About     Contact     Archives     Videos     Events     Hair Transplant

Hi,

I’ve been here for a few years and have found many of your explanations to the various articles useful. I would like to share this link that was highlighted to me by a friend and to seek your advice on how true it is. SkinBiology.com

There was some push to use copper peptides in the hair restoration field, but there has been little proven in terms of value. That being said, there’s an interesting article about copper peptides from a couple years ago over at the Regrowhair.com blog.

Scalpure, this has to be a con right?

Scalpure.com

This is a new one to me. I enjoy when readers bring products to my attention, and it seems like a new unproven hair loss product is available every day. And just like many of these unproven products, Scalpure claims to be a “natural” and “breakthrough” treatment. The ingredients listed do not seem to be anything breakthrough: various oils and apple cider vinegar, none of which are likely to do anything for treating genetic hair loss. The makers claim that it pulls DHT out of the scalp like a magnet, but offers no proof of this. I don’t want to call it a “con”, but here is what it seems to be offering — buzzwords. What does it lack? Science and proof.

If you want to use this, it’ll set you back about $55 for 2 months of Scalpure, including shipping. The price isn’t terrible, but how much is your patience, your time, and your hair worth to you?

Dear Sir,
I had recently done a hairtransplant surgery and starting from day one i started spraying the grafted area with johnson baby oil at night before going to bed and washing my hair with johnson baby shampoo every other morning and evening.

Do you think that gohnson baby oil might cause a problem to the grafts if the grafts are washed regularily.

your quick response will be appreciated
Best Regards

I don’t know why you need this routine, but I can not find a problem with it, provided that the daily wash is done properly. I hope you received aftercare instructions from your doctor.

I’m considering purchasing the Scalproller but i’m concerned as to the safety of the increased absorption of minoxidil. In your opinion do you think it is safe if the increased absorption is so much greater? And would using the Scalproller lead to a shed similiar to the shed when switching from 2% to 5% minoxidil?

The following response is by UK-based physician Dr. Bessam Farjo:

Response by: Dr Bessam Farjo United Kingdom

5% minoxidil is the safe limit. More may cause systemic side effects such as dangerously low blood pressure. It is speculated that the absorption of minoxidil in a lot of people is not as efficient as it could be. This is most likely due to method of application which can be influenced by the amount of hair present. I have prescribed 6% in the past without side effects and I know of a clinic in the UK that gives a 12.5% preparation! I don’t have any data with regards to their side effects. One possible side effect of too much minoxidil is a lowering of blood pressure and resultant light-headedness.

I don’t know if the scalproller will cause any shedding, but it will be one of the observations I will make when I start a clinical trial. I emphasise that at this point I see the scientific basis of such a device but cannot actually endorse the scalproller itself or support any claims that it will help with hair loss.

–

Learn more about the author of this article, Dr. Bessam Farjo, on his BaldingBlog profile or at his website.

I thought you might enjoy this….. Here is a snippet:

You can return the Rogaine–your iPhone holds the power to keeping your hair looking good. Hair Clinic For Man and Woman claims to be the “world’s first mobile hair clinic system.” Its makers say the app generates inaudible frequencies that “promote blood circulation around hair roots.” All you have to do is move the handset around your scalp while the app sends the frequencies.

Here is the link: NetworkWorld.com

Well, it certainly is fitting that this iPhone application shows up on Network World’s “most idiotic” list. It also shows up on Fortune Magazine’s “10 dumbest” list, has a hilarious review on Krapps.com, and is probably appearing on multiple other lists of the most-stupid/dumb/idiotic/ridiculous apps. Keep in mind that this is considered one of the top 10 dumbest… out of over 50,000 apps available. Quite a feat! While it will not regrow hair, it will help to make you the laughing stock of the office if you’re caught rubbing your phone on your head in the hopes of hair regrowth… and you get bonus laughs when people find out you paid money for the privilege. Here’s the official site for this app, which is worth taking a laugh at — Sociag.com.

Has anyone heard of similar types of therapies? I remember the magnetic helmet that succeeded in doing nothing, unless you consider “wasting your money” to be a success.

Hello, i am slightly confused, i read how resveratrol can increase test levels, is this true and would it worsen my hairloss?

But i also recently read a contradictory study on the combination of resvaratrol with curcumin, which is claimed to help with hairloss. Do you think this is a posibility? An italian company were seeking a patent on a pill that contained these two .

Also i take finasteride, can the res/cur, affect the absorption of fin? I take fin in the morning.

Here’s what I just learned from Wikipedia –
Resveratrol is a chemical produced naturally by several plants (including red grapes). As suggested, it gives the heart beneficial qualities of red wine. Curcumin is found in Indian spice turmeric, which is a member of the ginger family.

So in essence (let’s cut out all the nebulous scientific names), you want to know if natural extracts from grape and ginger can be beneficial to your hair. There are THOUSANDS of these natural concoctions people have tried to help with hair loss throughout history. I really do not know if it will work, but in the end it becomes a “buyer beware” market and your experience with how your body responds is the final answer you need for you. In my opinion, I doubt it will have an impact on your hair, but more so on your wallet and time. I don’t know anything about the study you’re referencing, so I can’t really give you any insight into their findings.

I just had an epiphany regarding why minoxidil may not work for the majority of men. I would like your expert opinion on this. I think I may have just discovered something.

I have been using minoxidil for about a year along with an herbal shampoo containing all natural ingredients. I recently switched to a fancy shampoo that has many other ingredients, including dimethicone and various other ingredients that are commonly used in most shampoos to improve texture and increase thickness.

I noticed, after using this newer shampoo, that when I applied the minoxidil, it beaded up on my scalp. I immediately realized that dimethicone is a form of silicone. After reading the label of the shampoo and the matching conditioner, I noticed that they also contained other silicone-based ingredients. The ingredients are used in almost all shampoos and conditioners to coat the hairs, to add shine and improve the texture, etc.

As you may know, silicone is also the primary ingredient in auto polish, car wax and many other similar products. Silicone adds a layer of protection to surfaces and protects them. It causes water to bead up on a car’s paint, etc. This is why I noticed, I’m sure, the minoxidil beading up on my scalp after using the shampoo and conditioner containing the dimethicone. If silicone can cause water to bead up on a car’s paint, I’m sure it can also cause minoxidil to bead up on one’s scalp. It certainly appears to have that effect. If it’s beading up, I’m sure it isn’t properly penetrating. No penetration = no results!

So … here is my epiphany. We all know that minoxidil does NOT work for the majority of men. And if it does, it usually only works minimally. Now, since the majority of shampoos and conditioners contain dimethicone and similar ingredients, which prevent or hinders the penetration of minoxidil, couldn’t this be the reason why most men do not respond to minoxidil? Furthermore, there is a small percentage of men known as “responders.” These are men who respond very well to minoxidil. Maybe the reason they respond so well is something so simple that it has been overlooked, i.e., they are simply the ones using dimethicone/silicone-free hair products allowing the minoxidil to actually penetrate and do its job unhindered.

What do you think? Has this been addresssed before? If not, do you think my “theory” has any merit? I really think it does. Let me know what you think.

It is an interesting theory, but the dimethicone in the shampoo should not block the absorption of minoxidil, unless perhaps you leave the shampoo on your scalp without rinsing. You should apply minoxidil after you wash off any shampoo and conditioner and the scalp is warm from the hot shower you take, with the scalp pores open. That is when the absorption occurs.

I saw that Dr Farjo was quoted in this press release for some scalp roller. The link is here: Breakthrough Therapeutic Tool Presented to 400 Leading Hair Loss Surgeons.

It also says “Furthermore, the latest research on behalf of Intercytex by Dr Bessam Farjo, and pioneering studies by Dr George Cotsarelis provide evidence that Scalproller therapy may produce new hair growth independently of any other treatment.”

So is Dr Farjo endorsing this tool?? Thanks!

The following response is by UK-based physician Dr. Bessam Farjo:

Response by: Dr Bessam Farjo United Kingdom

Pangaea is a company I have known for about 10 years which started out making a scalp fibres camouflage product called Nanogen which we sell on to some of our patients. They have become involved in a variety of other hair products over the years, but earlier this year they approached me after the Intercytex data suggested scalp ’stimulation’ made a positive difference to the hair counts. They showed me their Scalproller device and they suggested it could help stimulate hair growth on the principle of causing scalp injury, and they also speculated that it would significantly aid minoxidil absorption into the scalp. They discussed a number of other interesting ideas and projects and I agreed that the principles behind their Scalproller suggestions are scientifically plausible. We are currently in discussions about writing appropriate protocols for clinical trials. I can not endorse the Scalproller device itself until further clinical research is at hand.

–

Learn more about the author of this article, Dr. Bessam Farjo, on his BaldingBlog profile or at his website.

Using HairDX to help understand if continuing Propecia is appropriate

I’m 29 with a full head of hair, but it’s a bit thinner than it used to be. I started Propecia six months ago after having some miniaturization detected on the front and top of my scalp. I have yet to notice any positive impact from the drug, but feel Propecia might be affecting my sexual performance. Whether I’m imagining side effects or not, I have been thinking about decreasing dosage or stopping Propecia altogether — I’d rather not have to be on a ED drug in my 30s, especially if Propecia isn’t helping me.

Would it be worthwhile having the HairDX test done to help me weigh the costs and benefits of continuing Propecia? Furthermore, does HairDX offer any insight into how hair loss might progress over time, the degree of hair loss that might occur, or the minimum Propecia dosage I might respond to?

The CAG repeat test from HairDX (marketed as “Finasteride Response Test“), will tell you if you may respond to drugs like Propecia. Start from there and then discuss the findings with your doctor. To my knowledge, there is not direct quantification of the HairDX test for CAG and the dose required of drugs like finasteride.

The standard HairDX test won’t tell you how much hair loss you’ll see in the future — just whether you have the genetic markers for hair loss.

Hello. I’m a woman, 32 years old, and have been experiencing more shedding lately. I would like to know if Nizoral shampoo with 1% Ketoconazole effective in treating hair loss. I am thinking about buying it, but don’t want to waste the money if it’s ineffective. Also, how about Nioxin shampoo? Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Have a good day!

Both are good shampoos, but neither have been proven to my satisfaction to treat hair loss. There’s some speculation that ketoconazole could be used as a hair loss treatment, but I’ve yet to see a sufficient study to show that (though many on the various web forums will gladly tell you otherwise). You’re welcome to try either or both…