Hair Transplant Blog - HairTransplantMentor.com » Hair Loss Drugs

Polytar AF, Updated Information

jotronic — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:26:19 +0000

Many of you have read about my thoughts on Polytar AF which I consider to be THE leading medicated shampoo with regards to dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. I had a bad bout with the problems a couple of years back and NOTHING I tried came even close to knocking them out except for Polytar AF. It is really good shampoo. Well, since early 2011 this shampoo has been very tough to find and is actually impossible to find as of this writing. I personally have not had a supply of Polytar AF for about four months.

Today I called Stiefel Laboratories head office and I found out that they have been purchased by Glaxo Smith Kline. Apparently Stiefel was the largest independent pharma company in the world. Anyway, I spoke to a representative at the company and they have not been making Polytar for at least a full year. The reason is because one of the key ingredients in Polytar AF is not available and GSK has been having trouble finding a supplier. I told the woman on the phone that I am hoping for it’s return soon and she said that they’ver received hundreds of similar calls and while she doesn’t know the actual ingredient that is unavailable she said that she’s told it is the ingredient that makes Polytar AF so effective. While I have no idea if this is true or not it does make sense because Polytar AF is a simple coal/tar based shampoo but it does work better than anything else on the market so this makes sense.

She asked me to call again in a few weeks and they may know more as they’ve had a few potential suppliers come forth so as I learn more I’ll update the blog. Keep your fingers crossed!

Pentagon Using “Acell” Type Procedure to Regrow Muscle

jotronic — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:07:31 +0000

Now this is interesting. A few years ago Acell burst onto the scene and had a lot of people excited about the potential for the “unlimited donor supply”. As I predicted this never happened but what is interesting is the article below. The Pentagon commissioned the University of Pittsburgh to utilize pig bladder cells, more specifically the growth proteins from pig bladder, and use a special “matrix” to regrow muscle tissue. This doesn’t seem too far off from growing hair, at first, but hair is a much more intricate organ and much more difficult to “grow”. Regardless, this technology is extremely similar to that of Acell and it makes sense because Acell has it’s roots at the University of Pittsburgh.

Massive BHT Cases and Finasteride

jotronic — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 05:14:47 +0000

Ok, first post in a long while but I’ve been super busy. Thanks for being patient.

So there is a pending case coming up of BHT that I read about on one of the forums. This young man that is obviously suffering from very aggressive hair loss as a young age is contemplating going in for many thousands of body hair grafts. I’ve warned this young man of how unnatural BHT looks and never looks as natural as scalp hair. In short , body hair on the head looks like, well, body hair on the head.

Now he has posted that his doctor told him that since finasteride has shown anectdotal eveidence of slowing body hair growth that he should STOP taking finasteride else it may make the final result wind up with less overall growth. WHAT????

So effectively what finasteride is supposed to do, and does quite well, is fight further hair loss and stabilizes the hair that remains yet this doctor wants this kid to stop finasteride else it will inhibit the body hair growth on his head? I have an idea. How about not taking this gullible kid’s money and tell him to get a real hair transplant with real head hair for a natural result and not stop taking finasteride so he is locked into coming back over and over for more and more body hair so he can continue to look more and more unnatural! Mother of God!

Has It Come Down To This???

jotronic — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:52:12 +0000

What the Hell is this thing? It’s a bike helmet. No, it’s an iPod headset. No, it’s a laser hair regrowth system. No, better. It’s all of the above. If I find out that any of you actually use this thing I’ll ban you from my site!

What Medications NOT To Take Before Hair Transplant Surgery

jotronic — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:52:46 +0000

Most clinics will give their patients a list of medications and supplements that they should avoid before hair transplant surgery. The following drugs or supplements either contain ASA, or can cause undesirable side-effects during surgery, such as excessive bleeding or bruising. These drugs should be avoided 2 weeks prior to surgery. For pain relief, switch to Tylenol or other acetominophen products. As always, refer to your specific hair transplant clinic’s instructions before sug

Advil

Alka-Seltzer

Alka-Seltzer Plus

Anacin

Anaprox

Anadynos

Ansaid

A.P.C

Argesic

Arthropan liquid

Arthritis Pain Formula

Arthritis Strength

Bufferin

A.S.A

A.S.A Enseals

Ascriptin

Ascriptin A/D

Ascriptin with codeine

Ascriptin Extra Strength

Asperbuf

Aspergum

Aspirin

Atromid

Axotal

Azolid

Bayer Aspirin

Bayer Aspirin Maximum

Bayer Chrildren’s Aspirin

Bayer Children’s Cold

Bayer Time Release Aspirin

B.C. Tablets and Powder

Buff-a-Comp

Buff-a-Comp No.3

Bufferin Arthritis Strength

Bufferin Extra Strength

Bufferin with Codeine No. 3

Norgesic

Norgesic Forte

Buffets 2

Buffinol

Buf-Tabs

Butazolidin

Cams Arthritis Pain Reliever

Carisoprodol

Cheracol Capsules

Chlortrimeton

Clinoril

Conjesprin Chewable

Cope Tablets

Cosprin Tablets

CP-2 Tablets

Damason P

Darvon Compound

Darvon compound-65

Darvon N with A.S.A

Darvon with A.S.A Pulvules

Di-gesic

Disalcid

Dolobid

Dolprin

Dristan

Durasal Tablets

Easprin

Ecotin

Efficin

Elavil

Emagrin

Emprazil

Empirin with Codeine

Encaprin

Endep

Equagesic Tablets

Etrafon

Excedrin

SK-65 Compound

Stanback

Feldene

Fiorinal

Fish Oil

Flagyl

Flexeril

Four Way Cold Tablets

Gaysal–S

Gelprin

Gemnisin

Goody’s

Ibuprofen

Indocin

Indomethacin

Lanorinal

Lioresal

Lortab

Magan

Magsal

Marnal

Maximun Bayer Aspirin

Measurin

Medomen

Methcarbamol with Aspirin

Micrainin

Mobidin

Midol

Mobigesic

Momentum Muscular

Backache Formula

Motrin

Mysteclin F

Nalfon

Naprosyn

Naproxen

Neocylate

Nicobid

Revised: 11/6/02

Nuprin

Oraflex

Orudis

Pabalate-SF

Pamelor

Parnate

Pepto Bismol Tablets

Pepto Bismol Suspension

Percodan

Percodan Demi Tablets

Persantine

Persistin

Phentermine

Phenylbutazone

Ponstel

Propoxyphene compound 65

Robaxisal

Rufen

Ru-Tuss

S.A.C

Saleto

Salocal

Sine Aid

Sine- off Sinus Med.

Sinutab

Stendin

St. Joseph’s Aspirin for

children

St. Joseph’s Cold Tablets

Sulindac

Surmontil

Synalgos

Tagamet

Talwin Compound

Tenuate Dospan

Tetracycline

Tolectin

Tolmetin

Triaminicin

Triavil

Trigesic

Trilisate tablets and liquids

Uracel

Vanquish

Verin

Vibramycin

Vitamin E

Voltaren

Zomax

Zorprin

My Thoughts on Acell and PRP

jotronic — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:48:34 +0000

About two years ago there was buzz on the web about something called Acell or more specifically Acell “Matrix”. Acell is a company that has been making wound healing products primarily for the veterinarian industry for years. After a lawsuit between Acell and University of Pennsylvania was ruled (Acell won) Acell was allowed to move forward with the human version of their “Matrix” technology. In short Matrix, when applied properly, was supposed to regenerate not only human tissue but also hair bearing skin instead of scar tissue in even severe wounds. There was some impressive photographic evidence from the veterinarian side of things to back up the claims. There was even a video of a gentleman that regrew the tip of his finger with this stuff.

The hopes and dreams of thousands of hair transplant patients were about to be realized. The Holy Grail of hair restoration was within sight; the never ending donor supply. Well, I had more down to earth hopes for this technology in that donor wound closures could heal with little to no evidence of surgery. I am sad to report that at this time neither my ambitions nor those more bold ambitions of others have come to pass. It may still yet be something that is beneficial but it is not magic solution.

Now we have PRP therapy. PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma and the “therapy” in this new development is the process in which the patient’s blood is drawn, placed into a centrifuge and then the plasma that is separated from the blood is re-injected into the patient’s scalp. The idea here is that a “stem cell” type of reaction occurs in that the patient’s hair follicle will thicken up. Supposedly the PRP will help to stimulate thicker hair growth. So far, to me, the evidence that this is a benefit is not only circumstantial but is outright MIA.

Lately I’ve been seeing both of these “therapies” thrown around as if they are valid treatments by various clinics. A few clinics even offered PRP within mere DAYS of the buzzwords being introduced to the hair loss online communities. No research was done, no results to validate any efficacy, nothing. But the clinics offering these therapies have no problems charging the patient for the added benefit of these unproven offerings. Sorry, but I think that if one is going to charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a treatment they should have consistent results to warrant such fees.

I have seen announcements made as if they are a big deal but in my opinion these announcements of bogus scientific offerings do little more than help to perpetuate the black sheep image that the hair restoration industry has garnered in the medical community. Save your money, people. There are so few things out there that actually do something positive for you hair. The more you listen to these bogus claims the more you will believe them and then of course the more you will buy them. Use your better judgment and of course remember that if it is too good to be true then it most certainly is. Only with CONSISTENT evidence of clearly documented results can you even begin to believe and even then you should still be skeptical.

Beware of Bogus Meds

jotronic — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:32:22 +0000

I thought I’d share an experience with you that may help you in the future.

I was talking to someone a while back that had called in to ask about our clinic. I obviously asked if he was doing anything to stop his existing loss and he said that he was.

He said however that while initially he had a great response to Propecia and that he had substantial regrowth in the crown his hair loss had returned and was getting worse, even to the point where he was a bit worse than before he started Propecia. He was really freaked out about this which is understandable.

I started asking him some questions and everything seemed to be normal but after some further brain wracking I threw out a simple question that was basically just a shot in the dark. I asked him, “Have you changed anything AT ALL regarding your intake, routine, etc. Anything no matter how insignificant it may seem. For example, did you change the source for where you get your Propecia?”. “YES! I did”, he said.

He used to get Propecia from his local pharmacy but decided to save some money and order it online. Knowing what I know about online pharmacies I suggested he throw his Propecia in the garbage, call his local pharmacy and get another refill on his prescription. “Call me in six months after you’ve done this”.

He did and he told me that all of his hair that he lost had grown back once he started using the local pharmacy for his supply again.

Lesson to learn from this? Not all Proscar or Propecia or any medication for that matter is the same. Be careful of where you are getting it and if possible, and highly recommended, stick with a brick and mortar pharmacy instead of one of these online joints that have no real history or reputation to rely on. It’s your hair so do what you can to keep it.