Drugs – Page 251 – Balding Blog

September 10, 2007

Revivogen vs Propecia? – Balding Blog

is there anything you can tell me about using revivogen versus propecia. they claim to inhibit dht more effectively then that of propecia without the sexual side effects (which is terrifying to think of happening to a 22 year old). also, besides transplants, what can i do to improve my hairline. thanks

There are no drugs proven to restore a hairline. Drugs such as Propecia may slow down the hair loss or maintain your current hairline, but it has limitations.

Revivogen is a shampoo — it is not a drug. There is no medical proof that it stops hair loss. Propecia is a drug (a pill you take daily) that requires a prescription from a medical doctor. There is medical proof that Propecia (finasteride 1mg) stops androgenic alopecia (AGA) or male pattern balding (MPB).

At the age of 22, hair loss can be devastating, but do not make desperate decisions. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Empower yourself by doing your research and become educated about hair loss and your options. Get a Master Plan with a good doctor who can perform miniaturization studies to map out your hair loss before you see more and more thinning. Why are you experimenting, when you can approach this problem scientifically, get a firm medical diagnosis and treat it properly?

September 7, 2007

How Do I Get a Propecia Prescription? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

How does one go about obtaining a prescription for propecia? Thanks

You need to make an appointment with a doctor. Any doctor can write the prescription. If you’d like to make an appointment to see me, you can call 800-NEW-HAIR or visit Request Additional Info page to have someone from my office contact you.

If you are losing hair and focused on hair loss issues, you should consider getting your hair mapped out for miniaturization so you will know for sure what is wrong and get some baseline measurements to determine the value of the drug over time.

September 7, 2007

How Long Can the FDA Take to Approve Avodart for Treating MPB? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

How soon can we expect to see an FDA approval for Avodart for male pattern baldness? also, what would be the best treatment for the itchy, flaky scalp associated with MPB? i’ve been using Neutrogena’s T-Gel and T-Sal, both of which don’t seem to work to well.

I do not know the time frame of the FDA approval process, but I do know that FDA approval for Avodart (dutasteride) for the treatment of male pattern baldness (MPB) is pending, awaiting the proper scientific studies that determine safety and effectiviness. Keep in mind Avodart and Propecia both work in similar ways targeting DHT (Dihydrotestosterone). Also note that blocking 100% of DHT will not stop or reverse MPB completely, as there are other factors (not yet discovered) in MPB. Avodart may have more side effects that Propecia (probably so) depending upon the final recommended dosing.

Itchy or flaky scalp is not associated with MPB. If you have an itchy or flaky scalp you can try various shampoos or see a skin specialist (dermatologist). There is no particular shampoo that I recommend. Shampoos do not affect MPB.

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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

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 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 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

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 4, 2007

Hair Loss InformationWhy Is It Difficult to Regrow the Hairline? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Doc,
Thanks for answering so many questions on this site- It has been extremely helpful. The question I have is why is is extremely hard to regrow hair along the hairline?

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Your question is somewhat confusing.

If you’re asking why medications like Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) will not regrow hair after it fell out, well that could be due to the hair being further down the path to ‘hair death’ and these medications simply can not bring them back. They only work if some of the old hair is still left and miniaturized, not if it is clean bald. If the area is clean bald, nothing but hair transplants will work. The frontal hairline does grow wonderful hair transplants — just look at the patient galleries on our website.

The formal studies that were put into the FDA show that Propecia and minoxidil work in the crown. The studies on the front of the head did not have data, so there was no good data submitted. As such, efficacy claims are allowed for these medications on the crown, but not in the front. The FDA studies were probably limited to the crown for convenience sake, so we really do not have data on the impact of the medication on the frontal areas, but this is just my guess, as I don’t have any firsthand knowledge as to why they chose this path. From my experience, the hair regrowth benefit on the hairline is less obvious than it is in the crown.

September 4, 2007

Does Revita Shampoo Block DHT? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I recently saw an ad for “Revita” shampoo that claims to help regrow hair by blocking DHT. What is your opinion of shampoos like this that have supposed hair growing features? Can it be used together with Propecia (which I have been on for 8 months), or would that be overkill?

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There are no topical products that block DHT for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in the same way something like finasteride or even dutasteride can. Propecia (finasteride) blocks DHT, but if you put that in a shampoo it will not work, because it will not get down to the growth center of the hair follicles which is at least 3mm below the skin surface. You can claim anything to sell a product and as stated many times here, “It is a buyer beware market”.