If I do decide to use minoxidil on my chest, should I use 1 ml twice a day as prescribed for the scalp? I only want to use it in one small area that is very bare compared to the rest of my chest.
Thanks

Since minoxidil is not officially approved by the FDA for application or growth of chest hair, one can only guess. In my opinion, even if you apply it twice a day, I am not sure if it will grow significant hair to match other areas of your chest. Applying it more than the recommended dosing may cause systemic side effects such as dizziness and drop in blood pressure to name a few.

I am 33 years of age and my hair line has become considerably thinner over the last year or so. Apart from having a transplant what else can I do to prevent further hairline loss seeing as Propecia and Rogaine only work on the crown?

Also is it possible that hair loss occurs in stages that last a year or so and then slow down?

Hair loss can occur in stages, spurts of hair loss and then a quieter period. Frontal hair loss is difficult to reverse, but Propecia (assuming you have genetic hair loss) does slow the process down. I have seen many men who were losing hair rapidly in the front, then go on Propecia and see the hair loss stop. If they should stop the Propecia (some do for reasons that I do not understand) the hair loss picks up again and makes up for the time the drug was effectively holding the hair there. Get your hair mapped out for miniaturization and then consider the Propecia option, if indicated. You may be concerned about frontal loss today, but taking action with the drug Propecia will help you in the frontal area today. Crown loss can be thwarted as well.

Dear Dr:

First, I would like to say thanks for this web site of yours. you’re one of the few sources of hair loss info that i trust. keep up the good work.

my question: what, if anything, do you know about Procapil (www.procapil.com/index/html)? there is a brand of hair care products on the market called MiN New York (www.min.com) and they all contain several DHT-blocking ingredients — copper peptides, saw palmeto, etc. — and Procapil. any thoughts on this company and their products? also, i have read some info re: Nizoral and how it may help regrow hair as well as Rogaine. is this true?

Nizoral contains a drug used to treat a variety of fungal infections of the scalp. So many people think that it is the magic shampoo for hair loss. If it is, there is far more fungal infections than I ever thought amongst the population. Many ingredients like copper peptides and saw palmetto claim DHT blocking capability, but they are poorly documented at doing just that. If saw palmetto is a DHT blocker, it is a weak one. Copper peptides are not DHT blockers.

Procapil reports that it is a patented plant complex that repairs, nourishes and prolongs the hair cycles of the telogen phase of hair growth. There are claims as well that it is a DHT blocker. In my opinion, none of this is scientific or can be substantiated to meet my standards. Again, I warn every reader that this is a ‘Buyer Beware’ business and many people make good money on promotions that may not have good scientific data presented.

Dear DR.
I have longer hair (down to chin) and i haven’t been able to find a hair gel to make it stand straight up. i was reading an article earlier today about got2b glued (hair product). do you know of any hair loss that can be caused by this product? i also saw this in an article:

“Yep, glue. Seriously… go with any stong hold gel and mix it 2:1 with good old Elmer’s. Remember those guys in the 80’s with the two-foot spiked mohawks? Elmer’s was key.”

is it safe to add elmers glue to hair gel? if so is this the right ratio? will glue cause hair loss?

i also read the comment about how “good commercail grade hair products” don’t cause hair loss. please explain this. Plz respond asap. thx soo much

I do not have experience with Elmer’s Glue mixed with hair gel and don’t know if there would be any effect on hair loss. I haven’t had a spiked mohawk since… well, actually, never.

With respect to your last question, any regular hair products should not cause hair loss (unless they advertise that it does). If it helps any, one of my staff members told me that he uses the Got2B Glued product in his hair every day and has not seen any problems.

I just received a prescription to start taking Propecia. I am still very young, 21, and have only mild hair loss. This is more of a proactive attempt to make sure things do not get any worse. My question to you is at my age, and with only mild hair loss, does it make sense to maybe take a smaller dosage each day? Maybe taking .5mg instead of 1mg. I have been reading many opinions online but would love to know yours. Thanks for your time.

Assuming you really do have genetic hair loss (without a good solid diagnosis, you really do not know), why would you take less than a fully effective dose that is proven to be effective? It makes little sense to me. Some people do suggest taking lesser dosages and even on this blog I have referenced such information. You are in command of your own destiny and that is what separates the men from the boys.

Hi Doc, just wanted to let you know that costco carries the generic finasteride. It’s manufactured by some Israeli pharm company. I believe the name is TEVTEV. The pills are completely circular and therefore very easy to cut into quarters. The cost was about $54 for 30 pills. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the tip!

Does Drinking Alcohol Contribute to Hair Loss?

Oct 18, 2006/by William Rassman, M.D./3 /Drugs, Drugs (Cause Hair Loss), Hair Loss Causes

Hi Dr. Rassman,

I am a 26 y/o male in the early stages of genetic hair loss. I have a quick question for you. Does the consumption of alcoholic beverages (whether it be beer or liquor)contribute to hair loss if you have genetic balding? Also does smoking cigarettes cause hair loss if you have genetic balding? Do they have a synergistic effect if used together? I notice that everytime after a night of drinking and smoking (I only smoke when I drink), more hair tends to fall out the next day. I looked through your past postings but did not see anything relative to this topic.

Also, are there any hair transplant doctors that you could recommend in the DC/MD area or the NY area?

I appreciate your help Dr. Rassman, I read your blog everyday!

With people who drink excessively, diet and vitamin deficiency commonly becomes a cause for hair loss. After heavy drinking, there are stress reactions that can precipitate hair loss. The more of these bouts of drinking, the greater the stress on your body. Drinking does impact the liver and the liver is a critical organ in managing hormones in your body’s metabolism. As for smoking, please see previous posts regarding that.

Dr. Robert Bernstein has offices in New York and New Jersey and is a great hair transplant doctor.

2006-10-18 14:49:242006-10-18 13:53:41Does Drinking Alcohol Contribute to Hair Loss?

Hello I am a 25 yr old female and I took accutane two years ago and a couple of months ago for two months only due to a money run out. I have been experienced some hair loss more than normal. Is it possible to recieve a hair transplant for this problem or drugs such as avodor or proscar.

Accutane is known to cause hair loss in some people. To date, there are no FDA approved oral medications for female hair loss. There are many, many risks for women taking finasteride (Proscar/Propecia) or dutasteride (Avodart), and it is highly recommended that you do not do this, particularly at your age. Furthermore if Accutane was the cause of your hair loss, drugs would not help. You should wait at least a year to see if your hair grows back. If your loss is not Accutane related, minoxidil might help.

I am a 28 years old male. I had a hair transplant 12 days ago of 1890 grafts. My question is that all my scabs have not come out yet. I try to run water every day through my hair and shampoo it with head and shoulders citrus breeze. The scabs in the front of my head are coming out but at top portion are coming out one by one. I am noticing a black dot followed by little white bulb kind of thing with my scabs. Sometimes the white part is like very dry and hard like a bulb at times. There is however no pain. I am wondering if these are grafts. I am really scared and I don’t want to even touch the scabs. Please let me know if there is a possibility that the grafts dry up and are just falling off. I am very anxious am waiting for an answer to know if my hair transplant was a success or failure.
Thanks

The little scabbing is normal and it can take some weeks to go away (usually 1 to 2 weeks) if the washing has not been properly done. You should see the doctor who did your hair transplants and address these concerns to him/her. You should always have a strong patient to doctor relationship so that these concerns can be addressed one on one. In an ideal world you shouldn’t have to seek out a site like this to ask a question about your post operative report, although I am pleased to do it, for it educates my readership. Doctors have the obligation to educate their patients and give attention to the person’s needs (psychological or physical). Good luck.

Hi,
I did not lose hair but I just want to know if there is some products to make hair grow on my legs, back and arms. Thank you for advising

There is no good way to do this, sorry.