>Home>Hair Loss>Folligen-Tricomin Comparison

Folligen vs Tricomin

Is Folligen or Tricomin More Effective?

Folligen Therapy Spray vs. Tricomin Solution Therapy Spray
Active Copper Hair Loss Treatments

Tricomin and Folligen are the premier Active Copper hair loss treatment lines on the market. I recommend them both with confidence.

However I was asked by one of our readers to compare them, so here goes ... I chose to compare their therapy sprays, since I have read some misinformation on these in hair loss forums. (More on that later.)

Tricomin Solution Follicle Therapy Spray Ingredients

Purified Water, SD Alcohol 40B, Amodimethicone, Nonoxynol-10, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-11, Polysorbate 60, Tallowtrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Dimethyl Lauramine Isostearate, Linoleamidopropyl Ethyl Dimonium Ethosulfate, Triamino Copper Nutritional Complex (Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypetide Copper HCl), Methylparaben, Benzethonium Chloride, Menthol, FD&C Blue #1

Folligen Therapy Spray Ingredients

Purified Water, Aloe Vera Gel, Copper Peptides (hydrolyzed soy protein and copper chloride), Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate-20, Allantoin, Diazolinydinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Herbal Fragrance

Folligen - Tricomin Ingredient Comparison and Analysis

Since Active Copper is what most people buy these products for, let's discuss that first. Tricomin contains a variation on GHK Copper Peptide which was discovered in the 1970s; while Folligen contains a more recently patented Copper Peptide (1995).

I'm not a chemist and can't be sure how they compare in effectiveness but I trust Folligen's research scientist, Dr. Loren Pickart (who, by the way, was the discoverer of GKU Copper Peptide way back when).

Note that Folligen's Copper Peptide appears very high on the ingredient list. By volume it is the third largest component. Tricomin's Copper Peptide is way at the bottom - just before the preservatives, menthol and dyes.

Consider the source, but Skin Biology (the manufacturer of Folligen) had the strength of its own Active Copper solution compared to Tricomin's, by an outside lab (Evergreen Analytical Labs in Redmond Washington).

The results concluded that Folligen's spray has 31.8 times the Active Copper that is contained in Tricomin's spray. That would explain why Tricomin uses blue dye to impart the copper look.

The Rest of Tricomin

Tricomin's second ingredient is alcohol, which some may find drying or irritating. Menthol is added for its refreshing smell and soothing properties. This would help offset any alcohol irritation.

Tricomin contains Panthenol (vitamin B5) a humectant known for its revitalizing and conditioning effects in the hair.

There are several other styling aid ingredients in Tricomin: Polyquaternium-11 is a fixative in styling gels; Dimethyl Lauramine Isostearate is a conditioner; Linoleamidopropyl Ethyl Dimonium Ethosulfate is a conditioner and anti-static agent.

Polysorbate 60 is a surfactant thought to remove follicle-starving DHT from the hair follicles and prevent more DHT from attaching. The remaining ingredients are wetting agents, preservatives and anti-microbials.

Read more about Polysorbate 60 and its benefits Polysorbate 60 & The Helsinki Formula.

The Rest of Folligen

The other ingredients in Folligen Therapy Spray are: soothing/healing Aloe Vera Gel, Natural Moisturizing Factors (Glycerin and Allantoin) combined with Propylene to assure permeation through the skin. Propylene is an excellent humectant and helps active ingredients penetrate the skin.

Polysorbate 20 is a surfactant and enhances the uptake of copper-peptide around the hair follicle. The remaining ingredients are preservatives, anti-microbials and herbal fragrance.

Your choice comes down to personal preference, since both sprays do contain Active Copper. Some people like the mentholated sensation of Tricomin or the ease of styling it affords.

Because of its Aloe Vera, Folligen is especially suited to those experiencing scalp irritation caused by other hair growth products such as Rogaine (Minoxidil), Retin-A (Retinoic Acid) and Propecia.

Some don't want dyes or want the most potent formula.

Some shop for the best price.

I hope the information above helps you select the product best-suited to your needs.

To learn more about Active Copper, read our other articles:

Antiaging Skincare Using Copper Peptides

Copper Peptide Product Comparison

Effective Skin Regrowth Ingredients

Copper Peptide Hair Loss Treatments

Copper Peptide Questions

Caution: The Following Information May Make Your Hair Fall Out!

There is so much misinformation and hyperbole on the Internet that one needs to be a bit skeptical and double/triple check anything one reads.

For example I read a very scary warning against Folligen Therapy Spray saying it contains cupric sulphate (copper sulphate).

Then followed an authentic-looking advisory of all the dangers and use warnings.

However, when I checked the OSHA MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for cupric sulphate, all I found was that in pure 100% form, it should not be inhaled or ingested in large amounts and that it is harmful to aquatic life.

Fine. I didn't intend to drink or snort Folligen. I would further promise not to go swimming in a lake, pond or ocean right after spraying my scalp with Folligen Therapy Spray IF IN FACT it did contain copper sulphate.

The ingredient list for Folligen Therapy Spray cited above is taken from the manufacturer's own web site. The form of copper used in Folligen Therapy Spray is cupric chloride hydrate. The MSDS for cupric chloride cautions "Harmful if swallowed. Irritant." and "Do not breathe dust." I think we're pretty safe there.

When I discover misinformation like this, it makes me want to tear my hair out!

This article is for information only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.  

| Top | Hair Loss | Home |