Top 5 Hair Loss Treatment Questions
Monday, September 27th, 2010
Yaya Rave asked:
Can Hair Loss Be Affected By Wearing A Hat?
Some men believe that wearing a hat all the time prevents the scalp from breathing. It is completely untrue: The blood stream provides hair follicles with oxygen, not the air. Also false is that the genes for hair loss come from the mother’s side of the family. Although the inheritance from the mother’s side is slightly stronger, balding can also be inherited from father’s side.
Are Genetic Tests For Balding A Good Idea?
Hair DX is a $150 test you can take that checks the androgen receptor gene for abnormalities, which has been associated to hair loss conditions. The purpose of the test is to determine if people have an increased risk for developing hair loss before it begins to show, so it can be treated and slowed down. It is important to understand that there is only an association with this gene and hair loss; the cause and effect hasn’t been proved. A drawback of this test is that patients may overreact to the results of their test. It’s best to have the test done under a doctor’s supervision, so that it can be put into the context of other information that is gleaned through the careful evaluation of a physical and your medical history.
Are There Any Shampoos Or Creams That Stimulate Hair Restoration?
You can buy hair treatment products that may add volume and texture, which can give the appearance of more hair, but they don’t slow or prevent hair loss. The only products that work are the drugs Provillus (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride). These hair loss remedies have been researched and the results show that they can reverse hair loss by regrowing natural hair.
In What Ways Are Provillus And Propecia Different?
Originally an oral blood pressure medication, minoxidil is the active ingredient in Provillus. It’s available as a topical treatment that costs about $50 a month, and is available without a prescription. Provillus stimulates hair growth by a mechanism that is still being researched. One-third of the men who start taking Provillus in their early stages of hair loss see results. Propecia is a prescription drug that is taken orally and costs about $60 a month. By blocking DHT, the hormone responsible for hair loss, it stimulates hair regrowth. Men and women considering to treat their hair loss must begin treatment as soon as thinning hair is detected.
Is 35 Too Young To Start Provillus? What Are The Long-term Side Effects?
The FDA recommends that medication of this type be taken by men or women 18 and older. Doctors commonly advise patients to start the medication as soon as their hair starts to thin because the drug works best as a preventive measure. No known long-term side-effects have been reported by users of Provillus, but a small percentage of patients taking Propecia have reported sexual dysfunction. This side-effect is reversible by not continuing to take the medication, but its hair restoration will also cease to yield results.
Regrow Hair
Can Hair Loss Be Affected By Wearing A Hat?
Some men believe that wearing a hat all the time prevents the scalp from breathing. It is completely untrue: The blood stream provides hair follicles with oxygen, not the air. Also false is that the genes for hair loss come from the mother’s side of the family. Although the inheritance from the mother’s side is slightly stronger, balding can also be inherited from father’s side.
Are Genetic Tests For Balding A Good Idea?
Hair DX is a $150 test you can take that checks the androgen receptor gene for abnormalities, which has been associated to hair loss conditions. The purpose of the test is to determine if people have an increased risk for developing hair loss before it begins to show, so it can be treated and slowed down. It is important to understand that there is only an association with this gene and hair loss; the cause and effect hasn’t been proved. A drawback of this test is that patients may overreact to the results of their test. It’s best to have the test done under a doctor’s supervision, so that it can be put into the context of other information that is gleaned through the careful evaluation of a physical and your medical history.
Are There Any Shampoos Or Creams That Stimulate Hair Restoration?
You can buy hair treatment products that may add volume and texture, which can give the appearance of more hair, but they don’t slow or prevent hair loss. The only products that work are the drugs Provillus (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride). These hair loss remedies have been researched and the results show that they can reverse hair loss by regrowing natural hair.
In What Ways Are Provillus And Propecia Different?
Originally an oral blood pressure medication, minoxidil is the active ingredient in Provillus. It’s available as a topical treatment that costs about $50 a month, and is available without a prescription. Provillus stimulates hair growth by a mechanism that is still being researched. One-third of the men who start taking Provillus in their early stages of hair loss see results. Propecia is a prescription drug that is taken orally and costs about $60 a month. By blocking DHT, the hormone responsible for hair loss, it stimulates hair regrowth. Men and women considering to treat their hair loss must begin treatment as soon as thinning hair is detected.
Is 35 Too Young To Start Provillus? What Are The Long-term Side Effects?
The FDA recommends that medication of this type be taken by men or women 18 and older. Doctors commonly advise patients to start the medication as soon as their hair starts to thin because the drug works best as a preventive measure. No known long-term side-effects have been reported by users of Provillus, but a small percentage of patients taking Propecia have reported sexual dysfunction. This side-effect is reversible by not continuing to take the medication, but its hair restoration will also cease to yield results.
Regrow Hair
