New Hope For Hair Loss?
February 26, 2009
Last week, Dr. Gail Naughton, CEO of Histrogen, Inc. a regenerative medicine company that develops solutions based on the products of newborn fibroblasts grown under embryonic conditions, addressed attendees at the 4th Annual Stem Cell Summit in New York. Dr. Naughton presented preliminary mid-trial results from Histrogen’s first human clinical evaluation of it’s promising breakthrough hair loss product ReGenica™
Histrogen’s clinical trial was primarily designed to assess the safety of its product over a five-month period by using a placebo-controlled, randomized study. Its second objective was to examine ReGenica’s efficiency.
At the 12-week scheduled evaluation point, the company was pleased to announce that they not only found no adverse reactions of ReGenica but also that they could honestly say that they were able to see more hair, thicker hair shafts, and what appeared to be the growth of completely new hair follicles on a siggnificant percentage of the test subjects who were treated with ReGenica.
ReGenica is a liquid formula that is the first naturally stabilized and bioactive formulation of wnt proteins and natural cofactors, which are thought to act in the formation of new hair follicles. The trial is currently ongoing, and Histogen expects to release full results from this first clinical study in the first half of 2009.
The Business of Hair
January 30, 2009
According to the most recent government statistics, U.S. employers cut 2.6 million jobs in 2008, and more than 11 million of our nation’s citizens are currently out of work. If this isn’t scary enough, the pink slips stacked even higher and faster in the month of December with 632,000 Americans losing their jobs.
Over the past year and a half, we’ve watched our country battle the collapse of our housing market and have witnessed a lending lockup that has forced America to change the way it does business.
The U.S. economy may be headed for it’s deepest, darkest, and longest recession since World War ll, and as America’s fear mounts, so does the toll this all takes on consumer confidence and spending. With a 7.2% unemployment rate, which is said to be heading to 10% by the year’s end, Americans are tightening their collective belts in an effort to make ends meet. All the while we are a country at war.
It doesn’t sound good does it? How is the small business owner, or the working man going survive this devastating economic downturn? How are we going to pay our mortgages, our car notes, and feed our families? Well if you’re asking me, my answer is this, find a way to get into the business of hair. [Read more]
Cheap Propecia and Guaranteed Results From Merck & Co.
January 5, 2009
There is no doubt that Propecia works. The American Hair loss Association recommends this clinically proven, FDA approved hair loss treatment as the first line of attack for any man serious about effectively treating his hair loss.
As many of my readers and listeners already know, I credit Merck and Co., the makers of Propecia, for literally changing the course of my life. Having the ability to stop the progression of my hair loss provided me with the motivation to write my first book, The Bald Truth: The First Complete Guide To Preventing and Treating Hair loss.
Throughout the last decade, I have had the profound privilege to be in a position to educate and to motivate hair loss sufferers from around the world, and the one piece of advice that I give to every man suffering with male pattern hair loss is to speak to their doctors about Propecia.
Through my radio program, I have spoken to countless men who seem to be in a great deal of distress about the prospect of going bald, yet they continue to voice their concerns about the ongoing cost of Propecia. In my opinion, Propecia is a relatively low monthly expense when considering how this treatment can literally improve the quality of a person’s life. For less than the cost of a night out, a guy can enjoy the benefits of maintaining his appearance, his self confidence, and in many cases his self esteem. In my mind it’s a no-brainer. Never the less, Merck and Co. has created a new program to help motivated men begin treatment with Propecia while saving a significant amount of money. [Read more]
Hair Loss at 23: A Young Man’s Struggle
December 1, 2008
I started losing my hair at age 19. It has gone from being absolutely thick to being very thin, and sparse. I am 23 now and have lost a significant amount of hair, people freak out when I tell them I am 23, I look like im 40 or something. I am also suffering from premature hair greying so that adds to the turmoil. About 60% of my hair is grey. Everytime I go out with my friends, I feel so depressed at the sight of a full head of thick black hair. All it takes to spoil a great day is a look in the mirror. I was a very handsome guy, had a great personality and my hair was very dense, thick and pitch black but thats when genetics decided to spoil the day. I feel so depressed sometimes when I look at the mirror, I’ve become very nervous over the years and I’m tired of fighting with my feelings for the past 5 years dealing with this mess. My confidence has shattered and this is taking so my much of my attention that I cannot focus on what is important in life. I see my friends going out, getting girlfriends, checking out 20 year olds and everytime I look at a 20 year old she thinks I’m some sick 30 year old hitting on college chicks. I don’t know how to deal with this and I have made myself to believe that I’ll be made to suffer for life for no fault of my own. I know people say ” its just hair loss, suck it up” but I wouldn’t want this curse to haunt the worst of my enemies. [Read more]
Propecia Gets OK From The WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency)
October 28, 2008
Zach Lund Received a One Year Ban in 2006
Pro athletes can rejoice in knowing that they no longer have to choose between their careers and maintaining their potential multimillion dollar image.
News that Propecia will be taken off the World Anti-Doping Agency’s “banned” list has been received with cheers from the world’s follically-challenged athletes, but is it too little too late for those who have already suffered career shattering blows from the anti-doping agency?
Some athletes say that it is.
New Zealand tennis pro Mark Nelson’s career has all but grinded to a halt after being banned for two years just because he wanted to save his hair. His world ranking has dropped dramatically, making it very difficult to recoup from his forced hiatus from the sport.
Other professional athletes who have tested positive for Propecia in recent years include NHL goalie Jose Theodore, Brazilian soccer legend Romário, Italian golfer Alessandro Pissilli, Zach Lund the U.S. skeleton racer, and German wheelchair basketball player Ahmet Coskun who was banned from the Paralympics after testing positive for the drug. [Read more]
FDA Warns HairMax LaserComb Makers About Illegal Sales of Non-FDA Cleared Devices
October 15, 2008
Los Angeles - U.S. Regulators have warned Lexington International, the makers of the highly touted and controversial HairMax LaserComb, to shape up or ship out.
In an FDA warning letter issued to David Michaels, Managing Director of Lexington International, LLC on May 22, 2008, FDA inspectors cite that the HairMax LaserComb® Premium and SE models, that are currently being sold to the public, differ from the cleared HairMax LaserComb in dose rate, method of delivery, and/or treatment parameters. According to the FDA these changes could significantly affect the safety or effectiveness of these devices and therefore, pursuant to 21, CFR 807.81 (a)(3)(i), new 510(k) submissions are required in order to legally market these devices.
Interestingly enough HairMax LaserComb makers warn consumers about purchasing fraudulent, or less than effective laser devices on their own marketing website. [Read more]
Where Are The HairMax Lasercomb Studies?
October 14, 2008
Dear Spencer,
Months ago when you interviewed David Michaels, one of the inventors of the HairMax Lasercomb, he said that he was going to give you a copy of the study that Lexington presented to the FDA in order for the Lasercomb to gain market clearance, did you ever see the study, and if so what were your thoughts or any experts thoughts on it? - Chris
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Dear Chris,
I never did receive that study. The truth is I still haven’t seen any substantial evidence that the HairMax Lasercomb can effectively treat hair loss to any appreciable degree. I’m still waiting.
Regards,
Spencer Kobren
Host of The Bald Truth Radio Show
Founder, American Hair Loss Association
Founder and Director of Consumer/Patient Affairs, International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS.ORG)
Concerns About Shedding From Propecia - What Are The Chances It Will Occur?
October 7, 2008
I have spent countless hours researching hair loss including getting bombarded by television, radio, internet, etc etc. It’s nice to be able to read a website (The Bald Truth & IAHRS) and listen to someone with obvious knowledge in the field. I know you always write a disclaimer in your emails that you’re not a doctor but I’m willing to bet you know more about the subject of hair loss, physically and emotionally than 99% of the doctors out there.
I have 2 questions and I appreciate any time you put into responding. I am 32 years old and first noticed I started thinning when I was about 25. I haven’t done a thing for it but to be honest it’s been really gradual. I’m currently about a stage 3 on the scale (I forget the name) so it’s definitely time to either “shave it or save it”.
I am going to start using Propecia, hopefully I didn’t wait too long to get that working. I’m just wondering about the ’shedding’ phase. It doesn’t mention it on the Propecia website and I haven’t been able to find much credible information on this. I’m just wondering what the chances are of this occurring, and if it does happen how much shedding given the worst case scenario? [Read more]
Do You Recommend Revivogen? Does Minoxidil Lose Its Effectiveness Over Time?
September 28, 2008
I currently live in UK and I find that it is fantastic that your show provides support to hair loss sufferers, a real problem. I wish we had similar programs in the UK too, I just think we are a long way behind. I have been trying hair loss products mainly minoxidil, and natural hair supplements (B complex etc) and I have got two questions:
1) Does minoxidil lose its effectiveness in preventing hair loss in the long term?
2) I saw a product call Revivogen and on the website they claimed that it has been recommended by the Bald Truth and I’m just trying to confirm it as they look somewhat legitimate. I would greatly appreciate if you can answer those questions. [Read more]
Breeding Ground for Deception: The Dangers of Researching Hair Loss on The Internet
September 16, 2008
The Internet has created a global network of information, one that allows us to quickly and easily conduct research without having to pick up the phone or take a trip to the library. Information on the Web is free and accessible, but how reliable is it?
Online research must be pursued with great care. The Web is not monitored or regulated. Anyone can publish a web site and there is no guarantee that the information you access online is accurate or that it comes from a credible source.
Web sites that target hair loss sufferers with promises of miracle treatments should be reviewed with a critical eye. Here are three key points to remember when conducting hair loss research on the Web: [Read more]
