DEAR DR. GOTT: My problem is thinning hair. I’ve been using Rogaine, and hopefully it will help. I’ve been to a dermatologist and was told I may have female-pattern baldness. I feel they say this because they don’t know the real cause.
I’ve had hormone testing that was OK. Can you help me to find the right shampoo to help my hair? On the Internet, they claim Provillus is the best product, but this comes with pills and a topical serum that make me leery.
DEAR READER: Healthy hair grows about a 1/2 inch each month for up to about six years. It then ultimately falls out, and a new one grows in its place. With baldness, that new hair doesn’t grow back, and baldness occurs. This may be a part of the aging process, a family history of baldness or changes in the levels of hormones. Other possibilities include specific skin disorders that scar hair follicles, an iron or biotin deficiency, or medications such as beta blockers, ibuprofen, Coumadin and others.
The only medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat female-pattern baldness is minoxidil. Unfortunately, the treatment is expensive, and hair loss will begin again when it is discontinued. Speak with your physician regarding this possibility.
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