Side effects associated with spironolactone are minimal
now that spironolactone has been made into a topical
solution, instead of a pill. Rarely, a patient will
develop a rash from the spironolactone solution, which
resolves upon dicontinuation of the lotion. The product
also has a malodorous scent which is increased if spironolactone
is combined in the same container with other chemicals
(i.e.- minoxidil, retinoic acid). Sprironolactone solution
is be applied to the balding scalp twice a day. It
should be applied and allowed to dry (few minutes)
before placing on the minoxidil solution.
Hair
Pieces as a Hair Loss Treatment?
Some
men prefer to sport a hair piece instead of using
the pharmaceutical hair loss treatment options. Interestingly,
over a million men in the UK sport a hairpiece, spending
some 350 million annually on the purchases and maintenance
of these products. "You would think with all
his money he would have a decent hair piece," is
the quite frequently stated remark concerning men with
ill-fitting hairpieces. However, cost has less to do
with a good-looking hairpiece than does the selection
of the manufacturer combined with the grooming and
care given it by the wearer. An attractive hairpiece
requires careful color matching, fitting, as well as
subsequent styling and replacement. Unfortunately,
many individuals fail to properly care for their hairpieces
as time progresses. Hairpieces can be made from synthetic
materials such as nylon or actual real human hair.
Prices can vary considerably, small filler pieces may
cost from £200.00 up, full wig £500.00
up. The average hairpiece of good quality, synthetic
or real will usually cost between £250.00-£1,800.00.
The debate goes on,
human hair verses synthetic hair. Human hair tends
to react more to the sun and other elements such
as chlorine. The most significant problem is the
color of the hair fades with time. Human hair also
requires more maintenance including monthly visits
to the hair stylist for styling and cleaning, at
a cost of £20-£30; periodic
dyeing can cost another £55.00 - £75.00.
Additionally, hairpieces made from human hair rarely
look appropriate longer one year. Manufacturers of
synthetic hair claim their products look more natural,
are water resistant, hold their shape better and
last longer than human hair. However, individuals
must still bring their hairpiece in for maintenance
every four to six weeks, at a cost of £30.00
- £50.00. Synthetic hair generally looks natural
for up to two years. The decision human verses synthetic
is primarily one of preference. Reputable hairpiece
companies will encourage individuals to research
both types of hair prior to purchasing.
Hair Transplants
Treatment
The surgery team then delicately divides the donor
graft into mini/micro grafts for transplant. The
grafts are then implanted into the appropriate donor
sites. The correct selection, placement and angle
of the grafts remain the critical element in obtaining
a positive result. Physicians must posses a unique
artistic flare combined with surgical skill to create
a natural appearance of the hair. Hair transplants
have evolved to the point where they are done on
an outpatient basis. Most surgeries last 3-4 hours
and patients may return home a couple of hours following
the procedure. A bandage is usually applied to keep
the area clean and free from infection, patients
are usually asked to return the next day for a follow-up
appointment. Many patients return to work within
24 hours although strenuous activity is discouraged.
Fortunately the scalp is very vascular, so the
healing process is relatively short. However, as
with any surgery there is always risk of infection.
Individuals may also experience some swelling of
the forehead in the week following the surgery, some
areas may also scab over. Patients should also realize
that transplanted hair shaft often go into a resting
phase shedding the existing hair. Usually within
3-6 months the transplanted hair follicles will begin
to produce noticeable hair. There is a new approved
product developed by ProCyte called GraftCyte that
helps prevent transplanted follicles from going into
the resting phase so the transplanted hair does not
shed as often.
The number of procedures required is dependent
on the surface area that needs to be covered and
the expectations of the patient. The human scalp
averages one follicular unit per 1mm and each unit
represents approximately 2.2 hairs. So a section
of healthy scalp measuring 1cm by 10 cm would represent
some 1000 follicular units or around 2,200 hairs.
Normally two or three sessions are sufficient to
get a natural appearance. Natural appearance does
not necessarily dictate natural density. Hair loss
remains a dynamic process and donor sites are limited,
therefore, individuals are encouraged to be realistic
about the density of their transplants.
Surgical
Hair Loss Treatment
Scalp reductions - involve surgically
excising a section of bald scalp from the vertex
of the head. Then the adjacent skin is extensively
undermined so the surgeon can close the incision.
Following a recover period, mini/micro grafts are
later transplanted into the appropriate regions.
Scalp reductions can cost between £1,000- £2,500
depending on the extent of the surgery.
Transpositional flaps - involve
a series of procedures were a surgeon partially dissects
a horseshoe section of skin containing healthy hair
from the donor area. The free end is positioned over
the follicular challenged area where a section of
skin has been excised. The surgeon then closes the
donor and recipient sites with sutures. Transplanted
micro-grafts are then inserted to promote a natural
look. Transpositional flaps can cost between £2,000-£5,000
depending upon the extent of the surgery.
Free flaps -
represent an extensive surgery, first all or a portion
of the bald area is excised. A section of micro vascular
surgery, the blood vessels that supply nourishment
to the donor flap are connected to the vessels in
the new area. Sutures are then used to close both
donor and recipient areas and transplanted micro-grafts
are inserted to promote a natural look. There are
some disadvantages to the flap procedures. Sometimes
the resulting frontal hair does not appear natural
and a scar along the hairline can be detected. Additionally,
the hair of the flap may grow in a direction different
from the natural hairs, giving an artificial look.
Free flaps also cost between £1,500-£4,500
depending on the extent of the surgery.
The above mentioned procedures may be performed
using local or general anesthesia depending upon
the extent of the surgery. Surgical risk is similar
to the mini/micro transplant procedures, there is
always a risk of infection. Any licensed physician
may perform hair surgery, many individuals end up
with unsatisfactory results i.e. excessive scarring,
patches of thin transplanted hair partially covering
areas that continue to lose hair, loss of hair leaves
the scars from previous surgeries visible, etc. Carefully
and cautiously select a surgeon, beware of seductive
marketing brochures showing after photos of men thick,
full heads of hair. Ask for referrals, actually talk
with individuals who the surgeon has treated.
Hair
Loss Treatment Products
What about all the other products that are so cleverly
marketed including mousses, volumizers , hair sprays,
shampoos, conditioners, hot oils, etc? The first thing
to remember is that many unethical companies are going
to play on the emotions of individuals with hair loss.
Companies will claim that their products have "secret
constituents" that make an individual's hair "thicker
and fuller" in hopes that sub-consciously the
individual will believe that the product does actually
grow hair. I doubt if there will ever be a "secret
constituent" that actually acts as a hair loss
treatment miracle. However, there are effective ways
to reduce hair loss while promoting the growth of new
hair follicles, Propecia remains the most effective
hair loss treatment. Propecia is recommended by more
doctors than any other hair loss treatment option.
The following is a list of some common hair
loss myths that companies exploit to sell their concoctions:
Blocked follicles -
contributing to hair loss. Although individuals
with hair loss may have an increase in the amount
of sebum associated with their scalp. No study
has ever indicated that the sebum could block a
hair follicle from actually growing.
Parasites - such as ringworm
is responsible for hair loss. Ringworm is actually
a fungus. Although it does cause hair loss, it
usually effects children. In addition, the hair
loss associated with the fungus does not have the
characteristic male pattern.
Toweling off - your head lightly
rather than vigorously. This technique will postpone
the inevitable around two or three days.
Poor circulation - in the
scalp produces hair loss. This is false, hair
loss treatment clinical studies have shown repeatedly
that the blood supply to an individual's scalp
with hair loss is not compromised.
Vitamin deficiencies - are a
cause of hair loss. Hair loss secondary to vitamin
deficiencies is very rare the UK. In fact, vitamin
toxicity (vitamin A) is responsible for more cases
of hair loss than deficiencies in vitamins.
There are reputable products on the market that
do not promote hair growth but they can help give
the illusion that you have more hair. Regular shampooing
is an important concept for individuals experiencing
hair loss. The sebaceous glands continue to produce
the same quantity of sebum even has hair follicles
shrink.
Therefore, the thinning hair shaft is subjected
to more oil, which results in flat and/or dull looking
hair. DHT is also found in high concentration sebum
and is secreted with the oil onto the scalp. Regular
shampooing prevents the scalp from reabsorbing the
DHT so it cannot be recycled into the follicle, thus,
preventing further damage.
As a doctor, patients
commonly ask for a recommendation when it comes to
shampoo. There are literally hundreds of shampoos
currently on the market with a new product being
introduced every day. The problem is each one of
these products has a different marketing ploy that
can be very confusing to consumers.
Neutrogena is a name that has become synonymous
with quality products in the hospital.
Merk Pharmaceuticals
must also have some confidence in the Neutrogena
products because that is the brand of shampoo they
used in their clinical trials while testing the effectiveness
of Propecia.
Hair
Loss Treatment Conclusions
Doctors agree that the best way to treat
hair loss is to take the offensive, that is, begin
a treatment with a strong hair loss treatment prescription
medication i.e. Propecia, prior to extensive thinning. Multiple
clinical tests have shown that Propecia will significantly
reduce the hair loss process, as well as, promote
new hair growth.
Stop
hair loss, baldness, receding hair loss, thinning
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Clinical tests have shown that Propecia has significantly
reduce the hair loss process as well as promote new
hair growth. Studies have also shown that thinning
hair shaft is subjected to more oil, which results
in flat and/or dull looking hair. DHT is also found
in high concentration sebum and is secreted with the
oil onto the scalp. Regular shampooing prevents the
scalp from reabsorbing the DHT so it cannot be recycled
into the follicle, thus, preventing further damage.
Frequent shampooing also prevents hair from appearing
flat and dull. Probably the best shampoo on the market
for men with thinning hair is the product Merk Pharmaceuticals
trusted in their clinical trials with Propecia, Neutrogena
T/Gel shampoo.
Propecia remains the most prescribe prescription
medication for the treatment of male hair loss. Propecia
has been proven in Hair Loss Clinical Studies to
promote the growth of new hair, stopping current
hair loss while increasing the length and diameter
of your hair.
Stop hair loss, and promote the growth of new hair
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Remember, Propecia is the only oral drug that
promotes hair growth, slows hair loss while increasing
the length and diameter of your hair.
Spironolactone is
a "Potassium Sparing Diuretic" or high blood
pressure medication that has been used for decades
to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention. However,
there is also some scientific data suggesting a beneficial
effect of spironolactone on hair loss. Spironolactone
has been noted to have anti-androgen activity. Androgenetic
alopecia (male and female patterned baldness) is heavily
influenced by androgens (most specifically- DHT). Spironolactone
binds to the receptor sites on the hair follicles which
blocks DHT from having its deleterious affect on the
hair follicle.