Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

I am a 24 year old man and my scalp hair is miniaturizing in the middle.  I fear that I am going bald. How can I stop it?  What is the reason? How can I make my hair grow?  Please advise me?

You are most likely experiencing androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness), the most common reason men and women lose their hair.  Treatment options such as Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) are the best options for this type of hair loss and when used together, give you the best to treat baldness and more rarely stimulating hair regrowth.  They are not miracle cures so reasonable expectations need to be developed and maintained.

Consult with a physician about the benefits, limitations, and possible side effects with these medications.

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

Technorati Tags: bald, hair grow, androgenic alopecia, male pattern baldness, Propecia, finasteride, Rogaine, minoxidil, hair loss, treat baldness, hair regrowth

Many balding men want to find that “one” hair loss treatment option that will best treat baldness.  But in a world where no cure exists, perhaps a combination of proven treatment options can be of greater benefit.  Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil both work differently and have proven to fight against alopecia.  Which one works better?  Is there a benefit to using one over the other?  Will a combination treatment increase my chances of stimulating hair regrowth?

Click here to read how others have successfully used both medications and why a combination treatment may be superior to one over the other.  You are encouraged to contribute your thoughts and experiences on our hair restoration forum.

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

Technorati Tags: balding, hair loss treatment, treat baldness, Propecia, finasteride, Rogaine, minoxidil, alopecia, hair regrowth, hair restoration

They say finasteride is for men between 18 to 41, so after 41 we should stop using it?

It would be a good idea to seek a physician’s advice on this however, many men well past 41 years of age use Propecia with great success to both stop hair loss and more rarely, regrow hair.  Balding men who start this treatment soon after they start losing hair have the best chance at success with this medication.

In addition, combining this treatment option with Rogaine (minoxidil) will give you the greatest chance to treat baldness and stimulate hair regrowth.

Don’t expect miracles as non-surgical hair loss treatment options rarely cause significant hair regrowth.  Surgical hair restoration is really the only proven treatment that will regrow hair in completel bald areas.

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

Technorati Tags: finasteride, Propecia, hair loss, regrow hair, Balding, losing hair, Rogaine, minoxidil, treat baldness, hair regrowth, hair loss treatment, hair regrowth, hair restoration, bald

I’ve been on Propecia and Rogaine for about 5 months.  I was always pretty chunky, weight wise. However, without changing diet or exercise routines, I have noticed that my weight has seemed to increase by about 22 pounds.  I’ve been promising myself to begin an intensive exercise routine however, is it possible that Propecia has caused me to gain weight?

I guess I could see a correlation somewhere since Propecia plays with hormones and inhibits DHT to stop hair loss. Can finasteride result in some changes in the way my body processes and stores food?

Weight gain is not listed as a potential side effect on Propecia’s website.

In my opinion, even if there was a correlation between Propecia and androgenic alopecia, nothing beats good old fashioned diet and exercise to lose weight. I’ve been on Propecia for hair loss for 3.5 years and have maintained my weight by eating right and regularly going to the gym.

 Be sure to consult with a physician and research Propecia in order to learn about the benefits and potential side effects of using this hair loss treatment. 

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

Technorati Tags: Propecia, Rogaine, DHT, stop hair loss, finasteride, androgenic alopecia, hair loss, hair loss treatment

I have very find hair and although I am told by hair stylists that I have a lot of it, it appears very thin on top.  I don’t think hair transplant surgery is the right procedure for me.  Do you know of any hair loss treatment that will give me more hair to cover the wide part of my scalp showing through the hair?  I have tried Rogaine which worked temporarily despite continued use.  I spent a lot of money on a hair piece alopecia wig that is not comfortable and I believe looks obvious.  It is very difficult to hide the wide part with anything and I do not like the short and spiky hair with bands that are the mainstay of hair pieces.  I hope you can help and please be specific if you have any hair loss solutions.

You have mentioned a number of possibilities already however, there are a few more.  Sadly, none of them are miracle cures or perfect solutions, but are worth considering.

Non-Surgical Hair Loss Treatments

Propecia for men only (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) are FDA approved hair growth drugs and when used together, they may boost your chances of hair regrowth. 

Ketoconazole hair loss shampoo such as Nizoral and Revita may be helpful adjunct treatments given the “weak” DHT blocking properties of ketoconazole. 

Laser hair treatment has been FDA “cleared” however, in my opinion, not enough evidence publicly exists for me to recommend it. 

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, hair loss treatment, Rogaine, hair piece, alopecia wig, hair loss solutions, Hair Loss Treatments, Propecia, finasteride, minoxidil, hair growth, hair regrowth, Ketoconazole, hair loss shampoo, Nizoral, Revita, DHT, Laser hair treatment

I am losing hair every moment. I have been using Rogaine with minoxidil for over a year and it’s no use. My scalp gets irritated from using it. What is the reason? What can be done to stop hair loss?

Please know that  a certain amount of hair shedding is normal, up to 50-100 hairs per day.  Learn more about the normal hair growth cycle.

If your hair loss is genetic and you are male, you can also use Propecia, an oral hair loss treatment which helps to inhibit DHT, the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness.

Topical minoxidil liquid contains an ingredient called propylene glycol that is known to possibly irritate the scalp. Switching to Rogaine foam may be of benefit since it doesn’t contain this ingredient.

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

Technorati Tags: losing hair, Rogaine, minoxidil, stop hair loss, hair shedding, hair loss, Propecia, hair loss treatment, DHT, male pattern baldness, Rogaine foam

I am a 19 year old male and have a lot of hair loss which is leading to baldness. Is it okay for me to go for hair transplant surgery now or should I wait for a longer time until I become completely bald. The balding pattern can be recognized in my case as a level 7 on the norwood scale.  What should I do?

Thank you for your inquiry.

From the sounds of it, you appear to have very aggressive hair loss for being only 19 years of age.  Younger balding men and women are typically not good hair restoration surgical candidates however, if you are already close to a level 7 on the norwood scale and if you have and maintain very realistic expectations, you may be a candidate.

If you still have a good amount of natural hair and you want to keep it, I strongly recommend considering FDA approved hair loss treatment drugs such as Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) which may help stop your alopecia in its tracks and potentially stimulate hair regrowth].

Please keep in mind that hair transplantation is not a baldness cure and at high levels of loss, you will never be able to achieve a full head of hair.  I strongly encourage you to view these hair transplant photos by norwood scale to see what you might be able to expect in your case.

I strongly encourage you to consult with an elite hair transplant surgeon who can analyze your case and work with you to best meet your goals.

Technorati Tags: hair loss, baldness, hair transplant, bald, balding, norwood scale, hair restoration, hair loss treatment, Propecia, finasteride, Rogaine, minoxidil, alopecia, hair regrowth, hair transplantation, baldness cure

There is nothing better than following a real patient’s live hair restoration progress.  No gimmicks, no games, only a real balding male trying to restore his hair. Visit our hair loss forum to read about this patient’s continued experience and progress with Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil to date, what he hopes and expects for the long term.  Join him on his emotional journey as he attempts to successfully restore his hair.  Feel free to add your own experiences, thoughts, and support for this patient.

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

Technorati Tags: hair restoration, balding, Propecia, finasteride, Rogaine, minoxidil

Hello, I’m 23 years old suffering from male pattern baldness and have been developing a bald spot on my crown for about 18 months now.  I have been saving for a hair transplant but I really dont know who to go to for the procedure.  The internet is just packed with so much information.  Could anyone recommend a hair restoration physician in the Sydney area?  I’d really appreciate any feedback.

Before considering surgery, have you considered non surgical hair loss treatment options such as Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) to help with hair loss prevention?  When using these two drugs in combination with one another, you are presented with the greatest chance of stimulating hair regrowth].

Keep in mind that hair transplantation does nothing to combat against future baldness.   Instead, a surgeon removes hair from the “safe zone” on the sides and back of your head and transplants it into balding areas of your scalp.  For those who are still losing hair, non surgical hair loss products become an important overall part of one’s long term restoration game plan.

In my opinion, consider Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) for a year (assuming no side effects), and then reconsider whether or not hair replacement surgery is right for you.

Best wishes,

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

Technorati Tags: male pattern baldness, bald, hair transplant, hair restoration, hair loss treatment, Propecia, finasteride, Rogaine, minoxidil, hair regrowth, hair transplantation, baldness, balding, losing hair, hair replacement

Am I required to take and continue on Propecia (finasteride) in order to undergo hair transplant surgery?  Why or why not?

This question was posed by a hair loss sufferer on our hair restoration forum and answered by Dr. Michael Beehner of Saratoga Springs, NY who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians. His professional answer is below.

When my new hair transplant patients ask me whether or not they should also go on Propecia (finasteride), I use the following two scenarios to explain the difference:

Imagine that you and I have a brief consultation visit in approximately four years to see how your hair is doing. If you have both the hair transplants AND go on Propecia (finasteride), we will see the ADDITION of two things: the transplanted hair PLUS the increase in hair mass that occurs in a majority of finasteride treated hair loss patients. On the other hand, if you only have the hair replacement surgeries, then 4 years from now we will be looking at a SUBTRACTION, namely, the positive effect of the new transplanted hair, MINUS the progression of male pattern baldness that occurred during that time. There is an enormous visual difference between those two scenarios. The ironic part is that in the first scenario the hair transplant doctor gets more credit than he deserves for his hair transplant efforts, whereas in the second scenario, the patient often blames the doctor for having had NO EFFECT on his hair loss with hair restoration surgery!

Technorati Tags: Propecia, finasteride, hair transplant, hair loss, hair transplant patient, transplanted hair, hair mass, hair replacement, hair transplant doctor, hair restoration