Revivogen has been on the market since 1999 and is not FDA approved. It must be remembered however that it does not require FDA approval because its active ingredients are all natural.

For many consumers, the company's branding of Revivogen as a treatment that only contains naturally occurring DHT inhibitors is one of the most attractive things about it. Moreover, it is a topical solution applied directly to the scalp, so unlike the drugs Finasteride and Dutasteride its inhibition of DHT is specific to the tissue of the scalp and does not result in systemic side effects. Like Dutasteride, Revivogen combats types I and II of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme which is responsible for metabolising testosterone into DHT, the process that eventually contributes to hair loss in those who are genetically susceptible.

By inhibiting both types of 5-alpha-reductase with naturally available ingredients and localizing the effects of the treatment to the scalp, its advocates believe that Revivogen is more effective than Finasteride (which only targets type I 5-alpha-reductase) and safer than both Finasteride and Dutasteride. Because it is not a systemic treatment working against DHT throughout the entire body, it is safe for use by men and women alike and the only side effects reported are occasional irritations of the scalp.

Beyond its virtues as a cocktail of natural DHT inhibitors, Revivogen has another advantage over pharmaceutical treatments. It doesn't stop at impeding the conversion of testosterone into DHT, it also works to prevent the process by which DHT binds to androgen receptors within the hair follicles themselves. In other words, like other treatments it reduces the amount of DHT being produced in the first place, but goes further to protect follicles from damage caused to them by contact with any DHT still present in the scalp.

The natural ingredients that Revivogen contains are Gamma Linolenic acid (GLA), Alpha Linolenic acid (ALA), Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Azelaic acid, Vitamin B6, Zinc, Saw Palmetto Extract, Beta-Sitosterol and Procyanidin Oligomers. Many consumers apply it once daily, often at bedtime. The product range also includes a shampoo and a conditioner which can be used to help the hair appear fuller and thicker.

A 3 month supply of the topical solution (known as Revivogen Scalp Therapy) currently costs $89, but if you want the shampoo and conditioner to go with it, your 3 month supply will cost $119. Although the shampoo and conditioner may help your hair look thicker and healthier, the DHT inhibiting effects of Revivogen come exclusively from the topical solution, so if you want to cut costs and focus on the action at the level of your follicles you can probably dispense with the rest. You might need to use Revivogen for up to 6 months before noticing any benefits.

Revivogen can be used in combination with pharmaceutical DHT inhibitors or regrowth agents such as Finasteride (Propecia) and Minoxidil (Rogaine), and some like to use all 3 treatments as part of a hair treatment maintenance regime. If you use both Revivogen and Minoxidil it is important to use them at different times of the day so that each can work its magic without interference from the other.

The catch with Revivogen is that because it is not FDA approved or regulated there is currently no clinical data available concerning its efficacy as a treatment for hair loss.