Sun 23 Mar 2008
Worried about Sudden Thinning Hair – How Fast Will I Lose My Hair?
Category: Causes of Hair Loss , Common Questions , General Hair Loss TopicsThis insightful information was posted on our hair restoration forum by Dr. Martin Tessler Southfield, MI who is an elite member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.
A sudden thinning hair of my scalp has alarmed me. Not too long ago I stopped taking an SSRI medication, after which I started experiencing hair loss This has happened before, but my hair has seemed to thicken back up afterwards. I’ve been on 1.5mg of Propecia (finasteride) for four months and have just recently started taking Rogaine (minoxidil). I’ve heard that hair loss speeds up as it goes, could this be that? i’d say i’m a level 3V now on the Ludwig Scale, with a lower forehead (thankfully-for now).
The rate of hair loss varies from individual to individual. It can increase for short periods then remain stable for a long time. Propecia or generic finasteride is a very impressive hair loss drug, particularly in younger men with alot of shorter, weaker hairs. When combining it with a single hair transplant surgery, I have seen many of my patients hair thicken up and remain stable for many years (some for more than 10 years)
Dr. Tessler
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Bill
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog
Technorati Tags: thinning hair, hair loss, Propecia, finasteride, Rogaine, minoxidil, Ludwig Scale, hair loss drug, hair transplant
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October 27th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Recently I started to use the Walgreen Store brand of minoxodil 5%. After three treatments my scalp began to ooze puss an I immediately stopped the use. The puss dried up but the scalp is rough, large quantities of dandruff have evolved and the hair loss in the areas of application greatly accelerated. Have you heard of a reaction such as this before? Please help. I will not be able to respond to an email until tomorrow night.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Curtis,
Walgreen’s generic brand should be fine, but minoxidil (especially the liquid containing the propylene glycol) can be very harsh on the scalp for some consumers. I’ve actually seen a severe case of this kind of reaction to minoxidil recently however, I’m surprised that you’ve had such an extreme reaction after only three applications. If your scalp condition hasn’t cleared up after a couple of days of non-use, in my opinion, see a dermatologist who can recommend appropriate treatments for your scalp.
For your hair loss, you may want to consider using Propecia (finasteride), an FDA approved oral treatment proven to inhibit the production of DHT – the hormone responsible for genetic baldness. Because any drug comes with the possibility of side effects, be sure to research and speak to a physician about the benefits, limitations, and potential side effects of this hair loss drug.
Best wishes,
Bill Seemiller
Associate Publisher/Editor