14 DAY TRIAL // Not long ago, we were telling you about a treatment meant to eliminate the problem of thinning hair and hair-loss for good. LA Science did not label its product a “miracle cure” either for baldness (in men) or serious hair loss (both men and women), which was one of the first things that drew our attention to it. Understandably, once we got our hands on it, we were eager to see if it did just what it said on the box.
By “we,” I mean “I,” of course. For starters, I am neither bald nor on the route there, but let’s just say that years of coloring and bleaching have taken their toll on my hair. Add stress to the equation, long hours and a not-really-that-balanced diet and what you get is a problem millions of women and men face on a daily basis across the world: hair-loss in various degrees of severity. Precisely because of this, there are countless products of this type that promise no more torn hairs, no more bald spots or less hair in the drain after the shower – with most of them, the “science” they rely on is nothing short of a very well orchestrated scam, as I too have come to learn the hard way.
Given all the above, it’s not hard to imagine why I approached the box coming all the way from the UK with half-excitement and half believing I was about to have my expectations shattered again. Speaking of the box, this one included one container with the LA Science Shampoo and two other bottles with LA Science Serum. All come in protective little boxes and place emphasis on functionality rather than a stylish design, as they are provided with pumps (both the Shampoo and the Serum) for better use even when you’re on the run and just want to get this part over with as quickly as possible.
I started using LA Science right away, just like the indications in the attached leaflet said: Shampoo for daily / regular use without a conditioner, and Serum each morning and night, without rinsing. Users are supposed to massage each product well into the scalp, gently, for maximum results. LA Science doesn’t say when you’re supposed to start noticing the first effects, i.e. realize you’re losing less hair than before, but, in my case, it must have been at the start of the second week, when combing my hair.
The first thing you notice about the Shampoo is that it has a very delicate smell and, for a product that targets hair loss, it actually does wonders in terms of cleaning and styling the hair (an aspect that all women simply can’t stress enough, if one might add). Massaging the Shampoo first at the roots of the hair and then towards the ends creates a very light foam that is rinsed easily. What’s more, you don’t even have to use much of it, as two or three squeezes on the pump should suffice for medium-length hair even if it’s relatively dirty. Once out of the shower, the hair is easy to comb, which is yet another plus for the product especially since you’re not supposed to use conditioner.
After drying with a towel and right before getting to the styling part, you apply the Serum. The glass bottle comes with the kind of pump they use in laboratories and that allows you to take out only so much of the product, presumably to avoid wastage. The Serum too has a very delicate smell, and is not oily or sticky at all, unlike other products of the type I have tried out. As a matter of fact, you could almost not wash your hands after using it for how truly delicate it is. There is no real “science” to applying it, as you simply put it on your fingers and then massage it well into the scalp, limiting the motion to the roots of the hair.
The second day after starting the program, I was literally surprised to see how “natural” my hair felt. To avoid influencing the results in any way, for the duration of the treatment, I stopped using all other haircare products like hairspray and leave-in conditioner, even though LA Science says nothing in this sense. As it turns out, I did not even need them since, for once, my hair seemed to have stopped having a mind of its own and just looked good in a very bouncy, healthy, easily-combed, natural way. What’s even better, a few days into the program, I also noticed that there were less hairs in the drain and on my clothes, and the mane seemed overall stronger.
The Science Behind LA Science Shampoo and Serum
According to the makers, both products contain “growth factor mimicking peptides and a unique encapsulated nano system infusing the base of the follicles with active ingredients to produce healthier hair and extend the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.” What this actually means is that, unlike other treatments that claim to do the same, this one works from within towards the outside to treat the much-dreaded problem of hair loss and thinning hair. Extrapolating, this is also why shampoos that boast of tackling the same problem do not work, since their strengthening effect is literally washed away once you rinse the foam.
Cue to LA Science for the real science now: “In vivo clinical studies have shown that Oligopeptide – 16, one of the ingredients in the anti-hair loss serum, when delivered to the base of the hair follicle, helps strengthen hair while stimulating hair follicles to produce healthier hair. It increases energy at the hair root, improving scalp circulation and encourages growth by activation of hair follicle stem cells. Oligopeptide – 5, in clinical showed strengthening of the hair shaft, while stimulating the hair follicle. (It’s the hair shaft that becomes weak, in pattern baldness). Oligopeptide – 18, Promotes hair growth and inhibits depigmentation of hair and helps blood circulation in the scalp, revitalising hair follicles. Clinical trials demonstrated in skin organ culture that growth factor stimulating peptides may act as a stimulator of hair placode formation, at least in part by antagonising the inhibitory effect of hair follicle development. Control skin culture showed absence of hair where as treated skin displayed emerging new hair through the epidermis.”
Conclusions
Those looking to buy this product and instantly see that they’re already back to their former hair fabulousness might want to think again. The LA Science Shampoo and Serum treatment works, but it also takes plenty of time to do so because it’s not meant as a quick fix. This, in turn might be seen as a strong point in its favor since it deals with the problem on a very serious note. Because of this, women in my situation who do not have a severe hair loss issue might want to try another alternative to prevent unnecessary damage, such as less coloring, reduced use of a blow-drier and a better diet. For those for whom the hair problem is no longer something they don’t want to act upon, the LA Science Shampoo and Serum treatment is just the place to start, as long as they remember to take other steps in this direction as well (cut down on cigarettes and alcohol, start eating healthy, reduce stress, and all those other things health experts keep telling us about).
A kit including one single container of Shampoo and Serum respectively sells for £34. Supplies for two months and above are more convenient, since a one-year supply retails for £297. For more details, see here.
