Laser Hair Removal Central

Would Provillus hair treatment really help in baldness type of hair loss?  I have had this since I was 13 years old and I am not 24 years old.  It has been on and off ever since.  At the moment, I’m using minoxidil 2%.

Though Provillus hair loss treatment comes in both a topical and oral solution, the only proven ingredient in this product is minoxidil which is in the topical formula.  Some anecdotal evidence exists that saw palmetto (an “active” ingredient in their oral solution) might help block DHT, the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness.

In my opinion, if your alopecia is genetic, I would stick with Rogaine (which contains minoxidil) and consider Propecia (finasteride) for men only, which are both FDA approved to treat baldness.  Be sure to consult with a physician and learn about the benefits, limitations, and potential side effects of these medications.

But based on your description above, of “on and off”, I’m wondering if you have alopecia areata, which is characterized by rapid hair loss in a targeted area leaving you with a bald patch in certain areas of the scalp or body.  In about 50% of all cases, those suffering from this condition experience hair regrowth without any treatment.  However, some treatments have been used including a combination of minoxidil, steroid injections, clobetasol or fluocinonide, creams, cyclosporine (a topical immunotherapy), and anthralin or topical coal tar.  Because Provillus topical treatment contains minoxidil, this could probably be used instead.  However, generic minoxidil is less expensive.

Be sure to consult with a dermatologist who can recommend a proper treatment for alopecia areata.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

I want to get a hair transplant but I want to know if I will experience further hair loss after it’s complete?

I have good news and bad news.  The good news is that transplanted hair is permanent and will not be susceptible to future baldness.  This is due to the principle of “donor dominance”, which means that hair removed keep their characteristics when transplanted.  Because hair on the sides and back of the head are resilient to DHT (the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness), when transplanted into balding areas, they will remain resilient.  In my opinion, this is what makes hair restoration surgery a worthwhile consideration.

The bad news is, hair replacement surgery does nothing to stop the progression of androgenic alopecia (hereditary hair loss).  This is why many physicians will recommend non-surgical treatments like Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) to minimize the likelihood that alopecia will progress.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

What are the chances that genetic hair loss can be passed on to my children.  At the moment, I’m single but have been carrying this sickness for 12 years.

Because there are a number of genes responsible for female and male pattern baldness and it can be passed down generation to generation through the mother or father’s side of the family, there is really no way to give you a percentage of the chance that your children will exhibit symptoms.  Carriers of baldness genes may not even be bald themselves.  This is the difference between dominant and recessive genes.  Those with dominant hair loss genes will most likely experience some form of balding while those with recessive genes may go scott free.

There is a genetic hair loss test called HairDX that may be able to help predict whether or not men will go bald.  Though it’s not necessary free from all error, it may help identify whether or not a male is carrying variances known as SNPs which have been found to be associated with androgenic alopecia in men.

Of course, this test must be taken by the individual and works only for men.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Turning on the TV late at night, you may find yourself showered with promises of dream fulfillment of restoring a natural and full head of hair with the latest and greatest miracle cure hair loss products. Tapping into emotional insecurities, these infomercials entice balding men and women with the hope that all of their hair loss problems will soon be yesterday’s news. But do these fancy hyped products live up to their promises?

Below you will find 5 important tips that will enable you to properly evaluate each product with sound mind rather than gut and emotion.

• There Is No Miracle Hair Regrowth Therapy: Though this may sound like common sense, late night infomercials may just pull the emotional heart strings and convince you otherwise. Keeping this truth in the back of your mind may save you money and hair.
•  If it Sounds Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is: An old motto to reacquaint yourself with as it applies in most situations.
• Research Any Hair Loss Treatment You are Considering: Though temptation lures impulsivity, use the internet to research each product you are considering thoroughly. Evaluate each ingredient and research whether or not there have been any third party unbiased clinical studies on hair loss efficacy.
• Make Informed Decisions Instead of Emotional Instinct: Advertisements wouldn’t blatantly lie would they? Maybe not – but in many cases, they will stretch every truth imaginable to lure your business. Make decisions based on evidence from your research, not promises and “money back guarantees”. Money may be refundable, but I guarantee they can’t promise a return on lost hair.
• View Real Patient Photos and Testimonies on our Patient Hair Loss Forum: Don’t rely on company website testimonies, use our online patient based hair loss forum community and meet with real patients to learn how they successfully restored their hair.

This insightful hair loss article was written by Dr. William Lindsey of Reston, VA who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians.

We did a hair transplant last week on a man who initially complained of terrible pain. I was surprised as his reaction to even the initial numbing of the donor area, then he added that he needs to get put to sleep for dental cleaning. We often give our patients a valium before the procedure and even a pain pill as needed, and this almost always eliminates discomfort. But this guy had to drive 4 hours after the hair restoration procedure and that wasn’t an option.

So we did the next best thing. The female cutters came in and talked with him. They quickly distracted him enough to breeze through both donor anesthesia, strip harvest and closure, and recipient anesthesia. But they had to get to work doing microscopic dissection and no sooner had they left the room than his discomfort and anxiety returned.

I had made about 25 dense pack 0.7mm slits and this guy was about to jump out of the chair. After a bit of discussion, it wasn’t pain that was bothering him, it was the sound of the slits being created.

I had him start text-messaging all of his friends(he was able to keep his head still thankfully) and we turned on classic Van Halen and he tolerated 1800 slits being created in his balding areas without any trouble.

For this fellow, like most people, distraction is the key to tolerating any situation, whether it be hair replacement or going with your wife to the ballet.

And when we got done, he was the first to admit that there was very little actual pain, it was mainly “worry-ation” and concern about potential discomfort.

William Lindsey, M.D.

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Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog