I use minoxidil and nizoral shampoo and am considering a hair transplant procedure in the future. Will it be necessary to suspend use of these products before or after hair surgery? If so how long before and how long after?
I just tell patients to continue on their treatments up until the day before surgery and then restart them about a week after surgery. Withdrawal effects from minoxidil will not occur in 1 week. Always discuss pre and post care with your surgeon, though.
Dear Dr Rassman,
I had an eyebrow transplant 10 months ago. There was a fair bit of shock-loss and I was recommended by a really kind doctor (not actually my operating surgeon) to try latisse and minoxidil. The latisse has I think helped. I have for the last two weeks been trying topical minoxidil 5%. I have noticed shedding of hairs and also increased flaking (I already have moderate dermatitis).
In such an instance, what would you typically recommend?- continue with the minxodil but at a lower dosage, switch to a different formulation, or altogether stop using it. At what point do you know if the minoxidil is doing more harm than good? Is a little bit of flaking ok? Is it best for someone with dermatitis not to use minoxidil? I would be grateful for any thoughts.
Many thanks
We do not typically recommend minoxidil or Latisse (bimatoprost) following an eyebrow transplant. There is no good clinical evidence behind this, but I do realize many doctors recommend this approach.
If there is eyebrow loss and flaking I would definitely discuss these issues with your doctor or a dermatologist.
Hello Dr. Rassman,
about 3 weeks ago I had a procedure done called l’oreal x-tenso which is basically a hair relaxing (rebonding) treatment. The original goal was to grow my hair longer, which is normally not an easy thing given that my hair is normally very thick and wavy/curly. Anyway, a couple of weeks after the procedures I decided to get my hair cut and a couple of days after that my hair started to shed a lot and has continued to do so over the past week, although it seems that the shedding is somewhat decreaing over the last couple of days. I’ve seen 3 different trichologists here in London and they all seem to think that the chemical from the relaxer cause some bad breakage but that should reverse once new hair grows out. Instead they all seem to agree that I also exhibit signs of androgenetic alopecia. There is no history of hair loss on both side of my family, isn’t genetic baldness always hereditary? The trichologists that I have seen here in London are suggesting that I use different topical solutions, Minoxidil has also been suggested. If the hair loss is caused mainly by breakage and it is not a genetic condition, would it still be safe for me to use Minoxidil? Also, looking at my hair when it falls, some of it but not most of it, has the bulb attached. Is that a bad sign, i.e not simple breakage but damage to the follicle? I’m a 38 year old Italian male. Thanks in advance for your reply
Without seeing you there is little I can do or diagnose. Yes, genetic hair loss is hereditary. Minoxidil will grow hair even if you’re not losing it by genetic factors, but you shouldn’t use a medication that you don’t need, even if it is available over the counter. Stay with someone in your area that you trust. See a doctor and find out if what you’re seeing is genetics or a chemical problem.
2009-01-26 11:36:492009-01-22 13:07:09Using Minoxidil After Hair Loss from Chemical Burn?
Hi,
My concern is about minoxidil use hair transplant post-op. I have searched online and have come across concerns about red irritation on the hair transplanted area with the use of minoxidil but haven’t come across an answer if i should stop or not.I have irritation and it gets red and kind of hot as if i am having an allergic reaction to it. I have discontinued the use and it seems to go away, but will it stop the growth of my hair? PLease help… i can’t seem to find an answer anywhere.
Thanks
Minoxidil does cause a pink discoloration to the scalp, as it is a known irritant in some people. Stopping the minoxidil will not stop your newly transplanted hair from growing.
2006-02-13 13:29:192006-02-13 11:11:07Using Minoxidil After a Hair Transplant
dear Dr. Rassman,
i am a 45 year old man. i had HT about 6 weeks ago. all the crusts have gone. i have started using Rogaine and Proscar. I wash my hair almost everyday. i start noticing that some of the transplanted hair fall out, and my transplanted area looks patchy. you said that shedding is not common for older men who are using Proscar. is my case unusual? will the hair grow back evenly?
also, minoxidil causes redness and itchy. suddently some of the grafts start bleeding, eventhough i did not touch them (just pour water on the head). is this serious? i am losing the grafts?
please kindly respond. your blog is really helpful.
Minoxidil can cause irritation and it is not necessary in your case, so stop it for a few weeks and observe if this solves the bleeding problem. You need your doctor to examine your scalp looking for things like folliculitis which can cause bleeding and itching, patchy hair loss, and shedding. If you do not have folliculitis and is treated succcessfully, then everything should work out in the next few months (assuming that you had a good doctor who did his job correctly). Speak with your doctor face to face when you get examined. Try to connect with him/her.
2006-03-02 08:34:072006-03-02 09:32:32Using Minoxidil 6 Weeks After Transplant
i had a Ht in feb ypu think it will be a good idea to use mederma a scar product to make it look less visable….let me know thanks
I never recommend Mederma, but some people believe in it, so perhaps it has some value. I personally don’t think so.
Is it safe to use a laser comb during pregnancy?
I would guess that a Low Laser Light Therapy (LLLT) device like the LaserComb should not impact pregnancy. Ask your doctor and check with the medical warnings in the package.
2008-04-18 08:34:362008-04-15 08:44:11Using LaserComb While Pregnant?
Dr. Rassman
I had transplant (the flap) about 25yrs ago. I want to try laser comb, I it safe to use on flap area? thank you
It won’t hurt, but it probably won’t help. Get a proper evaluation before you treat yourself. I see many flap procedure patients and have helped many of them. The changes that the laser comb will possibly bring you is like playing the lottery — in other words, it’s a huge gamble and probably not worth the money.
2007-10-17 09:36:372007-10-17 09:36:38Using LaserComb After the Flap
Hi, both my husband and I recently started to use Herbal Essence Hello Hydration. I noticed that my hair came off in clumps, which is very scary. It looks like ball patches on my scalp. Can tell me the hair will regrow?
You should clearly stop using it. Something bad is in the shampoo to cause hair loss in clumps. If it did not burn your scalp, the hair should return. You will know in a few months when the hair recovers.
I had a HT procedure done 5 months ago. It went successfully. I addition, around the time of my HT, I decided to begin using propecia and Minoxidil. It has been a great success. My new hairline has been lowered by about 1/2 to 3/4 inch below the the hairline established by the HT.
While I am extremely happy with the result. I want to tackle another problem, gray hair especially near the temples. I want to try either Grecian Formula or Youthair which contains some lead based compounds such as lead acetate. Is it safe to use these product with propecia and minoxidil?
I am not familiar with the Grecian Formula or Youthair that you mention. From a medical perspective, I would be cautions of lead based products. Lead is a poison. And while I hope you are not ingesting these products, the application on skin/scalp can still have a systemic effect as it is absorbed through your skin. See Lead Based Hair Products: Too Hazardous for Household Use – Results.
2007-02-28 10:36:312007-02-27 14:12:58Using Grecian Formula or Youthair
