Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

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

Our hair loss community was created for balding men and women to review, critique, and challenge marketing hype and learn the most effective ways to treat baldness.

Below we’ve listed and reviewed several popular hair loss products on the market today. Follow the links below to a product you’d like to know more about learn whether these popular products show any proof they can stop hair loss.

Procerin Hair Treatment for Men: This “All-Natural” product includes a number of ingredients considered alternatives to Propecia (finasteride), a drug proven to block the production of DHT and treat baldness.

Extreme Hair Therapy (EXT): This non-surgical 5 step hair loss treatment program has been developed by Hair Club to “rejuvenate your hair”.

Revivogen: This popular topical treatment contains several “all-natural” ingredients conjectured to  stop alopecia in its tracks by blocking DHT naturally without side effects.

Revita Shampoo: Relatively new to the market, this shampoo boasts a number of ingredients, many of which claim to contribute to stopping further loss of hair and possibly stimulate hair regrowth.

Saw Palmetto: This highly popular “All-Natural” supplement is found in many popular hair loss treatments and conjectured to block DHT.  Learn the facts about saw palmetto and draw your own conclusions on whether or not it can treat baldness.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, balding, baldness, hair loss products, stop hair loss, Propecia, finasteride, DHT, treat baldness, hair loss treatment, Hair Club, alopecia, hair regrowth, hair loss treatments, saw palmetto

Nizoral shampoo has become known as a potentially helpful adjunct hair loss treatment to FDA approved drugs like Propecia and Rogaine. Nizoral shampoo has been known to cause dry hair and scalp if it’s overused. However, a transplanted scalp, even with today’s latest techniques takes time to properly heal. Given Nizoral shampoo’s tendency to dry the scalp and hair, what precautions must one take in using it? Should hair transplant patients put using Nizoral on hold while the scalp heals? If so, for how long?

Showcase for Coalition member Dr. Feller 0f New York and patient member “Spex” shares his view on using Nizoral on our hair restoration forum immediately after a hair replacement surgery. You are encouraged to join in the discussion and offer your feedback.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss treatment, FDA approved drugs, Nizoral shampoo, Nizoral, hair transplant, Dr. Feller, hair replacement

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. 

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.

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.

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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).  Dutasteride (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%.

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.