Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

This question, asked by a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. Glenn Charles:

I’ll be 28 soon and already balding in the hairline. I have been doing some research and came up with a site about biotin’s effects on stopping hair loss and contributing to hair growth using biotin vitamins and diet alone. According to the site, you don’t really need to purchase all of those expensive hair loss treatments that include biotin. They talk about eating a biotin rich diet and I am definitely willing to try that. So my question is, does anyone have any experience with such a diet and did it regrow hair?

In my opinion, it would be almost impossible to get a significant increase in biotin with diet alone. You would definitely need some quality supplements. I recommend one that uses the newer nano technology. These are made with nano particles that actually get absorbed in the intestine. Most vitamins and supplements are produced with macro particles and clusters that are too big to get absorbed and get excreted in the urine before being absorbed.

I also believe that biotin probably has more of an effect on hair quality than quantity.

Dr. Glenn Charles

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David (TakingThePlunge) Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Restoration Forum and Social Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.

How can you assess the quality of a particular hair loss product? I have done some research myself for a hair regrowth supplement and I personally believe that this can help me regrow hair but, of course, it’s not an overnight course and I am still considering hair transplant surgery. How costly are hair transplants and how many procedures will I need?

Beware! The hair loss industry is rife with snake oil salesman making lofty claims about unproven and ineffective hair growth treatments.

For men there are only two clinically proven and FDA approved medical hair loss treatments. These are Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride). However, there are some credible natural alternatives available via our online store. It’s important to note that no alternative hair loss treatment is likely to be as effective as Rogaine and Propecia.

The cost of hair restoration surgery and the number of procedures a patient may require will depend on many variables including but not limited to the patient’s degree of hair loss, scalp/hair characteristics and the clinic the patient has chosen.

The best way to research hair loss treatments and hair transplant surgery is to frequent online hair restoration communities like our Hair Restoration Forum and Social Network.

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David (TakingThePlunge) Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Restoration Forum and Social Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.

Get Proven Hair Loss Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new Online Hair Loss Product Store

This question, asked by a member of the Hair Loss Discussion Forums, was answered by Coalition physician Dr. Bernardino Arocha

I’ve been taking MSM for about a year (2000mg in the morning, 2000mg at night). It’s definitely thickened my hair shafts as well as sped up hair growth. One big question: Does MSM thin the blood? My hair transplant is on May 20th and I certainly don’t want to make the job more difficult by taking any potential blood thinners.

There is one study that suggests that MSM is safe for up to 12 weeks. I do not know how safe it is for longer term use. It presumably works by providing sulfur. With regards to substances that should be avoided prior to your hair restoration surgery to minimize bleeding, here is a list compiled from the textbook by Dr. Walter Unger, Dr. Ron Shapiro and myself:

Herbs, Vitamins and Supplements that Can Potentially Increase Bleeding

Choosing the right hair loss treatment for you requires careful research. Non-surgical hair loss treatments cover a wide variety of products including hair restoration systems, concealers and medications that offer the promise of thicker, fuller hair. While there are more proven and credible hair loss treatments available today than ever before, there are always scammers lurking about, waiting to turn your pain into profit. So, how can you be sure that the treatment you’re buying is legitimate? Below we discuss several credible hair loss products available today.

Every man and woman suffering from genetic baldness should consider the use of both antiandrogens and hair growth stimulators. While antiandrogens like Propecia, Crinagen, Revivogen and shampoos like Nizoral and Revita can help stop hair loss at its core by blocking DHT, hair growth stimulators like Rogaine and Tricomin can help jump start and promote new growth. Note that the only FDA approved and arguably the most effective products for treating hair loss are Propecia and Rogaine. However, women or those men who have experienced adverse side effects while taking Propecia may wish to try natural alternatives.

Often, patients find that using one or two products from each category in combination provides enhanced results. One such combination; Propecia, Rogaine and Nizoral Shampoo has come to be known as “The Big Three” for men. It is widely held among hair loss experts that finasteride and minoxidil, when used in combination, have a synergistic effect on the thinning, balding scalp – that is, the results from both products combined are greater than the sum of their individual results. Adding Nizoral to the mix may inhibit some additional DHT due to its active ingredient ketoconazole which has been shown to be effective in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

This question, from a member of the Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by recommended hair restoration physician Dr. William Lindsey:

Which vitamins and supplements are the top ones to help hair growth?

There are lots of anecdotal reports of supplements, shampoos and lasers out there that claim to do wonders for hair loss and most anything else. Before you spend significant money, try to find a controlled study published in a peer reviewed medical journal in the US or Europe   showing that whatever product you are interested in actually has a clinical effect in human beings.

If you can find even one study, then I’d say it’s likely worth a try. If you can’t, ask yourself why. All doctors want to show how great their results are. If a doctor finds something that works, I guarantee you that he wants to be the first to publish it!

I can completely understand balding patients wanting to try things they hear about and avoid or augment medications like Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) or hair transplant surgery. All I’m saying is, know what you are spending your hard earned money on.

Dr. William Lindsey – Mclean, VA

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David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
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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.

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.