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Future Hair Loss Treatments
Some day, perhaps in the distant future, baldness may become a curable aliment. Scientists are currently researching gene therapies to alter a person's genetic vulnerability to hair loss. However, the actual implementation of such hair loss treatments may be decades away.

In the near future, drug treatments which inhibit the balding process seem more promising. The hair loss drug Propecia (finasteride) has been proven successful in slowing and/or stopping hair loss by blocking the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp.

Another promising drug that inhibits the development of hair loss causing DHT hormones is Dutasteride.

Like Propecia, it also inhibits the creation of DHT. And based on preliminary clinical studies, dutasteride promises to be even more successful than Propecia in inhibiting the production of DHT.

In addition, Dutasteride inhibits the activities of two types of 5-alpha-reductase enzymes. In contrast, Propecia (Finasteride) only inhibits one type. Dutasteride has been shown to decrease levels of DHT by 90% after only two weeks, making it a more powerful and faster-acting weapon against hair loss than Propecia (Finasteride).

Dutasteride is not yet FDA approved for the treatment of hair loss. However, it is being marketed as Avodart by GlaxoSmithKline as a hair loss treatment. Some hair restoration physicians also prescribe it for the treatment of hair loss. Like Propecia, Avodart is not safe for women and children.

In time, perhaps even more effective hair loss drugs will be developed to inhibit the hair loss process.

Future Hair Transplants - an endless supply of bald resistant donor hairs?

The amount of hair you can transplant is ultimately limited by the amount of hair follicles you can safely relocate from the bald resistant donor area at the back and sides of your head.

Some day it may be possible for physicians to create multiple hair follicles from one original follicle. This process typically called "hair cloning" or more correctly "Hair Multiplication" is currently being investigated by several research scientists and hair restoration physicians.

If and when this process is successfully developed patients would no longer be limited by the finite amount of bald resistant hairs that can be relocated from their donor area. Hair multiplication would result in a virtually limitless supply of hair available for hair transplantation.

This would be especially good news for men or women with extensive baldness and a very limited supply of donor hair. Even those with extensive baldness would theoretically be able achieve thick full heads of hair.

However, experts believe that we are at least ten years away from hair multiplication being available, if even then.

For most men and women, hair loss can be effectively halted or even reversed with current hair loss treatments. But the future holds the promise of even more effective treatments and perhaps some day even a "hair loss cure".
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Toppik Hair Loss Concealer
Truly a "Full Head of Hair in 30 Seconds?"

Of all the hair loss concealers available, like topical powder applications or "sprinkle solutions," Toppik is amongst the most popular. What's more, of all the "shaker" options currently available to hair loss suffering men and women, Toppik is one of the most recognized and trusted.

Since its inception, Toppik has been featured in various media outlets, including Time magazine, the Oprah Winfrey show, Fox News, NBC, and Eyewitness news. Throughout this media exposure and positive word of mouth, this hair loss product has been utilized by an estimated 3 million balding men and women worldwide. So what makes Toppik so popular? How does it work? How does it compare to other types of concealers? Most importantly, what are real consumers saying about Toppik and where can interested parties purchase this popular concealer?

Toppik Hair Loss Concealer: What is it, and how does it work?

Toppik, like many other concealers available today, is a topical powder application. The powder formula is comprised of a series of charged, keratin-based, "hair binding fibers" that, when sprinkled on thinning hair, tightly adhere to individual hair strands. With each "shake" of the Toppik product, thousands of these particles are applied to the head and bind to hair shafts via opposing electrical activity (much like the way magnetized material attracts metal).

By tightly binding to hair shafts in such significant numbers, Toppik naturally recreates the appearance of a thick, dense head of hair. According to the makers of Toppik, the bond created by the hair shaft and keratin particle is so strong that it will withstand wind, rain and perspiration, and will continue to naturally thicken and volumize the hair until "washed out" by shampoo. Additionally, because Toppik is available in a variety of different tones, the product is able to precisely match any hair color/texture and still remain completely undetectable.

What Benefits Does Toppik Offer Over Other Concealers?

Although Toppik is popular and well known within the hair restoration community, hair loss sufferers should still ask one crucial question: what benefits does Toppik offer over other, similar concealers? According to the manufactures, Toppik offers a variety of benefits that other, comparable products simply cannot match. First, Toppik's keratin fibers are completely safe, organic, all natural, and utilize electric energy to adhere to hair fibers with unmatched efficacy.

Next, not only is Toppik available in a variety of colors, but these tones can also be "mixed" to match any color and can even cover gray hair and new growth from hair transplant surgery. Toppik colors include black, dark brown, medium brown, light brown, medium blonde, blonde, auburn, gray and white.

Furthermore, Toppik can be used in conjunction with other hair styling products (though the powder needs to be applied to dry scalp, and styling products should be applied before usage), will not "rub off" on clothing or pillows, can be safely utilized with other hair restoration products and medications, will not clog pores or dry out the scalp, is equally effective in balding men and women, and is easily applied via the shaking method or by applying the popular "spray applicator" to the shaker apparatus.

Why is Toppik so Popular in the Hair Loss Community?

Because of its innovative design, positive "track record," ease of use, and effective nature, Toppik has developed a trusted reputation and large fan base in the hair restoration community. Hair loss sufferers not only trust the history behind the Toppik brand, but appreciate the product's single use longevity and lasting strength of the fiber-hair shaft bond. The fact that the product is effective for male and female hair loss sufferers and can be easily used with other styling and hair restoration products makes Toppik an even better option for any individual considering a topical concealer.

What Real Consumers are Saying About Toppik?

To see what real hair loss suffering men and women are saying and to read helpful tips about applying Toppik in a variety of situations and in conjunction with other hair loss treatments, visit our Hair Loss Forum and Social Community. You can also read our product review by visiting "Product Review: Nanogen Versus Toppik".
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What Causes Hair Loss?
As you see yourself balding, while others retain their hair, you may ask - why me?

The basic answer is – your hair loss is due to your genetic make up. Your thinning hair is not due to anything you have done, whether wearing too many hats, washing your hair too much or too little or any other hair loss myths. Alopecia or hair loss is primarily genetic and is referred to as "Androgenetic Alopecia" in the medical community.

Your hair's future is largely determined before you're even born. Your follicles have been genetically programmed as to when, where and how much baldness (if any), you'll experience in your lifetime. But the fate of your hair can be altered or compensated for with modern hair loss treatments.

So what are the specific causes of hair loss?

Baldness is largely the result of certain hormones interacting over time with those hair follicles that are vulnerable to their effects.

Both men and women produce "male" hormones. The three most common are testosterone, androsteinedione, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Hair follicles, as well as the sebaceous glands, contain high levels of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone into DHT, via the blood. DHT is the source of most male pattern balding.

In some people, their follicles on the top of the head are genetically vulnerable to baldness. Over time, these genetically vulnerable follicles are acted upon by the hormone DHT. This hormone binds with the receptor sites of these vulnerable follicles and cause the hair follicle to weaken over time. Propecia is a drug that has been shown to slow the creation of DHT and can be helpful in slowing, stopping or in some cases, reversing hair loss when it is used early enough.

Hair grows naturally in cycles of approximately 3 to 8 years. At the end of the growth cycle, the hair shaft is shed from the follicle and a new hair grows. With thinning hair or balding, each successive growth cycle is shorter and the hair produced is thinner and finer. This is called 'miniturization'.

Men and women don't go bald overnight, it is a slow progression of thinning hair and hair loss that eventually produces baldness. In many cases, the balding has progressed to such a stage that hair loss treatment products aren't enough to reverse the balding process.

Few treatments have the dramatic effect of restoring hair like hair restoration surgery. Click here to learn more about hair restoration.

Not all hair loss is permanent. There are many causes of temporary hair loss that can be treated with diet, stress reduction and a visit to your doctor. Click here to learn about other causes of hair loss.

Androgenetic Alopecia

And rogenetic Alopecia, commonly referred to as 'genetic balding', is the main cause of male and female hair loss. This genetic 'programming' accounts for 95% of male hair loss.

For baldness to occur three factors need to be present:

1.The presence of and rogens, or male hormones.

2. A genetic pre-disposition to balding.

3. Time for the DHT to degrade the vulnerable hair follicles.

While they comprise less than ten percent of permanent hair loss, there are several other Causes of Hair Loss like stress, nutrition, health, age and hormones, that can cause temporary as well as permanent hair loss.

There are also several categories of treatments for hair loss which include drugs, topical lotions, hair care products, hair replacement systems and hair restoration surgery. To learn more about each, please visit our Hair Loss Treatment section.
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Concealers - Disguising Hair Loss Remedy for Adding Fullness
There are a variety of hair loss remedy "concealer" products that are applied to the scalp and/or hair in the thinning areas to mask a person's baldness and increase the look of fullness of thinning hairs. These products such as Toppik, Couvré, and Prothik can work surprisingly well at creating the illusion of fuller hair.

Some of our member physicians advise their hair restoration patients to use such hair loss remedy products to enhance the look of fullness in their transplanted areas. These products can also be used post operatively to hide the immediate surgery.

Toppik - Toppik is an effective, safe, and easy-to-use product that completely covers up the scalp's thinning areas.

Couvre - COUVRe is safe for men and women, easy to use, and is totally undetectable to the world's toughest critics.

Caboki - Caboki is comprised of a series of charged microfibers that, when applied to the scalp, tightly bind hair shafts and create a denser, fuller appearance.

DermMatch - DermMatch is a safe and easy way to cover-up thinning areas and instantly provides the appearance of a natural looking head of hair.

Nanogen - Nanogen is one of the fastest, easiest ways to conceal thinning hair and hair loss.

Prothik - Prothik does an exceptional job of adding thickness and fullness to thinning hair while reducing the contrast between thinning hair and the scalp.
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Hair Loss - It’s more than skin deep
Hair loss suffers often don’t want to admit that going bald bothers them. But there's nothing wrong or vain about being concerned with hair loss.No matter what people say, having hair or not does matter. We are judged by our appearance. And hair loss, also known as alopecia, is generally seen as a sign of weakness and aging.

Does hair loss matter? You be the judge...

"At first I just didn't feel comfortable admitting that I wanted my hair back."– Dean, restored his hair with Propecia and hair restoration surgery.

Hair loss Statistics – Hair loss affects about 35 million men and 21 million women in the United States alone.40% of men have noticeable hair loss by age 35 and 65% by age 60.

So how can you remedy hair loss and its effects?

First you need to understand why hair loss occurs. In Cause of Thinning Hair and Baldness you'll learn that your hair loss has little or nothing to do with shampooing, hats, or any other practices. Alopecia is largely genetic.

It's also important to deal with the psychological and emotional effects of hair loss. In the Psychology of hair loss these personal issues and how society views hair loss are uncovered.

Regardless of our differences, hair loss can affect anyone. However,there are a variety of gender and racial differences to consider.Age is also a prime factor. In Race, Age and Hair Loss these differences are explored.

Hair loss is not a new phenomenon, as our Ancient Hair Loss "Cures" section reveals. Whether it's Julius Caesar using wreaths to hide his thinning, or French King Louis XIV's elaborate 15-20 pound wigs -- history's filled with interesting tales of balding cover-ups. This section also explores the reality behind many Hair Loss Myths and “cures”, from electro-shock treatments to headstands.
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How hair loss medication can inhibit DHT and Alopecia Areata
If you are going bald you should seriously consider hair loss medication treatments to halt or even reverse your hair loss. While there is no “Hair Loss Cure”, hair loss drugs like finasteride (Propecia) and dutasteride (Avodart) can often stop or even reverse alopecia areata in most people.

However, just like any other drug, Propecia is accompanied by a list of potential side effects, some of which have been more recently reported as potentially long term. You can read more about this in the "What About Side Effects" section further down this page.

Studies have shown that 80% of men using Propecia stopped or even reversed their hair loss to some degree. Preliminary clinical trials for Avodart appear even more effective than Propecia.

However, neither Propecia nor Avodart has been proven to restore hair in the frontal areas. For reasons yet unknown these drugs, along with Rogaine, only generally work in regrowing thinning hair in crown area of the scalp. Only hair transplant surgery has been successful in restoring hair in the frontal hairline area once it has been lost.

Propecia and Avodart are also less effective in growing hair in older men. These hair loss drugs work best for men who have been balding for less than five years.

Women must NOT USE Propecia

Both Propecia and Avodart are not recommended for use by women or children.

It’s been found that these drugs can cause birth defects. More specifically, these birth defects may occur when large amounts of the drug are absorbed into the body during the period of foetal development.

Physicians advise pregnant women to not handle Propecia tablets, as this may harm male foetuses. But as of yet, there has not been a single reported case of birth defects caused by handling these tablets.

Furthermore, there’s also no evidence that pregnant women exposed to the semen of Propecia or Avodart patients will risk any birth defects.

Propecia and Avodart are also not advisable for men with liver disease or prostate cancer.

Get a Prescription for Propecia or Avodart.

Often our member physicians will prescribe Propecia or Avodart to halt a patient’s hair loss and then restore the hair already lost with hair transplant surgery. These treatments in combination can work synergistically. The drugs work to halt the hair loss, while hair restoration surgery restores what was lost.

To get a prescription for Propecia or Avodart schedule a free no obligation consultation with any of our quality hair restoration physicians. Find a physician in your area.

Propecia and Avodart should be taken once a day. It has been found that after two years of treatment, Propecia effectively grows hair in about 66% of patients. Also, about 83% of the subjects receiving this treatment continue to maintain their existing hair after two years.

Propecia (Finasteride) was originally a drug called Proscar, which was used to treat and reduce men's prostate conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Its parent company, Merck & Co., soon realized that the drug had a unique side effect - it grew hair on bald men's heads.

In December 22, 1997 the FDA approved Propecia as a hair loss pill. Merck & Co. then marketed the drug as a hair loss treatment under the trade name of Propecia.

More recently Dutasteride, sold as Avodart, has generated interest as a promising new hair loss medication. Like finasteride (Propecia) it inhibits the creation of DHT and was originally developed as a treatment for men’s prostate condition.

However, unlike Propecia, Avodart inhibits the creation of both type one and type two 5 alpha reductase enzymes. Dutasteride has been shown to decrease levels of DHT by 90% after only two weeks, making it a more powerful and faster acting weapon against hair loss than Propecia (Finasteride).

Dutasteride is not yet FDA approved for the treatment of hair loss. However, some hair restoration physicians also prescribe it for the treatment of hair loss. Like Propecia, Avodart is not safe for women and children.

Sticking with the program to see results

Losing your hair took time. So too will regrowing your hair using Propecia or Avodart. These drugs require patients to take the drug daily for at least three months before any obvious changes will be noticeable. Most physicians advise taking these drugs for a year before evaluating their effectiveness.

At this time, Propecia and Avodart are only available by prescription. Our member physicians are available to discuss these hair loss drugs with you and prescribe them if appropriate. To find a quality hair restoration physician in your area.

Other DHT Blockers

Aside from Propecia and Dutasteride, there are other treatment options (all topical) that may or may not work to block the effects of DHT on vulnerable hair follicles. These include Revivogen, Crinagen, Progesterone Creams, and Xandrox (a type of minoxidil). Other DHT Blockers

To learn more about these treatments, as well as all other topical options, visit our Topical Hair Loss Products and Treatments section.

How hair loss drugs inhibit DHT and Alopecia Areata

Baldness is largely the result of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) interacting with those hair follicles that are genetically vulnerable to their effects.

DHT is essentially the active ingredient or catalyst for the hair loss process. DHT binds with the receptor sites of genetically vulnerable follicles and gradually degrades the follicles ability to produce healthy hair. This eventually results in baldness in the affected areas.

Hair loss drugs like Propecia or Avodart work by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By reducing the amount of DHT present in the scalp the hair loss process is slowed and in some cases even reversed.

What about side effects?

Up until a couple of years ago, side effects when taking Propecia or Avodart were only considered temporary. However, over the last several years, many me have reported ongoing side effects from Propecia even after stopping treatment. This more permanent condition has become known as "Post Finasteride Syndrome" or (PFS). Side effects included but aren't limited to reduced semen production, a reduced libido and softer erections.

As a result, in April of 2012, the FDA mandated labeling changes to finasteride related products. Labeling changes to Propecia include "libido disorders, ejaculation disorders, and orgasm disorders that continued after discontinuation of the drug". Labeling changes to Proscar include "decreased libido that continued after discontinuation of the drug". Labeling changes to both Propecia and Proscar include "reports of male infertility and/or poor semen quality that normalized or improved after drug discontinuation".

While most men don't experience any side effects at all, it should be known that a small percentage of men may experience persistent side effects even after stopping treatment. Most men who experience side effects however, only experience them temporarily and stopping treatment makes them go away.

For a list of potential side effects and more information on Post Finasteride Syndrome", visit http://www.pfsfoundation.org/.
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Tricomin Follicle Therapy Spray, Shampoo and Conditioner
Tricomin is an all natural hair loss treatment designed for both men and women with thinning hair to stimulate hair regrowth and improve the appearance of thinning hair. It can also be used in conjunction with with Rogainehair regrowth treatment.

Tricomin Solution Follicle Therapy Spray combines the benefits of the Triamino Copper Nutritional Complex with an exceptional leave-in conditioner. The therapy spray enriches your hair and scalp with a unique blend of mineral and body-building ingredients and essential amino acids. Spraying the therapy spray liberally after shampooing daily will condition and treat your hair and scalp. It's recommended to apply this product to damp or dry hair.

The Tricomin Revitalizing Shampoo stimulates and restores health, structure, and vitality to thinning, fine, and damaged hair. It's recommended to use the Revitalizing Shampoo daily, gently massaging it into moistened hair scalp, leaving on for 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing. A second application may be made if desired.
The Restructuring Conditioner uses a unique moisture and nutrient-rich framework to help restore your hair's natural mineral and protein balance. This conditioner helps to add structure and body onto thinning and/or damaged hair.

For best results, use all three Tricomin products in conjunction with one another. All 3 Tricomin products is called the Tricomin TricoPak.

How It Works:

Al three Tricomin products contain the active ingredient copper peptides. Scientific evidence suggests that copper peptides can shorten the shedding (telogen) phase and elongate the growth (anagen) phase of the follicles. Partial FDA trials showed Tricomin products' effectiveness in promoting new hair growth.

Developing Realistic Expectations:

Tricomin copper peptide technology may provide marginal benefit to men and women with thinning hair. To date, only surgical hair restoration is proven to grow hair in completely bald areas. You are invited to have a free virtual consultation with one of our prescreened hair restoration physicians.

Ingredients

Tricomin Follicle Therapy Spray: Purified Water, SD Alcohol 40B, Amodimethicone, Nonoxynol-10, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-11, Polysorbate 60, Tallowtrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Dimethyl Lauramine Isostearate, Linoleamidopropyl Ethyl Dimonium Ethosulfate, Triamino Copper Nutritional Complex (Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypetide Copper HCl), Methylparaben, Benzethonium Chloride, Menthol, FD&C Blue #1.

Tricomin Revitalizing Shampoo: Purified Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocomidopropyl Betaine, Ceteth-16, Glycerin, Laneth-16, Oleth-16, Steareth-16, PEG-75 Lanolin, Sodium Chloride, Triamino Copper Nutritional Complex (Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypetide Copper HCl), Citric Acid, Diazolidinyl Urea, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Panthenol, Methylparaben, Fragrance, Propylparaben, Peppermint Oil, D&C Red #33, FD&C Blue #1.

Tricomin Restructuring Conditioner: Purified Water, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethylamine, Triamino Copper Nutritional Complex (Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypetide Copper HCl), Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Aloe Vera Gel, Soydimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydroxylyzed Wheat Protein, Hydroxylyzed Keratin, Citric Acid, Methylparaben, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Peppermint Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholecalciferol, Retinyl Palmitate, Vegetable Oil, FD&C Blue #1, D&C Red #33.
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Victor Hasson MD

Dr. Victor Hasson

Dr. Victor Hasson exclusively performs Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation with outstanding results.
Finally Hair Loss Medication that works
While hair restoration surgery is now a proven treatment for restoring hair where it has been lost, Hair loss medication such as Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride), have made real contributions toward stopping and even reversing hair loss.

During the late 70’s and early 80’s it was discovered that minoxidil, used as a heart medication, had hair growing side effects. Minoxidil was tested for use as a topical scalp treatment for hair loss and proved to inhibit hair loss in many test subjects.

It has proven to be effective to some degree in slowing the hair loss process. For a minority of people it can even grow back lost hairs in the crown area (back of the head). However, Rogaine (minoxidil) does not slow or reverse the balding process in the frontal hairline area.

Rogaine is typically applied topically on the scalp twice a day, morning and evening. But once usage is discontinued the hair loss which had been inhibited will resume and the hair that was saved will be lost.

Rogaine originally required a prescription, but in 1995, it became available in 2% strength Rogaine over-the-counter. Today, men and women can buy 5% strength lotion over-the-counter as Rogaine or as generic minoxidil.

To date Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride)are the only hair loss medications with FDA approval. Propecia’s active ingredient, finasteride, was originally used to treat enlarged prostate glands. It was discovered that, like minoxidil, it had the “side effect” of stopping male pattern baldness and for some even regrowing hair.

Propecia is taken as a pill once daily and acts to inhibit the body’s ability to create dyhydrotestosterone or “DHT”. DHT acts as the active ingredient or catalyst in the balding process.

Rogaine and Propecia

The 90’s brought great advances in hair restoration, both surgical and non surgical. Now most people can realistically halt and reverse their hair loss with truly natural results.

In 1988 minoxidil, Rogaine, became the first hair loss medication to be approved by the FDA for the treatment of hair loss.

In 1998 the FDA approved Propecia for the treatment of hair loss. Propecia (finasteride) should NOT be taken by woman or children for any reason.

Learn about all your hair loss treatment options.
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Bijan Feriduni, MD

Dr. Bijan Feriduni

Dr. Bijan Feriduni has been dedicated exclusively to advanced hair restoration since 1995 and now performs large sessions of ultra refined strip and FUE hair transplantation with outstanding results.