When did I realize that I was turning bald?
It was when my barber said,”Which one of the 3 hairs do you want me to trim?”
My friends kid me, “If you wear a turtleneck and walk backwards, you would look like a roll-on deodorant”
Hi,
My name is Dr. Robert McGrath and I am the Medical Director at Juventix Regenerative Medical.
Although the jokes are comical, I, like thousands of men are losing hair and going bald. We all say the same thing, “it’s the aging process and it does not bother me”. Nothing could be further from the truth. So, lets explore our options out there.
Options for hair loss:
- Transplant- the most costly depending on the surgery and the amount of grafts $4 -15K
- Topical Minoxidil
- Oral Propecia
- Dutasteride
- Natural Blockers of Dihydrotestosterone
- Platelet-Rich-Plasma
- Do nothing or shave your head
Minoxidil
Minoxidil products are used to help hair growth in the treatment of male pattern baldness. It is also being used to aid hair growth in women with thinning hair. It is not indicated for baldness in the front of the scalp or receding hairline in men. To see any benefit, this product should be used for a minimum of 4 months and if successful must be used continuously to maintain hair growth.
Severe Side Effects:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Water Retention
- Hair Loss
- Low Blood Pressure
- Abnormal Heart Rhythm
- Changes in Vision
- Abnormal Sexual Function
- Chest Pain
- Eczema of Scalp
- Angioedema Weight Gain
Minoxidil belongs to a class of medicines called antihypertensives. It is used to treat high blood pressure. As such, it works by relaxing blood vessels and thus decreasing blood pressure.
Initially, it was not really known how Minoxidil grew hair but now it has been shown that by shortening the resting phase of hair growth (telogen) and moving hair growth into the active phase (anagen) the hair will regrow. It has to be taken forever or the growth will revert back to the original.
Propecia (Finasteride-generic name)
Propecia is a medicine used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern hair loss. It belongs to the class of drugs called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. It blocks the conversion of testosterone to 5-alpha dihydrotestosterone. It is the DHT that ruins the hair follicles and leads to baldness.
Not indicated for use in women as of July 5,2021 by the FDA but there are many studies and sites using it in post- menopausal females. Contraindicated in pregnancy and breast- feeding females as can have significant developmental side effects to the male genitalia of fetal tissue
Propecia should never even be handled by pregnant or nursing females.
Most Common Side Effects
- Loss of interest in Sex
- Trouble Having an Orgasm
- Abnormal Ejaculation
- Impotence
Serious Side Effects
- Breast Lumps
- Breast Pain
- Nipple Discharge
There has been reported a “Post Finasteride Syndrome” with persistent sexual, neurological and physical adverse reactions
Propecia is to be used 3 months or more before benefit and continued use is needed to sustain benefit
Dutasteride (Avodart)
Basically, a second generation Propecia. There are 2 types of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, Type one and Type 2.
Dutasteride inhibits both. 3 times more effective that Propecia on Type 1 and 100 times more effective than Propecia on Type 2
No indication for hair loss as of June 21, 2021 from FDA but in use orally and topically
Serious Side Effects
- Impotence
- Decreased Sexual Interest
- Ejaculation Disorder
- Breast Disorders
- Testicle Pain
Long Term Side Effects
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Decrease Testosterone Production
- Increased Glucose and HA1C
- Lipid Disorders
Natural Blockers of Dihydrotestosterone
- Caffeine
- Saw Palmetto
- Pumpkin Seed Oil
- Lycopene- Tomatoes, Watermelon, Carrots, Mangos
- Green Tea
- Stinging Nettle
- Fenugreek
- Zinc
Most work by inhibiting the production of the enzyme 5-Alpha Reductase
Platelet-Rich-Plasma
It is derived from your own blood so no long -term side effects or allergic reactions.
PRP is used to accelerate healing in many parts of the body. PRP contains growth factors and proteins that facilitate tissue repair and regeneration. The most common type of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness) PRP has been used for years in these cases with a proven record of effectiveness. It works by reversing the balding process causing hair loss and stopping damage to the hair follicle.
The only limiting factor in many studies is the type of PRP harvest kit used.
Juventix Platelet Rich Plasma Kit is FDA approved and has been scientifically tested and laboratory proven to contain a standard amount of components needed to obtain the desired result. ( only limited by the patients physical state)
Juventix Kits for Hair Restoration also contain Biotin( B7). Biotin deficiency can cause hair thinning and loss. Biotin stimulate keratin and can increase follicle growth.
In Summary,
You can choose drugs with multiple sometime lasting side effects. Drugs that if they work will need to be taken for as long as you want hair. Drugs that can harm a developing fetus or newborn just by touching them. Drugs and programs to get them are costly.
You could choose supplements that may or may not work.
You could choose a very costly hair transplantation surgery.
You could choose to go bald.
OR
You could choose Juventix.
Regenerative Regards,
Dr. Robert McGrath
The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo- Controlled Trial
Stem Cell Transi Med 2015 Nov;4(11): 1317-1323 PMID 26400925
Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy for pattern hair loss: A systemic review
J Cosmet Dermatol 2020 Apr:19 (4): 827-835 PMID 31452328
Systemic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma use in Androgenetic Alopecia Compared with Minoxidil, Finasteride and Adult Stem Cell Therapy
Int j Mol Sci 2020 Apr 13;21 (8): 2702 PMID 32295047
