Cheap Propecia and Guaranteed Results From Merck & Co.

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]

Propecia Gets OK From The WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency)

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]

Concerns About Shedding From Propecia – What Are The Chances It Will Occur?

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?

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]

Talking About Hair Loss – It’s About Time

Our culture is peppered with taboo subjects, things we just don’t discuss. Some of these are topics we only touch on with family while others are strictly for conversations with friends. Still more subjects may be considered unsuitable for mixed company. Then there are the topics that nobody discusses at all.

As our society grows older and wiser, we are slowly learning to embrace and encourage open discussions and to share our thoughts and feelings about the difficult obstacles in life. One such obstacle is hair loss. Yet we still have a long way to go in bringing hair loss into casual conversation in a meaningful way.

Suffering any kind of loss can be devastating. Hair loss is no different. Yet most hair loss sufferers remain silent as they go through the trying experience that hair loss incurs. [Read more]

Hair Loss Has Destroyed My Life: Jake’s Story

I am writing this on a Saturday night. Even 2 years ago I would be out on Saturday nights being social and loving it. I was a senior in high school then with absolutely no signs of hair loss, and looking forward to everything the future was going to bring me.

That was then, and now a completely different story.

I am ONLY 20 (not 25, 26) years old and within only 2 years have almost gone completely bald with diffuse male pattern baldness. Everyday my life is a struggle and its slowly ripping me apart. To make matters worse, there are no signs of hair loss in my family. Hair loss has changed my life so much its really amazing. People started making comments my first year of college and I just ignored it, but when my hair really started going I started to have panic attacks and soon I was forced to move back home and leave that college. [Read more]

Life Hijacked By Hair Loss – Getting It Back: Tee Jay’s Story

Spencer: Thanks for what you do, my friend. I know I speak for many when I say we appreciate it. Here’s my story.

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I was 24 years old and enjoying an awesome career as a graduate student out of state. Graduation was eminent, and so were the lucrative job offers. Life was good. Nothing could mess this up.

That’s until my genetics decided to rear their ugly head.

I’ll never forget it. I was staying with my parents in California during Christmas of 1997. I was standing in front of a mirror one day brushing my hair, and my mom approached me to say something. To this day, I don’t know what she wanted to say, because she was distracted by what she saw, and instead decided to say: “Tee-Jay, you’re getting a little soft up here, huh?”. She put her fingers near my frontal hairline.

Huh?!??! You’re kidding, right mom? My hair is just wet and full of mousse, so of course it’s looks soft right now. Regretfully, she wasn’t kidding. During my Christmas break in California, I had the chance to see other family and friends. A few of them made similar comments. Right in front of me, a friend of the family looked at my mom and said “Tee-Jay is losing his hair up top, eh?”. Gee, thanks, it’s nice to see you too. A-hole.

I guess I was in denial about my hair loss until then. But, now with these comments so readily made directly to my face, as if I had no sensitivities at all, the fight began. My fight against hair loss.

Admittedly I hadn’t a clue what I was doing when I started the fight. I left California for my last semester of graduate school. Shortly after I got there, I went to a hair salon for a hair cut. And guess what? The hair stylist decided to point out my hair loss, too. (Guess how much of a tip I gave him.). But he did get my attention. With my sensitivity about my hair loss so incredibly heightened after my trip home to California, this hair stylist knew just what to say. He said: “Have you ever heard of Nioxin?”. Nope, never have. But he sold me on the fact that I needed to start using it to get my hair back. He said it will “bio-stimulate my scalp”. WOW! Bio-stimulate? Sounds awesome. As a student I was pretty broke, and the Nioxin stuff cost 90 bucks. But I didn’t even hesitate. I bought a bunch of Nioxin products. After all, I needed the bio-stimulation to get my lost hair back and to stop further progression. I remember using the Nioxin shampoo in the shower. It made my scalp feel VERY tingly, and I thought “It’s working!”. No more hair loss, I won the fight. Mind you, I’m a hardcore scientist/engineer type – I need data to understand and prove things. But not in this case, the word “bio-stimulate” and a tingly scalp were all I needed.

Unfortunately the Nioxin didn’t arrest my hair loss as I originally thought, and the proof came 6 months later, when I graduated and moved back home to California. My family and friends, as sensitive as they can be, decided to point out my continued hair loss. UGH! This is supposed to be the best time of my life and it has been totally jacked with hair loss issues.

The next level of the fight began. I was watching late nite TV (I know you know where this is going), and there was this miraculous, never-ending infomercial from a big hair transplant clinic. Wow, they had the answers to everything. They made it look so easy. They had celebrities too. And they had these incredible before and after pictures! I couldn’t stop watching and I couldn’t wait for the nite to turn into morning, so I can find their nearest California office, and make my appointment. And that’s exactly what I did. A few days later I was in their upscale California office, talking face-to-face with a NON-physician, who was telling me everything I wanted to hear. He said “So your hair loss is affecting the way you comb it? We can fix that with a hair transplant.” Later a doctor came in, but by that time, I was sold. He could have said anything. What’s amazing is they never recommended any sort of treatment plan. Never mention Propecia. Never mentioned Rogaine. Never mentioned how many grafts they would recommend for a hair transplant. So, I decided I’d get 800 grafts. I have no idea why or how, but 800 seemed like a nice number. A few weeks later I was in the chair, and almost $7000 bucks left my pocket. I remember being presented with a long, complicated contract on the day of my surgery, while I was in the chair, just before being anesthetized. I had to sign it to proceed. That seemed odd. Why wasn’t I told about this 2 months earlier when I booked my surgery date?

The results of the hair transplant started to kick in a few months later, but since my hair loss continued (at this point I hadn’t heard much about Propecia, and no one recommended it to me), the results didn’t show too well. It was basically just a wash. And, the results I did get didn’t look too natural. So much for the comment made on the infomercial: “Upon close inspection, no one will be able to tell”. So why were people’s eyes wandering to my head? Why did a hair stylist who was washing my hair say to me “so when did you get this done?”.

So what did I do? I started to save money for my next hair transplant. I needed to fix this. I’m sure I just needed another hair transplant. A few years later, I went back to the same hair transplant clinic, ready to go. I said “I’d like the same doctor I had last time”. (And I let them know his name, too). But he was not there. I was told that he may have moved to another location, and that it was common for doctors to change locations. Instead I consulted with another doctor. This other doctor seemed oddly anxious and excited, but for some reason, it didn’t bother me. He said what I wanted to hear, so, that’s all I needed. I booked a date for my next surgery.

Now, I’m a naturally very curious person, and something didn’t seem right about the nonchalant nature in which I was told that my previous doctor may have changed locations. A few nites later, I decided to poke around on the Internet, to see if I can find the new location that my previous doctor went to. I couldn’t believe what I found. He had quit working for the clinic some time ago, and was tangled in a lawsuit against them. He sued them. Many of the proceedings were freely available as public records, and the doctor had testified statements that blew my mind. His statements directly contradicted statements that were made in the infomercials, essentially claiming them to be false. The very infomercials that sold me! I was freaked out. I decided I didn’t want to go through with my second hair transplant with this clinic, and called them to cancel my surgery. Interestingly, a few days after I called to cancel, I received a letter from the clinic, which contained the new contact information of my original doctor.

I felt stuck. I felt as though I exhausted all of my options. At least the options I was aware of. I was bound to be bald, with a little tuft of a mediocre hair transplant on top of my head.

Then, one day at an NBA game, I remember seeing a fairly pronounced advertisement near the courtside. It was a website address, and by the name of it, I could easily tell it was the address to a hair loss treatment clinic. I logged into memory. I checked it out later that nite, and felt very comfortable with what I read. The website belonged to a doctor’s office. A small, private office. Not a big clinic where no one knows your name. I also learned that the doctor belonged to an organization called “International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons” (the IAHRS). I checked out the IAHRS website, too, and liked everything I read. The website acknowledged the over-marketing hype of big hair transplant clinics, and how they seemed to prey on the emotional sensitivities of hair loss sufferers. Eight years after my fight against hair loss started, it finally felt like a wave of genuine empathy towards my hair loss suffering was flowing in my direction.

I scheduled a consultation with the IAHRS doctor a few weeks later. It was an awesome consultation. It felt so authentic, honest, and real. The doctor spent over an hour with me, and he never made it feel rushed. He taught me everything, about hair line design, follicular unit transplantation, density, available medications (Propecia), and more. He highly recommended that I start a Propecia regimen, and I did.

Two years after my initial consultation with the IAHRS doctor, once I put my finances and scheduling together, I returned for a hair transplant. The whole experience was smooth as silk. Total comfort. And unlike my original hair transplant, in which 90% of the procedure was handled by technicians, with very little presence of the actual doctor, this IAHRS doctor was VERY present – 100% of the time. He led the whole surgery, start to finish.

As of this writing, I am about 6 -7 months post op, and the results are beginning to show. The slight plugginess of my previous hair transplant are softening, and I am getting some nice density. My youth is coming back. I consider myself very lucky, because I almost proceeded down the path of multiple hair transplants with a clinic that didn’t feel to me as though they truly care about their patient’s results. Who knows where I would have landed and how much money I could have spent. But circumstances changed the course of my fight against hair loss, for the better.

I’m 35 now. I’m on Propecia, and I’ve had 2 hair transplants, with the 2nd one being the only one I ever want to remember or talk about, because it was awesome, and the results are awesome. The IAHRS doctor is phenomenal, a true advocate of his patients, and a good, pure-hearted, empathetic man.

And that’s my story. I hope my story helps any hair loss sufferers from avoiding some of the pitfalls and traps that are out there, and leads them into a legitimate treatment program that suits them the best.

Good luck in your fights my friends. And be strong.

Tee Jay

Are There Any Long Term Side Effects of Propecia? Does Propecia Harm The Liver?

I have been using Propecia since it became available on the market, which is quite a few years. Have there been any adverse effects of using Propecia over a long period of time? Does this medication harm the liver in anyway?

Concerned,
Jason
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Dear Jason,

Finasteride was first approved by the FDA in 1992 as Proscar. As you’re probably aware, Proscar is a 5 mg dosage of Finsateride that is proscribed for the treatment of BPH or prostate enlargement. The 1 mg dose of finasteride, approved as Propecia in December of 1997, was the first truly effective treatment for male pattern hair loss.

To my knowledge, in the sixteen years that finsateride has been on the market there have been no reports of any adverse effects on the liver of those using the drug for an extended period of time. As always, I have to state clearly that I am not a physician and that my opinions and knowledge concerning hair loss and its treatments are based on extensive research and reporting on the subject as a consumer advocate and hair loss educator.

With this said, it’s important to note that Propecia cuts PSA levels in half after one year of use. PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen and is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland. The PSA blood test is commonly used to check for signs of prostate cancer and other related prostate problems. According to experts, men with prostate cancer often have elevated PSA levels because cancer cells make excessive amounts of this protein, Generally higher PSA levels are indicative of more cancer cells being present in your body. Now this isn’t always the case, it is possible to have prostate cancer without having elevated PSA levels, but the PSA test has been shown to significantly increase the ability for physicians to make an early diagnosis of the disease which is paramount for early intervention.

Since Propecia is prescribed to young men in their 20s, 30s and 40s it is important to tell your doctor that you are taking the medication so that PSA levels can be more accurately determined. The general rule of thumb is to double the levels of those using Propecia for more than a year. It’s also imortant to note the the PSA blood test is not the only way for doctors to determine the presence of prostate cancer.

Another long term concern that has been discussed in literature is the relationship between long term use of finasteride and male breast neoplasia or breast cancer.

During a 4 to 6 year placebo-controlled study testing finasteride 5 mg on 3,047 men, there were 4 cases of breast cancer in men treated with Proscar but no cases in men given placebo. In another 4 year placebo controlled study testing Proscar using 3,040 men, there were 2 cases of breast cancer in placebo treated men, but no cases were reported in men treated with Proscar. To my knowledge there have been no significant reports that can directly connect long term use of finasteride to male breast cancer.

As far as prostate cancer, the long term use of finasteride has recently been linked to a significant decrease in the risk of developing prostate cancer. Finasteride is also now being prescribed as a preventative treatment to some high risk patients, such as those with a strong family history of prostate cancer.

On a personal note, I have been using the drug for more than fourteen years and at this point have experienced no adverse side effects that I am aware of. There are countless men all over the world who are successfully treating their hair loss with Propecia. In my opinion, at this point there is no known reason to be concerned about long term adverse side effects.

Hope this helps,
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)

Currently Using Propecia, Minoxidil, Saw Palmetto, Nisim Etc. – Should I Stick With This Program?

I have recently read your book “The Bald Truth” and a lot of the information contained is what I had already have been doing over the year, but it was good to have it reinforced (Great book by the way). I am a 32 year old male currently using Propecia, with minoxidil (periodically) and an assortment of supplements including saw palmetto, B vitamin complex , silica, zinc, EFA’s etc.. along with treatment shampoos such as Nisim and a 2% ketoconazole prescription one. I have been on this regime for about a year and a half and have been really strict with the Propecia, and on and off with the rest.

I have noticed that although I have hair on top, it is really thin compared to the rest. When it’s wet it looks like plugs of hair which I never had a few years ago. It is also in the classic balding pattern on the entire top section of my head. I was just having doubts with what I am doing as it dosent seem that the medication is doing anything and I don’t feel I have regrown any hair to noticeable degree.

I just wanted to ask if you recommend I should stick with this program, and if there was anything else I could do to aid my battle as I thought it would have had some effect by now. I was considering trying to switch to Avodart, as it seems to be more potent, but then it is still pending approval from the FDA which makes me cautious.

Any information you would have would be greatly appreciated as I find looking on the Net, a bit of a mindfield of contradicting arguments. It really gets me down some days that I feel I have no control over this.

Thank you in advance,
Paul

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Dear Paul,

You are correct concerning researching hair loss treatments on the internet, it is a minefield. The vast majority of hair loss information that’s provided on the web is complete crap. In my opinion and in the opinion of most experts, the products and services being promoted, even on websites appearing to be legitimate, are questionable at best.

Before I continue, I would like to make clear that I am NOT a physician and this information is my opinion based on over a decade of experience being a consumer advocate for men and women suffering with hair loss.

A simple rule of thumb when researching hair loss on the web would be to look for the American Hair Loss Association seal before taking the time to read the information provided on the site. The AHLA does not accept any financial support from companies in the hair loss industry, and only provides its certification seal to websites that provide legitimate information about hair loss and its treatment. Be VERY aware that hair loss websites, for the most part, are businesses and some have even lifted the AHLA seal in hopes of misleading vulnerable hair loss sufferers into believing that they are selling a legitimate product. Even if you see the American Hair Loss Association seal, always check with the AHLA before buying any product or service to treat your hair loss.

As far as your treatment is concerned, the question is, have you lost any ground since you began treatment? If the answer is no, than you’re in good shape.

After years of research and anecdotal information provided by my readers and listeners, I have come to the conclusion that the use of saw palmetto for the treatment of hair loss is a waste of time. In fact, we have found out over the years that by coupling Propecia and saw palmetto, some men experience an increase incidence of adverse sexual side effects. That’s not to say that will happen to you, but it has been reported.

I’d like to reiterate that I am not a physician, but again if your hair loss has not progressed since starting Propecia then you are in a very good position, and one of the lucky 86% who respond well to the drug.

We all want more hair and many hair loss sufferers have what I call “hairorexia.” If your hair is still looking pretty good I wouldn’t push the envelope in the hopes of thickening your hair up to where you were before you began the balding process. I think Propeica is truly a miracle drug for many, the problem is that we get greedy and forget how wonderful it is just to keep what we have.

I’m not a fan of the kitchen sink approach, but if you are currently using Rogaine, I would not stop using it since this could throw you into a pretty bad shed. My advise would be to stick to the program unless you are really getting worse. If you find you are losing ground, you can always talk to your doctor about increasing your dosage of finasteride.

Hope this helps!

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)

Can Creatine, Protein, or Differin Cause Hair Loss?

I think what you’re doing is great Spencer!…Propecia stopped my hair loss at 20. I am 31 now, however, over the past 3 months I have lost about 30-40% of my density all over the top of my scalp, and the sides and back as well. I am still on Propecia and have scheduled a doctor appointment. I would like to list a few things that I started to do a few months ago that I think may have contributed to this:

1. Differin cream (vitamin A derived)

2. Working out with heavy weights along with taking creatine (No Xplode) and protein powder

These two things are my main concern especially Differin. Also, I started using a self tanning lotion sunscreen (durascreen) since I work outside, and teeth whitening products all within the past few months. I know I sound paranoid, but I would like to know if you think any of this could contribute to my rapid hair loss. I’ve been a little stressed too, but no more than usual. However, I am really stressed now because of this. Oh yeah, I also tried adding Rogaine a few months ago, but stopped after 2 weeks…I am so depressed about this. I just found out about you and your show and I’ve listened the last few weeks. What a great thing you are doing, it is such an epidemic that totally destroys people. I could go on and on about how depressed and mortified I was when I started to lose my hair at 18. Thank You. – Mark
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Dear Mark,

Thanks for the support! I’m glad to hear that you’ve done so well with Propecia these past eleven
years. I have to preface my comments by letting you know that I am not a physician, but from what you’ve explained, I think that the use of Creatine supplementation might be what is affecting your hair.

I’ll probably get a lot of crap from the bodybuilding community, but the truth is each body reacts diffently to this type of supplementation, and I do believe that creatine can effect hair growth and cycling.

Here are my thoughts on the matter: We know that exercise when done properly and accompanied by good sleeping habits and a high protein, well balanced diet stimulates the release of hormones that promote muscle growth. These are known as anabolic hormones, which include testosterone, insulin, and growth hormone. When training, stimulation of these muscle growing hormones is what most athletes strive for. Unfortunately for men who are predisposed to androgenic alopecia ( male pattern hair loss), raising levels of testosterone can increase DHT levels.

With that said, in most cases, the use of Propecia should cancel out the effects of any naturally occurring increase in testosterone since Propecia blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone into the follicle killing DHT, reducing DHT levels by about 70% in most individual who use the drug.

Since each individual reacts differently to medial treatment, any increase in testosterone and HGH that you might be experiencing from the use of creatine theoretically could have put you over the preverbal edge as far as the ability for Propecia to effectively protect you against higher DHT levels. The 70% block in DHT might have been all you needed to stave off your male pattern baldness, but by increasing your hormonal output the dam might have burst, so to speak.

Since creatine is known to increase or ability to exercise more efficiently, and exercise increases hormone release, it is expected that creatine should also indirectly increase the amounts of anabolic hormones produced while exercising.

There have also been studies that have demonstrated that growth hormone was actually released in non exercising subjects within a few hours after ingesting creatine.

So, my advice would be to speak to you doctor about your creatine supplementation, and perhaps raising your dose of finsteride if he or she sees fit.

I’d don’t think you have much to worry about when it comes to Differin and hair loss, and I certainly don’t think that whitening your teeth will effect your hair.

Hope this helps. Keep listening and spread the word.

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)

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