It's the hair tech holy grail: how do you stop hair loss? A quick Google search on Phyto yields some surprising results. Users say the product actually works. Now this was almost too good to pass up. We had to try it out for ourselves.
Now before you complain, we thought we'd take a break from all the electronic tech goodness out there and feature tech of another sort entirely. After all, why else do we buy gadgets other than to look good/do more stuff/be more attractive to women?
With that said, we were even more surprised to discover firsthand that Phyto's Anti-Hair Loss products actually work, at least on this balding head.
The Science
Phyto itself is rather sketchy on the details of how it works, saying only that it stimulates the hairbulb and regenerates growth. Phyto products are made from plant extracts - a complex mix made by the Phytosolba Laboratories.
Application
We got our hands on two of Phyto's products: Phytoaxil energizing shampoo and Phytoaxil fortifying intensive care. The latter is meant for daily use, while the former is a serum of sorts meant to be used four times a week for the first month, then twice a week until you finish the bottle.
For best results, you're supposed to use the Phytoaxil shampoo first then follow it up with the serum. The shampoo is a rather strange experience mostly because it doesn't form a lather like most shampoos, which may lead you to use lots and lots of it. The shampoo cleans your hair well enough though, despite the absence of suds.
You can use the serum right after washing your hair or you can wait for your hair to dry. We suggest waiting because it's easier to figure out which part of your head to apply the serum to when your hair is dry. Ten sprays is enough for your entire scalp. Leave it on until your next bath.
Both products have a herby scent to them, nothing too overpowering or medicinal. Just don't expect the smell of fruits or flowers. As anti-hair loss products go, Phyto actually smells pretty good.
The results
Results are meant to be visible after one month. Three weeks in though and we swear we could see some hair growth along a furrow in our receding hairline. Six weeks in, and we could confidently say that the amount of hair landing on our pillow and bathroom floor had reduced. There was also a good amount of new hair growth on balding areas.
At over two grand for a bottle of each Phyto product, this is by no means a cheap treatment. And there's a chance it won't work on you; the literature says it's effective on 85% of men. But we do know this: the new iPhone 3GS can't put more hair on your head - yet.