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This question comes from a member of our Hair Restoration Forums and Social Community:

I’m investigating natural hair loss solutions and looking for information on topical magnesium oil. How does it work? Is it effective in fighting genetic baldness?

Magnesium oil, as a hair loss solution, relies upon a generally untested balding theory. As early as the 1940s, researchers began looking at calcium and it’s role in inflammation, wounds, and hair loss. In one instance, a medical student preparing cadavers for anatomical studies noted that bald individuals also demonstrated increased levels of bone calcification in their skulls. From here, the student hypothesized that increased levels of calcium caused a calcification or hardening of the body’s soft tissues. In this instance, calcium build-up caused a hardening of the scalp and forced the hair follicles to die and shed.

Magnesium helps break down and block this calcification, meaning a topical application of magnesium oil to the scalp would (in theory) prevent tissue hardening and save the hair follicles. However, the theory of scalp calcification and its effect on hair shedding is still generally untested, and should probably not be fully accepted until appropriate research is conducted. Because of this, it’s most likely more effective to utilize proven topical hair loss solutions, such as minoxidil (Rogaine), for the time being. However, magnesium, as a supplement, is usually recommended for the maintenance of healthy hair and could be an indication that further research is necessary.

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Blake Bloxham – aka Future_HT_Doc

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is a popular supplement that supposedly aids in a variety of health functions. Among these alleged health benefits, MSM is proposed to promote hair growth and increase the vitality of one’s natural hair.  In many cases, hair transplant patients with a shaved recipient area (where the new hair grafts have been placed) often use MSM for the first couple of months after surgery to accelerate the growth of their shaved natural hair.  Note that MSM does nothing to expedite the hair transplant growth/maturation process nor does it do anything to stop the progression of genetic baldness.  Yet, the use of MSM still remains popular.  Read our MSM product review for more information.

However, many patients who use this supplement for hair loss report an unwanted side effect – acne breakouts. So, can MSM cause acne? According to wellness experts, MSM aids in optimal health by causing cells and tissues to detoxify and flush unwanted biochemical agents. Popular consensus claims the release of these toxins causes a short period of acne, meaning that MSM can cause an initial acne breakout. These breakouts are allegedly short-lived and avoided by starting treatment with a low dose of MSM and moving gradually toward a higher concentration.

Because MSM alleged primary benefit is to speed up and increase the vitality of one’s natural hair, therapies such as minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia) should be used to treat male pattern balding instead of MSM. However, individuals who choose to use MSM can allegedly experience initial periods of increased acne. Have you experienced an acne breakout while taking MSM as a hair growth therapy? If so, feel free to contribute to the thread on our Hair Restoration Discussion Forums – MSM and Breakouts?

Although the topic of green tea as a hair loss remedy is a popular subject, few discussions focus on the tea as a topical therapy. Because of this, many wonder if applying green tea to the scalp can help slow or reverse androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness. According to a study conducted at the Seoul University National Hospital, a key ingredient in green tea may have some validity as a topical hair loss treatment.

The study focuses on epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a compound found in green tea, and its effect on dermal papilla cells and hair growth cycles. After removing and treating a section of follicular units from research subjects, the scientific team found that the EGCG stimulates hair growth by forcing hair follicles to remain in the expansion, or Anagen phase, and by increasing the active stage of dermal papilla cells (which are robust and lively during the follicular growth phase). However, despite the fact that these results seem promising, there are several issues to consider before concluding that topical green tea can help battle balding.

This question comes from a member of the Hair Restoration Discussion Forums:

For the past few months, I’ve use Propecia to battle my ongoing hair loss. It’s working well, but I’m considering adding some herbal hair loss medications, particularly He shou wu (Fo-Ti). Does anyone know if these herbal medications negatively interfere with finasteride?

He shou wu, also known as Fo-Ti, is a native Chinese plant used by many for anti-aging purposes. In fact, the Chinese name Fo-Ti translates to “black-haired Mr. He” – an old, Chinese villager who allegedly used the root to change his grey hair black! In modern times, Individuals utilize the herb to prevent pre-mature aging, grey hair, certain sexual dysfunctions, and increase overall vitality and strength.

However, despite centuries of usage, Fo-Ti has only demonstrated a slight ability to lower cholesterol levels and improve immune function. Additionally, no legitimate studies on the effectiveness of Fo-Ti in humans exist, and possible side-effects include diarrhea, limb numbness and, in some severe cases, liver complications.

Frankly, it’s unclear (but unlikely) that He shou wu would interact with your Propecia regimen. However, because of unproven results, untested usage, and potential side-effects, it may not be an effective or recommended therapy in general (especially for hair restoration). Furthermore, proven medications, such as minoxidil (or Rogaine) will most likely produce a much more consistent, safe result and are usually suggested before alternative medications like Fo-Ti. I recommend consulting with one of our recommended hair restoration physicians (to further address any concerns) and consider adding minoxidil to your hair loss regimen.

This insightful article was written by “PanamaJimmy”, an active member of our hair loss forum and social community.

I’ve seen lots of ads lately for a hair loss product called Provillus. They claim it has an FDA approved ingredient for regrowing hair. Is this product legit?

Provillus does contain an FDA approved ingredient for hair loss. The ingredient, minoxidil, is one many balding men and women are already familiar with. Each application of Provillus consists of a tablet and topical solution.

In a nutshell, most everyone agrees there are no new “miracle breakthrough” ingredients in Provillus making it a successful hair loss treatment. In fact, the angle being worked upon the consumer is as old as consumerism itself, and can be summed up in a word: marketing. If you believe that taking existing products and combining them makes a product more effective than the sum of its parts, then Provillus may be for you.

Fact: there are only two hair loss drugs approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). These drugs are Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride).  Therefore, anytime someone claims a hair loss product contains an FDA approved ingredient, it must be one of these two drugs. Let’s start at the beginning of the hair loss drug timeline for a clear understanding of why these two drugs have been proven and FDA approved to treat baldness.

Our popular hair loss forum community includes dozens of active patient and physician members devoted to answering your hair loss questions daily.  Get past the hype and learn about proven treatments that really work to stop baldness.

Below, we’ve compiled answers to hot topic hair loss related questions we received from our Associate Publisher Bill Seemiller and expert hair restoration physicians. 

Feel free to ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or privately by using the “contact us” form. 

Do All Good Doctors Shave the Patient’s Head for Hair Transplant Surgery? (Dr. Glenn Charles)

Can Saw Palmetto Really Reduce Hair Loss?

Can Oxygen Deprivation Cause Hair Loss? (Dr. Scott Alexander)

Creating a Natural Looking Female Hairline with a Hair Transplant (Dr. Bernard Nusbaum)

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
Follow our community on Twitter
Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Technorati Tags: hair loss, baldness, Bill Seemiller, hair restoration, Bill Seemiller, Falceros

When flipping through the channels on TV late at night, I sometimes get sucked into the Scalp Med infomercials promising a new thick head of hair.  It also claims to be FDA approved.  Is this the hair loss cure we’ve all been waiting for?

Scalp Med infomercials are very popular this time of year, especially as the holidays approach.  Sold as a treatment for female and male pattern baldness, Scalp Med boasts that the “results will provide you with thicker, cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful hair”.  The Scalp Med infomercial presents dozens of rich consumer testimonies praising Scalp Med and providing us wild dreams of restoring a full head of hair.  While one woman claims, “it was nothing short of a miracle for me”, another male consumer boasts, “there’s nothing better out there”.  Oh really? 

Scalp Med is Just Overpriced Minoxidil

While Scalp Med is technically a viable hair loss treatment, what they don’t readily tell you is that that the only “active” ingredient in both the men’s and women’s solution is minoxidil, and significantly overpriced at that. 

Because minoxidil has been FDA approved as a treatment for male and female hair loss, Scalp Med can make the same claims Rogaine can.  The extra cash you could be saving by purchasing Rogaine (minoxidil) most likely goes toward marketing and the ”inactive” ingredients that do nothing to stop genetic baldness or regrow hair. 

Copper Peptides are known for their healing properties which is why products like Graftcyte are very popular for patients who’ve just undergone hair transplant surgery. Copper Peptides also have also shown some science behind it indicating it may prove to be beneficial for those with hair loss.

However, despite the claims of potential successful hair regrowth with Copper Peptides, clinical evidence and supporting proof are required to cut past the hype. To see what members of our community are saying, view the topic “Copper Peptides” on our forum. Feel free to share your own experience with this product and/or your opinion of it.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: Copper Peptides, Graftcyte, hair transplant, hair loss, hair regrowth

Does saw palmetto really reduce hair loss? If not, then what is the best treatment for stopping hair loss?

Saw palmetto is conjectured to block DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and thus has been used as a natural supplement to treat an enlarged prostate (BPH). And though some believe saw palmetto can successfully stop hair loss as effectively as Propecia (finasteride), I have yet to see any clinical evidence to prove this. Not too long ago, we decided to do some research on saw palmetto and sited our findings on the Hair Loss Learning Center. To learn more about saw palmetto and whether or not it can be a successful treatment for baldness, visit “Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss”.

To date, Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) are the most effective treatments for thinning hair and baldness.

Best wishes in restoring your hair,

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: saw palmetto, hair loss, DHT, dihydrotestosterone, enlarged prostate, BPH, baldness, Propecia, finasteride, Rogaine, minoxidil, thinning hair

Every week, hundreds of hair loss questions are answered on our hair restoration forum and received in our inbox. Below, we’ve collected some of these hot topic questions of the week and posted responses by veteran hair transplant patients and leading hair restoration physicians.

You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair forum or privately by using the contact page.

Which “All Natural” Treatments Are Most Effective?

Do Higher Hair Transplant Densities Affect Hair Growth Survival? (Dr. Beehner)

How an Underactive Thyroid Can Contribute to Female Hair Loss

Is it ok to take Finasteride and Dutasteride Simultaneously to Treat Baldness?

Contradictory Reports: Does Nioxin Cause or Stop Balding?

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair restoration, hair transplant