Archive for the ‘Hair Loss’ Category

A Review of Minoxidil

Wednesday, December 19th, 2007

With 50% of men plagued with the discomfort of hair loss, there are many products available that treat a receding hairline and thinning hair.  Although there are literally hundreds of options available, few work.  However, the ones that do produce results work effectively in not only stopping, but sometimes reversing the process of hair loss. 

Minoxidil is a topical treatment that is used to treat hair loss. This hair loss treatment is a liquid that is usually found in a pre-mixed solution.  Rogaine is the perfect example of an effective pre-mixed solution that currently uses Minoxidil.  

The Food and Drug Administration has approved consumers to obtain a 2% and 5% prescription of Minoxidil through a propriety company. Both men and women can use this hair loss treatment. Women are more likely to use the higher percentage of Minoxidil solution. Usually, the two percent solution is ineffective in women.

The main ingredient in Minoxidil acts as a stimulant, promoting growth in hair follicles. The 5% topical solution of Minoxidil is the strongest version that has been approved by the FDA, and it can be purchased over-the-counter. If you are just starting to experience hair loss, you may want to try the 2% solution first.

What is In Minoxidil?

Both Rogaine, for men and women, contain Minoxidil as one of the main active ingredients. The solution may also contain 80% alcohol, water, and Propylene Glycol. There are generic and custom solutions that contain different quantities of these main ingredients.

Minoxidil is used to primarily stimulate the regrowth of hair. This treatment does not act as a DHT inhibitor, such as Propecia.  Minoxidil only is responsible for overriding the cause of hair loss, instead of stopping the root cause of hair loss. This is one of the reasons why Minoxidil has not been proven as effective as Propecia. To stop hair loss, one must go to the root of the problem.

What Are The Side Effects of Minoxidil? 

The negative side effects of Minoxidil can be reduced by only applying the product two times a day. People have reported that while using Minoxidil, they have experienced inflammation, redness and itching at the application site. These side effects can be counter-acted with a skin smoothing agent, such as Folligen Lotion, Emu Oil, Tricomin and Aloe Vera.

People who have experienced over-absorption of Minoxidil have complained of chest pain, vision changes, and an irregular or fast heartbeat. Also, women who used the 5% version experienced the growth of unwanted facial hair. If you experiencing any of these more severe side effects, it is important to tell your healthcare provider.

Minoxidil is available without a prescription. It can be applied topically and used simultaneously with other hair loss treatments. Before you apply Minoxidil, it is important that your scalp is dry. After you have applied Minoxidil, you cannot shampoo or shower for four hours. It is also not recommended to use a hair dryer while using Minoxidil.

40% of men who used Minoxidil in clinical trials reported the appearance of hair regrowth. Before you start a hair treatment regime, it is crucial to talk with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to tell you which hair treatment solution or medication may work best for you. In clinical trials, Minoxidil worked best when used with a DHT inhibitor, such as Propecia.

A Fake Propecia Scam

Sunday, December 16th, 2007

It is important that one only gets a prescription for Propecia from their healthcare provider. Propecia should be obtained from a local pharmacy, or from a reputable online pharmacy. Before you order Propecia online, it is crucial that you check into the pharmacy’s reputation to ensure that you are receiving quality Propecia.

A recent announcement by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency in the UK successfully stated that three men were recently jailed for 10 years for selling fake Propecia. The three men were involved in a global conspiracy that consisted of multi-million dollars. The men were jailed in different correctional facilities located in the United Kingdom.

This is one of the largest counterfeit drug rings to be busted in all of British History. Judge Nicholas Price said, “Greed is the overriding motivation to such offenses. The scale of this criminal enterprise was truly global. It was long-running, it was highly organized, and it was conducted with total and cynical disregard for unsuspecting and vulnerable customers.”

While on their crime spree, the three men laundered and sold fake medications without a wholesaler’s license. The men were living a lifestyle lapped in luxury as a result of the profits made from their criminal and deceitful activities.  The three men were convicted of eleven counts of a conspiracy to sell fake medication. For the next several years, the men will be behind bars, far away from a life a luxury.

The Internet has created a breeding ground for a new type of criminal. If you purchase Propecia online, make sure that you know who you are dealing with.  There are many reputable pharmacies online, and it is important to differentiate the legitimate ones that will save you money from those that are counterfeit.  Review our guide here that advises on what to look for in a verified pharmacy.  By conducting the needed research and verification, this will ensure that you are only receiving high-quality prescription Propecia.

Does Propecia Affect a Man’s Ability to Reproduce?

Saturday, December 15th, 2007

There have been many rumors about Propecia that have surfaced. Some rumors say that Propecia affects a man’s sex drive, while other rumors say that Propecia affects a man’s ability to reproduce. Both of these rumors can be squashed and labeled as untrue. In clinical trials, scientists have found that there is no relationship between Propecia and a man’s ability to impregnate a woman.

Also, many men wonder if Propecia will pose any risk to the fetus. In the studies that have been conducted, there has been no evidence that suggests that the fetus is at risk if the father is currently taking Propecia. A man should not worry about being able to reproduce or about any risk to the fetus, while taking Propecia.  These studies have put the rumor mill to rest.

Men can obtain Propecia with a prescription from their doctor. There are two ways that Propecia is dispensed. Propecia tablets are usually one milligram. The tablets are octagonal, tan and have a film coating. Most often Propecia is prescribed in a unit bottle of thirty tablets. Another way that it is prescribed is in a carton of three unit bottles. It is up to your doctor on which Propecia pack will be prescribed to you.

Before you let a rumor stop you from taking Propecia, talk with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will be able to give you the facts. Propecia is an effective way to treat hair loss that does not affect a man’s sex drive or his ability to reproduce. Propecia is a safe way to effectively treat male pattern hair loss.

 

Strategies to Save Your Scalp

Friday, December 14th, 2007

Would you believe that in the past eleven years, there have been 40 treatments patented for hair loss?  Ten years ago, there was a $2 million budget for hair loss clinical trails. It is safe to say that this figure has increased over the years. It seems that hair loss is a huge issue, especially since it affects millions of men. In fact, fifty percent of men suffer from a form of hair loss.

One of the most authoritative facts proven in clinical trials is that hair follicles do shrink and eventually die.  This is usually triggered by the body’s levels of DHT, a potent testosterone derivative; this is why Propecia has been proven to be highly effective in treating hair loss.  Nonetheless, researchers are puzzled why some men who have healthy levels of DHT are still forced to mournfully watch as their hair falls out, vanishing down the drain at alarming rates.

Dr. Ken Washenok, a director at the New York University Medical Center commented that it is easier to treat hair loss before it begins than after the fact.  One of the findings of every hair loss study conducted shows that hair-loss treatment must start before the appearance of bare skin. This is one of the most significant rules to preventing and stopping further hair loss.

The three hair loss treatment solutions that are recommended by medical professionals are Propecia, Minoxdil and Tricomin. Minoxidil was first prescribed as a blood pressure medication. People taking this medication noticed that it made hair sprout everywhere. Scientists created a topical application that could localize the growth of hair. 39% percent of men who used it for twelve months experienced the re-growth of hair.

It is recommended that Minoxdil be used with an oral hair loss treatment, such as Propecia.  Propecia is available with a prescription and is one of the best ways to treat hair loss; Propecia specifically treats the follicles that have stopped growing hair because of the aging hormone DHT.  Tricomin, can only be used by participants in a clinical trail.  Nonetheless, doctors believe that these are the three top ways to save your scalp.

Propecia versus Tricomin

Thursday, December 13th, 2007

Tricomin, developed in Washington, is not a prescription drug that treats hair loss. Instead, it is an additive that is put in conditioners and shampoos. In the early clinical trails of Tricomin, it was reported that this topical solution yielded results of 40% denser hair growth in approximately 80% of the male participants.

Tricomin is expected to be approved by the FDA within the next few years. It seems that the copper-peptide compound, found in Tricomin, neutralizes the superoxide which is one of the reasons that hair follicles are shed. Now, the studies have shown that Tricomin works best if used simultaneously with another hair loss treatment.

Most men in the study used finasteride, or Propecia, while using Tricomin. This is because Propecia is designed to prevent further DHT damage to the hair follicle, therefore combating a different part of the process of hair loss. There are also other combinations that can be used.

Propecia is a highly effective hair loss treatment that is currently available on the market with a prescription. Eventually, depending on more clinical trials, Tricomin will be approved and can be used in conjunction with Propecia to enhance the results. Nonetheless, Propecia, used by itself, is still one of the most effective ways to treat hair loss.

In clinical trials, Propecia has prevented further hair loss from occurring and has also been responsible for the regrowth of hair. If you are suffering from hair loss, it is important that you begin utilizing a Propecia treatment regime as soon as possible. Hair loss has different stages, and if it is caught early on, the damaging affects are lessened greatly by Propecia. Scientists continue to work hard at finding more and more ways to effectively treat hair loss.