In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 86 male volunteers between the ages of 18 and 55 years old took 250 mg of a combination of black rice and prickly pear extracts once a day for 6 months. Results were gathered via an objective method (called a phototrichogram), clinical scoring of hair growth by an expert, and through a self-reported questionnaire.

Expert-reviewed photographic assessments of the group taking the black rice and prickly pear extract combo showed encouraging results in 95% of expert-reviewed hair growth scores collected in the extract group compared to only 34% in the placebo group.³

The questionnaire also produced positive results, with 75% of the extract group reporting satisfaction with their hair by the end of the six-month study. What’s more, over 63% of the extract group noticed results within the first two months of taking the black rice and prickly pear combo.³

Standardized Saw Palmetto Extract

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, either a special, standardized saw palmetto extract or placebo was given to participants between the ages of 18 and 50 years old.

Results were measured at intervals of both 8 and 16 weeks via an expert-administered hair count (including hair comb and hair pull tests), self-evaluation and photographic assessment.

Expert evaluation of the saw palmetto extract group saw encouraging results via both the hair-comb test (where a comb was pulled through hair and loose hairs then counted), and a hair-pull test. These positive results were noted at 8 as well as at 16 weeks after the study began.⁴

For the self-assessment questionnaire, a variety of appearance-related scores were collected, with 50% of the saw palmetto group reporting an improvement in the appearance of hair thickness.⁴

Effects on DHT

In the same study, researchers sought to measure saw palmetto’s effect on dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.  The result: the saw palmetto extract helped achieve DHT levels within the normal range compared with the placebo group over the course of the study.