Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

Are you one of the millions of balding men and women worldwide waiting for a new and revolutionary treatment for genetic hair loss? If so, your wait may soon be over.

The Internet has been abuzz lately over a discovery by University of Pennsylvania researchers, illuminating the role of a compound called Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) in androgenic alopecia. These scientists have noted a direct correlation between higher concentrations of this compound and thinning hair, suggesting that inhibiting PGD2 or otherwise blocking its effects may stop hair loss and potentially regrow hair.

For more information on this exciting and potentially life-changing non-surgical hair loss treatment, read the article:

Hair Loss Cure? Recent Discovery of PGD2 (Prostaglandin D2) Brings Hope For Ending Hair Loss.

While there is certainly nothing wrong with speculating about future hair loss treatments, balding men and women are advised to research and consider clinically proven and FDA approved treatments available today. For men these are Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil). Only Rogaine is safe and approved for female hair loss. Women should not ingest or even handle Propecia tablets.

—-

David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

Despite continued interest and intrigue from the hair loss community, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) remains a controversial and divisive topic. Some hair restoration physician experts believe it is a legitimate treatment and has its place in modern hair restoration. However, other hair loss experts think the evidence behind LLLT is lacking, and claim those providing and promoting laser therapy are supporting “junk science.”

However, while debating and doubting new medical hair loss treatments can be a healthy practice, the reality is that laser therapy is currently offered in a variety of settings and balding men and women must know whether it is an effective, worthwhile treatment.

Knowing this, several important questions remain: has Low Level Laser Therapy proven itself as an effective hair restoration product? What types of individuals should investigate laser therapy? Specifically, what are the leading hair loss doctors saying? Finally, should balding patients try laser treatment?

To answer these questions and further investigate the history of LLLT, review the newest article:

Low Level Laser Therapy: “Sham” or Effective Hair Loss Treatment? 

___________________

Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant 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

Follow our community on Twitter

Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Technorati Tags: hair loss, Low Level Laser Therapy, laser therapy, hair loss treatments, balding, hair restoration, hair loss doctors

This question comes from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums: 

I know many hair loss sufferers fight baldness by combining treatments (medical and surgical treatment, surgery with partial hair pieces, etc), and I’m wondering if the combination of a hair piece and scalp micropigmentation (SMP) would efficiently hide my hair loss?

To clarify, you’re considering a scalp micropigmentation (SMP) procedure and a short/cropped hair system over the pigmented scalp?

While the fine details of hair systems are a bit diverse, I’m not sure this would be ideal. Frankly, I don’t think the micropigmentation would show through the system (meaning the hair system would completely mask any micropigmentation work underneath), and it seems like going for “one or the other” may be a more realistic option.

However, I have seen several cases of SMP combined with a hair transplant, and the two definitely worked together to create a denser appearance all around. Look at this example from Coalition hair restoration surgeon Dr. William Rassman. While it’s not technically a transplant with the addition of SMP (it’s more likely the patient possessed naturally thinning hair), you can still see how the micropigmentation helped augment the lower density.

Could be something to consider. Good luck!
_____________________________

Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant 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

Follow our community on Twitter

Hair restoration surgery is becoming an increasingly popular solution for hair loss suffering men and women around the world. However, many of the world’s leading hair restoration experts advise their patients to consider non-surgical treatments as a complement to surgery.

Currently, there are only two clinically proven and FDA approved medical hair loss treatments. These are Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride).  While the risk of side effects are very low with each of these drugs, some patients prefer to undergo hair surgery without the added benefits of hair loss drugs.  But is this really a good idea?

While hair transplant surgery has the potential to restore the appearance of a full head of hair, it does nothing to curb the progression of future hair loss. Only proven non-surgical hair loss treatments like Propecia and Rogaine can help to slow its progression and even possibly produce new hair growth.

To learn more about the risks of hair transplant surgery without the medical stabilization of balding as well as natural alternative to drug-based non-surgical treatments, read the below article:

Are Non-Surgical Hair Loss Treatments Required for Hair Transplant Surgery?

—-

David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

This question comes from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums: 

I recently read about a future hair loss treatment that re-vitalizes dormant hair follicles via an injectable solution. I underwent a hair transplant procedure in the past, and now I’m worried about the following: if I have grafts implanted over dormant follicles, will these grafts create an abnormal appearance or restrict growth when the dormant follicles re-grow (with the hypothetical help of the injectable solution)?

Although this is all very hypothetical at this point, I’ll do my best to address this issue:

Restoring density with hair transplantation, on average, does not re-create the natural density of hair unaffected by any sort of androgenic alopecia. Because of this, the likelihood that a hair transplant surgeon implanted a graft over a dormant follicle (to a point where it would be directly affected by the graft) is not all that likely.

Furthermore, these future, non-invasive treatments do not (to my knowledge) claim to regenerate every dormant follicle on a hair loss sufferer‘s head. This means that in order to experience a situation where two follicles (one implanted and one previously dormant) interact, one follicle must be implanted, in very close proximity, to another that is completely regenerated by the futuristic therapy.

For example, if you’ve restored a hairline at an estimated 35% it’s original density and added a non-invasive, restorative treatment that (by certain organization’s own estimations) will increase density by 20%, the chances of implanting a follicle (35%) over a regenerated follicle (20%) are fairly “slim” (0.35 * 0.20 = 0.07 or 7%).

Hair loss suffering men and women have all been waiting for it!  On March 1, 2012, Perrigo Company, the largest manufacturer of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals in the United States, announced the launch of its long-awaited topical foam hair loss treatment. This new generic version of Rogaine Foam (5% minoxidil) is to be marketed under a variety of store brands such as Walmart’s Equate line.

Since its debut in 2006, Rogaine Foam has been a popular alternative to liquid minoxidil for those seeking a solution to thinning hair without the greasy feel and scalp irritation often associated with the liquid. However, with no generic alternative available, some balding men and women found that the significantly higher cost of Rogaine Foam, compared to generic liquids like Kirkland 5% Minoxidil far outweighed the benefits.

To learn more, visit “Generic Rogaine Foam: It’s Finallly Here” on Hub Pages.

If you’ve been waiting for an affordable alternative to liquid minoxidil then this may be just what the doctor ordered. Topical foam hair growth formulas offer the following benefits:

• Faster drying
• Less scalp irritation
• Better absorption
• Non-greasy

Ingredients

Active ingredient: minoxidil 5%

Inactive ingredients: butane, butylated hydroxytoluene, cetyl alcohol, citric acid, dehydrated alcohol, isobutane, lactic acid, polysorbate 60, propane, purified water, stearyl alcohol.

To discuss this new and exciting hair loss treatment on our discussion forum, visit “Generic Rogaine Foam is Now Available in Stores“.

To purchase Rogaine Foam and other credible hair loss treatments at discounted prices, visit our online hair loss product shop.

To date, Propecia is still the only FDA approved antiandrogen (DHT blocker) and proven hair loss treatment taken orally.  Since Propecia stops hair loss at its core, failure to include this drug in one’s treatment regimen increases the liklihood that hair loss will continue.  However, given the recent news in the media surrounding Propecia, lawsuits and the alleged possibility of “permanent” sexual side effects, men suffering from androgenic alopecia (genetic hair loss) are more reluctant to add Propecia to their hair loss treatment regimen.

However, while the possibility of experiencing sexual and other side effects from this drug is a very real possibility, many leading hair restoration physician experts feel that these concerns have been blown out of proportion.  Furthermore, most world renowned hair surgeons still prescribe and recommend Propecia to their patients on a regular basis as a complement to their hair transplant procedure.

We recently polled several expert hair loss doctors to garner their professinal opinion on the recent news and alleged risks of Propecia’s “permanent” side effects and class action lawsuits against Merck.

To read what the experts are saying, visit the HubPages article “Propecia for Treating Hair Loss: Is it Worth the Risk?  What the Experts are Saying“.

Best wishes,

Bill Seemiller
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

I’m 22 and have had receding temples since I was 18. The rest of my head however is full of hair and has always been thick. I’ve recently finished using Rogaine for four months but there isn’t really any difference. This problem has always been frustrating, mainly because I don’t want to stay male forever. I have started going to a gender clinic and will be starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) a bit later this spring.

I have just started using a hair stimulant from my gender clinic website which contains both minoxidil and female hormones. I spray and rub this formula well into my scalp every night before going to bed for three months.

Would using Propecia in conjunction with this hair stimulant be a good idea and do you know if HRT and the hair stimulant I now use, or HRT alone, would be enough to potentially get my original hairline back?

Unfortunately, today’s medical hair loss treatments are not particularly effective for restoring a receding hairline. Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) are known to be more effective on a thinning crown and, even then, they are much more effective at retaining existing hair than regrowing hair on a completely bald area. HRT may reduce the likelihood of future hair loss but will not restore what you’ve already lost.

The most effective means of restoring a hairline is hair transplant surgery. In fact, transgender patients often undergo surgical hair restoration to restore and even create a more feminine hairline.

HairgrowthMD‘s products Promox and Remox claim to be an effective solution for both men and women suffering from hair loss.  But can these products truly deliver on their promise to stop and reverse hair loss?

I was recently contacted via email by a woman who recently started using Remox III DMI, a female hair loss solution devised by Dr. Oscar Klein asking whether or not this treatment was effective.  While I have no personal experience with either Promox or Remox, I’ve spent some time researching their website and other sources related to these treatments.

To learn more about Promox and Remox, visit “HairgrowthMD Promox and Remox as Hair Loss Treatments?”

—-

Bill Seemiller - Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Technorati Tags: HairgrowthMD, Promox, Remox, hair loss, Remox III, female hair loss, Dr. Oscar Klein

Breaking news: In the latest issue of Science Translational Medicine, a team of Dermatologists from Johns Hopkins and Penn University published a study potentially linking a new lipid (fatty acid) compound to androgenic alopecia (genetic hair loss).

While researching genetic baldness, the team discovered highly elevated levels of Prostaglandin D2 (PDG2) in the scalps of hair loss sufferers and decided to investigate further. The research team understood the role of dihydrotestosterone or DHT in causing and exacerbating hair loss, but now believes that Prostaglandin D2 or PGD2  might “carry out” the final steps associated with androgenic alopecia or somehow inhibit new hair growth in the presence of DHT.

To further test this theory, the team evaluated the scalps of 22 balding subjects (male; aged 40 – 65) and, again, found elevated levels of both the enzyme responsible for synthesizing PDG2 and Prostaglandin D2 itself. Researchers then turned to a mouse model and by adding both Prostaglandin D2 and its G Protein Coupled receptor (GPR44), they were able to successfully induce androgenic alopecia (AGA) in the mouse.

Following this experiment, the team concluded that Prostaglandin D2 may be an inhibitor of hair growth in men and women with genetic baldness and identified the GPR44 receptor as a target for a non-invasive hair loss treatment. Although this news is very exciting and looks promising for the development of future treatments, we still recommend utilizing proven hair loss treatments (like Propecia/finasteride and Rogaine/minoxidil) while further evidence is found and investigated.