Month: January 2023

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I Inhaled Toppik!

Hi,

I accidently inhaled too much Toppik protein fibers through my nose yesterday and I’m a little concerned. I felt it in my nose several minutes after the application and I’m currently experiencing a slight burning sensation in my upper chest. Should this clear up on its own? And how really safe is this product?

I appreciate your help.

Thanks!

You should seek medical attention. These are fibers and they certainly can be an irritant to the lungs.


2008-06-24 12:53:59I Inhaled Toppik!

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I Hit My Head on the Sidewalk and Now There’s a Bald Spot Where it Healed

I have a scar from hitting my head on the sidewalk 3 months ago. The gash on my scalp has healed very nicely(thin red line) but there’s a bald spot to one side of where the gash has healed. How long do I wait to find out if hair will grow back there and why is it not bald on both sides of the gash?

If the spot lasts more than 5-6 months, you can probably see someone about treating it. Sometimes a limited transplant can work nicely on scalp scars from accidents.

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I heard that hair loss is often caused by autoimmune diseases

I heard that hair falling is an autoimmune disease, with the body attacking its own hairs. Then, there is Wim Hof (google him), that has scientifically shown to control consciously so many processes in his body that were previously thought to be impossible.

Some forms of alopecia have an autoimmune cause. This is more common in women then men. 99% of men who are losing their hair find genetic causes inherited through various family lines.


2019-04-08 13:27:33I heard that hair loss is often caused by autoimmune diseases

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I Heard Losing 100 Hairs a Day is a Myth!

hey doc!
i heard that losing 100 hairs a day is normal. i have also read that this is a myth and the correct number is 20-50. can you give some input?

thanks

It is normal to lose 100 to as much as 200 hairs a day. Where are you getting your source of information? Keep in mind that you have somewhere around 100,000 hairs on your scalp. Now let’s do the math. If there are 100 hairs per day lost, multiply that by 365 days, and then triple that number (average hair cycle is 3 years) and you will come close to 100,000 hairs.

That reflects the average hair cycle so the 100 hairs per day lost means that your body is replacing 100 hairs per day at the same time, so that there is a net ZERO hair loss in a person with a hair cycle that lasts 3 years.


2011-10-11 14:25:17I Heard Losing 100 Hairs a Day is a Myth!

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I Haven’t Used Shampoo In Days and My Hair Feels Fuller

I have the same type of hair loss as my father. My father suggested not using shampoo, saying that his hair loss was better after not using it. I haven’t been shampooing for two days, and my hair FEELS thicker and fuller, but I’m not sure if that’s just a placebo effect.

Will NOT using shampoo cause more hair loss, because of sebum build-up etc?

If you don’t wash your hair, you will build up grease and grime from the environment, as well as wax from the glands located in each hair follicle which secrets sebum. Your hair may appear thicker as the grime builds up, but this will not impact hair growth one way or the other.


2012-05-07 09:11:19I Haven’t Used Shampoo In Days and My Hair Feels Fuller

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I Haven’t Had Hair Loss in 14 Years, But I’ve Started Propecia Anyway

I am asking this question in regards to the rate of hair loss and the multiple minaturization studies conducted. I have had HT at [name removed] twice 1994 and 1996 (small procedures 125 total, they robbed and mamed me) but the next two were with [name removed] in MI. The latest in July 2001 and Oct 2007. Just started propecia again Sept 2007 (real good results on propecia) Dr. stated that my min study did not show thinning on the top sides and or upper part of the back of head (taken in 2004, 2005 2006 and 2007) / my stylist also stated the same thing by not noticing any changes for the several years of cutting my hair (*just a little in the front and crown but nowhere else). I still have a decent bridge in the middle (slight thinning) and my brother who started thinning in the same pattern at 28 has the same pattern which he is now 41 with no hair loss product (more hair in fornt of head though). My transplants were just in the front and hopefully my last.

I started thinning at age 24 and the top sides and upper back of head are thick with no signs of miniaturization even being off hair loss products for almost ten years. Is this a good sign that the patten will stay?

That’s an interesting history and some tough times you’ve had. If you have been off hair loss products for 10 years with no progressive balding, but you just started on Propecia (which is a hair loss product) and it is working nicely, then you should stay on the Propecia.

Honestly, I am surprised that you think that Propecia is already working for you, as it usually takes 8 months to see any benefit (the hair only grows 1/2 inch a month). If you stop the Propecia, then you will probably lose all of the hair gain benefits that the drug gave you. I gather from your letter that you are happy with where your hair is now, correct?

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I Haven’t Consistently Used Minoxidil — Is It OK to Just Stop Completely?

I’ve been using minoxidil on and off for about 8 months now. I apply it once a day and quite often miss days or a few days. At one point I missed two weeks. I don’t think it has done much for my hair and have recently started propecia. With regards to stopping minoxidil (if you think I should), should I come off it gradually or will stopping it suddenly have no serious effects i.e. instant/prolonged shedding? If it helps, i’m 19 and in the early stages of hair loss.

It seems like you’re asking me for permission to stop minoxidil, and that’s really a decision you’ll need to make on your own. I cannot guarantee anything, but as I have said many times here, you may potentially lose whatever you gained from minoxidil. Stopping it cold turkey or limiting use over time will ultimately result in the same thing if you saw benefits from the drug. You’ve used the medication irregularly for only 8 months, so I’m not sure that you’ve given it a fair chance. Starting Propecia is a good idea for someone with early genetic hair loss, but it unfortunately won’t retain any benefits you got from the minoxidil.


2010-01-26 08:45:34I Haven’t Consistently Used Minoxidil — Is It OK to Just Stop Completely?

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I have water retention from Minoxidil

Have any of you guys found a successful dosage that doesn’t give you puffy face, fat belly etc while still being effective for hair growth?

If you are getting these side effects, either the dose is too high or you should not be on this drug. Speak with your doctor

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I Have Two Crowns

I have two crowns on the top of my head. If I can expect to start thinning at the crown later in life, will it be from one crown over the other, or both? One of my crowns in more centralized in respect to the other. If only one were to experience thinning, would that be the most likely culprit?

Also, any news on the alleged hair loss creme that reduces PGD2 levels in men? It was announced in 2012 that because there are already cremes that reduce PGD2 levels for other ailments, that we could expect it on shelves as early as 2014.

Two crowns…. do you have two heads? The crown is the top of your head. Are you referring to two cowlicks or swirls on your head? If you were born with the genes for male pattern baldness, then you will lose your hair in a certain pattern as described in the Norwood classification chart (see here).

I am not privy to any new hair loss treatment creams that work. Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) was being touted as a potential baldness “cure”, but the last I remember reading about it was that it was going to start clinical trials in a couple years, not necessarily be on shelves by then. There’s a long way to go still before PGD2 is proven to work for humans beyond hypotheses and lab mice research.