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Occasionally, a new hair loss treatment arrives on the market and truly revolutionizes the way balding men and women treat thinning hair. However, for every drug or new surgical procedure that comes along and legitimately improves the treatment of hair loss, a dozen slated “miracle cures” confidently burst upon the scene but quickly fall tragically short of lofty expectations.

Recently, Caboki, a new topical hair loss treatment, debuted and confidently labeled itself as a true “hair loss breakthrough.” While these claims are both bold and intriguing, they leave one important question unanswered: is Caboki truly a hair loss breakthrough, or does it fall short of its audacious claims?

Whether it’s the oppositely charged microfibers, all natural ingredients, or ability to keep hair shafts volumized, but also light and erect, Caboki is making a splash with hair loss sufferers and hair transplant surgeons alike. While the product is still new and requires additional observation and testing before declaring it a “hair loss home run,” Caboki is making a name for itself as a solid topical treatment, potentially on par with trusted concealers like Toppik, DermMatch, and COUVre.

Are there any “downsides” to Caboki? Is it truly equivalent to other topical treatments? Should hair loss sufferers further investigate Caboki? To find the answers to these questions, and more, please feel free to review the new Caboki article at our Hair Loss Learning Center:

Caboki Reviews Hair Loss Breakthrough. 
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Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

On March 1st, 2012, the patent on Rogaine‘s popular foam topical expired and a generic version of generic minoxidil foam was finally released.

After reporting this exciting news on our Hair Loss Q & A blog, our hair restoration experts at the hair transplant network evaluated the product and decided to carry generic 5% minoxidil foam at the hair loss treatment shop.

The FDA initially approved Rogaine foam because of both its 85% regrowth rate and proven efficacy, but it was the product’s usability that truly resonated with hair loss sufferers. Many minoxidil users preferred the foam (to the liquid) version because it was easier to apply to the scalp and did not “run” or “streak.” However, despite the improved usability and ease, hair loss sufferers still experienced one significant issue with Rogaine foam: the price.

However, the price, in and of itself, was not necessarily the problem. The problem with the cost of Rogaine foam was the fact that hair loss sufferers did not have a generic foam option. For example, the difference between the Rogaine liquid and generic minoxidil liquid (5%) is an estimated $25 for a three month supply (with Rogaine liquid costing $49.99 and the generic liquid costing $24.99). Without the generic foam version, customers did not have the ability to compare and select a reasonable product within budget. However, with the release of the generic foam, minoxidil users now have the ability to utilize the foam version at reasonable cost!

In Touch magazine reports that actor Tom Cruise recently began utilizing a low level laser therapy (LLLT) cap to prevent losing his “movie star” hair. Allegedly, a friend of the actor claims Cruise is concerned about potential hair loss and started using the Hands Free Hair Rejuvenator cap as a way to halt any progressive thinning.

Although a representative for Mr. Cruise claims the story is “ludicrous,” the situation does bring an important question to light: is the Hands Free Hair Rejuvenator cap a valid hair loss prevention device?

Like many other “at home” low level laser therapy devices, the Hands Free Hair Rejuvenator is a cap that, when placed upon the head of any hair loss suffering man or woman, allegedly penetrates the scalp and stimulates follicular growth. According to the manufacturer:

The Hands Free Hair Rejuvenator employs low level laser therapy (LLLT) that provides pain-free light stimulation for cells in hair follicles, encouraging them to repair themselves. In concert with 30 high-output LEDs that provide a broad array of pulsed light energy, the rejuvenator’s 21 built-in lasers produce a 655nm wavelength–the optimal wavelength used in LLLT for increased cellular activity within hair follicles.

Furthermore, the manufacturers claim that using the device 25-50 minutes a day for 2 consecutive months effectively stimulates follicular growth and reverses significant hair loss.

So, are these claims true? Will this device effectively encourage new hair growth and reverse baldness?

Scalp micropigmentation or SMP (the process of tattooing the scalp to promote an appearance of naturally growing hair) is becoming an increasingly popular procedure for balding men, especially those who’d like to maintain a closely cropped head of hair with an appearance of stubble.  This intriguing procedure is frequently used to camouflage widening scars from previous hair transplant strip procedures.  However, some hair transplant surgeons have begun utilizing this procedure to aid in thickening the appearance of naturally thinning hair.  But is scalp micropigmentation for everyone?  What are the benefits, limitations and practical usage of this procedure?  Is scalp micropigmentation a viable alternative to hair transplant surgery?

In a recent thread at our Hair Loss Discussion Forums, Coalition member Dr. William Rassman presented scalp micropigmentation results he’s working to perfect at his clinic.  Several hair loss patients and hair restoration experts have shared their opinions.  During this discussion, Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. Ron Shapiro shared his insights on the advantages, limitations, and practical usage of Scalp Micropigmentation.  You can view his comments below.

I have been following the improvements in Scalp Micropigmentation over the last year, and I would like to share the limited experience I have had with this technique so far:

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.

Hair loss sufferers will do anything to hide their baldness from the world. While some sport the fancy comb over look, others wear their favorite hats and head coverings.

Today, many hair loss sufferers have turned to topical concealers such as Toppik, Dermmatch, and Nanogen to mask their baldness and create the illusion of a more lustrous head of hair. But how effective are these hair loss products? Do they effectively mask complete baldness or do they work better on consumers with thinning hair? Will concealers hold up under harsh weather conditions and/or when swimming?

Members of our community were recently discussing the effectiveness of Toppik and other topical concealers on our forum. You are encouraged to join in the discussion to read what others are saying and offer your input.

Bill Seemiller
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
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Watch hair transplant videos  on YouTube

Technorati Tags: Hair loss, baldness, comb over, Toppik, Dermmatch, Nanogen, thinning hair, concealers, Bill Seemiller

Dozens of alleged treatments for female and male pattern baldness are manufactured and advertised every year. The question is – do any of these products actually work to stop hair loss or regrow lost hair?

Zenagen advanced hair solution is a shampoo that claims to block DHT (dihydrotestosterone), reduce hair shedding, and speed up hair growth all for approximately $17 per month. But is there any clinical evidence to suggest this shampoo is a successful solution for hair loss?

Recently, new forum member “Grany” who claims to be a physician asked the members of our community for feedback on Zenagen shampoo. You are encouraged to offer your input and/or experience with Zenagen on our hair restoration forum.

Bill Seemiller
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: male pattern baldness, hair loss, Zenagen, hair solution, DHT, dihydrotestosterone, hair shedding, hair growth, Zenagen shampoo, hair restoration, Bill Seemiller

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.  

Hello.   I wanted to ask you if Finpecia, the generic version of Propecia is just as effective for hair loss as the brand name.   How can I be sure?

Assuming you are buying Finpecia from a legitimate resource and it contains the same quantity of the active ingredient finasteride in Propecia, it will be just as effective in stopping hair loss.   Be careful of buying medication online.   Whereas several online pharmacies may be legit, there are horror stories of patients buying what they thought was finasteride and ended up being something entirely different.

Bill
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: Finpecia, Propecia, hair loss, finasteride

This insightful information was posted on our hair restoration forum by Dr. Timothy Carman  of La  Jolla, CA, who is recommended on the Hair Transplant Network.

I have been doing some reading about a topical hair loss treatment called Fluridil that may help block DHT and stop hair loss.   What can you tell me about this drug?

Without going into too great a detail, topical Fluridil preparation acts topically to inhibit the effects of DHT on the hair follicle. Current studies show that, similar to finasteride, there is an increase in the total percentage of hair in the active (anagen) verses resting (catagen) stage (from 76% to 87% at nine months).  I happen to personally know the clinical investigators (Dr. M Sovak, UCSD) and the clinical research facility (UCSD). Their results are clinically significant, and their research work and ethics are highly respected in the scientific research community.

At this time however, Fluridil is not licensed for use in the US.  

The main advantages Fluridil boasts of  what is referred to as  a “hydrophobic” compound; that is, fat soluble. In addition, it is deactivated when coming in contact with water (a “hydrophilic” environment). This last fact makes so that if it is absorbed into the bloodstream from the scalp, it is deactivated as soon as it hits the blood (an aqueous or “hydrophilic” environment). Hence, since it doesn’t enter the circulation, there reportedly are none of the (normally low incidence anyway, 5%) sexual side effects.