May 10th, 2011 at 03:46pm
Under Hair Loss+ Hirsutism
My question is about the use and effectiveness of topical finasteride. Are there any recent studies as to the effectiveness or safety of such a treatment? I have read both previous posts about “Xandrox Sales Stopped by the FDA”. From what I understand about the use of topical finasteride, it appears to me that the jury is still out and it is not so easy to dismiss altogether. Granted Dr. Lee may have had no “proven” scientific basis for claims about the effectiveness of his topical finasteride treatment, Xandrox, however that does not preclude its viability as a hairgrowth alternative to the popular propecia pill just because its effectiveness is simply not known. Topical finasteride has already been studied. For example: 1997 JOURNAL Of DERMATOLOGICAL TREATMENT 8(3):189-192 mazzarella f; Loconsole f; Cammisa A; Mastrolonardo M; Vena GA. The use of topical finasteride is also discussed at length in the original patent application for propecia by Merck : [0033] For the treatment of androgenic alopecia including male pattern baldness, acne vulgaris, seborrhea, and female hirsutism, the 5.alpha.-reductase 2 inhibitor compounds may be administered in a pharmaceutical composition comprising the active compound in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier adapted for topical administration. Topical pharmaceutical compositions may be, e.g., in the form of a solution, cream, ointment, gel, lotion, shampoo or aerosol formulation adapted for application to the skin. Topical pharmaceutical compositions useful in the method of treatment of the present invention may include about 0.001% to 0.1% of the active compound in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. — So the topical concept does not seem like some radical idea to me but rather more of a potentially common sense alternative. Is there some known fundamental chemical problem that prevents the drug effectiveness when it is administered topically? If not, I can see no reason to discount it. Am I wrong? I understand the medication has not been FDA approved this way, but I don’t understand what could happen from topical use that could not already happen from taking a finasteride pill orally? Drug delivery through the skin is not as simple as making a drug topical. I’m not a pharmacologist, and to be honest, I do not know more than you summarized for the readers. Tags: topical finasteride , hairloss , hair loss , propecia , proscar , finasteride Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):
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Continue Reading Why Is Topical Finasteride Considered Such a Radical Idea?
July 20th, 2007 at 12:20pm
Under Hirsutism+ Laser Hair Removal
Female Facial Hair Buzz:
Before the development of lasers for hair removal, both women and men have fruitlessly tried to rid themselves permanently of unwanted hair. They have done so essentially since the discovery that fire provided warmth. Through the ages, to preserve their femininity, women have battled hair on the chin or dark hairs on their upper lip. Unwanted facial hair for woman is not merely a matter of vanity. For a significant number of women, this hair growth is a symptom of a medical condition needing treatment.
Causes of unwanted facial hair: For most women with dark or course facial hair, the cause is simply of hereditary origin. However, an estimated 5 to 10 percent of American women – several million – suffer from hirsutism, a hormonal imbalance and symptom of elevated blood levels of male androgens. Produced by the adrenal glands or the ovaries, this elevated level of androgens causes male pattern hair growth on women. In the U.S., hirsutism is common and is estimated to occur in 1 in 20 women of reproductive age.
Darkly-pigmented white individuals of either sex tend to be more hirsute than blond or fair-skinned people. Hirsutism is difficult to evaluate in women who have blond hair or who already have undergone cosmetic treatments.
The onset of hirsutism can begin at any age and is progressive. Most often, symptoms develop during a woman’s childbearing years. Regardless of the cause and age of the woman, the condition needs to be addressed. In addition to treating the cause, the unwanted facial hair can be cleared by use of the appropriate laser, even if the hormonal imbalance is resistant to correction.
The most widespread hormonal problem in women with excessive facial hair is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine disorder, which affects approximately 6 percent of women of reproductive age throughout the country. A woman diagnosed with PCOS does not ovulate regularly and, therefore, has irregular periods. These women tend to be obese but not always. The woman may also be considered “infertile,” be insulin resistant, and often is diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. In addition, she may suffer with adult facial acne.
For most women with PCOS, hair on the upper lip, chin hair and neck hair becomes heavier and darker. Masculine hair on the arms or legs, and more hair growing in the pubic region, abdomen, chest or back are also possible.
The specific cause or causes of PCOS are still unknown. Treatment is difficult and, as yet, there is no known cure. In spite of the problems associated with the syndrome, facial laser hair removal has been very effective in the long-term facial hair reduction for women with PCOS. Ideal Image has successfully achieved long-term hair reduction for more than 300 women with this condition in the Tampa Bay area alone.
Another common cause for women developing unwanted facial hair is the inevitable process of aging. As women age, production of the female hormone estrogen lessens, and their male hormone production develops a relative predominance. It’s a perfectly normal condition of womens’ bodies. However, it does often result in darker hair growth on the face. As women age, facial hairs convert from the essentially invisible vellus hairs, which generally covers their faces most of their lives, to the larger, more obtrusive, thick and pigmented terminal hairs.
Dark hair does not discriminate by age. “Mustache” hair and long facial sideburns are usually hereditary and present on the faces of many pre-teen and teenage girls. While laser hair removal is not generally performed on females under the age of 14, special circumstances can sometimes be made after a full consultation with a physician.
No gray hair, no peach fuzz: Women interested in facial laser hair removal must seek treatment while their hair is still naturally dark. Once the hair turns gray, it cannot be treated by laser, even if it is dyed. The laser works by targeting the melanin in the hair, which gives hair its dark color. The absence of melanin in gray hair prevents the laser from “seeing” that hair. If one dyes the gray hair, the laser may temporarily destroy the hair on only the skin’s surface. Dye does not penetrate the skin and thus the laser energy cannot reach the hair root for permanent destruction.
Light, fine “peach-fuzz” hair is common on the faces of many women. This hair is normal and generally cannot be removed by any laser. Today’s most sophisticated lasers use light that targets the pigment in a hair and its follicle. Consequently gray, white, blonde and some red hairs do not respond to this treatment.
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July 19th, 2007 at 11:18pm
Under Hirsutism
Hirsutism in women is actually more common than many people realize, but because of modern tendencies toward the depilation of almost all body hair, the presence of hair on the face and body can be extremely upsetting for many women. Unlike beard hirsutism in men, female hirsutism is not seen as a desirable trait. But hirsutism is something that can be dealt with, so there is no need to suffer unnecessarily.
What causes hirsutism?
As previously mentioned, most women have hair all over their bodies, but this can differ in thickness and colour from woman to woman. Many fair-haired women do not have a problem with body hair at all, simply because the hair is less noticeable. The amount of hair on any person’s body is largely due to genetics, and some families can simply be hairier than others – so it is difficult to determine what is normal or otherwise. But if excessive hair is upsetting to the person, then intervention is appropriate.
Where to start?
If female hirsutism is a problem, then a good place to start is with your primary care doctor. Excessive hair can sometimes be a sign of an internal problem relating to hormones, and your doctor can offer medical solutions, if this is the case. If the problem is limited to the excessiveness of hair, then there are many removal techniques that can be considered.
A simple solution is shaving the offending area, but many women are uncomfortable with this, and it does require regular maintenance. Permanent hair removal might seem like an obvious solution, but this can be time consuming and expensive for larger areas of the body. Electrolysis or laser treatment is, however, ideal for smaller areas, such as the face, and can give great results. With electrolysis, after a few sessions, hair can be removed for good, though laser treatments usually last for several months to a year.
Excessive hair in women can be an embarrassing problem, but there is no need to suffer in silence. There are many treatments available to help keep the problem under control that will allow you to continue with your daily life without feeling self-conscious. So explore your options – and don’t put up with hirsutism.
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