Regrowing Eyelash Hair with FabuLash Mascara?

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /, ,

As you know, cosmeceuticals cannot be patented so you may want to reverse engineer FabuLash.

I was told about it by an esthetician who had marvelous eyelashes (no, I don’t believe what I’m told) so, rather than pay $150 for a tube of it (it’s applied as is mascara) I went on to eBay and bought some and began to test it almost a month ago.

Whereas one usually would easily see my eyeliner, for both my lashes and eyebrows are terribly thinned, I now have to dampen and then brush my eyelashes BEFORE putting on mascara to both untangle and to keep them from tangling while applying mascara and can also feel the tips of them on my brow bones. Yesterday I noticed that I’m going to have to do some judicious plucking on my middle eyebrow area.

I have NO idea how this works… or why. It’s NOT just a thickening of the hair or a darkening of it for there is no color change of the hair … there are hairs on both my eyelids and eyebrows that haven’t BEEN there in years (and I never DID have lashes like this, even when I was modeling) so I haven’t a clue. I have eyelashes into both the corners of my eyes and way out on the ends of the eyelid. The stuff does NOT sting my eyes either.

I started putting it on my hairline as well to see what may show up there but that was just 3 days ago and I’d have no noticeable results in so short a time.

Thought you might find this of use.

FabuLash
This email actually came in from an acquaintance of mine. Take what she said here as an honest report of one woman’s experience.

I’m often asked about regrowing eyelash hair, and while I can’t give a medical reason for this phenomenon, I nonetheless wanted to share it with the readers of this site. I do have great doubts that what she reported reflects reality, so take this for what you will. Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic products which claim to have drug-like benefits (anti-aging creams, for example), and Revlon FabuLash would fit that loose definition if it did indeed regrow eyelashes.

There is a tendency for us to talk ourselves into believing that the impossible is possible. If anyone else tries this, please let me know the results.

Tags: revlon, fabulash, mascara, cosmeceutical, eyelash, eyelid, hairloss, hair loss, regrowth

My Hair Is Professionally Dyed and I’m Losing It

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

(male) I have noticed my hair really starting to thin over the last 4 or 5 years, about the same time my hairdresser and decided to colour my hair. Can hairdye cause hair loss, and what can I do to reverse the process. If it is the dye, is there a dye you can recommend that is easy on the scalp and hair? Thanks for your help

Any chemicals used on external parts of the hair can cause hair loss if it works its way through the follicle and down to the root. There are many reported cases of hair root damage and hair loss from deep chemical burns from hair dyes. Also, irritation or inflammation of the skin, like as in allergic reactions, can accelerate hair loss in a person who is prone to it.

You may have had the genetic vulnerability to hair loss that has been activated by an external stimulus “reaction to dye”.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, chemical, dye, stylist, professional

Is “Amazing Herbal Remedies” Really All That Amazing?

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /

An article came out about hair loss treatment by using rare Indian herbs…Any opinion about this?

Press Release – A Revolutionary Hair Loss Herbal Treatment Offers Permanent Results

Amazing Herbal RemediesI have no firsthand experience with this product, but again, this is a buyer beware market. Anyone can put out a press release. This product is actually called “Amazing Herbal Remedies” and the maker claims that it will regrow your hair in a month thanks to the included “rare herbs” from India. I’d love to see some science behind these claims.

A press release and a website that claim their new lotion and potion collection contains rare herbs from a foreign land will not make me believe in this product or think it has even a remote chance of working as claimed.

Tags: indian, herb, hairloss, hair loss, amg, amazing, herbal

Hair Loss from Old Hair Gel?!

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

My hair started falling out diffusely almost 2 months ago. First the texture changed and now it is shedding everywhere. I have lost more than 3/4 of my hair. I noticed that a bottle of Paul Mitchell Hair Gel that I had been using was rancid and I was wondering if that could cause hair loss. I have had thyroid and blood tests and all were fine.

If you lost 3/4th of your hair, you should not be on the internet, but in a good dermatologist’s office. This is a real hair emergency! As for your question about hair gel, I’ve never heard of expired or old hair gel doing this.

Tags: gel, hairloss, hair loss, rancid, expired, old

If They Offer a Money Back Guarantee, It Has to Work — Right?!

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

Hi,

My question is around the laser comb. I have read all the links but still have the question why would they offer a 5 month money back guarantee if it didn’t work? Any help would be appreciated, especially if it saves me money.

Secondly, is it safe to use Propecia when your wife is pregnant but is three months from giving birth. Thanks.

GuaranteeThere are hundreds of dollars in coupons that never gets utilized in the Sunday newspapers. There are millions of dollars worth of rebates that never get claimed. Money back guarantees and rebates and coupons are a great marketing tool, but that does not necessarily mean that the products and services are good or worth your money. It may not be that easy to get the promise to be fulfilled.

Regarding your second question — there are no warnings by the producer of Propecia (Merck) nor FDA concerns when men take Propecia with a pregnant wife. Keep in mind that millions of your men are in your situation and there are no reports that I am aware of where the drug has been shown to be unsafe.

Tags: lasercomb, money back, guarantee, laser comb, laser, propecia, pregnant, hairloss, hair loss, fda

Will Bleaching My Hair Effect the Use of Propecia?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

I am a 22 year old male with class 4 norwood balding. I have been on propecia for seven months now and havnt really seen any effect. However, I am going to stick it out for a year and see how it developes. My question to you is, should I decide to bleach my hair blonde, will this effect the potential of propecia working for me? I have seen loads of guys thinning on top bleaching their hair and I think it looks good.

Kind regards.

Blonde hair does reduce the contrast between scalp and hair colors and as such, does allow you to appear fuller with less hair. Of course, if you are bald in the front, dying it or bleaching it won’t help. If you have a full Norwood Class 4 pattern of balding, hair transplantation works wonders in the front, although being only 22 years old, you may not be a candidate yet.

Stay on Propecia or you will lose all that it has held on your head since you started taking it. That would be a big mistake. Be sure that the bleaching is done by a professional, because the experience with chemical burns from people not knowing what they are doing can wipe out your hair. Bleach penetrates the hair and can damage the hair shaft while Propecia effects the root of the hair where it is formed. When bleach is used and it penetrates the base of the hair follicle to such a degree that it will damage it, then not even Propecia can save the hair.

Tags: blonde, blond, hairloss, hair loss, propecia, finasteride, bleach, chemical, burn, damage

Using LaserComb After the Flap

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Dr. Rassman
I had transplant (the flap) about 25yrs ago. I want to try laser comb, I it safe to use on flap area? thank you

It won’t hurt, but it probably won’t help. Get a proper evaluation before you treat yourself. I see many flap procedure patients and have helped many of them. The changes that the laser comb will possibly bring you is like playing the lottery — in other words, it’s a huge gamble and probably not worth the money.

Tags: lasercomb, laser comb, hairloss, hair loss, flap

Boehmeria Nipononivea and Hair Loss

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

I was wondering what is your opinion on Bohemeria Niponivea:

PDF file – The Effect Of Herbal Extract On Hair Growth In Female Androgenic Alopecia

Many thanks and have a wonderful day.

An excerpt from the article states, “A specific extract from leaves of Boehmeria nipononivea (a plant of nettle family from Japan and China, well known in traditional medicine) has a very effective 5-a-reductase inhibitory activity for the presence of several specific fatty acids.”

While this is an interesting article, I really know nothing about this herbal plant. I am concerned that the authors show a connection between DHT and blocking DHT with the relationship between sebum production and hair loss. Some of the material is suspicious and I had problems connecting the dots on the logic. If the herbal is safe (I don’t know that it is) then trying it may be worthwhile.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, boehmeria, nipononivea, herbal, herb

Melanocytes and Hair Color

/by William Rassman, M.D./2 /,

I have a question about greying process.

Scientists say that someday in the future it would be possible to reverse grey hair back to its original colour, because grey hair still have melanocytes but they are reduce in number. What do you think how long melanocytes survive in grey hair, and is it true that grey hair still have melanocytes but white hair have no more melanocytes.

DO you think that it will be possible to reverse also those hair which have no more melanocytes. (white hair?)

Hair dyeThe reason that your hair becomes gray and eventually white is that over time you lose the cells that make melanin, the pigment responsible for hair color. It is very likely that we can reverse the process of graying hair with gene therapy in the future by prolonging the life of melanocytes.

I can not predict how soon we can have a method to reverse the color of gray hair to its original color and I recommend that you use dye to color your hair for now, rather than waiting for scientists to come up with that solution. Be careful that you use a professional quality hair dye and follow the instructions provided with the dye. I don’t want to see you back here with questions about treating chemical burns and experiencing hair loss!

Tags: melanocyte, hair color, color, hairloss, hair loss, hair dye, dye, gray, grey

Biotin and Propecia

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

Hello Dr. Rassman,

Would there be a negative effect in taking Propecia and a dietary supplement called Biotin 2500, which has about 2500 mcg of biotin, at the same time?

Thanks for your time.

I do not see a problem combining Propecia (finasteride 1mg) with biotin.

Tags: biotin, propecia, finasteride, hairloss, hair loss, supplement

Herbal Shampoo and Rogaine for Women

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

my mother takes rogaine. i have found a herbal shampoo system that is supposed to enhance hair growth.

the ingredients are: cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone PEG-8, meadowfoamate, cocamidopropyl, pg-dimethiconol, lecithin, borago officinalis seed oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, retinyl palmitate, tocopheryl acetate, ascorbyl palmitate, phosphatidyl choline, panthenol, glycerin, phopholipids, niacin, sodium riboflavin phosphate, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hcl, carbomer, papain, hydrolyzed algae extract, biotin, salvia officinalis(sage) leaf extract, ezuisetum hiemale extract, juniperus communis fruit extract, hypercium perforatum extract, arctium lappa root extract, symphytum officinale extract, m humulus lupulus(hops) extract, uirtica dioica(nettle) extract, thymus vulgaris extract, serenoa serrulata fruit extract, yucca schidigera extract, glycyrrhiz glabra extract, rosmarinus officinalis leag extract hydrolytzed wheat protein, benzyl nicotinate, guar hydroxypropytrimonium chloride, citric acid, hydroxyethylcellulose, safflower, sessssssssame seed oil, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, quaternium-80, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, butylene glycol, menthol, mentha piperita.

can she use this with the rogaine?

Yes, I don’t see why not.

Tags: rogaine, minoxidil, herbal shampoo, shampoo

I’m 19 And Losing My Hair — Taking Finasteride and Minoxidil, But I Want Faster Results

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /, ,

Hello

I just turned 19 and am about a III on the Norwood scale. I noticed a slight receding hairline at 17 and began using Rogaine and taking saw palmetto supplements. My father was V on the Norwood scale by the time he was 28, but his balding was not as accelerated as mine at such a young age. I have been taking finasteride (5 mg dosages cut into 4 pieces) daily for about 5 months and have continued to use Rogaine foam, and my hairline continues to rapidly recede. As I am so young this is very detrimental to my self confidence and image. I was wondering if you think that I should try dutasteride, as the finasteride seems to have had no effect (my balding wasnt progressing this fast before I went on it), or maybe even consider hair transplants to fill in what I’ve lost.

It seems you are very proactive about your hair loss. As such, you need to start with seeing a good, qualified doctor for your hair loss options.

Saw palmetto is associated with improving prostate health and as such the natural supplement community now seems to link it to hair growth, because finasteride (Propecia / Propecia) is associated with prostate health. However, there is no ‘metric’ on the value of saw palmetto that would say just what does blocks DHT.

You need a miniaturization study before you start any medication so that you have a baseline measurement prior to taking any medical treatments. Photographs and general assessments may seem good enough, but you do not know what is going on at a microscopic level without a miniaturization study.

Avodart (dutasteride) is not FDA approved for treating androgenic alopecia (AGA). Just because it is said to be a stronger blocker of DHT does not mean it will be better than Propecia (finasteride). I always point out that the drug dosage is not documented, so every doctor that prescribes Avodart to treat hair loss should be wondering the correct dosage to prescribe. If/when it is finally FDA approved for treating hair loss, the decision to start this medication should not be frivolous.

Finally, hair transplantation in a 19 year old with Norwood Class 3 balding is not recommended. Give it at least a few more years to see where your hair loss pattern is evolving to before considering surgical options.

Tags: hairtransplant, hair transplant, avodart, dutasteride, finasteride, propecia, hairloss, hair loss, rogaine, minoxidil, saw palmetto

Sebowash

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Four months back i had thick and shiny hair, then it started off falling very severly. I then went to a dermatologist. He advised me SeboWash, but there are many side effects with its usage, so now i am in dilema whether to use it or not. Is it safe to use?

As your dermatologist prescribed Sebowash (fluocinolone acetonide), I suggest you see that doctor ASAP to address your concerns.

Here’s info I found about SeboWash at CiplaDoc.com —

  1. Sebowash is to be used as directed by the physician. It is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes. In case of contact, wash eyes liberally with water.
  2. This medication should not be used for any disorder other than that for which it was prescribed.
  3. The treated scalp area should not be bandaged or otherwise covered or wrapped so as to be occlusive unless directed by the physician.
  4. Patients should report to their physician any signs of local adverse reactions.
  5. Discard contents after three (3) months.

And here’s a little more from Wikipedia —

Fluocinolone acetonide is a corticosteroid primarily used in dermatology to reduce skin inflammation and relieve itching. It is a synthetic hydrocortisone derivative. The fluorine substitution at position 9 in the steroid nucleus greatly enhances its activity. A typical dosage strength used in dermatology is 0.01–0.025%. One such cream is sold under the brand name Flucort-N and includes the antibiotic neomycin.

Tags: sebowash, fluocinolone acetonide, hairloss, hair loss, dermatitis, cipla

Regen Hair Vitalizer

/by William Rassman, M.D./6 /

I am 29 years old man. I am suffering from frontal hair loss. I have come across a product called regen hair revitaliser (claiming to have bio active nutrients)from Raylon industries. Should I go for the same. I am not sure.There is one more product from Marico, Parachute hair therapie.Which one is advisable.

I found the product here, but if you are asking for a medical opinion, the only two products that are proven to work for the treatment of hair loss are topical minoxidil and oral finasteride (Propecia). I know of many thousands of products out there that claim hair growth, but the results are suspect. If it really works better than minoxidil or finasteride, I would think it would be a huge success. It is a buyer beware market.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, vitalizer, regen, hair, raylon