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Can Androfol M Help In Treating Hair Loss?
Question: Hello Doctor,
I am on hair loss treatment. My hair lining on scalp is fine. But hair density on the scalp is less. Hair density on the rear side of the scalp is even more less. I am taking Androfol - M tablets and applying Tugain 5% gel on scalp twice daily. I wash scalp using XXXXXXX Shine shampoo.
How does Androfol - M tablet independently contribute to hair loss prevention and help strenthening hair and / or hair re-growth?
I want to stop hair loss / baldness by oral medication since applying gels/ solutions daily on scalp is something i don't like much. Is this possible by only oral medication and intake of food that helps in hair loss control?
If applying gel / solution is necessary, how long should it be done and what is the amount of strong hair I gain after that period? If that is discontinued after that period, will hair fall resume?
Would any medication ( tablets/ gel) help in hair re-growth or just help in stopping hair loss and preventing baldness?
What are the other supportive activities like food control, using shampoos, selecting the type of water for scalp wash etc., have to be considered for the treatment?
Regards
I am on hair loss treatment. My hair lining on scalp is fine. But hair density on the scalp is less. Hair density on the rear side of the scalp is even more less. I am taking Androfol - M tablets and applying Tugain 5% gel on scalp twice daily. I wash scalp using XXXXXXX Shine shampoo.
How does Androfol - M tablet independently contribute to hair loss prevention and help strenthening hair and / or hair re-growth?
I want to stop hair loss / baldness by oral medication since applying gels/ solutions daily on scalp is something i don't like much. Is this possible by only oral medication and intake of food that helps in hair loss control?
If applying gel / solution is necessary, how long should it be done and what is the amount of strong hair I gain after that period? If that is discontinued after that period, will hair fall resume?
Would any medication ( tablets/ gel) help in hair re-growth or just help in stopping hair loss and preventing baldness?
What are the other supportive activities like food control, using shampoos, selecting the type of water for scalp wash etc., have to be considered for the treatment?
Regards
Brief Answer:
Androgenetic alopecia; add oral finasteride along with topical minoxidil
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I have taken note of your query and I have understood your concern.
You seem to suffer from androgenetic alopecia.
Androgenetic alopecia is characterized by progressive thinning & hair loss from the center (front, mid and vertex) of the scalp.
Tendency to develop androgenetic alopecia is genetic and usually there is a family history in father, brother, cousins etc
Androgenetic alopecia develops under influence of male hormone i.e testosterone which gets converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by enzyme 5-alpha reductase, present in hair follicles.
DHT is the main culprit that induces thinning and hair fall in this type of alopecia.
Treatment that is proven to be effective and also FDA approved for androgenetic alopecia consists of topical minoxidil solutions and Oral finasteride.
You have been using topical minoxidil already. Continue with it.
The tablet that you are taking (i.e Androfol M) is just a biotin supplement and is not specific for androgenetic alopecia. I am not in favor of it.
However, biotin supports hair growth and therefore you may take it.
In my view you should also start with oral finasteride.
Finasteride is a specific inhibitor of enzyme 5 alpha reductase, thus inhibits conversion of testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone.
As already mentioned DHT is the main culprit for thinning and hair loss in androgenetic alopecia.
The recommendation is to use both minoxidil and finasteride together for optimal results. Obviously using either one of these will produce less than optimal results.
Response to treatment also varies from individual to individuals.
Goal of medical treatment in androgenetic alopecia is to arrest or slow down further progression of hair loss.
New hair regrowth is also noticeable after 3-6 months of regular use and is maximal at 1-2 years of regular use.
Therefore, earlier the therapy is initiated better is the long term outcome.
Treatment in androgenetic alopecia is life long and maintenance treatment with either minoxidil OR oral finasteride is advisable after initial 1-2 years of combined use, to sustain the results attained with combined used of minoxidil and finasteride.
Discontinuing treatment altogether would result in increased hair shedding and complete reversal of improvement within 3 months of stopping treatment.
I suggest that you continue with minoxidil (tugain 5%). You should also add finasteride 1 mg tablet once daily.
Use both of these together for 1-2 years and thereafter maintain the improvement with oral finasteride alone.
Finasteride is a prescription drug and therefore I suggest that you talk to your treating dermatologist for the needful.
Apart from this you may use a ketoconazole based shampoo for scalp wash. Ketoconazole also exerts a local antiandrogen effect.
Diet etc have no direct role.
Regards
Androgenetic alopecia; add oral finasteride along with topical minoxidil
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I have taken note of your query and I have understood your concern.
You seem to suffer from androgenetic alopecia.
Androgenetic alopecia is characterized by progressive thinning & hair loss from the center (front, mid and vertex) of the scalp.
Tendency to develop androgenetic alopecia is genetic and usually there is a family history in father, brother, cousins etc
Androgenetic alopecia develops under influence of male hormone i.e testosterone which gets converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by enzyme 5-alpha reductase, present in hair follicles.
DHT is the main culprit that induces thinning and hair fall in this type of alopecia.
Treatment that is proven to be effective and also FDA approved for androgenetic alopecia consists of topical minoxidil solutions and Oral finasteride.
You have been using topical minoxidil already. Continue with it.
The tablet that you are taking (i.e Androfol M) is just a biotin supplement and is not specific for androgenetic alopecia. I am not in favor of it.
However, biotin supports hair growth and therefore you may take it.
In my view you should also start with oral finasteride.
Finasteride is a specific inhibitor of enzyme 5 alpha reductase, thus inhibits conversion of testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone.
As already mentioned DHT is the main culprit for thinning and hair loss in androgenetic alopecia.
The recommendation is to use both minoxidil and finasteride together for optimal results. Obviously using either one of these will produce less than optimal results.
Response to treatment also varies from individual to individuals.
Goal of medical treatment in androgenetic alopecia is to arrest or slow down further progression of hair loss.
New hair regrowth is also noticeable after 3-6 months of regular use and is maximal at 1-2 years of regular use.
Therefore, earlier the therapy is initiated better is the long term outcome.
Treatment in androgenetic alopecia is life long and maintenance treatment with either minoxidil OR oral finasteride is advisable after initial 1-2 years of combined use, to sustain the results attained with combined used of minoxidil and finasteride.
Discontinuing treatment altogether would result in increased hair shedding and complete reversal of improvement within 3 months of stopping treatment.
I suggest that you continue with minoxidil (tugain 5%). You should also add finasteride 1 mg tablet once daily.
Use both of these together for 1-2 years and thereafter maintain the improvement with oral finasteride alone.
Finasteride is a prescription drug and therefore I suggest that you talk to your treating dermatologist for the needful.
Apart from this you may use a ketoconazole based shampoo for scalp wash. Ketoconazole also exerts a local antiandrogen effect.
Diet etc have no direct role.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you for answering my questions in detail.
You have suggested me to be on oral medication of Finasteride. But I have been informed that continuous usage of Finasteride causes problems like decrease in libido, erectile dysfuntion etc., So, in what way, I can control the intake of Finasteride so that it does not have considreable side effects. Even If I have to be Finasteride medication for the sake of controlling hairloss, what is the period after which its side effects get nullified once I stop the intake.?
Also, my scalp becomes too much oily. After 2-3 days of washing scalp, if the scalp is left unwashed, scalp appears like as if some hair oil is applied. Does it play any role in increasing hair loss? Does it minimizes the effect of minoxidil topical treatment?
Also, I have dandruff and itching problems. Some times, I see some small red areas on scalp. Whenever there is more sweating in scalp region because of some exercise/ physical activity, I start experiencing itching. Are all these scalp problems related to each other and do they play role in causing baldness / hairfall?
You have suggested me to be on oral medication of Finasteride. But I have been informed that continuous usage of Finasteride causes problems like decrease in libido, erectile dysfuntion etc., So, in what way, I can control the intake of Finasteride so that it does not have considreable side effects. Even If I have to be Finasteride medication for the sake of controlling hairloss, what is the period after which its side effects get nullified once I stop the intake.?
Also, my scalp becomes too much oily. After 2-3 days of washing scalp, if the scalp is left unwashed, scalp appears like as if some hair oil is applied. Does it play any role in increasing hair loss? Does it minimizes the effect of minoxidil topical treatment?
Also, I have dandruff and itching problems. Some times, I see some small red areas on scalp. Whenever there is more sweating in scalp region because of some exercise/ physical activity, I start experiencing itching. Are all these scalp problems related to each other and do they play role in causing baldness / hairfall?
Brief Answer:
Finasteride is safe and side effects are temporary
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Finasteride is US FDA approved for this type of hair loss.
It may have sexual side effects like decreased libido, erectile dysfunction etc in just 1-2% of individuals but these side effects are temporary and usually go away with continued treatment.
Moreover these side effects are not permanent. They are reversible as soon as one stops treatment with finasteride.
My advice would be to go ahead with once daily finasteride along with topical minoxidil.
Dandruff/ seborrheic dermatitis and Oily scalp is an entirely different problem. However, seborrheic dermatitis does contribute to increased hair shedding.
It is important to wash scalp daily with an antidandruff shampoo to remove all greasiness, scales and flakes in order to maximize the absorption and therefore effects of topical minoxidil.
For dandruff I suggest you to use a ketoconazole based shampoo. Ketoconazole also exerts a local antiandrogen effect.
Nizoral shampoo, is an OTC brand of 1% ketoconazole that can be tried.
Regards
Finasteride is safe and side effects are temporary
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Finasteride is US FDA approved for this type of hair loss.
It may have sexual side effects like decreased libido, erectile dysfunction etc in just 1-2% of individuals but these side effects are temporary and usually go away with continued treatment.
Moreover these side effects are not permanent. They are reversible as soon as one stops treatment with finasteride.
My advice would be to go ahead with once daily finasteride along with topical minoxidil.
Dandruff/ seborrheic dermatitis and Oily scalp is an entirely different problem. However, seborrheic dermatitis does contribute to increased hair shedding.
It is important to wash scalp daily with an antidandruff shampoo to remove all greasiness, scales and flakes in order to maximize the absorption and therefore effects of topical minoxidil.
For dandruff I suggest you to use a ketoconazole based shampoo. Ketoconazole also exerts a local antiandrogen effect.
Nizoral shampoo, is an OTC brand of 1% ketoconazole that can be tried.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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