Battle Against Bald | A Battle Against Hair Loss Through Hair Restoration

Blair's heart scare possibly caused by minoxidil

A study, cited in the recently released book "In Sickness and in Power: Illness in Heads of Government During the Last 100 Years" by Lord David Owen, suggests former English Prime Minister Tony Blair's heart scare in 2003 was caused by Regaine, a brand of minoxidil.

Certainly, this puts the safety of the drug in question in minds of many bald men. But let's not forget that the drug warns of several heart-related side effects, so don't say they never warned you. To be safe, let's run through some safety instruction for minoxidil (Rogaine, Regaine, etc.) from Drugs.com.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using minoxidil topical and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• chest pain;
• irregular or very fast heartbeats;
• dizziness or lightheadedness; or
• fainting

Continue to use minoxidil topical and talk to your doctor when it is convenient if you experience

• itching, redness, dryness, or flaking of the scalp
• a headache.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Don't forget to apply your Rogaine before you go to bed!

Rogaine, the leading brand of minoxidil, is making a lofty attempt to reposition their product as an everyday essential in the bathroom, alongside toothpaste and shaving cream. The marketing strategy was born following a highlight year in 2007, after the release of a new foam formulation.  Instead of being a product men use after hair loss has already begun, Rogaine wants to target a younger demographic by becoming a mainstay in their medicine cabinet as a preventive measure (you  don't want to be bald the same way you don't want rotten teeth!). Problem is, Rogaine is a bit more expensive than a tube of toothpaste. Good luck, guys.

Hair loss treatments: Minoxidil—how does it work?

Last week's hair loss treatment feature was Propecia, and I explained how it works in fighting hair loss. This week I'm writing about the first FDA approved  hair loss treatment Minoxidil—otherwise marketed as Rogaine. With formulas geared specifically to both men and women, Minoxidil has been around since the early 80s. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a prescription for Rogaine and it's available over the counter at most major retailers. Most importantly, Rogaine does work and is proven (in most cases) to effectively prevent hair loss and in some cases even regrow lost hair.

How does Minoxidil / Rogaine work?

Stated as simply as possible, Minoxidil works by using a nitric oxide chemical structure to dilate the blood vessels in the head and, as a result, a potassium channel develops, stimulating the hair follicles. Once stimulated, the hair follicles somehow build up a resistance against hair loss and in some cases promote new hair growth. If you're like me, the explanation above is a bit vague and difficult to grasp from a simpletons perspective, but I guess it's just that simple.

The pros and cons of Minoxidil / Rogaine.
Like all good things, Rogaine has its pros and cons. Put simply, the pro is that you can possibly prevent future hair loss and cover up your bald spot(s). With that, there are some negative aspects to using Rogaine—here are a few of the more popular ones:

• Rogaine has some mild side effects; however, these side effects are only a result of using the product and will dissipate immediately after ending use. Side effects include itching, contact dermatitis, peeling, hives and rashes,  swelling and sensitivity on the patients head.
• Rogaine can get expensive; averaging at $50 -$60 for a 3-month supply, most Rogaine users should allocate $200-$300 a year for Rogaine.
• Rogaine needs to be applied daily to work effectively.
• Results stop immediately after using Rogaine. That said, as soon as you stop using Rogaine you go right back to where you started from.

Before I went through the Bosley hair restoration procedure, and when I first started to be bothered by my hair loss, I tried Rogaine. My experience with Rogaine was less than fun, mostly because I apparently have a sensitive scalp, and as a result my head itched like crazy and I started to experience extreme dandruff. However, everyone is different and don't let my experience deter you from trying Rogaine. After all, if you want to battle your baldness and surgical hair restoration is out of the question, Rogaine is maybe worth a try.

Another cure for baldness in sight

Today the most effective way to regrow lost hair is hair restoration surgery, but a surgical procedure to restore lost hair is not for everyone. Some people can't stomach the thought of shelling out thousands for cosmetic hair restoration and opt for less extreme treatments like Rogaine and Propecia, in some cases even sporting a toupee or worse—spray-on hair. That said, there's no easy way to restore your hair, any route you take is going to cost time and money. It comes down to how important having hair is to you. All that aside, a recent scientific discovery has uncovered good news for bald men and women, as there's another cure for baldness in sight.

Last week I briefly reported on wounded mice being used in studies to discover new hair loss treatments. Well, it seems as though the poor little mice didn't suffer in vain after this week's announcement of a potential hair loss cure. Researchers leading the study say they've developed a way to re-activate dead hair follicles, which cause balding. It's yet to be determined if this is another surgical procedure or medication. Either way, don't get too excited just yet—this proposed new "baldness cure" has about 10 years of research, testing and approvals to go through before it's ready for the consumer.