Food and DHT
Here is an answer to a new question that I posted on Realself.com
This article was written by Dr. Jeff Donovan, a Canadian and US board certified dermatologist specializing exclusively in hair loss.
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Here is an answer to a new question that I posted on Realself.com
Do anti-dandruff shampoos containing zinc pyrithione help male balding?
For many years there has been a debate as to what role scalp inflammation from bacteria and yeast might be having in the so called "follicular microinflammation" that is seen in biopsies of patients with male balding.
In a 2003 study, Berger et al showed a benefit for 1 % zinc pyrithione (found in Head and Shoulders and other shampoos). The researchers performed a 6 month randomized study in healthy men 18-49 with Hamilton Norwood type III vertex or type IV baldness to assess the benefits of daily use of 1 % ZP shampoo. The researchers compared growth with zinc pyrithione shampoo compared with three other groups: 1) those using minoxidil 5 % twice daily, 2)those using a placebo shampoo, and 3) those using a combination of minoxidil and the 1 % ZPC shampoo.
The results of the study showed hair growth was best with Minoxidil topical. However 1 % ZP shampoo (on its own) promoted growth fairly well too - with improvements being slightly less than one half of the topical minoxidil. Interestingly there was no added advantage in minoxidil + ZP over monxidil alone.
Conclusion: These studies support a benefit for zinc pyrithione in the treatment of male balding. Although we generally think of androgenetic alopecia as a "non inflammatory" alopecia - it is probably best we do not think of in this manner. The follicular microinflammation seen in male balding (and female thinning) may have more relevance than we currently appreciate.
Reference
Berger et al. The effects of minoxidil, 1% pyrithione zinc and a combination of both on hair density: a randomized controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 2003 Aug;149(2):354-62.
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
Here is an answer that I posted to a new question on Realself.com
Looking forward to speaking tonight in Toronto about scarring alopecia. I've been invited by the Canadian Association of Scarring Alopecias to discuss what's happened in the last few years in scarring alopecia. (see www.casafiredup.com)
Female genetic hair loss is a common cause of hair loss in women. 40% of women by age 60 will have this condition.
Female genetic hair loss has many names, including "female pattern hair loss", "female androgenetic alopecia", "female balding", "female thinning", and the "female equivalent of male balding". The preferred term is female pattern hair loss or "FPHL". Women with FPHL develop hair loss in the centre of the scalp. Usually the front of the scalp is not affected. Hair thinning can also occur at the sides and the back of the scalp. This type of thinning is referred to as diffuse loss.
This type of hair loss is easily confused with other types of hair loss. Women with FPHL initially develop increased hair shedding. A common misdiagnosis at this stage is 'telogen effluvium' - causing extensive work up for things such as low iron or thyroid problems. FPHL causes shedding in the early stages.
Up close exams help confirm the diagnosis. Hair follicle miniaturization (see arrow) is an important feature - hairs that were once 70 micrometers in diameter thin to well under 40 micrometers. The abundant normal groupings of 2 and 3 hairs coming out of a single pore are no longer present - most hair follicle pores contain just 1 or 2 hair bundles.
Biopsies are not typically required for a diagnosis but rather a careful up close examination, review of the full history and review of blood tests results. Most women with FPHL have normal blood test results. Only 10-15 % have elevated androgens.
Treatments include minoxidil, hormone blocking medications, low level laser, platelet rich plasma and hair transplantation.
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
Here is an answer to a new question that I posted on Realself.com
Here is an answer that I posted to a new question on Realself.com
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
Here is an answer that I posted to a new question on Realself.com
Here is an answer that I posted to a new question on Realself.com
Here is an answer that I posted to a new question on Realself.com
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
Here is an answer that I posted to a new question on Realself.com
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
