Hair Loss Research Raises Hope for New Treatments
A recent article at SFGate.com explores the use of biotechnology in searching for new hair loss treatments. While not a life threatening disease, hair loss certainly has a devastating effect on sufferers. Kaiser Permanente dermatologist Paradi Mirmirani explains, “”I have tearful patients in my office many times a day. When they lose their hair, they feel like they’ve lost their identity.”
A Multibillion Dollar Industry
Although most health insurance providers don’t reimburse policy holders for hair loss treatments, many individuals are willing to pay out of pocket. Over one billion dollars are spent every years on hair loss drugs and transplants, making it a lucrative industry. The good news for hair loss sufferers is that this kind of revenue motivates pharmaceutical companies and academic researchers to search for more effective treatments.
They’re throwing an arsenal of high-tech tools at the condition: genome studies, stem cell stimulation, gene therapy, a type of tissue engineering often called “hair cloning” and even robotics.
Currently there are only two drugs for hair loss that are approved by both the Food and Drug Administration and The American Hair Loss Association. Those are Merck’s Propecia and Johnson & Johnson’s Rogaine (generic name minoxidil). However, several companies are looking to expand on the number of effective drug treatments for hair loss. They are also looking beyond drugs, to improving transplants and cultivating hair follicles to increase hair growth.
Drugs Under Development
• Pfizer, Inc is developing a drug that works the same way as Rogaine for topical use.
• Pfizer is also working on another drug treatment, which will mimic the effect of thyroid hormones.
• AndroScience Corp. is working on a drug that degrades cell receptors for dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that stops hair follicles from producing new hairs.
Transplant Improvements
• Restoration Robotics is developing surgical equipment that would allow surgeons to perform faster and cheaper transplants.
Follicle Cultivation
• Follica Inc. is working on methods for generating new hair follicles, which is currently seen as high risk and is in extremely early stages of development.
• Aderans Research Institute is looking at ways to multiply key cells from the scalp, which would then be injected or seeded into the scalp to generate new follicles.
The promise for better solutions to hair loss has many hair loss sufferers feeling hopeful that in the near future there will be more choices and better treatments.
You can read the entire SFGate article at the following link:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/06/BU4IVBIV2.DTL&type=tech
Two Clinically Proven Treatments for Men’s Hair Loss
Hair loss has become an industry packed with snake oil miracle cures that promise to restore hair growth but fail to deliver results. Products that are not FDA approved or recommended by The American Hair Loss Association do not meet quality standards for hair loss treatments. To date, only two treatments are clinically proven: Finasteride (Proscar/Propecia) and Minoxidil.
With the advent of these two treatments, there is new hope for men who are facing hair loss. With early intervention, it’s possible for hair loss progression to be stopped. In order for treatment to be successful, it must begin as soon as possible.
Finasteride (brand names Proscar and Propecia)
Originally, finasteride was developed by the pharmaceutical company Merck and approved by the FDA to treat enlarged prostrate glands but during trials some men noticed a side effect of considerable hair growth. Merck decided to continue development of finasteride as a treatment for androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness) and it was approved for that purpose by the FDA in 1997.
Lowering dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels is currently the only medically effective way to stop hair loss. A daily 1 mg dose of Finasteride can lower DHT levels by as much as 60 percent and it was proven effective for stopping the progression of hair loss in 86% of the men who took it during clinical trials.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil has a similar story to finasteride. It was originally used to treat high blood pressure. Eventually it was discovered that one of its side effects was growth of hair in unexpected places like on the cheeks, the backs of hands, and even on foreheads.
Some researchers experimented with applying minoxidil topically in areas where hair growth was desired. There were varying degrees of success with this application, which depended on the extent of the hair loss. However, minoxidil was the first drug that the FDA approved specifically for treatment of male pattern baldness and to this day, The American Hair Loss Association still recommends it for individuals who haven’t had success with finasteride. However, because it doesn’t affect the hormonal process, the effects of minoxidil are temporary and it is not seen as a long term solution.
To learn more about hair loss treatment for men check out The American Hair Loss Association men’s hair loss treatment section.
Technorati Tags: American Hair Loss Association, hair loss, mens hair loss treatement, Minoxidil, propeciaI’m 25 And Losing My Hair, Looking For An Inexpensive Hair Loss Treatment
Hello, my name is J.Freeman. I am 25 years old and have been noticing hair loss for approximately a year. I do not have insurance and cannot afford Propecia treatments. I am also concerned about the side affect that come along with it. I was hoping to get information on a inexpensive hair growth regimen.
Dear J,
The truth is, if you are contending with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) your first line of attack should always be to take the hormonal route. Propecia is an extremely effective drug that stops or slows the progression of hair loss in the vast majority of men who use it. There is also a relatively large percetage of men who receive significant cosmetically appreciable regrowth. By not using this incredibly effective treatment, it is my opinion that you are doing yourself a great disservice. Just so you know, insurance does not cover Propecia, so even if you had good health coverage you would still be responsible for paying for it out of pocket.
With that said, in most parts of the country, Propecia will cost approximately $55 / month. If your hair loss concerns you to the point where you seeking treatment, it would be my suggestion to perhaps forgo a dinner out once a month so that you can afford this relatively inexpensive treatment.
If this is absolutely out of the question then you could aways give generic minoxidil a try. Generic minoxidil cost approximately $20 / month. Whatever you do, do not waste your hard earned money on any of the countless, questionable hair loss products you see being advertised on the internet, late night television infomercials, or on the radio.
As far as your concern for the side effects of Propecia, any reported side effects occurred in less than 2% of those patients taking the drug during clinical trials. If for some reason you were to experience any adverse side effects you could always stop taking the medication. It is also important to note that approximately 60% of those that did experience side effects only experienced them temporarily, and were able to continue taking the medication.
I wish there were more hair loss treatment options available, unfortunately the above mentioned are the only two FDA approved hair loss treatments. If you haven’t already consulted with a physician, it is imperative to receive a professional medical diagnosis before considering either of the two treatments I suggested.
Hope this helps.
Spencer Kobren
Founder, American Hair Loss Association
Phony Blogs Promote Questionable Hair Loss Products
We all know just how treacherous the internet can be when researching hair loss products and services. Unsuspecting hair loss sufferers have enough trouble trying to navigate through the incredible maze of misinformation presented by hair loss marketers who promote their bogus products and services as “miracle breakthroughs.” Just when you think it couldn’t get any worse, in walks “Balding Tony.” We’re not sure if this guy actually exists, but we can tell you that in our opinion his blog is nothing more than an pathetic attempt to mislead the hair loss consumer into thinking that the questionable product Provillus is some sort of miracle hair growth product.
In his blog “Balding Tony” writes that he has tried just about every hair loss product available including the ONLY two FDA approved products Minoxidil and Propecia. Tony complains about Propecia’s sexual side effects, which actually occur in less than 2% of those who used the drug during clinical trials. He also claimed that Minoxidi was too difficult and messy to use…it just didn’t fit into his lifestyle he writes. We found that funny since the only clinically proven ingredient in Provillus is minoxidil and in order for the Provillus product to work it has to be applied to the scalp exactly like all minoxidil based products.
Balding Tony might be fooling some of the more vulnerable, unsuspecting hair loss consumers online, but he’s certainly not fooling us. Provillus is nothing more than an overpriced dietary supplement along with repackaged generic minoxidil and azelaic acid.
Remember this rule of thumb, no matter what “Balding Tony” says, there are only two products proven to stop the progression of hair loss and to regrow hair, minoxidil and propecia. If an advertised product is not approved by the FDA or does not carry the AHLA certification seal, do not waist your time or money on it…sorry Tony.
Technorati Tags: balding tony, hair loss scams, hair loss treatment, ProvillusIs Provillus Just Another Hair Loss Scam?
Question: Hi,I am beginning to experience male pattern baldness. I have found on the internet a hair loss product called provillus. Do you know anything about this product as to whether it’s successful/safe, etc. It claims to be FDA approved and has ingredients found in both Rogaine and Propecia as well as some vitamins. I don’t want to take a risky medication for health reasons/further hair loss, so I was hoping you guys at american hair loss association might have some information on this product.Thanks,
Travis
Answer:
Dear Travis,
The sad truth is that that the hair loss industry is a 3.5 billion dollar a year business, yet 99% off all products and services being sold to hair loss sufferers are either a complete scam or questionable at best.
It’s important to understand that there have only been two FDA approved medical treatments for hair loss. They are Minoxidil and Propecia (Finasteride).
There is no other product on the market that has been approved by the FDA to treat hair loss!
Provillus claims to be a proprietary blend of herbal, mineral, and vitamin components which include:
Saw Palmetto Berries, Gotu Kola, Nettles, Magnesium, Zinc Sulfate, Siberian Ginseng, Vitamin B-6, Pumpkin Seed Meal, and Mura Puma Root. These are all considered to be nutritional supplements none of which are approved by the Food & Drug Administration for any medical purpose let alone the prevention and treatment of hair loss. Read more
