EQyss Mega Tek Rebuilder (and other topical growth aids I've tried)

There will always be buzz and controversy in the hair-growing community about topical growth aids.  The questions will always be there: do they work?  do you use them?  why would anyone use them?  what is the point of using them?  etc. etc. etc. 

Well, since I've been in the hair-growing community for a decent amount of time, AND I've used at least 3 different topical growth aids, I wanted to offer up my opinion and experiences with them. 

I have to be honest, before I started researching ways to grow Black hair and before I had actually adopted healthy hair care practices, NO ONE would have been able to tell me that putting something on my scalp would increase my hair growth rate.  I have since been exposed to countless women who have grown their hair to its longests lengths (in short time frames) with the help of topical growth aids.  In my quest to grow my hair to its longest lengths, I have used Shapley's M-T-G, miconazole nitrate, essential oils and EQyss Mega Tek in the form of topical growth aids.  I think that topical growth aids might be my weakness when it comes to this hair growing thing!  I have always used growth aids only three times per week - any more than that is too much for me.

The first topical growth aid that I used was Shapley's M-T-G.  M-T-G is an equine product that was orginally used by humans and later for horses.  M-T-G has been used for nearly 70 years to help cure skin conditions and accelerate hair growth.  The active "hair growing" ingredient in M-T-G is sulfur (it also has anti-bacterial ingredients in it which can aid in rapid hair growth). 

Shapley's M-T-G smells TERRIBLE!  And it is greasy as ALL get out!  I used it consistently for about 9 months, straight out the bottle and through those 9 months I turned a ton of my silver jewelry black and even suffered from dry skin on my neck and ears.  Not to mention, I walked around smelling like burnt bacon grease and my hair was an oily MESS!  Though many, many, MANY women have experienced rapid growth using this product, I can't say that I did.  Now, I wasn't cleansing daily (like I do now) but I was cleansing and conditioning every week.  I made sure my hair stayed moisturized (as M-T-G is VERY drying).  I just didn't have the same results as others.  Frankly, I don't believe that sulfur speeds up hair growth - and that is just my opinion.  I believe that sulfur helps to relieve scalp conditions such as itchy/dry scalp and dandruff and the relief or absence of those scalp conditions offers a better growth environment allowing the hair to actually grow better - NOT faster.  Does that make sense?  Since I have started and stopped using M-T-G, Shapley's has formulated a "human" version of it called Sulu Max Gro and you get 25% the amount of M-T-G for a 129% price increase!; and guess what!?  It is marketed toward sistas who are growing their hair to its longest lengths!  Imagine that!  Go'head Shapley's!  I ain't mad at-cha!

Needless to say, I gave up on M-T-G when my skin started getting extra dry and took a break from growth aids until my next experiment: miconazole nitrate!  I still have half a bottle of M-T-G under my sink that I can't part with because I don't like wasting my money!   

So many women on LHCF were achieving such great growth results with MN that I got SUCKED into it!  I made a mix, though.  I didn't use it straight like many women do.  I mixed a tube of MN cream in a mix of jojoba oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, amla oil, and essential oils of rosemary, peppermint, lavendar and cedarwood.  (See this was my version of the essential oil recipe but with some KICK!)  Miconazole nitrate is chemically an anti-fungal used to treat (you guessed it) skin conditions.  I used that for about 4-5 months and with good results.  Within that time I grew my hair from arm pit length to bra strap length in roughly 4 months - that equates to about 3" of growth.  Some could argue that MN does the same for scalp conditions as sulfur (thus the same for "growth"), and that may very well be the case.  However, MN also, increases blood circulation to the scalp and increased scalp blood flow is a proven strategy to enhance and increase hair growth.  

I have always wondered, though, was it the MN or the essential oils that helped increase my growth rate?  I will never know...all I know is my hair was a-growin'!  So why did I stop using it?  Well, as you can see as a lazy hair grower (which I claim to be) all that mixing was not working for me...PLUS I started hearing and reading about Mega Tek! (I still have half a bottle of my MN mix under my sink )

EQyss Mega Tek is the "new" topical growth aid buzzing around the hair growing community and just like the 2 topical growth aids before them, I bought me some! (As I write this, I realize that I am a TGAJ - Topical Growth Aid Junkie!)  Unlike the last equine product that I tried, Mega Tek smells wonderful!  It is a conditioner (a VERY heavy protein conditioner) and it has a creamy consistency.  Mega Tek is commonly used by cancer patients to regrow their hair and although it is an equine product, it is labeled right on the bottle that it is safe for humans.  This review is what really got me excited about Mega Tek!!  I have only been using it for 2 months now, but I SWEAR since my cut last month, my hair has grown an inch!  The downside is, though, that I have never had this much shedding as a result of a growth aid...BUT it makes sense right?  That if my growing phase is increased then I would reach my shedding phase faster.  I do not use this product alone.  I mix it with water (to make it last longer) and essential oils of rosemary and peppermint.  I don't know what the actual "growing" ingredient is in this product - I suspect it is the keratin, but I do know that I have never been as excited as I am for a length check as I am now!  Like Shapley's, EQyss has a "human" version of Mega Tek called Ovation Cell Therapy and the the price increase isn't as astronomical as it is with the Shapley's M-T-G to Sulu cost.

I have to be honest, though, the first month I used Mega Tek, I was not impressed with my growth.  I can't be sure that my hair has grown an inch this past month, but I can definitely say that my hair is noticibly longer to my husband and me.

My final word on topical growth aids?  Just like all other aspects of growing your hair, if you don't have consistency and commitment with them, you just won't see results.  I don't discourage or encourge the use of them.  Do what is best for your hair and your lifestyle.  More important than using topical growth aids is staying on top of your 3C's regimen - CLEANSING, CONDITONING & CARING - without a solid and consistent 3C's regimen, topical growth aids are useless and a sheer waste of money.

Happy Hair Growing!

 

Comments

[tav]

great article! Nicely written. I just started megatek. If nothing else it's an amazing protein treatment. I've always wanted thicker hair! And a little goes a long way so it's worth the $.

[benicia]

can i used mega tek with braiding hair? please let me know any special regimen that i can try

LHDC: Hi, benicia!!! Yes you can use MT while your hair is braided, but please not several things:

1. More times than not, your hair will grow faster meaning that your braids will need to be re-done sooner than expected

2. MOISTURIZE EVER DAY - never skip a day of moisturizing

3. Apply the MT to your scalp only; a little goes a long way

4. Treat your braids like your hair; continue your 3C's regimen

I hope this helps. Braids are great protective styles and when you care for them properly, you can reap major growth benefits!

Good luck, sis and happy hair growing!

[Rhonda]

I mixed olive oil with the Megetak when I got it. I started using it a couple of days after I permed my hair. Two weeks later, it looked like I needed a perm. My hair had so much new growth and it was thick. I have also started washing my hair once a week with the Main and Tail shampoo and using a conditioner. Along with the Megetek, I have also been using the Mane and Tail herbal gro revitalizer, and taking pills called Ultra Nourish Hair what I got from the GNC store for hair, skin, and nails. My hair has grown tremendously. The only problem I have with Megetak is that it makes my hair frizzy and hard to comb but maybe it's because it's doing a whole lot of growing.

[Rhonda]

I permed my hair and a couple of days afterwards started using Megetek. Two weeks later it looked like I didn't even perm my hair! I had so much new growth. The only problem I have with using Megetek is that it makes my hair frizzy and big looking. Sometimes it makes my hair hard to comb, I guess from the new growth. I don't know. I mixed olive oil with it because I read the reviews about it shedding and drying out the hair. Maybe my hair is just growing a whole lot. If anyone has had this problem, let me know what you did.

[Darling Cancerian]

Garlic Vitamins 1 day, 1 night, will stop the shedding. I got that information from a hairgrower, and began taking them one day prior to my Mega Tek Debut! I haven't had ANY shedding! Which is great, considering the shedding from overproccessing that I WAS dealing with.

[Tee]

Hi, I happend upon your page by looking for instuctions on Megatek use. I currently have a sew in that I got yesterday as this is the way I grew my hair out 7 inches in about 9 months a year ago. I want to try Megatek or Surge 14 but am interested in the MN use. I am a topical junkie too and am convinced that the massage that I incorporate with what I have used in the past (Wild Growth Oil and Capilong) helped also. Can I use Megatek with my sew in? My hair is currently about 3 inches above bra strap in the back but I would like to achieve that length all over.

LHDC: Hi, Tee! I think you would be fine using the MT with your sew in. You just have to make sure that you are keeping your scalp and hair underneath the weave free of product build-up by cleansing your hair and scalp underneath often. Also, good job on your retention of 7" last year! That's remarkable!!! Good luck in '09 and thanks for stopping in!!!

[MAY]

HOW DO YOU USE THE MN. DO YOU USE IT HE SAME AS THE MEGATEK?THE FRONT LEFT-SIDE OF MY HAIR HAS ALWAYS BEEN MUCH SHORTER THAN THE REST OF MY HAIRWHICH IS APL. I'VE BEEN USING MT FOR ONE WEEK NOW. I WONDER WHICH WILL WORK BETTER. IM ALSO ARFRAID OF "PROTEIN OVERLOAD".

Hi, May! When I used the MN I used it on my scalp in a mixture of oils. The MT shouldn't cause protein overload as long as you stay on top of your moisturzing and deep conditioning. I am currently using MT and so far I like it. Good luck, sis and let me know if you have anymore questions.

[Tia]

My hair usually grows about an inch per month without any hair growth routine but after going into a busted down shack in the 'hood to get my hair trimmed and somehow lost nearly six inches of hair, I decided to use MTG to speed up my hair growth.

So far, it's not doing anything and it smells like I've stashed bacon in my bathroom. I'm thinking of switching to the miconazole nitrate cream since you said that you personally noticed growth in your hair. Where did you buy yours? The only thing that I can find on my own is monistat. Is that okay? Or is vaginal cream on the head not such a good idea?

LHDC: Hi, Tia! I bought my MN from Wal-mart - the Equate brand. Monistat will work well, too. Keep me updated on your results! I'm sure you will like the growth that you get! Happy hair growing!!!

[Taiena]

I just recently purchased some MegaTek to try out... When you place it on your scalp do you wash it out after? How exactly do you use this product?

Hi, Taiena!!! To answer your questions, no, I do not wash it out. My MT routine is this:

*Finger-part hair and apply MT directly to the scalp at night
*Once I've put it on my whole head, quickly rub it in
*Put a plastic cap on, then a stocking cap and THEN a scarf and go to bed

I mix my MT with about 2 oz of oil and 20 drops each Peppermint & Rosemary essential oil in an 8 oz bottle

That's it! Hope that helps and good luck! You'll love the results of MT!

[LongHairDontCare]

LHDC: @BIA - I know ALL about the growth aid bandwagons! At this point I should be floor length LOL! Thanks for reading!!!

@T - My husband told me that I was going to wake up neighing using all these horse products! But if they are working I won't stop! I love my Straight Arrow Mane & Tail detangler AND conditioner!!!

[LadyTee]

I purchased some horsetail herbs to try the moegrow recipe and flowers of sulpher to use with EVOO and coconut oil. I am planning to add rosemary and peppermint to both. I think I will try the moegrow first for a few months. I have a dry flaky scalp that only gets worse in the winter when my husband turns the heat up to HELL and be gone. I was hoping the flowers of sulpher will help my scalp. Maybe I will only use it before washing while I am using the moegrow. I am hoping one or the other will stimulate a healthier scalp promoting growth. I have also been considering MN and Mega Tek. I just havent decided how to explain to my DH "Well you know how I have been spending hours on the computer on the hair sites - Well there is this horse stuff."

[Balding In Arizona]

I used MTG and I attribute my hair growth to this product! I stank but it works! I was single then though and I already know that burnt bacon smell isn't going to fly.

I am using the MT now, I like it, it made my hair soft. I don't know if my hair is growing though. i don't use it as often as I think I should be...

Oh did the other one for like a week before I ordered my MT.

Bandwagon here I come!

BIA No Mo

[LongHairDontCare]

LHDC: Hey, Nay! No, you don't have to wash your hair everyday. Once per week probably isn't enough. Try to use it at least 3 times per week (either 3 consecutive days or every other day...) I only use it as a growth aid on my sclap. I believe it to be too strong of a protein to leave in on my hair for longer than about 5 minutes. Hope that helps and thanks for reading!!!

[Nay]

Do you have to wash your hair everyday to use the Mega Tek product? Or is my once a week ok? Do you use it as a deep conditioner or as a regular conditioner?