hair loss treatment

I noticed the Hairmax Lasercomb has received FDA approval to treat hair loss. However when I try to find any information on the effectiveness of this treatment can not find information.

Do you have any opinions on Laser Comb treatments?

Thanks.
Michael

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The reason that you are having a difficult time gathering information about the laser comb for hair restoration is because it is not very good. Studies are few and far between, and reliable information is lacking.  In practice, I have not heard many good things about laser comb therapy. Based on what I have read and seen, I do not feel that the laser comb is a product worth buying.

If the laser comb therapy actually worked well, it would have already spread like wild fires.  In reality, the technology behind the comb has been around for decades.  This is why the device has FDA approval. Since the laser technology pre-dates when the FDA began its supervisory role, the technology was “grandfathered” into an FDA approval..  Therefore, this device did not have to pass through today’s stringent FDA approval process.

I have been progressively losing my hair for about the past five years, but I am concerned about using propecia because of sexual side effects. I’ve been researching hair transplants but have read that if you have a hair transplant then you have to take propecia to maintain the new hair. This does not make sense to me. I was under the impression that the hair from a hair transplant will last a lifetime. Can you shed some light on this for me?

Your questions and are commonly expressed concerns. Unfortunately you have read incorrect information. Transplanted hair is not dependent on Propecia. The donor hair follicles are genetically different from the follicles that are effected by male pattern baldness. Donor follicles are not sensitive to normal levels of dehydroxytestosterone (DHT). Once transplanted to areas of balding scalp these follicles will continue to produce living hair. Propecia or finasteride lowers DHT levels reducing the effect on native (non-transplanted) follicles and by doing so helps to control progression of male pattern baldness.
Read the Story

I’m a 23 year old male who seems to be thinning towards a norwood 5ish pattern. I have taken propecia in both 1mg and .5 mg, but have experienced side effects both times. I use Rogaine 5% foam 2x daily. I’m wondering what my next plan of action should be. Should I keep trying propecia? Is it possible to have hair transplant work done if you are not on propecia? Thanks.
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First of all, studies on Propecia showed that approximately 2% of patients who take the medication will experience a decrease in libido, or sex drive. Interestingly, in half of the patients who experienced this side effect, it resolved despite continuing to take the medication; the other half had to discontinue treatment for this side effect to subside. The question in your particular situation is, then, how long you have taken the drug. If it is only for a short time frame, for example, a couple of months, then I would advise you to continue it to see if your body adapts to the medication and the side effects subside. Other options are to change the time of day in which you take the drug. That is if you usually take it in the morning, try taking it at bedtime , or vice versa, and see if that makes a difference . You might also try taking it every other day. Obviously if you have taken it for longer term and attempted to make these changes in dosing schedule and, the side effects persist, you will have to make the decision to discontinue the medication. Read the Story

I’d like to start taking Propecia, but I heard that it can cause prostate cancer. Is this true and if so what else can I take to stop my hair loss?

To my knowledge there has never been any evidence linking the use of Propecia and the development of Prostate Cancer. There was a recent study that followed a large group of men taking Propecia for several years. The study showed that in addition to the slowing down of hair loss, men taking Propecia had a lower incidence of BPH (Benign Prostate Hypertrophy) and a lower rate of Prostate Cancer than the general population. However the few people who did develop Prostate Cancer had higher grades of Cancer. The authors reasoning for this is that Propecia helps to keep the Prostate gland smaller which in turn leads to a lower rate of Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (enlargement) converting to Prostate Cancer. For those patients whose predisposition for developing Cancer was so strong (higher grade of Cancer) the Propecia had no effect on them. Read the Story

I am writing because I am wondering what to do for my situation. I am 25 years old with extreme diffuse thinning. Lucky me huh? I think it resembles more female pattern type hair loss and the donor hair, side top everywhere is evenly thinned. I think I’ve done enough research to figure out that I am probably not a candidate for a hair transplant due to not having a very stable donor hair area, and also I hear doctors don’t want to transplant guys that are too young. So this is one of those times age isn’t on my side. What do I do? I don’t want to depress anyone, but this has ruined my life, or perhaps more appropriately stated, robbed me of the one I had before. Not a lot of 25 year old women wanting to date a guy with hair like their grandfather. Do guys with diffuse thinning respond well to Propecia or Rogaine? thanks.

You are correct that if you have diffuse thinning by age 25, you would not be a candidate for a hair transplant. I would use both Finasteride and Rogaine and begin these medications as soon as possible. With diffuse thinning, it is possible to have a dramatic response. Read the Story

A few years ago I had a very successful micro-graft hair transplant surgery (two sessions) and aftercare has been combination of Rogaine and Propecia with great results. Wondering if I should stay with the 1mg Propecia — or any benefits of ramping Propecia up with the 5mg. tablets?

There is no scientific data to suggest that increasing the propecia 1 mg per day to proscar 5 mg per day will improve growth or prevent further loss better than your present regiment. The side effects of finasteride are dose related. That means that you increase your chances of side effects with the 5 mg dose per day without increasing the clinical benefit. Stay with your present regimen and it appears the results have been favorable.

Lawrence Samuels, MD
Member, International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons

I am 18 years old and notice male pattern baldness taking place. I am currently take propecia, but still notice that my hair is receding at the temples. This is really bothering me, it is all I think about and my self- esteem has gone down. Should I take Avodart along with propecia? I really don’t want to go bald. Please if there’s anything else I can do please let me know.

Hello. I certainly understand your concern but I suggest you take a step back and take a deep breath before considering any aggressive and potentially harmful options to treat your hair loss.  First, from your description, it’s likely that you are the only one who notices your hair loss at this point.  So I suggest you get an objective opinion from a reputable hair restoration specialist before doing anything else.  Second, if you are thinking about your hair loss all the time then I strongly suggest you speak with a professional therapist who can help you put this issue into perspective and keep it from becoming an obsession.  I would certainly continue the Propecia and consider adding minoxidil 5%, even applied along the hairline.  It does sometimes help there.  At your age, I would strongly advise against Avodart.  This medication, which has not been proven to be any more effective than Propecia, does have disconcerting side effects in some men such as a significant reduction in your sperm count.  Your hair restoration specialist will be able to follow your progress objectively with photographs and modify your treatment when needed.

Gregory Pistone, MD
Member, International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons

Move over Magnet Therapy, here comes Low Laser Light Therapy. You all may not believe it, but the latest insult to the intelligence of the general public now comes from those who advocate the use of laser beams to re-grow hair.

The never ending effort to role back common sense in the pursuit of quick cash is ever present in this enterprise. Among it’s conspirators (witting and unwitting) are doctors, scientists, news reporters, and even the U.S. Government…the very people and groups whom the general public traditionally trusts and looks to for verification and validity.

What’s all the hubbub about? I’m embarrassed to say that its about the cute little laser pointer that you may have bought at your local toy store to entertain your kids or your pets. You know the one, the little cylinder you can put on your keychain to shine a small red dot on the wall across the room. That one. Read the Story

I’m 17 yeas old and I’m losing my hair like crazy. I went to my family doctor and he recommended Rogaine, but it is not working for me. What else can I do and should I eventually just go for a hair transplant?

I would recommend that you see a specialist in hair loss such as a hair restoration specialist or a dermatologist with a special interest in hair loss to examine your scalp and give you a likely reason for your hair loss. Something to consider is that a person with a full head of hair may lose 100 or more hairs per day as the follicles go into their normal resting or “telogen” phases. If you are seeing approximately this number in the drain after you wash your hair or in your brush or comb this may be “normal” daily loss. You should also keep in mind the history of the men in your family, both your mother’s and father’s side. If they have lost their hair at an early age you may in fact have early onset androgenetic alopecia, in other words, male pattern baldness. If this is the case then medical therapy is critical in order to slow or possibly stop the process. Read the Story

Finasteride, which is the generic name for Propecia, has been approved for the treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss since 1998. Finasteride works by inhibiting the enzyme ,5 alpha reductase type II, that forms DHT. There has been a lot of interest by both patients and physicians in dutasteride, which is a drug that inhibits both type I and type II 5 alpha reductase enzyme. Read the Story