Why We Sometimes Believe In These Items

It is likely that you know someone that has tried a questionable product and claims that it works. Here are three reasons why they might believe it.

The Placebo Effect:

Sort of a mystery of medical science but a significant percentage of people in any medical study that are given an inert mixture claim to see results. In the Rogaine trials hundreds of men that used an inert mixture claimed that it worked for them. Of course more of the Rogaine users claimed to see effects, but a significant number of placebo users believed that achieved results.

The gains due to Placebo Effect are usually short lived. Eventually the user comes around to determine that maybe they really aren't growing a full head of hair. This is why many scalp cleansers, massagers, etc. do not see many repeat customers.

The Cleanliness Effect:

Dr. Harry Roth M.D. A dermatologist that specializes in hair loss at the University of California at San Francisco believes that many antibaldness shampoos appear to work because the users simply wash their hair more often which makes it appear fuller. You don't need to buy a $50 blend of spices from the orient to do that, any shampoo will have the same effect.

The Thickening Effect:

Many products that promise to grow hair actually make your hair fatter. They contain chemicals that thicken the hair shafts and give the illusion of new hair growth. Usually these products use hydrolized animal protein or panthenol although these ingredients rarely appear on the label.

Hair thickening should only be called a hoax if the product promises to grow new hair. Many over the counter hair thickeners are available. Spending more than $10 per bottle is outrageous however even if it was developed by Monks in Elbonia.