That epilar stuff seems just like all those other topicals (ie. Kalo, Epilstop, etc) which you are to apply immediately after waxing and it is supposed to inhibit hair growth, and after enough sessions stop hair growth completly...I tried Kalo myself for about 6 months and saw no improvements, just another scam which led me to this site in the search for real permanent answers...so far the only companies that seem to be working on this are Sirna, Photoderma, Quest, and Applisonix...all the rest seem to be scams. Am I wrong?

Eddy,

I believe that Applisonix will be categorized more as a temporary solution. Quest and Photoderma are still up in the air. They say permanent then not, then....

Just got this response from Sirna via e-mail:

"Sirna agreed to be acquired by Merck & Co. on Oct. 30, 2006. If the transaction is approved, Sirna will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck late in December or in Q1 ’07. There will be no new information on the hairless program until the acquisition has been completed."

Seems to suggest that Merck is in the process of deciding whether to continue or discontinue the hairless project. As I said before I think it is in their interest to carry on development.
Most say that Phase III is the most complicated part of the clinical trials but for me I think the longest and most difficult part of developing any product is in the discovery and pre-clinical development, simply because here they have to make sure that the product is somewhat effective and safe for use on humans. After all they don't want to kill or severely injure anyone in the trials, so most of the safety work will have to be carried out before this.
To me it would at this point be about 60% ready for the market and the rest of the development in the clinical phases is testing the exact results on humans, rather than animals, and making minor adjustments to increase safety and effectiveness.
I think if any product makes it to Phase III the biggest hurdle is getting FDA approval, which perhaps makes it the longest phase out of the three.

That said I believe most of the really hard work has probably been done by the scientists at Sirna and now they just have to refine the product in the clinical trials....I'm hoping they get the chance to do this, would be such a shame if they have to start all over again somewhere else.

http://v3.espacenet.com/origdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=WO2006068687&F=0&QPN=WO2006068687

Been looking at the patent applications again put forth by Christiano and Sirna. The above link briefly describes their "claims" of what the product will acheive.

As seen in point 2. - their goal is currently inhibition of hair for one month, possibly longer. Doesn't really sound like permanence to me. :-(

As in points 3 and 4. - the hair cycle still effects the application of the product (ie. hair growth must be "synchronized" by waxing, etc before the product can be applied and the hair must be in the correct growth phase for the product to be effective). :-(


This of course means multiple treatments for a product that may not deliver permanent results. Far from the magic cream I think we are all hoping for! (ie. one or two treatments, with permanent results) :-(

I suppose the only real advantages over laser will hopefully be reduced cost, treatment of light hairs on varying skin types, and reduced pain in application (however you will still have to wax, ect beforehand so perhaps even lazer will be more painless if taking this into account?)

Oh and I forgot the best part, we only have to wait another 3-5 years for this "breakthrough".

What I don't understand is why would someone pay to get waxed, which typically lasts about 3-4 weeks, only to pay more to have a product applied that claims to delay hair regrowth for the same amount of time! Additionally if the hair cycle still applies one session will only treat about 30% of the hair, so essentially you will be paying to have 30% of your hair not regrow for one month (which is bascially the same as waxing anyways!?!)

Seems very idiotic to me...Sirna had better damn well come up with a more permanent product or they risk being laughed out of the market, that's all I can say! Anything less than one year permanence will be a failure especially if multiple treatments due to the hair cycle are needed.

Anyways I'm kind of losing faith in science again...if you can't already tell. Why can't anyone come up with a way to KILL hair for good!!??? :-(

Eddy,

I guess there is no sense worrying about it until next year. One good point is the Merck doesn't just make vaccines, treatments for cancer etc. I noticed that they are also the makers Propecia which is used to grow hair...so the fact they are looking at other markets is a good thing.

As for Christiano's work. I read a bit about those prior tests, but I do believe those are just that...prior tests. Over time, delivery has become more effective. According to Sirna's website, the treatment will be permanent and painless. There is no way they will put a treatment out on the market that will make you remove the hair and then do the treatment that will last only a few weeks as best. I can see removing the hair via waxing, treatment and then no hair growth for very long amounts of time or permanency.

Again, we really don't know until we hear something. IF Merck continues this, then that is a good sign IMO.

Yep I hope your right, but the "claim" part of the patent I referred to in my earlier post was just posted a few months ago, so I am afraid it is fairly up to date with their research thus far.
Anyways, like you said they are not stupid and am sure they realise that anything less than long term inhibition or permanence will be a waste of time on their part. Especially if their treatments are subject to the hair cycle.

Guess we'll all be holding our breath until next year for an update from Merck. I still believe Sirna offers the best hope out there for a "permanent" solution.

"you are not messing with the gene, you are only blocking the messenger RNA from making a certain protein"
Will I be able to adjust how much it will block it?
Like if I have a part of my body with alot of long hair but I wish not to remove it completely but only make the area grow less and shorter hair, do you think this will be possible?
And the affected area (the hair follicles) will produce weaker hair, i.e., more thin and shorter?

LEF1,

No one really knows since clinical trials have not even started. They are scheduled for this quarter (doubtful now that Merck bought Sirna) or the first quarter of 2007. It's not known if Merck will continue on with this program or not.

IF this treatment works as is hoped, the protein that directs the hair follicle to begin growing hair will be blocked by the SIRNA which in theory will prevent ANY further growth. Again, there are a lot of questions yet to be answered, namely whether or no the program will continue on.

The buyout of Sirna by Merck is complete.

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/20...sit=y&npu=y

Now we should know this coming quarter if permanent hair removal is something that Merck is still interested in pursuing.

From the above article though:

"Even though Sirna's drugs in development are in early stages, now that its compounds have come under the auspices of Merck's research and development team and all its vast resources, they should move through clinical trials at a faster rate and with fewer costs."

hi everyone,
this is the news on Applisonix:


AppliSonix is developing an ultrasonic depilatory device that delivers ultrasonic waves to the hair root, damaging it ability to function for an extended period. The product will first be developed for use by doctors and cosmeticians, but the company hopes to develop a product for use at home. The company said that its product is more effective and safer than laser or visible wavelength-based depilatory devices, and that it can be used by both blondes and brunettes.

AppliSonix has already developed a prototype, and it is due to undergo abbreviated US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) marketing approval procedure (510k). If all goes according to plan, the product's market launch will be in 2009.

The rest can be found here:

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2007/01/18/2262215.htm