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This question comes from a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums: 

I recently began researching hair restoration medications and it seems like many hair loss sufferers recommend Nizoral shampoo. How does it work? Is it an effective treatment? Is it proven to fight progressive hair loss?

Ketoconazole (the active ingredient in Nizoral) is first, and foremost, an anti-fungal agent. In this regard, it may have some hair loss impact by reducing scalp inflammation and, therefore, increasing the flow of blood and nutrients to the scalp (though this is my personal opinion).

However, a 1996 study comparing ketoconazole to minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine) helped demonstrate that the anti-fungal also possesses some anti-androgen (hormone) properties. Because of this, it’s believed that ketoconazole may have some “anti-DHT” (dihydrotestosterone) capabilities and can, therefore, help combat hair loss on the hormonal front as well.

Utilizing ketoconazole on the scalp, versus a systemic ingestion (oral administration), allows the drug to absorb and work at the site of administration (the scalp). This means that, much like using topical minoxidil, you won’t see a system wide blockage of DHT, but you can see some action at the scalp itself.

However, keep in mind that, at this point in time, minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia) are the only two drugs fully approved for treating genetic hair loss, and I highly recommend adding these components to your Nizoral regimen (if you haven’t already).
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Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Recently we launched our new online hair loss product shop offering credible and proven non-surgical hair loss products at the lowest prices online. Now we’d like to provide the dedicated members of our Hair Restoration Forum and Social Community with a substantial discount at our store as a thank you for their active participation.

Members who go above and beyond by regularly helping and supporting others will earn a permanent 20% discount after having made “100 genuine and thoughtful posts”.  For more details about qualifying for and obtaining your discount, visit the discussion topic, 20% Online Hair Loss Product Store Discount to Members with Over 100 Helpful Posts.

You are also encouraged to add your suggestions for future incentives by contributing to the topic “Buy Credible Hair Loss Treatments Online at Very Low Prices and Discounts for Members“.

This is a great way to save big on products like Rogaine (minoxidil), Nizoral and much more so don’t delay!

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David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher 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

Get Proven Hair Loss Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new Online Hair Loss Product Store

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair loss products, Hair Restoration, Hair Loss Treatment, Rogaine, minoxidil, Nizoral

Choosing the right hair loss treatment for you requires careful research. Non-surgical hair loss treatments cover a wide variety of products including hair restoration systems, concealers and medications that offer the promise of thicker, fuller hair. While there are more proven and credible hair loss treatments available today than ever before, there are always scammers lurking about, waiting to turn your pain into profit. So, how can you be sure that the treatment you’re buying is legitimate? Below we discuss several credible hair loss products available today.

Every man and woman suffering from genetic baldness should consider the use of both antiandrogens and hair growth stimulators. While antiandrogens like Propecia, Crinagen, Revivogen and shampoos like Nizoral and Revita can help stop hair loss at its core by blocking DHT, hair growth stimulators like Rogaine and Tricomin can help jump start and promote new growth. Note that the only FDA approved and arguably the most effective products for treating hair loss are Propecia and Rogaine. However, women or those men who have experienced adverse side effects while taking Propecia may wish to try natural alternatives.

Often, patients find that using one or two products from each category in combination provides enhanced results. One such combination; Propecia, Rogaine and Nizoral Shampoo has come to be known as “The Big Three” for men. It is widely held among hair loss experts that finasteride and minoxidil, when used in combination, have a synergistic effect on the thinning, balding scalp – that is, the results from both products combined are greater than the sum of their individual results. Adding Nizoral to the mix may inhibit some additional DHT due to its active ingredient ketoconazole which has been shown to be effective in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

Many hair loss sufferers have been duped by marketing hype and scams surrounding bogus treatments promising miracles but delivering disappointment. So how can you be certain which treatments are legitimate and which ones are a waste of time and money? Recognizing the need for a convenient and reputable place to purchase credible and proven non-surgical hair loss treatments, the Hair Transplant Network recently celebrated the launch of its own online store featuring discrete shipping and express delivery.

The publishers of this community have spent countless hours researching these treatments, their benefits and costs. Thus, we are confident that we are offering the very best hair loss solutions at some of the lowest prices online. Visit our online product store now to purchase, review and rate various products proven and scientifically backed to treat baldness.

We will soon be offering additional incentives and discounts to members of the Hair Restoration Forum and Social Network with a proven history of contributing helpful and supportive posts to our community. The number and content of these posts will be considered when rewarding members with substantial discounts. To add your ideas and suggestions for implementing these discounts and additional incentives visit the discussion topic “Buy Credible Hair Loss Treatments at Very Low Prices and Discounts for Forum Members”

You are strongly encouraged to research all products you are considering before purchasing them in order understand the benefits, limitations, and potential side effects of these treatments. To learn more about the only FDA approved treatments for baldness and dozens of alternative solutions, visit the Hair Loss Learning Center.

I have been using Rogaine and Propecia for 3 weeks. How do I know it’s working? I had excess shedding from the minoxidil for the first 11 days. Since then, the shedding has slowed down to what I think is normal. How long does it take for Propecia to start working? Also, my scalp is always itching. This has been going on since before using minoxidil so I know it’s not from that. My doctor can’t see anything on my scalp. Should I be worried?

Estimates vary regarding how long one should wait before assessing the effects of Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) but those estimates generally fall between 8 months and one year.   While these medications are the only two FDA approved and clinically proven treatments for androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness), if and how they will work for each patient will vary. You may eventually notice thicker, fuller hair or you may simply experience a decline in hair loss with no visible hair regrowth. Three months is not nearly long enough to determine if these medications will slow your balding or promote any new hair growth.

The best way to know how well it is working for you is to have your scalp mapped for miniaturization. If that is not possible, then I recommend carefully documenting your hair loss with photographs. Before and after photos can tell a great deal.

This question, from a member of the Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by recommended hair restoration physician Dr. William Lindsey:

Which vitamins and supplements are the top ones to help hair growth?

There are lots of anecdotal reports of supplements, shampoos and lasers out there that claim to do wonders for hair loss and most anything else. Before you spend significant money, try to find a controlled study published in a peer reviewed medical journal in the US or Europe   showing that whatever product you are interested in actually has a clinical effect in human beings.

If you can find even one study, then I’d say it’s likely worth a try. If you can’t, ask yourself why. All doctors want to show how great their results are. If a doctor finds something that works, I guarantee you that he wants to be the first to publish it!

I can completely understand balding patients wanting to try things they hear about and avoid or augment medications like Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) or hair transplant surgery. All I’m saying is, know what you are spending your hard earned money on.

Dr. William Lindsey – Mclean, VA

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David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher 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
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This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Glenn Charles of Florida who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians. His professional answer is below.

For the past few years I have tended to shampoo my hair very carefully in the area where I have the most hair loss (top and frontal areas): Almost dabbing the shampoo in. The reason for this is whenever I try to massage the shampoo in, as most of the instructions on shampoos recommend, I find that I end up with a load of hairs dropping out and stuck to my hands. How should apply the shampoo to avoid further balding? Also, I am thinking of using Nizoral and Proscar as a test to see if these are effective in reducing the number of   hairs I lose daily.

Trying Propecia (finasteride) daily and Nizoral shampoo a few times a week is a reasonable plan to start out with. You should give it at least 6-9 months before re-evaluating. You can always make changes to your hair loss regimen or consider hair transplant surgery in the future if necessary. Prevention is the key.

Gently messaging the scalp while shampooing is the correct way to wash. Just use common sense and don’t pull too hard on fragile hairs that are in areas of the scalp that are already thinning.

Dr. Glenn Charles

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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

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

Cosmetic hair products for grooming and styling can help you improve your image and your life style. They can change your look, reshape your face and thereby make you look younger. If you are experiencing thinning hair, there are some products that can be used to make your hair look fuller and thicker. Styling and grooming products such as shampoos, conditioners, hair spray, gel, mousse and blow dryer can be used to manage the hair into the desired style. They can also add more body and make the hair look shinier, thicker and voluminous. Hair coloring agents make you look younger and are used to minimize the contrast between the hair color and the color of the skin, thus creating the illusion of more hair. Perming and curling can make the hair look thicker by camouflaging some of the thinning areas.

The hair shaft is made of keratinized cells, and subjected to various environmental aggressions and chemical products. Hair shaft is broken into three major layers which include:

1. The cuticle (outside)
2. The cortex
3. The medulla (central layer)

Every week, hundreds of hair loss questions are answered on our hair restoration forum and received in our inbox. Below, we’ve collected some of these hot topic questions of the week and posted responses by veteran hair transplant patients and leading hair restoration physicians.

You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair forum or privately by using the contact page.

Which “All Natural” Treatments Are Most Effective?

Do Higher Hair Transplant Densities Affect Hair Growth Survival? (Dr. Beehner)

How an Underactive Thyroid Can Contribute to Female Hair Loss

Is it ok to take Finasteride and Dutasteride Simultaneously to Treat Baldness?

Contradictory Reports: Does Nioxin Cause or Stop Balding?

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair restoration, hair transplant