Category: Drugs

Hello,

I currently think I’m in the early stages of hereditary baldness. I have recently been researching if there is any products I can use early to prevent it from getting worse. Is there any products you would recommend?

I have recently read a about a product called “Profollica” which seems to have legit reviews but I’m skeptic. What is your opinion? Will this product work? I have also read about a product called “Procerin” & “Provillus”. Do any of the above products work?

I have Also red websites that have Said to get plenty of calcium in your Body as this helps the hair folicle. Your advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

There are 2 medications that are proven to work — finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine). Minoxidil is available in a generic form and over the counter, so it may be included in various products sold in stores as boutique brands. These brands are sometimes mixed with vitamins that likely won’t help treat your hair loss (particularly if your loss is due to genetic causes). Propecia is still a prescription medication and you’ll need to talk to your doctor about it.

As for the products you mentioned, if they contain finasteride or minoxidil they’ll probably help to some degree. If not, there’s no scientific proof that they’ll do what they claim. I’m sure I’ve written about each of them before if you use the search box in the top right of the site. Also, calcium won’t prevent genetic hair loss.

Rogaine recommends applying twice daily but it does not say it needs to be every 12hrs. Does that mean I can apply it at 8pm then again at midnight and that would be just as effective as morning and night? Thanks in advance

Equally spread applications twice a day (every 12 hours) is better than an 8 and 16 hour schedule, but it is not practical for most people. I would try to space it out a little more than the 4 hour window you described. Usually it is applied when you get up and then again before you go to bed (just allow it to dry first).

I have been on propecia for about 18 months and I it seems to have done good things for my hair. However, I noticed that I have more body hair than before. My arms are more hairy, and so is my nose and ears. Is this a known side effect?

I think I’ve gotten only a few emails over the years about seeing increased body hair after taking Propecia, but that is not a known side effect. I do hear anecdotal stories of decreased body hair from Propecia probably a little more often.

Hello, I have been on propecia for 20 months, never missed a dose. My hair line is intact but hair has continued to thin all over. My presentation is very much that of DUPA in my opinion. My eyebrows, facial hair and body hair have all thinned since the start of this medication. If I titrate down to 1mg propecia every other day will I see facial hair come back as it once was? If I completely stop propecia what can I expect? I don’t feel I have gained much from it approaching the two year mark. I am 35 with no past medical history. Mother is extremely thin, dad is now going bald in the crown. What should I do? Thanks

I think you might not be on the right track, as you seem confused about what is going on with your body. I highly recommend that you see a physician or follow up with your doctor who prescribed the drug for you.

Propecia is the brand name of a drug called finasteride in 1mg strength, so I do not understand what you mean by when you ask about titrating it. Propecia doesn’t treat diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA)… nor does it cause it. Also, Propecia shouldn’t impact body hair or beard hair.

If you completely stop the medication, you’ll see any benefits disappear in what we refer to as “catch-up” hair loss. Your hair loss would catch-up to the pattern it would be at if you’d never taken the medication. If you haven’t gained much visually from the regrowth side of things, it’s possible the medication just kept your loss from progressing. Again, talk to your doctor.

Hey Dr. Rassman
I am a 23 year old male, with no family history of MPB, who was diagnosed with MPB in October of 2009 and was immediately prescribed Propecia. However the Propecia didnt really seem to have any effect on my hair loss. That is however until I was prescribed Hydroxyzine for unrelated skin autoimmune condition in May of this year. Immediately upon taking Hydroxyzine I began to notice I wasnt losing any hair when I showered or when I put hair product in.

So my question to you is what type of effect, if any, could the Hyrdoxyzine be having? Also is it possible that my hairloss is actually caused by an autoimmune condition rather than MPB? And if so, how do I get the real cause of my hairloss properly diagnosed? Thank you for your time

I do not know how hydroxyzine is connected to hair loss issues. Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine, much like diphenhydramine (commonly known as Benadryl). The fact that you notice some association with hair may be a coincidence. I believe what you are experiencing is almost certainly true, but I do not have a medical explanation. Have you discussed this with the doctor that diagnosed you with MPB?

Just to be clear to everyone, hydroxyzine is NOT used for MPB or hair loss issues.

hi Dr Rassman, I’ve been taking Finasteride since Apr 09 and would have to say, I haven’t seen any improvement. If anything, its gotten thinner, along with a case of scalp itch (no dandruff) in and around my hairline. Is that a known side affect of the drug? I’ve seen people suggest it could be new hair growing? That would be nice, but i’d rather see it than feel it. I don’t even like being in pictures any more. I’m seeing a dermatologist in a couple of weeks, but would really appreciate your thoughts.

Itchy scalp isn’t a side effect of Propecia (finasteride) as far as I’m aware. Perhaps you’ve got something unrelated going on that your dermatologist should be able to diagnose.

I’m not sure what area of your scalp that you’re looking at or where you’re losing hair, but Propecia does not generally regrow hair in the frontal areas (it can happen, but it’s rare). It might be slowing the loss down, but not stopping it completely. You’ve been taking the medication for over a year and a half, so hopefully your prescribing physician will have some better insight into whether there has been any success for you while taking Propecia.

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