Category: Hair Products

Hello Doctor

I know many people with hair loss that use ketoconazole 2% shampoo times a week, thinking it fights seb derm. Others use salycylic acid shampoos 4 – 5 times a week thinking it thickens the hair shaft

My question is: Could overusing active medicated shampoos for long periods, contrary to official recommendations lead to permanent hair loss?

Thank you

I don’t think shampoos will cause permanent hair loss per se, but you should not be using medications of any sort in ways they are not prescribed or recommended.

Ketoconazole shampoo (also known as Nizoral, among other names) does work in treating seborrhoeic dermatitis, but you should follow your doctor’s recommendation for dosing.

To what extent, if at all, would a topical such as minoxidil or Revivogen interfere with oral finasteride. I feel like trying to jam all of these things in you follicle together may cause them to interfere with one another. The last thing I want to do is reduce the effectiveness of the finasteride. But if they do not interfere with the finasteride, then adding one or both could be beneficial.

Thanks for the help. You have a great site.

I don’t think adding all the treatment options will diminish the effects of Propecia (finasteride 1mg), however, as enthusiastic and motivated as you are, you need to think in realistic terms.

Once you start three separate treatments how do you know which product is working and which is not? At what point are you going to say “Yes, this works” and continue the treatment, or “Nope, this one isn’t for me” so you can stop dumping money into it? Another way to put it — are you prepared to indefinitely invest in all three treatment plans? Remember, once you stop using a product that has shown to be effective, those benefits will disappear.

Hi
I am a 17 year old male and have just started to notice that my hairline has just started to recede (to about just before a norwood 2 I would say) and starting to thin a bit on top. I’m getting a bit worried as my dad is bald. I have been researching ways to stop my receding hairline going any further and came across this thing called scalp excercises. Apparently they allow more blood to flow to the scalp which stimulates the hair follicles and makes them stronger. Just wondering if u think that may work?

And also I found a drug called procerin it is a natural drug that has had lots of good feedback and it says it works best for people aged between 18 and 35. I would just like your opinion on if u think this may work for me. This problem has been haunting me for a while so any information u have for me would be greatly appreciated thank you.

Procerin is a boutique version of the herbal saw palmetto. Some people swear by it, others say it doesn’t work. There have been two studies that I’m aware of to determine the effectiveness of saw palmetto as a hair loss treatment, and they were inconclusive. What I know works for early hair loss is Propecia (finasteride). It’s a prescription medication and FDA approved to treat hair loss. Talk to your doctor.

Scalp exercises won’t stop your hairline from receding. You have a family history of hair loss, so while trying out things you read about on the internet might seem like a good idea, the genetic expression of your hair loss won’t be stopped by rubbing your head.

Hi just wanted to say thanks first off for all the information provided for us. I had a quick question my twin brother (fraternal) started balding about three years ago and now is pretty bad. He tried propecia and had pretty severe side effects (sexual in nature) and it appears that I too am now starting to bald.

I was reading about NuHair DHT Blocker and reviews on the major websites seem to be a mixed bag, some people swear by it others saw some results and others said it was garbage. I was wondering if you had any insight or opinion on it. Thanks for all your help and this great resource.

NuHair DHT Blocker is just a tablet containing saw palmetto and other herbs that likely won’t do much for your hair loss. I’ve written many, many times about saw palmetto. If you’d like to try it, go ahead… but keep in mind that as your hair loss is progressive, if it turns out that the pill does nothing for you, that’s going to be time wasted.

The only FDA approved medications for treating hair loss are finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil, and those are the medications I recommend. If your brother experienced side effects while taking Propecia, I’m wondering how long he was on the medication and if his doctor lowered his dosage at any point. Perhaps you could try a lower dosage of Propecia. Talk to your doctor.

Dr Rassman,

I take a 1 quarter proscar pill in the mornings at around 7:30am, then later on in the day either in mid morning or afternoon i will take a multivitamin tablet and vitamin E capsule, is that ok? And would there be any DDI if i take proscar and the multivitamins at the same time?
Thank you.

You can take vitamins and finasteride together. Known drug interactions with finasteride can be found here.

Remember, if you have concerns about what you’re taking or questions about taking supplements and medication together, talk to your prescribing doctor or pharmacist.