September 2007 – Page 11

September 6, 2007

Dr Lewenberg’s Formula – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

hello;

I am taking Propecia along with Rogain. I just bought a new product called doctor lewenberg’s formula. it is 2% minoxidil with 0.025% tretinoin (retin-a). Will this product work better than monoxidil alone? also, I am using propecia and would like to stop because I believe it is effecting my sex life. Low ejaculate folume is my proplem. Do you think that stopping the propcia will help with that problem and do you think that the new minoxidil formular is better than minoxidil alone/ thank you.

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Dr Lewenberg's Formula I receive questions like this almost everyday. I often find it amazing and humorous since people purchased these shampoos/formulas for treating their hair loss and yet then they ask me if the various products actually work. Sometimes these products are so overpriced and people are still hoping against hope that these will be the magical cure they are looking for.

I looked into pricing for Dr. Lewenberg’s Formula, and their site says, “You will not achieve regrowth unless you use 10 bottles over 3 month period.” The “original formula” will set you back $300 for 10 bottles, while their “new and improved” stuff costs $350 for 10 bottles. Yes, it is priced higher than Propecia (an FDA approved and proven medication), yet apparently some people still buy this.

Retin-A produces irritation of the skin, a sort of light burn which is thought to increases the circulation as the body tries to repair the burn. As a result, it is theorized that blood supply to the scalp increases and any medications such as minoxidil (which is in Lewenberg’s formula) gets better absorbed. There is no firm conclusion on burn effect / increased circulation with Retin-A and I would rather use a higher concentration of the generic minoxidil (5%) and even Rogaine Foam 5%, which also has better absorption.

If you are having side effects from Propecia, you need to discuss it with your doctor that prescribed you the medication. In my opinion, Propecia is the best medical option for men with androgenic alopecia.

As I’ve often said, “It is a buyer beware market“. Just remember, there is no proof that any of these products really work (besides minoxidil and finasteride). For more about Dr. Lewenberg’s Formula, see Hair Loss Help – User Reviews.

September 6, 2007

Is The White Bulb on a Fallen Hair Seen as an Thyroid or Tumor Problem? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am attending cosmetology school and my theory teacher told the class that when u shed hair, if hair comes out and has the little white bulb on the end of the hair strand than it is an internal problem such as thyroid or tumors and if it doesnt then that means its more than likely an external problem and me and 2 of my friends have the bulb on the root of our hair strand, does that mean that we have something wrong?

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Bulb (not related to hair) It is normal to see a white bulb on a pulled hair. There is no connection to diseases or tumors and the white bulb at the end of fallen hairs. If you pull your hair (don’t make a routine of it) a few hairs will come out and some of them will have white bulbs. Hair coming out is part of the hair cycle and the hairs that come out are about to go into telogen.

Hair follicle cells have three phases of growth:

Growth phase (Anagen phase) which lasts anywhere from 2 to 6 years. This is the phase where your hair is actively growing at approximately 10cm per year. 85% of hair is at this phase at any given time.
Transitional phase (Catagen phase) which lasts about 2 weeks. This is the phase where the hair follicle shrinks and prepares to enter the resting phase.
Resting phase (Telogen phase) which lasts about 1-6 months. This is the phase where hair does not grow, but stays attached to the follicle. Some hairs are shed at this phase, but at the end the hair follicle re-enters the growth phase to start the cycle over again. 10-15% of hairs are at this phase at any given time.

September 6, 2007

Partial Hysterectomy Has Left Me With Hot Flashes and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I had a partial Hysterectomy in January 2007. My ovaries are still intact. For about 3 months now I have had tons of hair just break off at the scalp, I went to my gynecologist that performed my surgery he ran some labs and told me that my hormone levels are fine, but I am having severe hot flashes and daily hair loss(it’s coming out in clumps) It has me in tears and I used to have beautiful thick hair. Can you give me some helpful information, Please. Thank you

You need to be examined by a good doctor who understands hair loss in women. Hair loss is present in almost 50% of post menopausal women.

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September 6, 2007

Fluticasone Propionate and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I was reading some of your blogs and in “Sudden Hair Loss Years After Transplant” from November 23 2005 it makes mention of nasenx possibly causing hair loss. I am taking a similiar medication called Fluticasone Propionate, could this cause hair loss? I use it as directed which is 1 spray per nasal per day. I actually started it the same time I started Propecia which has been 4 months ago. I am 28 years old and MBP runs in my family. Propecia has slowed down the hairloss and hopefully I will see some regrowth in the near future.

I doubt fluticasone is causing hair loss. Fluticasone is a medication used for seasonal allergy. If you have been reading this site, you should know that medications (such as fluticasone) are the last on the list of the cause of hair loss. If you are losing hair, it may be due to male pattern balding in which you are taking Propecia for. You should get your scalp hair mapped out for miniaturization and get a diagnosis from a reputable and competent physician.

September 6, 2007

Facial Edema from Minoxidil – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

What can we do about the facial edema we get from minoxidil? Is there any way to minimize or reduce the swelling, especially upon waking up?

Stop using minoxidil if you have developed facial edema from it. It may be a serious sign of an allergic reaction. You need to discuss this with your doctor, as there may be other medical problems you are not aware of.

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September 6, 2007

Blocking DHT Type I and Type II – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dr. Rassman,

DHT type II is found predominantly in hair follicles
DHT type I is found predominantly in the skin

Do you know if the inhibition of DHT type I can negatively impact the rate of skin aging? Pseudohermaphrodites offer a good biological modelf for type II deficiency, and I haven’t heard that they age any differently than men with normal hormonal profiles. But what about type I deficiency? Are you in contact with any dermatologists who might know about this, or at least have a theoretical response?

There are drugs that block both type I and II DHT, but they do not impact skin and aging. Biochemistry and the most logical scientific reasoning and models do not always correlate with what we observe. Blocking 100% of DHT (type I or II) does not stop or reverse hair loss and a 100% block of DHT is unlikely from a practical point of view.

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September 5, 2007

My Hairline Has Matured at Age 17 – Does That Say Anything About My Future Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello,
I have read a few posts previous to my post, inwhich you reassured people that gaining a “mature hairline” at a early age (17 in my case), certainly DOESNT mean that you WILL definitely experience further balding past the “mature hairline”. on this subject i have two short questions:

Is there any medical evidence based on maturing hairlines that states that they are definitely separate from the balding process (past the mature hairline)

Since i reached a mature hairline at 17, does this mean i will have a greater chance to actually have the balding gene, or is this just me thinking the worst?

thanks for the great service you provide

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The answer to both questions is no, but a good Master Plan should be made with sound metrics on the mapping of your scalp for miniaturization to cover you in the future if you should develop hair loss.

For more about the maturing hairline, see Maturation of a Hairline — Moving From Juvenile to Mature.

September 5, 2007

Will Taking Hydroxyzine Harm My Hair Transplant? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

(female) I had a hair transplant in January of this year for thinning from the front of my crown to the back of my crown…1500 grafts. I am now taking hydroxyzine for my anxiety disorder and wanted to make sure it would not harm my hair growth.

Thank you for your time

Hydroxyzine will not harm your hair transplant. Please consult with your hair transplant doctor or your psychiatrist if you have further concerns. You should never start or stop a medication without consulting your doctor. I am not your doctor.

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September 5, 2007

Taking Propecia a Month After a Hair Transplant to Stop Shock Loss? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dr. Rassman

One month after HT I started Propecia hoping that it would slow down the shock loss that I am experiencing. Will propecia indeed contribute to helping reduce the shock loss?

Thanks for your help, this blog is a great resource.

It may help, but it isn’t in the ‘nick of time’ at this stage. You should have been taking Propecia before the surgery. It would not be a waste to take it now though.

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September 5, 2007

Make Your Own Laser Comb for Under $50 – Balding Blog

This is not an endorsement of the laser technology, just a video that some of you may find interesting and useful. No, I did not make this. The video was made by prolific Metacafe.com video blogger KipKay. For info on the HairMax LaserComb (the commercial product that sells for around $350 more), you can read the posts here.

Update: KipKay wrote in to let me know the video has been removed due to some apparently legal issue. Sorry, folks.

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