Cure for Baldness?

[cueball2006]

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I just googled a little bit of research on using ketoconazole shampoo for hairloss. Apparently, there has been clinical evidence that it works just as well if not better than rogaine.

I am confused by this. Knowing DHT causes hair loss by activating 5-DHT receptors in the hair cells, wouldnt an androgenic agonist like ketoconazole do the same thing?

My hypothesis is that it blocks DHT from binding the 5-DHT sites, but does not activate the hair growth restriction like DHT does. What is everyones take on this?

Yes, I am bald.

 

[chef_NU]

Dude just shave it. You'll look like a lot less of a *****.

 

[bananaface]

I have not heard this. The only two drugs I know of that are used for hair growth are Rogaine and Propecia. What does PubMed say?

 

[QuikClot]

You people are too trusting. Any combination of "Have you heard about this exciting new product?" and "0+ posts" says "troll" to me.

 

[THP]

My understanding is that ketoconazole has anti-androgen effects but inhibiting androgen synthesis. This is why it is sometimes used with prostate hypertrophy.

I'm not sure how it would work topically or at androgen receptors.

 

[McDoctor]

The article I read that supported topical ketoconazole for baldness postulated that its mechanism of action were related to its antifungal activity. The study showed efficacy that was comparable to Minoxidil.

oral ketoconazole can cause hair loss by the mechanism you describe. the topical shampoo should have minimal absorption and not have the systemic effects.

What the study failed to mention is that just shaving your head is the far more honorable option rather than clinging desperately to the haggard remains of a once great civilization of hair.
Yes, I am going bald.

 

[deleted87716]

Yes, I am bald.

Congratulations. The first step is admitting you are powerless over hair loss. 😉

Forget ketoconazole, Rogaine, and all that other garbage. Just surrender to the clippers. If you've got anything left at all, get a crewcut. Otherwise, check this puppy out.

 

[thaman16]

I mean if your really insecure about it, you could just do a hair transplant. I have a some friends that actually did that, and looks normal. No I'm not bald, but if I were I probably would do that. Not sure on how much it costs though.

 

[medhacker]

I just googled a little bit of research on using ketoconazole shampoo for hairloss. Apparently, there has been clinical evidence that it works just as well if not better than rogaine.

I am confused by this. Knowing DHT causes hair loss by activating 5-DHT receptors in the hair cells, wouldnt an androgenic agonist like ketoconazole do the same thing?

My hypothesis is that it blocks DHT from binding the 5-DHT sites, but does not activate the hair growth restriction like DHT does. What is everyones take on this?

Yes, I am bald.

Dude!

Do not cast your pearls before swine

 

[swifteagle43]

Not sure on how much it costs though.

the cost of a 3 series BMW

 

[Febrifuge]

...and close-up, you have the scalp of a Barbie. Unless transplants have come a LONG way.

I'll add my voice to the chorus of "just shave it." Certain Buddhist sects believe that when you shave your head, you rid yourself of your most recent sins. Every time I bust out the clippers, I'm thinking, wouldn't it be cool if they're right?

 

[CTSballer11]

I mean if your really insecure about it, you could just do a hair transplant. I have a some friends that actually did that, and looks normal. No I'm not bald, but if I were I probably would do that. Not sure on how much it costs though.

if I were bald I would get a transplant too.

 

[murphy54]

ironic....I am not like that but I shave my head

 

[notdeadyet]

Not sure on how much it costs though.

It's hard to put a price on pride. And if you think women shied away from guys who are bald, you should see how they run from guys who undergo elective cosmetic surgery.

 

[waq007]

i know that dr.seager is pretty famous when it comes to hair transplants..the doc's in toronto...i inquired for ya, about $10,000 CAD for about 5000 grains, basically one session and they do it all. look in to it. if u finance that once ur a doc, its like peanuts. $100/month. u prob spend close to that much on shampoos, propecia, and silly products that claim they will work but dont lol i think his website is drseager.com if not google it

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

If you catch the hairloss early enough, I've found that propecia works pretty well. I started thinning at 18, started propecia shortly thereafter, and (while no new hair has come back), I haven't lost anymore since then.

 

[medworm]

What about vitamin deficiency as a root cause for some people? Anyone actually experience any hair loss relief by popping v-pills?

 

[medhacker]

If you catch the hairloss early enough, I've found that propecia works pretty well. I started thinning at 18, started propecia shortly thereafter, and (while no new hair has come back), I haven't lost anymore since then.

Unfortunately, for a good number of people this means loss of erectile function.

 

[dawg44]

Unfortunately, for a good number of people this means loss of erectile function.

and if your wife gets pregnant and touches the pills. If she has a boy it will be born without a penis. I'm not kidding either it's the truth its on the package insert.

 

[medhacker]

and if your wife gets pregnant and touches the pills. If she has a boy it will be born without a penis. I'm not kidding either it's the truth its on the package insert.

It is teratogenic, I am not sure about the no-penis part though...

 

[dawg44]

It is teratogenic, I am not sure about the no-penis part though...

It blocks a type of testosterone from forming which is vital in the development of sex organs.

 

[McDoctor]

Somehow, this thread has legs and keeps going despite the utterly vapid content.
Kind of like "My Big Fat Greek Wedding".

 

[awval999]

and if your wife gets pregnant and touches the pills. If she has a boy it will be born without a penis. I'm not kidding either it's the truth its on the package insert.

If your wife is pregnant and chews several pills and breaks some more and rubs the powder all over her body while a male fetus is in the stages of pregnancy where he is developing his penis, then yes, he will be born with a birth defect. You are way over the top with your statement.

I believe there is a 3% chance of sexual side effects over the placebo.

The pills are enteric coated. Propecia blocks alpha-5-reductase from converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. It is DHT that causes genetically predisposed hair follicles to stop growing.

 

[Blue4788]

Hi, I'm 18 and as of now- have a full length of hair. When I'm 50 or so and do become bald- I don't know if I'll really care. It just doesn't seem so terrible.

But I do have a question for all Med Students (or just really anybody who feels like typing)- why is there no cure to this? We have cured several other diseases and afflictions in the past many years. Why is the chemistry of balding so difficult to remedy? In the year 2006, we have various mainstream cosmetic aids and we can correct vision to a 20/20- why is this so difficult? We live in a much more superficial culture now. So let's FIX HAIR!

(By the way- I really don't know anything about the body except the skin and if I fall- that "blood" thing usually comes out.) 😕

 

[ilovestewie]

its because we dont ACTUALLY know what causes it. we 'think' we do. however, in all reality your uneducated guess is prolly as good as any physicians. all of the hairloss drugs work by different mechanisms and we really dont knwo why. Although, genetics is proving a decent field to look towards for a cure. They have succesfully "cloned hairs from the back and sides of the head and planting them into follicles in the top in the UK. Its different than a transplant as we know of it now and could be promising.

chris

 

[fussygal]

Hmm, in fact, my friend is having this problem..he is losing his hair, and he's very worried..he's only 22 yrs! His dad is bald, and he finks he inherited that from his father! Do u fink so??He consulted dermatologists and pharmacists, and tried many things..but in vain!! 🙁 ..any suggestions??