11 replies to this topic

[bocor]

can someone recommend possible supplements to deal with genetic male hairloss? to aid in regrowth? muc ht hanks

[tham]

This looks good, but quite expensive.

http://www.revivogen.com/

[tham]

Here are some other good products which help
to suppress DHT .

http://betterlife.co...p?prod_id=22484

http://betterlife.co...p?prod_id=19966

http://betterlife.co...p?prod_id=23494

[canz]

From what I understand, DHT is not the only culprit of male pattern baldness. I am 28 and my hair has started thinning at a high rate lately, and I am also interested in this topic. I know a couple guys who have taken supplements like you've listed above for months to years to see no regrowth and to continue to lose hair.

So to bump what bocor asks about effective herbs, methods, medications that will help with the halt of hair loss, regrowth, and so on? Anyone who has MPB that has found a good method with minimal side effects?

[eternaltraveler]

If I start loosing much more hair I have the perfect solution.

I'm shaving my head.

[Mind]

I am puting Elrond's shaven idea into practice because mine is already falling out.

It is one thing I wish I could change, but I haven't looked in depth into chemical solutions.

I only have one anedotal story about a hair product that seems to work. A friend of mine was losing hair in his mid 20s. He started taking Propecia. He is 30 and now has more hair than he did when he was in his mid 20s. It is quite noticeable to me. I thought about getting it, but I haven't looked into it quite enough.

[dnamechanic]

Hi Mind,

If you decide to try Propecia (finasteride), try to get a prescription (or try to get) Proscar instead. Proscar is a well-established drug for prostate problems. Proscar comes in 5 mg tablets, Propecia in 1 mg tablets, so per mg Proscar is less expensive. You may, or may not, want to cut or break the tablets.

Finasteride blocks type 1, 5-alpha reductase an enzyme that converts DHT testosterone to DHT. DHT seems to have a major role in male pattern baldness. Although it is not the complete cause. (See discussions at newsgroup alt.baldspot or some of the hairloss sites such as regrowth.com).

Avodart is another prostate drug that is newer than finasteride and probably more effective. But it is more expensive and the prescription dosage (0.5 mg) for prostate doesn't seem to be large enough for optimum hair. Avodart (dutasteride) inhibits both type 1 and type 2 alpha reductase, so it probably has an advantage, if the dose is large enough.

Most know about topical Minoxidl. It has a long history and is worth trying, particularly in combination with an alpha reductase inhibitor.

There are dozens of natural compounds that show promise in preventing hairloss or regrowing hair, if not lost too long.

Some of the natural compunds may affect DHT formation like the drugs, but probably through different mechanisms.

Green tea is one that comes to mind.

Reduction of scalp inflammation is probably necessary. Inflammation is the other significant player in male pattern baldness. Many natural compounds help in this respect.

Saw Palmetto extract has a long and safe history in prostate treatment. There are some published data that it helps with hair regrowth or prevents hair loss.

The list could go on...

You may begin to think the male pattern baldness (MPB) and prostate troubles are linked, they are....

There are some data that other common health problems are correlated with MPB. So, it is more than cosmetic.

Dr. Peter Proctor has the best treatment of MPB that I know of.

http://www.drproctor.com/

His prescription "Proxiphen" is expensive, but probably has the best chance of working than any other single compound.

[Pablo M]

I actually wrote an e-mail to a friend a few days ago, as he was concerned with this and I have Oz Garcia's The Healthy High-Tech Body checked out from the library. I'm kinda jealous of those of you prone to baldness, as you get to play around with lots of fun supplements and products. I like that sort of stuff. Anyway here it is:


1) Inhibit androgens (DHT) at the site, possibly systemically (in blood circulation by swallowing finasteride)
2) Block free radical damage at the site
3) Offer autoimmune protection
4) Stimulate hairgrowth factors
5) Block any further hair loss
6) Increase circulation to the follicle and increase hair shaft size

#1 Would be accomplished with Rogaine and possibly finasteride (drug name propercia or Proscar). Apparently there are some topical finasteride products now. My search as to whether this would be effective was inconclusive.
#2 Would be topical antioxidants I guess.
#3 again is antioxidants.
#4 Would be something called Folligen.
#5 I think would be accomplished by all the other things.
#6 Is Nizoral shampoo, which unclogs pores.

*So the first product he mentions is Minoxidil (Rogaine). 2-5% in pharmacies, up to 10% online. More effective w/ retinoic acid (retin-a) so that the minoxidil can penetrate. www.medihair.com has it.
* Dr Proctor's product targets immune system, inflammation and free-radical damage. Also the presence of Superoxide Dimutase seems to stimulate hair growth.
* Something called Folligen (folligen.com) has SOD too which stimulates hair growth and inhibits immune response.
* Propecia- internally at 1 mg or topically. medihair.com has it.
* Nizoral- opens up plogged hair follicles. Get it in 2% at smart-drugs.net.
* Dercos- European anti-baldness topical. Inhibits something called perifollicular fibrosis. smart-drugs.net
* Oz Garcia also mentions hairloss-research.org. They have some products that he doesn't discuss.
* Being the mad chemist I am, I would buy some bacopa extract powder from beyond-a-century.com and make a thick paste with it, applying it to my head. Wear a shower cap and leave it on all day. Bacopa is known to have strong SOD-raising properties which a number of the others do too. This could be really effective. I take bacopa internally, 300mg per day, although today I took 900.

[tham]

Propecia is basically a fractionated dose, one-fifth,
of Proscar, or rather finasteride, which is a DHT blocker
used in the treatment of BHP and prostate cancer.

Propecia is only slightly cheaper than Proscar in Malaysia,
which is why sometimes doctors suggest buying Proscar
(a tiny tablet actually) and slicing it into 4 pieces as an
economy measure for men who wants to try it for male-
pattern hair loss.

Other androgenic effects of testosterone are probably
also responsible for male pattern hair loss, which is why
sometimes they combine finasteride with cyproterone,
a very old anti-androgen drug, for this condition. One
"baldy" in my office was actually prescribed this regimen.
Cyproterone has libido-suppressive effects though,
and liver-damaging effects at the higher doses used
in prostate cancer. Occasionally I try low doses, just
25 mg (half a 50 mg tab) for short periods for the seborrhea
(oiliness) on my face, and even at that dosage libido was
suppressed.

Some of the newer antiandrogen drugs are flutamide
(Eulexin) and bicalutamide (Casodex), but these are
normally used for prostate cancer.

Edited by tham, 29 November 2005 - 10:25 AM.

[canz]

Can you get Dr. Proctors product without consulting with your doc first and getting a prescription?

[johnmk]

I recall reading somewhere that DHT has pro-cognitive effects. I wish I could support that, I don't have time right now, so I'll just throw it out there for you to chew on.

[Pablo M]

I recall reading somewhere that DHT has pro-cognitive effects. I wish I could support that, I don't have time right now, so I'll just throw it out there for you to chew on.

Interesting, John. I haven't read anything about DHT having any cognition-enhancing effects, although deficiencies in androgens are known to cause depression, lethargy, etc. The Type 1 5AR enzyme (that dutasteride inhibits while finasteride does not) is present in the brain:
http://www.hairlosst.../article201.htm

Conclusion -- the blockage of 5AR-1 may have yet unknown neurological implications.