Combat hair loss with anti-inflammatories

Corticosteroids - Corticosteroids are used for the treatment for alopecia areata. In mild cases of alopecia areata, a corticosteroid cream is applied only to the regions of hairloss. An alternative treatment is the intralesional injection of corticosteroids into the inflamed patches of scalp. A corticosteroid such as triamcinolone or kenelog is injected, approximately once per month, below the skin near the hair follicle. This treatment is often used for eyebrow hair loss.


Systemic corticosteroids are often prescribed if the hairloss is widespread. The drugs are administered by injection into the muscle of the buttock or arm once every four to six weeks. Sometimes this treatment brings a spontaneous recovery and the treatment is stopped as the hair returns. Oral cortisone is sometimes given by tablets but has all the side effects of injections.

Short term effects are weight gain, mood changes and acne. Long term treatment with corticosteroids causes thinning of the skin and scalp damage, immune system suppression, increased cancer, bone degeneration, and cataracts. Folligen may be tried as an alternative to steroid use. Folligen is very safe and has anti-inflammatory actions as well a scalp repair properties.






Cyclosporin - is an immunosuppressive drug used in organ transplants to prevent the body from rejecting the new organ. It is used topically in the treatment of immune-associated severe skin conditions. In humans, cyclosporin is very effective orally (80% positive hair growth response) but only marginally effective (20%) when used topically for aiding hair growth. It promotes hair growth in animal models and promotes human hair growth in vitro.

Like corticosteroids, it has toxic side effects such as renal toxicity when used long term and a generally poor choice for as a hair treatment.

And last

FK506 is an new immunosuppressant, like cyclosporin, used to prevent organ rejection. It is in a class of drugs similar to cyclosporin. When applied in a topical ointment, it is more effective in stimulating hair growth than cyclosporin. It is a strong immunosuppressant and its safety in long term use for hair growth is questionable. It may produce neural damage.


My advice is stay away from these. The health risks are far greater than the benefits. A good option is RK19. It's a combination of FDA regulated high potency vitamins and an anti-inflammatory. No side effects. And you are guaranteed to see results or your money back.

Inflammation can lead to hair loss

Does your scalp ever feel tender to the touch? Well it's quite possible that scalp inflammation is contributing to your hair loss. Don't blame Rogaine or topical minoxidil as your source for inflammation. Users refer to it as "minoxidil burn". There is no scientific study which shows that topical minoxidil or Rogaine is the cause of scalp inflammation. Retin-A is also known to be associated with scalp inflammation.

Dr. Razack, a hair specialist in the U.S and author of the book "Conquering Hair Loss", says many researchers have suggested that scalp inflammation is closely related to hair loss. Another reseacher reseacher, Young et al conducted a clinical study in 1991 showing that 96% of the participants in the study who have androgenic alopecia have also demostrated some kind of inflammatory response on their scalps. Another study conducted by Abell et al., inflammation was shown in over 75% of the scalp biopsies obtained from close to 700 patients with androgenic alopecia.

Here are a few shampoos to deal with scalp inflammation:

Neutrogen T-Gel - I think the first thing that everyone should try is Neutrogen T-Gel. It is the least expensive of all treatments, about US $8 a bottle and virtually any drug store sells it as an over-the-counter shampoo. No prescription is required. Although it doesn't work for everyone, some have repoted good results without having to turn to other more expensive alternatives. So I would definitely give T-Gel a try before anything else. However, not everyone responds to T-Gel. In fact, some, like myself, really dislike the shampoo. It dries up my hair and leaves stains on my scalp.

Nizoral Shampoo - If T-Gel fails, the next thing that I recommend is Nizoral shampoo. It is more expensive than T-Gel and a prescription is required for U.S residents. Nizoral costs well over US $30 for one bottle in New York City and I guarantee you can find a much better deal ordering over the internet. The active ingredient in Nizoral is 2% ketoconazole which in addition to being an anti-fungal agent, is also an antiandrogen and immunosupressant. All these attributes are beneficial to hair growth. Nizoral is intended to be used only once or twice a week. So it is important that you alternate Nizoral with another shampoo for hair loss.

Dermovate - If both T-Gel and Nizoral fail, then your last resort is Dermovate, or sometimes called Temovate in North America. It is a topical scalp lotion that is available by prescription only for U.S residents. Dermovate is not cheap. A 50ml bottle costs over US $60 in New York City. However, you are supposed to place only a few drops on affected areas and a 50ml bottle should last you more than two months. The active ingredient in Dermovate is Clobetasol 17-propionate 0.05%, which is a kind of cortisone. Dermovate is extremely effective and it works almost instantaneoulsy. Depending on the severity of your conditions, continuous application for up to six weeks may be required before your scalp is clear of all flakes and crust. Once your conditions have been stablizied, then you use Dermovate only when needed. For those who use Rogaine or topical minoxidil, Dermovate should be applied shortly after you put on Rogaine. Also, for best results, it is highly recommended that you include both Nizoral shampoo and Dermovate in your regimen.

RK19 - RK19 isn't a shampoo. It's a high potency vitamin and anti-inflammatry combination. It's specifically formulated to stop inflammation DHT. Price is under $100 for a 6 month supply.

Can Folligen grow hair?

Today Im reviewing Folligen. It was invented by Dr. Loren Pickart. Folligen is a topical. It comes as a cream, spray or lotion. It contains copper peptides to stimulate hair growth. It can be used in conjucntion with Minoxidil, and DHT inhibitors like Propecia.


Folligen rebuilds the protective acid mantle of the scalp that shampoos and conditioners remove. The acid mantle is the combination of sebum (oils) and perspiration, on the skin's surface that protects the skin and renders the skin less vulnerable to damage and attack by environmental factors such as sun and wind and less prone to dehydration. The mantle also has strong anti-oxidant properties and is itself oxidized to protect the skin from oxidation. Sebum is naturally white but air oxidation turns it black (this is why "whitehead comedos" turn into "blackhead comedos"). Normal skin and scalp pH is somewhat acid and in the range of 4.2. to 5.6. It varies from one part of the body to another and, in general, the pH of a man's skin is lower (more acid) than that of a woman's. The acid mantle inhibits the growth of foreign bacteria and fungi and the skin remains healthier, and has fewer blemishes. Acne, allergies and other skin problems become more severe when the skin become more alkaline. Folligen adjusts the scalp pH into the acid range of optimal scalp health at about pH 5.0.

The ingredients are designed to help create an environment that improves scalp health, hair health, vitality, reduce hair loss and shedding. Folligen products are used both by women for stress and estrogen-related hair loss and men for male pattern baldness caused by DHT.

The product claims to do the following:

* Markedly reduces hair loss in about three weeks
* Improve scalp health and reduce irritation
* Thicker head of hair in about four months
* Often reduces itching and flaking associated with scalp
inflammation

Clinical Studies - None were found
Side Effects - Makes scalp itchy if using the spray. The cream and lotion are a bright green color so are not suited to be used in the morning. They should be used at night with some pillow cover as the green color can rub off on pillow cases. Folligen is easily washed off in the morning, but some people with very light blonde hair do report having a greenish tinge on their hair. If you have this hair color you should not use this product.

Cost - $99 for a 2 month supply. Can be bouhgt at Folica
FDA Approved - No

Summary - Found 1 small photo on their site showing results. Also found a few testimonials in hair loss forums stating that users were pleased with results. The price is about $100 for a 2 month supply for the whole kit. For best results you should be under 45 and used in conjuction with other hair loss treatments such as Rogaine or Minoxidol.

Based on my research the product doesn't show enough evidence of actual hair growth. It's more of a scalp cleanser in my opinion.