Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

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 suffering from genetic hair loss and considering using Nizoral shampoo as a hair loss treatment.  Other balding individuals have told me to buy the 2% version, but all I see in stores is regular Nizoral.  What does the 2% mean and should I use it?

The 2% in Nizoral shampoo is referring to the active ingredient ketoconazole which has been used for dandruff and appears to have some weak dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inhibition properties.

Nizoral shampoo without the 2% contains 1% of the ketoconazole ingredient. In my opinion, if you are going to use Nizoral as a hair loss treatment, use the 2% (you may have to order online) and use it as an adjunct treatment with Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine 5% (minoxidil, the only two FDA approved hair loss drugs.

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

Technorati Tags: hair loss, Nizoral shampoo, hair loss treatment, balding, dihydrotestosterone, DHT, ketoconazole, finasteride, minoxidil, FDA approved

Help, I am a hair loss sufferer and have have been using Propecia for 6 months.  I am still experiencing hair shedding.  What should I do?  Should I stop using Propecia?

Thank you for your inquiry.  In my opinion, it is best to give Propecia (finasteride) at least one year before deciding whether or not it is working for you.

You might want to consider adding Rogaine 5% (foam or liquid) to your regime which contains active ingredient minoxodil. When used in combination with Propecia, they are said to have a synergistic effect creating a much greater chance of combating future hair loss.  They might even regrow hair.

Adding Nizoral shampoo or Revita shampoo as an adjunct treatment may also prove to be beneficial.  Active ingredient ketoconazole 2% is said to be a weak inhibitor of dihydrotestosterone or DHT, the hormone responsible for genetic hair loss.

Remember that there is no hair loss cure and it is possible that hair loss drugs won’t work for you. But using these 3 hair loss treatments combined (often referred to as the “Big 3″ on our hair restoration forum) is your best chance at regrowing hair.

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

Technorati Tags: hair loss, Propecia, hair shedding, Propecia, finasteride, Rogaine, minoxodil, regrow hair, Nizoral shampoo, Revita shampoo, ketoconazole, dihydrotestosterone, DHT, genetic hair loss, hair loss cure, hair loss drugs, hair loss treatments, hair restoration, regrowing hair

I am a hair loss sufferer and am considering hair transplantation.  What will I expect to pay for a hair transplant?  What other things should I consider?  Should I be taking any medication for hair loss, and if so, what?

The cost of hair replacement surgery will depend on a number of things including the price charged per follicular unit graft by the hair transplant clinic, the type of hair transplant surgery undergone (follicular unit hair transplantation - FUT or follicular unit extraction - FUE / follicular isolation technique - FIT), the number of hair grafts required, and the number of hair restoration surgeries required.  See also more information on hair transplant costs.

Though hair transplant cost is an important factor to consider it shouldn’t be the first. Finding a quality hair transplant physician who has a proven track record of providing positive hair transplant patient results is extremely important.  I strongly encourage you to research and consult with a physician who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians who has met the high level of membership standards of the Hair Transplant Network. 

A balding male or female suffering from genetic hair loss must also develop realistic expectations and hair restoration goals which should be discussed in detail with your hair transplant surgeon. I do not recommend undergoing hair transplant surgery until you are comfortable with the long term hair restoration plan that has been laid out for you.

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair transplantation, hair transplant, hair replacement, hair transplant clinic, follicular unit hair transplantation, FUT, follicular unit extraction, FUE, follicular isolation technique, FIT, hair grafts, hair restoration, hair transplant cost, hair transplant physician, hair transplant patient, balding, genetic hair loss, hair transplant surgeon, hair transplant surgery

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.

The whole issue of hair loss drugs such as Propecia / Proscar (finasteride) or Rogaine (minoxodil) only working in the crown/vertex region of the scalp for hair loss is totally false. The reason these two companies have to say that in their advertising is that the studies they conducted on these hair loss medications were done in those areas, and, because of the strict rules of the FDA, one can only say hair loss drugs work in the area in which you studied it. I have had many, many hair restoration patients given either or both hair loss treatments who have benefited in all other areas of the scalp, including the midscalp on top, the frontal region, and even rarely in the balding recessions in front.

Topical minoxidil and oral finasteride do work synergistically, but I find most male hair loss sufferers aren’t motivated enough or willing to invest the money into taking both.  Research also shows that the prescription-strength Nizoral shampoo  or Revita Shampoo in the form of 2% ketoconazole may also have a slight chance to regrow hair also.

I’m still somewhat of a skeptic on laser therapy devices such as the laser comb and would want to see far more convincing proof before making it a routine hair restoration recommendation in my practice.

Mike Beehner, M.D.

—

Technorati Tags: hair loss, Proscar, finasteride, minoxodil, hair loss medication, hair loss drugs, hair restoration, hair loss treatments, balding, Topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, regrow hair, laser therapy, laser comb

One of our well respected veteran hair loss forum members “Mr. Jobi” has been using Revita shampoo as a hair loss treatment for over 7 months.  Below he has summarized his thoughts on and shares his personal testimony and review of Revita shampoo for hair loss. 

Millions, maybe billions of dollars are spend every year on hair loss products for male pattern baldness. These hair loss treatments may consist of pills, sprays, rinses, etc and of course shampoos. Unfortunately, most of these hair loss treatments have little to no scientific evidence that they provide any benefit for hair loss sufferers whatsoever. Nonetheless, finding the right shampoo regardless of your balding condition is an important cosmetic decision everyone has to make. This in turn can impact your appearance & the overall manageability of your hair.

In this discussion, I will share my input and personal experience with Revita shampoo by DS Laboratories.

Before we start, let me first state that to date there are only 2 proven hair loss medications on the market: finasteride (marketed as Propecia) and minoxidil (marketed as Rogaine).  Dudasteride (marketed as Avodart) also delivers promise though it has not yet been approved for male pattern hair loss. There have also been studies indicating that topical ketoconazole has anti DHT properties & some positive hair count effects. With this in mind, due to the legitimate nature of the ingredient and its popularity within the hair loss community, I have documented the scientific hair loss study on ketoconazole 1% at the bottom of this review.  See the documented scientific hair loss study of ketoconazole 2%.

Technorati Tags: Revita shampoo, hair loss treatment, Revita, hair loss, hair loss products, male pattern baldness, hair loss treatments, balding, DS Laboratories, finasteride, minoxidil, Dudasteride, Avodart, male pattern hair loss, ketoconazole, hair loss community, hair loss study

Aloe Vera as a Hair Loss Treatment 

There are a number of herbal supplements out there that claim to work as a treatment for hair loss.  Whereas there is no question that marketing is over-reaching at best in order to sell a product, the real question that any hair loss sufferer asks is: will this product help combat baldness or is there any chance that it will regrow hair?  To date however, it is important to understand that there is no hair loss cure, therefore realistic expectations must be kept when considering any hair restoration product.

Below I decided to take a look at an herbal supplement that has been said to combat hair loss.  This product is an “active” ingredient in a few hair loss remedies such as HairMax MD.  Aloe Vera is also sold as a stand alone product in local drug stores. 

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera, native to Northern Africa, is a short stemmed plant approximately 90 cm tall. Its leaves are thick and fleshy, grayish green in color. Aloe produces a yellowish flower on a spike toward the top.

Aloe Vera is typically used to treat various skin conditions including cuts and scrapes, and very commonly used for burns such as excessive sunburn. The sap from the Aloe Vera plant allegedly eases pain and reduces inflammation though the evidence that it facilitates wound healing is seemingly contradictory.  For those who have undergone hair transplantation, Aloe Vera is typically used to help with postoperative redness and alleviate scalp dryness, dandruff, and itchiness.

Technorati Tags: Aloe Vera, Hair Loss Treatment, hair loss, baldness, regrow hair, hair loss cure, hair restoration, hair loss remedies, HairMax MD

Tea Tree Oil as a Hair Loss Treatment 

There are a number of herbal supplements out there that claim to work as a treatment for hair loss.  Whereas there is no question that marketing is over-reaching at best in order to sell a product, the real question that any hair loss sufferer asks is: will this herbal product help fight against baldness?  Is there any chance that this product will regrow hair?  To date it is important to understand that there is no hair loss cure, therefore realistic expectations must be kept when considering any hair restoration product.

Below I decided to take a look at an herbal supplement that has been said to combat hair loss.  This product is an “active” ingredient in a few hair loss remedies including HairMax MD.  Tea Tree Oil is also sold as a stand alone product and is often found in fancier shampoos. 

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is a natural agent that may be effective against infectious organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Common use of this agent includes use as a germicide, antibacterial, antiseptic, fungicide, or anti-inflammatory agent. Additionally, it has been used for head lice, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, athletes foot, mouth ulcers, herpes, after shave, toe nail infections, yeast infections, body odor, acne, mosquito bites, cold sores, mouth ulcers, herpes, among other uses.

Technorati Tags: Tea Tree Oil, Hair Loss Treatment, hair loss, baldness, regrow hair, hair loss cure, hair restoration, hair loss remedies, HairMax MD, seborrheic dermatitis

Due to the severe pain I was experiencing on the top back of my head, I went to see a dermatologist who told me that I have hair dystrophia.  Now I was already experiencing some hair loss in that area and in my hairline and he prescribed me variouis lotions including Rogaine.  Rogaine seemed to be working but then I stopped and I experienced more balding.  What should I do?  What hair loss treatments should I use?

Your situation sounds complicated. The first step is to determine the cause of your hair loss condition whether it is genetic or related to some other condition such as dystrophia as your dermatologist has stated.  Therefore it is critical to get medical advice by a dermatologist or a hair restoration specialist.

I have done a lookup on “hair dystrophia” on a few search engines and have returned zero results. Dystrophia in general however, is a condition of abnormal development typically caused by malnutrition.

There have been cases of hair loss reported as a result of severe malnutrition that is unrelated to genetic hair loss.

If your hair loss is as a result of malnutrition of some other cause other than genetics, treating the condition will typically correct the hair loss problem as well - though if a lot of hair was lost due to the condition, all of the lost hair may not return. In your case, if it is a case of malnutrition, adjustments to your diet under guidance of a medical doctor may solve your problem.

Technorati Tags: dystrophia, hair loss, Rogaine, balding, hair loss treatment

I am a 17 year old male and losing my hair already.  There is a family history of hair loss in my family, but my hairline is not receding. What can I do stop from balding?

Androgenetic Alopecia (hereditary hair loss) is the most common type of hair loss.

Though many men suffering from genetic hair loss lose hair in a pattern similar to the norwood scale (male pattern baldness), some men lose hair in a pattern according to the ludwig scale (female pattern baldness).

It is possible, according to the pictures you presented on our hair restoration discussion forum that you are losing hair according to the ludwig scale rather than the norwood scale.  However, either your hair loss is minimal or you are not losing hair at all and that this is your natural hair “part”. 

To determine more accurately if you are going bald and for what reason, it may be beneficial to consult with a dermatologist or a hair restoration specialist.

If it is determined that you are suffering from male pattern baldness, FDA approved hair loss medication such as Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxodil) is your best line of defense against future hair loss. They might even help you regrow hair. A nice adjunct hair loss treatment might be Nizoral shampoo or Revita shampoo which contains active ingredient Ketoconazole which may be a weak inhibitor of dihydrotestosterone or DHT (the hormone responsible for genetic hair loss).

I hope this helps get you started.

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