If a product is advertised as providing healthy, beautiful manes to horses, then surely it will produce similar results for humans. In theory this may make sense, but in real life, it might not be the best idea.
In 2009, I was ready to take my hair care seriously. I was done with wearing wigs and half wigs, while neglecting my hair. I was also done using the same products that seemed to leave my hair dry and brittle. In addition to using different products, I considered the benefits of hair growth aids, which is when I came across a few animal/human hair products.
Many of you might be familiar with the product Mane n’ Tail. This product existed for many years before the natural hair movement and was all the rage back in the day. This product took advantage of clever marketing, but really doesn’t fall in the animal/human hair category to which I’m referring. I learned of a product called Megatek and began using it to help strengthen my hair and regrow my thinning edges. Honestly, the only issue I had with Megatek was that it had a high concentration of proteins; so it was important to alternate using it every other week to prevent an overload of protein. The product itself was fine. So why am I issuing caution?
Unlike Mane n’ Tail, which you can now find in grocery stores and local pharmacies, I ordered Megatek from a catalog, that sold horse equipment and grooming products (yes, you read that correctly). I now realize how important it is to distinguish grooming products marketed for both humans and animals that may be harmless from those products that may pose a threat to humans.
Another product I learned about during that time but never tried was called M-T-G. Two things that discouraged me from using the product was the general consensus that it smelled horrible and secondly, it seemed to claim too much growth. For small pets the product claimed that users would notice up to 3 inches of growth, which while great for the pets, concerned me. Personally, I do believe some things can be too good to be true; so I would consult with a dermatologist or trichologist before using such a product.
While the idea of using a product that yields positive results on animals is appealing, even convincing, always err on the side of caution. Even if the product is topical, don’t use it unless it explicitly states that it is marketed for humans. Because these products are often marketed explicitly for animals, the strength may be too concentrated for humans resulting in hair breakage or even hair loss. Moreover, your options for legal recourse may be limited if the company did not explicitly promote its use by humans.
Remember, these products may not have a harmful effect, but neither are they necessary for healthy hair. Never endanger your well-being for a few more inches of hair.
Do you have experience with some of the products I named (or similar products)? What were your negative or positive experiences?
