Depression circumstantially related to the administration of finasteride for androgenetic alopecia.

Herb/Nutrient Research Links:
References || Echinacea||Ginseng|| Ginkgo||Milk thistle|| Saw palmetto|| Bay||Bilberry|| Black cohosh||Licorice|| DHEA||Royal Jelly|| Garlic||Ginger|| Coenzyme Q10||Lutein|| rutin

DreamPharm Products:

J Dermatol 2002 Oct;29(10):665-9

Depression circumstantially related to the administration of finasteride for androgenetic alopecia.

In this paper we report 19 patients (14 males, 5 females; mean age 28.16 years +/- 7.68 SD) out of a series of 23 (17 males, 5 females) who developed a mood disturbance (moderate to severe depression) during treatment with finasteride, 1 mg/day orally, for androgenetic alopecia (Hamilton subtypes III-V; Ludwig subtypes I-II). Depression, which significatively impaired sociofamilial relations, sleep and eating behaviour, was associated to marked anxiety in some cases, developed after 9-19 weeks of treatment with finasteride, and promptly resolved after suspension of the drug. Two patients accepted reintroduction of the drug, and depression relapsed within 2 weeks. Depression as an adverse effect of finasteride has been reported only once. Further studies are needed to confirm our circumstantial observations, which are based on a retrospective series of patients.

Zhonghua Zheng Xing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2002 Jul;18(4):219-20

Dense-packing hair grafting technique for restoration of cicatricial alopecia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possibility of using dense-packing hair grafting technique for restoration of cicatricial alopecia. METHODS: Under local anesthesia, a scalp strip was harvested from the back of the head. A series of micro-grafts with 1-3 hairs and mini-grafts with 4-6 hairs were created from this strip. In the scarring recipient area, micro-slots were made with a 18 G needle for the micro-grafts and mini-slits were made with a No. 64 mini-blade for the mini-grafts. The grafts were then implanted into these holes. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients with 128 bald scarring areas, resulted from burn, trauma or infection, were treated with the above-mentioned technique from April. 1998 to February. 2000. All of the patients were satisfied with the appearance. In the micro-graft area, the graft density reached 10-15 mini-grafts/cm2 per session. In the micro-graft area, the graft density reached 16-19 micro-grafts/cm2 per session. Postoperative following-up for more than 1 year showed that the grafted hairs were growing well with 90%-95% survival of the hair. One third of the patients obtained satisfactory results with only one session. Two thirds of the patients needed the second session to improve the appearance. CONCLUSIONS: The dense-packing hair grafting technique is a simple, safe and effective method for hair restoration surgery. It is not only used for male pattern baldness, but could also be applied for restoration of cicatricial alopecia.

Dermatol Surg 2002 Sep;28(9):804-7

A random study of Asian male androgenetic alopecia in Bangkok, Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia remains the most common cause of male pattern baldness (MPB) in all races. The prevalence of MPB in Caucasians is well documented. The prevalence of MPB in Asians is believed to be very low, only one-fourth to one-third on average compared to Caucasians. However, according to my previous study, there is a clear trend indicating that it is approaching that of Caucasians. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of MPB in the Asian population in Bangkok, Thailand; to compare this prevalence to previous studies conducted on Asians; and to compare the results to previous studies conducted on Caucasian. METHODS: This study was conducted by two physicians and assisted by two registered nurses. The questionnaire included age, sex, Norwood classification, diet, family history of baldness, income, and education. The physicians examined the scalp of each interviewee upon completion of each questionnaire. The ethnic focus group in this study was Thai and Chinese who reside in Bangkok, Thailand. The interviews were conducted in hospitals, nursing homes, classroom, medical meetings, temples, parks, and villages. RESULTS: A total of 1124 men were randomized in this study. The prevalence of cosmetically significant MPB (Norwood III-VII) was 38.52% and steadily increasing with age, approaching that of Caucasians. Variant MPB was found to be 0.67% and other types of androgenetic alopecia was 0.6%. From an ethnic point of view, the majority of the groups were of mixed blood and mostly of Chinese origin, thus we were unable to distinguish between Chinese and Thai. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the prevalence of MPB in Asians is not as low as previously thought. The cause of this increasing prevalence is uncertain. There are no past studies in Thailand for comparison, however, it can be extrapolated that the socioeconomic environment and westernized diet may contribute to this prevalence.

Dermatol Surg 2002 Aug;28(8):720-8

Follicular unit extraction: minimally invasive surgery for hair transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is performed using large numbers of naturally occuring individual follicular units obtained by single-strip harvesting and stereo-microscopic dissection. Donor wound scarring from strip excision, although an infrequent complication, still concerns enough patients that an alternative solution is warranted. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to introduce Follicular Unit Extraction (The FOX Procedure), in which individual follicular units are removed directly from the donor region through very small punch excisions, and to describe a test (The FOX Test) that determines which patients are candidates for this procedure. This paper explores the nuances, limitations, and practical aspects of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). METHODS: FUE was performed using 1-mm punches to separate follicular units from the surrounding tissue down to the level of the mid dermis. This was followed by extraction of the follicular units with forceps. The FOX test was developed to determine which patients would be good candidates for the procedure. The test was performed on 200 patients. Representative patients who were FOX-positive and FOX-negative were studied histologically. RESULTS: The FOX Test can determine which patients are suitable candidates for FUE. Approximately 25% of the patients biopsied were ideal candidates for FUE and 35% of the patients biopsied were good candidates for extraction. CONCLUSION: FUE is a minimally invasive approach to hair transplantation that obviates the need for a linear donor incision. This technique can serve as an important alternative to traditional hair transplantation in certain patients.

Being such a complex biological process, hair growth biology is still a work in progress. Noetheless, several therapeutic methods, including drugs, surgery, and suppelements have been in use to help those who attempt to restore their hair. None of these approaches are perfect due to the diversity in the causes underlying hair loss. Also, most of chemical drugs and hair transplantation surgeries are accompanied by undesirable side effects.

DreamPharm offers Hair Million to address hair loss problems. Numerous anecdotal cases have demonstrated that this herbal formula based on authentic Chinese herbs actually improves the age-related hair thinning and hair loss among a significant fraction of people who take it regularly. We still do not understand the mechanisms of action as to how Hair Million works to stop hair loss and promote hair growth, despite all the positive anecdotal observations. Neither scientific research nor placebo controlled clinical analysis has been conducted because it will cost dearly. Lack of scientific/clinical research is quite common in herbal arena. Just because science hasn't scrutinized we should not stop taking daily food and herbal supplements altogether: our life must go on until we have better understandings of food and herb. There are two merits in this hair restoration herbal formula: Firstly, Hair Million is relatively inexpensive, and secondly, it is made of edible herbs that are known to be safe when consumed in regular quantities. For scientifically proven prescription medication, check Propecia.

Herbs and Pharmaceuticals Online|| Best Realtor in Glendale, California: Residential Home and Commercial Property || Related Web pages || Herbs and Pharmaceuticals Online ||