An article in the New York Times discusses research surrounding a potential new hair loss treatment. The NY Times’ article “Old Transplant Drug May Have A Fringe Benefit” states that an immunosuppressant used to prevent organ rejection in those having liver, kidney or heart transplants also stimulated hair growth.
Posted by Updated 2018-07-03
Q: What is more important against baldness, decreasing DHT in serum with oral finasteride or decreasing DHT in the scalp with topical finasteride? — A.G. ~ Brooklyn, N.Y.
A: Decreasing serum DHT with oral finasteride is more effective in combating hair loss, as the decreased blood levels decrease the DHT in follicles and seem to do it better than finasteride applied topically.
Posted by Updated 2018-07-03
Dr. Angela Christiano and her team of researchers at Columbia University studying the autoimmune disease Alopecia areata, have shed new light on how to move hair follicles from their resting (telogen) stage into the anagen phase where they can produce normal hairs. Their study, published in the October issue of Science Advances, introduces the possibility of a new topical medication for hair growth. The finding has implications in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (common hair loss) as well as Alopecia areata, which causes a non-scarring form of localized hair loss.
Posted by Updated 2016-09-20Q: After achieving results with 5% Minoxidil is it possible to the switch to the 2% version to maintain those results without any adverse hair loss? — I.I., Winnetka, Illinois
A: It will be less effective. The dosing should not be decreased.
Posted by Updated 2017-12-11Q: Have you any experience with Azelaic Acid as a hair loss treatment — is this something you would recommend using with Rogaine (minoxidil) 2% or 5% solutions? — S.V., Short Hills, N.J.
A: Azeleic acid has no direct benefit in promoting hair growth. Azelaic acid (like retinoic acid) increases the absorption of minoxidil, but also the side effects, so I would especially not recommend it in your case.
Posted by Updated 2017-12-11
A double-blind scientific study published in the May 2012 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology has found that latanoprost, a drug that mimics naturally-derived compound molecules called prostaglandins, significantly increases hair density on the scalp after 24 weeks of treatment in young men with mild hair loss.
The January 2012 issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology contains an article, written by Drs. Schweiger and Bernstein, which is the first case study of eyebrow growth from the topical use of bimatoprost.
Latisse (bimatoprost) is a topical medication that is FDA-approved for eyelash growth. Some physicians have used the medication for “off-label” use, such as use with eyelashes and scalp hair. However, until recently, there had not been any published medical literature describing the off-label use.
Posted by Updated 2016-01-20
From hair extensions to eyelash enhancement, our resident expert on hair loss in women is on the case. Dr. Eric Schweiger was featured in a segment on Good Morning America where he discussed the enhancement of eyelashes, which he called, “a universal sign of beauty.”
Q: I use Nizoral for my dandruff. Does it work for hair loss too? — M.D., Danbury, CT
A: The active ingredient in Nizoral is Ketoconazole. This medication, originally developed to treat fungus infections, has slight anti-androgen action. It is supposed to work in hair loss by inhibiting the action of DHT on hair follicles. Although, in theory, it should be useful for androgenetic hair loss, there have not been conclusive scientific studies to show that it works to treat balding when used as a topical application for balding.
Posted by Updated 2015-04-23