The big bald question: Which hat to wear while jogging?

It's that time of year again, the time when summer is long gone, the long winter nights are threatening to creep in and the urge to stay snuggled up at home until next spring is strong. Nothing wrong with that, of course, except staying at home tends to mean not going to the gym and I can already feel my waistline making room for this year's Christmas dinner.

The solution, naturally, is to go jogging, and that's exactly what I'm going to do (as often as possible between now and when the leaves start to grow back on the trees). The problem caused by this solution is that I'm even more self aware of being bald when I'm running than when I'm just walking around trying to mind my own business. No doubt Richard Dawkins would say that's because people have developed to pay attention to moving objects, I'd say it's because they like to point and laugh at shiny things. Anyway, the way round this is obviously to wear a hat, but which one? Having a had a quick look in the cupboard my choices are as follows:

- A fluffy thing with ear flaps which tie together under your chin, the kind of thing Sherlock Holmes would wear if he worked on a Russian trawler.

- A round thing which belongs to my girlfriend and appears to be made of leather. I don't really know how to describe it better but the important point is it's too small for me so I'd have to run with one hand held to my head to stop it blowing away.

- A motorcycle helmet.

Now, perhaps I'm being picky but none of the above really strikes me as suitable for use while huffing and puffing round the block. I may just have to wait until it gets dark and go out then.

Then again, I've always fancied being a famous detective...

What is Crinagen? (part two)

Unlike other topical scalp solutions Crinagen is not sold with associated shampoos and conditioners. Typical of his medically sound methodology, Dr. Razack explains this simply by stating that they are unnecessary as there are already effective options on the market. For use with Crinagen he recommends an anti-inflammatory shampoo such as Nizoral or T-Gel.

In addition to Crinagen, Raztec Enterprises later developed Natrecia, a herbal supplement specifically blended to combat hair loss. Natrecia can be used by men and women with minimal side effects, and is intended to be taken as a pill once daily.

A 30 day supply (1 bottle) of Crinagen costs $19.95, though it's worth buying more because the price per bottle reduces if you buy 2 or 4 bottles at a time. A 30 day supply of Natrecia is also $19.95 and there are similar advantages to buying more bottles in one go. Shipping in the US is free.

Neither Crinagen nor Natrecia is FDA approved, because like Revivogen, their exclusively natural lists of ingredients mean that they do not require such regulation. Crinagen was developed before the comparable product Revivogen appeared on the market and while it has many loyal customers, it now exists in the shadow of the latter product in terms of market share. It is possible that this has more to do with marketing than anything else though, as Dr. Razack's product web site is heavy on the science and relatively light on marketing. In fact, with it's triple action approach to inhibiting DHT production, stimulating blood flow in the scalp and suppressing immune system reactions within the follicles themselves, Crinagen combats hair loss on more levels than its newer but more slickly marketed rival. All this may be about to change however, as the Raztec Enterprises web site is currently being revamped for a relaunch in the near future.

What is Crinagen? (part one)

Crinagen was developed by Dr. Nasser Razack after he began to experience hair loss as a college student in his mid 20s. His realization that there were few credible treatment options available at the time led to exhaustive medical research into its causes and possible treatments on his part. In 1997 he published "Conquering Hair Loss, A Complete Medical Guide To Hair Loss Assessment, Prevention and Restoration", a comprehensive book setting out the results of his research in great detail. At the same time, his company Raztec Enterprises released Crinagen onto the market as an all natural topical spray designed to be applied to the scalp to prevent hair loss and aid regrowth.

Currently an interventional neuroradiologist at the Bayfront Medical Center in Florida, Dr. Nasser Razack's approach to the problem of hair loss has always been meticulously scientific. Crinagen only contains ingredients and compounds that have been medically proven to be effective in treating hair loss, and Dr. Razack's review of the medical literature is as thorough as it gets. The basic ingredients of Crinagen have remained the same since it was first produced, though a number of new versions have been released over time. Each new version introduced minor changes to the product, but Dr. Razack is slow to make changes to the formula for Crinagen because he prefers to wait for conclusive medical evidence before deciding to include a new ingredient. The current version was released in October 2001 and is the 4th to be released.

Because it is a topical and completely natural product like Revivogen, Crinagen can be used by men and women alike and has no systemic or hormonal side effects. In addition to being a DHT inhibitor, Crinagen works to increase the flow of blood to the follicles of the scalp. It also suppresses immune system reactions that can cause inflammations of the scalp which in turn compound the damage caused to follicles by DHT. Crinagen has been proven to reduce DHT production in the scalp by up to 98%. Its ingredients not only combat hair loss, but also combine in ways that enable Crinagen to work simultaneously on a number of fronts at once. Some of its most powerful ingredients are Azelaic acid, Vitamin B6, Zinc acetate, Niacin, Saw Palmetto, Ginkgo Biloba and Proanthocyanidins from grape seed extract.

More tomorrow...

Creating a hair loss community - can you help?

Apart from providing accurate, impartial information the other main goal of the Hair Loss Heaven website is to provide a welcoming, supportive community by offering discussion forums and an email discussion list. To date, the forums and email list have been very quiet. If you have any suggestions about how I can encourage new members to join and share their experiences I'd be very happy to hear your thoughts (along with any other comments about the site). Please feel free to use the contact form to get in touch, I look forward to hearing from you! Thanks, Mac

What is Revivogen? (part two)

By inhibiting both types of 5-alpha-reductase with naturally available ingredients and localizing the effects of the treatment to the scalp, its advocates believe that Revivogen is more effective than Finasteride (which only targets type I 5-alpha-reductase) and safer than both Finasteride and Dutasteride. Because it is not a systemic treatment working against DHT throughout the entire body, it is safe for use by men and women alike and the only side effects reported are occasional irritations of the scalp.

Beyond its virtues as a cocktail of natural DHT inhibitors, Revivogen has another advantage over pharmaceutical treatments. It doesn't stop at impeding the conversion of testosterone into DHT, it also works to prevent the process by which DHT binds to androgen receptors within the hair follicles themselves. In other words, like other treatments it reduces the amount of DHT being produced in the first place, but goes further to protect follicles from damage caused to them by contact with any DHT still present in the scalp.

The natural ingredients that Revivogen contains are Gamma Linolenic acid (GLA), Alpha Linolenic acid (ALA), Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Azelaic acid, Vitamin B6, Zinc, Saw Palmetto Extract, Beta-Sitosterol and Procyanidin Oligomers. Many consumers apply it once daily, often at bedtime. The product range also includes a shampoo and a conditioner which can be used to help the hair appear fuller and thicker.

A 3 month supply of the topical solution (known as Revivogen Scalp Therapy) currently costs $89, but if you want the shampoo and conditioner to go with it, your 3 month supply will cost $119. Although the shampoo and conditioner may help your hair look thicker and healthier, the DHT inhibiting effects of Revivogen come exclusively from the topical solution, so if you want to cut costs and focus on the action at the level of your follicles you can probably dispense with the rest. You might need to use Revivogen for up to 6 months before noticing any benefits.

Revivogen can be used in combination with pharmaceutical DHT inhibitors or regrowth agents such as Finasteride (Propecia) and Minoxidil (Rogaine), and some like to use all 3 treatments as part of a hair treatment maintenance regime. If you use both Revivogen and Minoxidil it is important to use them at different times of the day so that each can work its magic without interference from the other.

The catch with Revivogen is that because it is not FDA approved or regulated there is currently no clinical data available concerning its efficacy as a treatment for hair loss.

What is Revivogen? (part one)

Revivogen is a range of products produced by the Los Angeles based company Advanced Skin and Hair Inc. The company's founder and CEO is Dr. Alex Khadavi, a certified dermatologist with a private practice in Los Angeles who is also an instructor in dermatology at the University of Southern California. Originally motivated by his own experience of beginning to lose hair as a young man, Dr. Khadavi developed Revivogen as a natural alternative to pharmaceutical DHT inhibitors after years of research into the causes of and available treatments for hair loss.

Revivogen has been on the market since 1999 and is not FDA approved. It must be remembered however that it does not require FDA approval because its active ingredients are all natural.

For many consumers, the company's branding of Revivogen as a treatment that only contains naturally occurring DHT inhibitors is one of the most attractive things about it. Moreover, it is a topical solution applied directly to the scalp, so unlike the drugs Finasteride and Dutasteride its inhibition of DHT is specific to the tissue of the scalp and does not result in systemic side effects. Like Dutasteride, Revivogen combats types I and II of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme which is responsible for metabolising testosterone into DHT, the process that eventually contributes to hair loss in those who are genetically susceptible.

More tomorrow, but comments always welcome!

Baldness and self esteem

Self esteem is something most of us struggle with at some stage or another, regardless of whether or not we're affected by hair loss (or the fear of hair loss). Looking back at my own experience of losing my hair, though, I'm often surprised at how calmly I accepted the loss of my mighty mane.

I wish I could say that was because I'm a strong person with a well developed sense of self esteem and losing my hair was something I could just brush off (along with the hair on my shoulders). That wouldn't be true, however. I think it's closer to the truth to say that I just didn't have much self confidence to begin with and as a result didn't have a lot to lose. I'm still trying to work out whether or not that's a good thing.

Until tomorrow then. I'm a baldy, hear me roar!

How Dangerous is a Hair Transplant?

Interesting post from Dr. William Rassman, Medical Director and Founder of the New Hair Institute, in relation to the sad passing of Kayne West’s mom:

To my knowledge, there has been only one death from a hair transplant anywhere in North America, as previously reported. This death reflects what appears to be completely incompetent medical care. The clinic where this death occurred, known for bargain basement prices, is still performing surgery and it appears that the patients that go there do not focus on risks of death or complications from a hair transplant. One might ask those who continue to even consider this place for surgery, "Why try to save a few dollars and place your life on the line?"

Until now I'd never really considered the risks associated with hair transplantation, I guess because I hadn't really thought of it as "surgery" per se. There is a history of heart disease in my family though, so Dr. Rassman's post makes interesting reading. Is a cosmetic procedure ever worth risking your life for?

What is Finasteride/Propecia (part two)?

Clinical studies indicate that anywhere from 2 out of 3 to 80% of men orally administered a 1 mg dose of Finasteride on a daily basis report some improvement from the treatment. Results vary from successfully slowing down the balding process to stopping the loss of hair or stimulating new growth around the crown and top of the head. Less success has been reported around the temples however, and ceasing the treatment will cause the process of hair loss to gradually resume until within 12 months any benefits afforded by Finasteride have been lost. It is also unlikely to confer benefits on advanced cases of hair loss. Younger men who have hair they would like to retain and are willing to make a long term commitment are likely to benefit the most from this treatment.

On the downside, possible side effects reported by a small proportion of men using Finasteride during trials have included abdominal pain, back pain, decreased libido and volume of ejaculate, impotence, dizziness, rash, swelling of the lips and face, breast tenderness and testicular pain. Problems such as these cleared up after ceasing the treatment. For many participating men who remained on Finasteride, side effects reduced or resolved during the course of their treatment. Women who are or may become pregnant should not handle Finasteride (especially crushed tablets) due to a risk that the drug may cause birth defects in a male fetus. Men using Finasteride should inform their doctor prior to taking a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test for prostate cancer as the drug may interfere with results. The use of Finasteride is banned in many sports as its presence in the blood can mask traces of steroid abuse.

In addition to its approved FDA status, Finasteride's popularity can be attributed to the fact that it is one of the most convenient measures against hair loss on the market. Consumers will also be pleased that with the expiration of Merck's patents on Proscar and Propecia in June 2006, a range of generic Finasteride alternatives has begun to bring prices for the treatment down considerably. A three month (90 tablet) run of 5 mg doses able to be cut into quarters with a pill cutter now costs anything from $116 (generic) to $409 (branded), making the cost of a daily dose of the drug a dollar a day or lower if consumers are prepared to shop around.

What is Finasteride/Propecia (part one)?

Finasteride was originally developed to relieve symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland common in men over 50. While testing a 5 mg dose of the drug for those purposes in the early 1990s, unforeseen benefits for the retention and stimulation of hair growth on the head were observed. The 5 mg dose went on to be approved for prostate treatment by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and marketed by pharmaceuticals giant Merck as Proscar. Further trials led to a 1 mg dose for hair loss entering the market branded as Propecia, when on 22 December 1997 Finasteride was approved by the FDA as the first clinically proven systemic treatment for male pattern baldness. Finally men hoping to slow, stop or even reverse the process of balding had a successful pharmaceutical treatment at their disposal.

Available only with a doctor's prescription, Finasteride counters hair loss by chemically preventing the metabolism of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) within the body. It achieves this by targeting and inhibiting type II 5-alpha-reductase, one of two types of an enzyme able to facilitate such a conversion. By interfering with this process Finasteride greatly reduces the amount of DHT present in, among other tissue in the body, the scalp. The detrimental effect that DHT has on the vitality of the individual follicles and hairs of susceptible individuals can thus be negated, or more accurately, deferred.

More tomorrow...

What are Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Inhibitors?

If you're serious about preventing hair loss and encouraging new growth, you need to take action to prevent the damaging effect that the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) has on the follicles of your scalp. There are several main ways to go about this.

Depending on your gender, stage of hair loss and other factors, your available options may include taking a daily Finasteride or Dutasteride tablet or capsule to reduce the levels of DHT circulating throughout your entire body. Or, if you don't like the idea of such "system wide" approaches, or cannot use them for other reasons, you might benefit from natural and topical solutions, lotions and creams applied directly to the scalp to combat various phases of the production of DHT and its attempts to combine with your follicles' androgen receptors.

In addition, some of these products are frequently used in combination with each other. Tomorrow I'll take a look at some of the market leading and most popular DHT inhibitors.

Why Hair Loss Heaven?

A friend of mine asked me the other day why I'd bothered to set up the Hair Loss Heaven web site. It's a good question but I'm not sure I gave her a good answer at the time - I muttered something vague about it being "good to talk" and we moved on. Having given it some more thought, though, what I *really* want to build is this:

1. A welcoming, supportive community where people can talk about their experience of hair loss without fear of ridicule.

AND

2. A resource people can use to find impartial, accurate information about hair loss and all the various hair preservation and restoration options.

From my own experiences of searching the Internet for helpful hair loss resources I know there are a lot of places which certainly don't fulfill those criteria and I guess that was the driving factor behind my initial motivation. I hope that if you're reading this you'll want to join me and help build our community - why not register at the site and say hello in the forums? You'll be made very welcome!

The 5 best things about being bald

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you - in reverse order - the 5 best things about being bald:

5. Losing a comb is no big deal. If you still have a little at the back and on the sides, a toothbrush will suffice.

4. Having hair on your back actually becomes a source of pride: "Whoah, look at them thick roots!"

3. If you injure your head and need stitches, you look about as hard as it's possible for any human being to look.

2. People will automatically credit you with wisdom and maturity beyond your years. This is great until you encounter a situation which actually calls for wisdom and maturity.

And, at number one:

1. You never have to worry about losing your hair.

The Women’s Hair Loss Project

The Women’s Hair Loss Project is a really great blog for women looking for information and support about their hair loss experience. It deals with some tough emotional issues but hopes to alleviate some of the pain of hair loss by sharing those emotions. From what we can see, it's doing a good job of achieving that goal. Recommended.

Bloody hell, it's chilly!

Oh great, it's that time of year again. You know, the time when it's actually even more uncomfortable than normal to be bald because the temperature's dropping and going outside feels like stepping into a cold shower. Brrrrrrrrrrrr...

Of course, on the bright side, we now have a good excuse to wear a hat! What a great device hats are, they keep us warm and (personally speaking, at least) improve our looks at the same time...

Maybe this time of year's not so bad after all.