Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

This informative article was written by Dr. Michael Meshkin of Newport Beach, CA who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians.

Finasteride (Propecia), an oral medication available by prescription only, has been introduced to the market in the past decade. Finasteride is approved only for use by men. Through scientific studies, it has been shown to regrow hair in some men and stop hair loss in an even higher percentage. Finasteride works by decreasing the formation of DHT, a hormone responsible in large for male pattern hair loss, while not reducing testosterone, the overall male hormone responsible for masculinity. Therefore, any side effects that may involve male sexual function are mild and occur in less than 2% of all patients.

Finasteride has been available for over 10 years and has been shown to be somewhat safe and effective. Finasteride (Propecia) works best for early and moderate hair loss, but it may also help patients with more advanced hair loss to preserve their remaining hair, and its use is suggested by hair restoration surgeons as an effective medication to slow down or reverse male pattern hair loss in many men. It is often used as a complimentary treatment for hair transplant patients.

Topical minoxidil (Rogaine) has been around for over 15 years and is helpful in slowing down hair loss, but less effective in helping new hair to grow. A higher concentration (5% solution) of minoxidil is now available for men and has been shown to be more effective than the 2% solution. 5% minoxidil solution is generally not recommended for use by women because it may stimulate the growth of facial hair, and also because at least one study suggests that it is not more effective than the 2% in females.

This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Robert True of New York, NY who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.  His professional answer is below.

When can I start using hair care products after hair transplant surgery?

A few weeks after the hair restoration procedure, you can return to use of any of your preferred hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners, gels, mousses, etc.

We do believe that the Head and Shoulders and Neutrogena product lines are excellent for maintaining hair and scalp health, but you can use the products you know and like the best.

You can color your hair beginning one month after your treatment.  It is safe to use semi-permanent or permanent coloring agents. Try to avoid strong bleaching agents as these can be damaging to your hair whether transplanted or native.

You can also use alopecia (hair loss) masking cosmetics such as Toppik, Courve, Nanogen, or DermMatch.

You can use a laser comb if you like. We know this will not hurt anything. Although there are claims otherwise, we have not seen adequate scientific evidence that low level laser therapy prevents hair loss or restores lost hair. There is evidence that ongoing use promotes thickening of existing individual hair shafts. It is ok to use this if you want. We have no preference of models or manufacturers.

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Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, hair restoration, hair care products, alopecia, hair loss, Toppik, Courve, Nanogen, DermMatch, laser comb

With all the new hair loss products regularly marketed in the media, it’s vital to be able to differentiate what really works from the hype.

Our educational and supportive hair loss resource and community is interested in keeping you up to speed with the latest and greatest discoveries that can really help you deal with baldness and restore your hair.

Below you will find answers to 5 of this week’s top topic questions provided by educated patients and expert physicians. You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or do a free online consult with one of our physicians.

Increasing Hair Transplant Graft Survival and Postoperative Healing Time (Dr. Cooley)

Does Daily Protein Intake and Weight Loss Cause Hair Loss? (Dr. Ross)

How Much Hair Shedding is Normal on a Daily Basis? (Dr. Beehner)

Why Xandrox Might Cause Unwanted Body Hair Growth in Women

Is Treating Hair Loss with Laser Therapy worth $6000?

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss products, hair loss, baldness

Getting your hair loss questions answered quickly and accurately is what draws members and guests to our hair restoration discussion forum. Thankfully, we have a great multitude of knowledgeable hair transplant patients and quality physicians regularly contributing their experience and expertise.

Below you will find answers to 5 of this week’s top topic hair loss related questions provided by real hair loss sufferers and physician experts.

Experiencing Dizziness using Rogaine for Hair Loss (Dr. Paul Shapiro)

Can Propecia and Rogaine Prevent Frontal Hair Loss?

How Soon After a Hair Transplant Can You Return to Work? (Dr. William Lindsey)

Can Other Treatments Maintain Hair Regrowth from Minoxidil?

Is Laser Therapy Worth the Cost of $6000 to Treat My Hair Loss?

Additionally, hair loss and transplant related questions are answered daily on our news and blog sites including the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, the Hair Transplant Network, and the Hair Loss Learning Center.

Have a question that hasn’t been answered? Post it on our hair restoration forum publicly or contact us privately using our free online contact form.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair restoration, hair transplant

It can be hard looking in the mirror and realizing for the first time, that you are going bald. And while some just accept hair loss as a part of life, it can often be the source of anxiety and depression in both men and women. Thankfully with today’s evolved hair loss treatment methods, going bald isn’t the only choice.

Discovering what’s causing you to lose your hair is the first step to working out an appropriate treatment plan. Though the most common cause of hair loss is genetic, there are many other causes worth evaluating. Consulting with a qualified hair restoration physician can help you understand your balding condition and treat it.

Today, Propecia and Rogaine, two FDA approved hair loss treatments can help slow down or stop the progression of male pattern baldness. Other treatments like low level laser therapy and a multitude of alternative treatments may be effective, but are controversial and some lack the compelling evidence that Propecia and Rogaine have. Unfortunately for those who’ve already experienced extensive hair loss, even the proven non-surgical treatments can’t bring back hair once it’s gone.

Today’s hair replacement systems and strand techniques give severely balding men and women an instant solution to their hair loss problem. Ongoing cost and maintenance is typically the biggest concern for those who are considering this solution.

The internet is rich with hair loss information almost to a fault. How will you handle the contradictory information on what causes hair loss and available and effective treatments?

Thankfully, our hair loss community is designed for balding men and women to review, critique, and challenge marketing hype and learn the most effective ways to restore your hair.

Below we’ve listed answers to some of the “hot topic” hair loss related questions asked this week through our forum, blogs, and email. Follow the links below to a topic that you find interesting and read what our Associate Publisher and Physician experts have to say about each topic.

How to Stop Hair Loss without Surgery: Men and women with minimal hair loss may be more interested in stopping its progression than restoring hair through surgery. Read this blog to learn how to stop baldness with legitimate treatments.

HairMax LaserComb Makers Warned by the FDA about Illegal Sales of Non-FDA Cleared Devices: Great controversy centers around whether or not laser therapy is an effective hair loss treatment, especially after the recent FDA clearance. Read this blog to learn why HairMax was warned by the FDA about selling Non-FDA Cleared devices and what this means for HairMax LaserComb consumers.

Can I Take Propecia Every Other Day with the Same Effectiveness? Read Dr. Jerry Cooley’s thoughts on the most effective dosage of finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia)

Technorati Tags: hair loss, what causes hair loss, balding, baldness, hair loss treatment, HairMax, HairMax LaserComb, finasteride, Propecia

Laser therapy for hair loss has generated some heated debates, especially after the recent and controversial FDA “clearance” of the HairMax LaserComb. While some hair restoration doctors reject its use entirely, other physicians use it as a regular part of their practice for hair transplant postoperative healing and to treat baldness.

A number of hair loss forum threads have been dedicated to this topic recently and are worth exploring to decide if you think lasers have any benefit for genetic balding.

Dr. Feller Video Demonstrating the Inefficiency of Lasers with Rebuttals

FDA Issues Warning to HairMax LaserComb Makers

Physicians and Patients Debate about the Efficacy of Laser Studies

Become part of one of the most controversial hair loss debates of all time by offering your input or experience with laser therapy by following the links above.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: HairMax LaserComb, hair restoration, hair transplant, baldness, hair loss forum, balding, hair loss, laser therapy

Laser therapy as a hair loss treatment has been heavily debated, especially since the recent FDA clearance of the HairMax LaserComb by consumers and hair restoration physicians.  To participate in this discussion, visit our hair loss forum.  Read more about laser hair loss treatment.

On May 22, 2008, FDA inspectors issued a warning letter to David Michaels, the Managing Director of Lexington International, LLC regarding the sale of HairMax LaserComb® Premium and SE models that differ from the cleared HairMax LaserComb. According to the FDA, the treatment parameters, dose rate, and method of delivery in the laser comb models being sold to the public could significantly affect the safety and/or effectiveness of these laser mechanisms.  Therefore, Lexington International may be subject to 21, CFR 807.81 (a)(3)(i) new 510(k) submissions in order to legally market and sell their premium and SE LaserCombs as “FDA Cleared“.

Ironically, on the HairMax website, Lexington International warns consumers about purchasing fraudulent and potentially less effective laser devices. As listed on their website:

“As a consumer, we suggest that you educate yourself thoroughly before making a purchase or utilizing a laser device.  Make no mistake: Using lasers for any reason is a very serious medical undertaking which, if not administered under proper safety guidelines, can be risky. At best, you may be buying a laser device and spending time using it, only to receive minimal if any results.

Again, at Lexington we care about your safety and your right to be educated as a consumer.

There is nothing like the promise of a hair loss cure that can tap into the emotional insecurities of balding men and women who would do pretty much anything to recover their long lustrous locks. Fancy marketing tactics found on television, the radio, and the internet loudly proclaim “guaranteed results or your money back”. No wonder hair loss sufferers are forking over their hard earned money to try the latest and greatest baldness cure wonder drug. These companies may make good on their promises at refunding your money if a product doesn’t work, but is it worth the price of nonrefundable hair?

Below we uncover the secrets of fancy marketing hype that will allow you to evaluate the validity behind many hair loss treatment solutions.

This Product is FDA Approved: Finasteride (found in Propecia and Proscar) and minoxidil (found in Rogaine) are the only 2 hair loss products that have been FDA “approved” to treat baldness. Any other hair loss treatment claiming FDA approval contains one of these two ingredients, most popular of which is minoxidil. In most cases, it is significantly less expensive and more effective to invest in the FDA approved ingredient than a product that includes it.

Money Back Guarantee: Most questionable treatments come with a money back guarantee. Though this might entice your wallet, using an ineffective product will cost your nonrefundable hair. Therefore, we encourage you to research all hair loss products you are considering.

The viability of laser therapy for hair loss has been heavily debated for some time by reputable hair restoration physicians. While some physicians reject its use entirely, others use it as a daily part of their practice. Some hair transplant surgeons also feel that laser therapy can assist with postoperative healing and expedite transplanted hair growth.

Though laser hair loss treatment is often incorrectly promoted as FDA “approved” and its benefits oversold, the real question is – can low level laser therapy (LLLT) have any benefit for balding men and women trying to restore their hair? If so, how does it work and what should be expected from its use?

Recently, we interviewed several leading hair restoration physicians and asked them to share their experience with laser therapy in treating hair loss at their clinic. A special thanks to Coalition surgeons Dr. Joseph Williams, Dr. Glenn Charles, and Dr. Alan Feller who have offered their expertise, experiences, and opinions on this highly important and controversial topic.

Click here to read exclusive interviews with these leading physicians about the effectiveness of laser therapy. Also learn how laser therapy is said to work and what role the FDA clearance of the Hairmax laser comb has.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: laser therapy, hair loss, hair restoration, hair transplant, hair growth, low level laser therapy, LLLT, balding, hair restoration, Hairmax laser comb