you may have heard is important for hair growth is biotin, also known as vitamin B7. Biotin is essential for the synthesis of keratin — the type of protein that makes up hair, skin, and nails. Due to this, many hair regrowth products and supplements contain biotin.
While biotin deficiency can cause thinning of the hair, there isn’t much evidence to support the efficacy of topical biotin.
Retinol
Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is included in the Adegen Topical Solutions. This ingredient must be converted to its active form — retinoic acid — in order to provide benefits.
Retinoic acid has shown promising results in clinical studies when used in combination with minoxidil for promoting hair growth.
According to a publication in the Journal of Korean Medical Science, retinoic acid works synergistically with minoxidil, enhancing more dense hair regrowth than either compound alone.
Specifically, retinoic acid helps improve scalp health, stimulates hair follicles, and potentially enhances the absorption of minoxidil, resulting in improved hair regrowth and thickness.
Adenosine
Adenosine is a nucleoside that plays an important role in various physiological processes, such as helping in cellular energy transfer by forming molecules like adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
It’s included in the Adegen Topical Solutions because adenosine has been found to promote hair growth by activating adenosine receptors in the hair follicles, which stimulates hair growth and improves hair density.
In a 12-month study involving 30 Japanese women with hereditary hair loss, the application of a 0.75% adenosine lotion twice daily led to significant hair growth and thickening compared to the placebo. Researchers and participants noted adenosine’s effectiveness in stimulating hair growth and improving hair thickness without adverse effects.
Caffeine
Caffeine is included in the Adegen Shampoo and Topical Solutions because this ingredient increases circulation to the scalp.
Additionally, caffeine is able to block the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to hair loss in some cases. DHT is known to miniaturize hair follicles and shorten the hair growth cycle. Caffeine, when applied topically, has been proposed to counteract these effects.
For example, an in vitro study in the British Journal of Dermatology found that caffeine enhanced hair shaft elongation, prolonged anagen duration, and stimulated hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation. Interestingly, female hair follicles showed higher sensitivity to caffeine than male hair follicles.
Caffeine is also a beneficial skin care ingredient due to its antioxidant properties and its ability to tighten and firm the skin. It’s in our favorite moisturizer, along with additional plant proteins, vitamins, peptides, and amino-collagen to revitalize skin and promote overall moisture retention.
Where to Buy Adegen?
Adegen hair care products are sold exclusively on the brand’s website (adegen.com).
How Much Are Adegen Hair Care Products?
The Adegen Shampoo costs $69.95 USD for 8.5 fl oz, the ARB Topical-5 Solution costs $79.95 USD for 2 fl oz, while the Topical 15 Solution costs $99.95 USD for 2 fl oz.
Is Adegen Cruelty Free?
Adegen does not state on their website whether or not they test their products on animals.
Our Verdict
In summary, we find that Adegen’s hair product line is well-formulated, incorporating numerous ingredients backed by research. However, we believe the brand could enhance transparency by offering more details about their proprietary ingredient, Adegen ARB.
Pros
- Products are formulated with research-backed ingredients
- Many positive Adegen reviews
Cons
- No clinical trials for the brand’s proprietary ingredient (Adegen ARB)
- No money back guarantee
- Some reviews mention that the products did not work
- Pricey compared to products with similar ingredients
What Are Some Alternatives to Adegen?
Looking for alternatives to Adegen products? Below we’ll link to other quality hair care brands that we’ve reviewed:
- Happy Head Review: Happy Head provides prescription-grade, personalized solutions to individuals experiencing hair loss, with the option to choose from plans that include topical medications, oral medications, or a combination of both.
- Prose Hair Care Review: Prose is a personalized hair care brand that tailors custom formulas based on your specific needs and preferences. The brand offers a variety of topical products, as well as a dietary supplement to support hair health.
- Hair La Vie Review: Hair La Vie offers nutritional supplements, shampoos and conditioners, oils, masks, and various hair treatments for any stage of life and any hair goal.
References:
Br J Dermatol. 2014 Nov;171(5):1031-43
J Korean Med Sci. 2007 Apr;22(2):283-9.
Drug Des Devel Ther. 2019; 13: 2777–2786
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004 Apr;50(4):541-53.
Journal of Dermatology 2008; 35: 763–767
