Use of concealers

[Christian]

Hi, I am a 37 year old man from the UK, new to the forums, and was wondering if their is any evidence to suggest that use of concealers such as Mane, etc. can actually cause further hair loss due to the residue which ends up on the scalp. I have used it for about 3 years now and am anxious to know whether the continued, but slow loss of my hair is related to these products or just normal mpb? Thanks.

[Mark]

Hi, I am a 37 year old man from the UK, new to the forums, and was wondering if their is any evidence to suggest that use of concealers such as Mane, etc. can actually cause further hair loss due to the residue which ends up on the scalp. I have used it for about 3 years now and am anxious to know whether the continued, but slow loss of my hair is related to these products or just normal mpb? Thanks.

Hi Christian,

Most people worry about products causing hair loss because they block up the pores, and while anything is possible, the chance that it's the cause of your problems is probably slim. If you're washing your hair regularly it'll tend to get most of the product buildup out of your hair and off your scalp.

In addition, sebum is constantly being excreted by your pores which does a pretty good job of pushing foreign material out of them. Unless you're leaving product in your hair for extremely long periods of time and not washing, I doubt that's causing your hair loss.

[Christian]

Hi Mark, many thanks for your answer, I tend to leave it for 2-3 days as it always looks better after it has been on my hair for a day! I think I was just being a little bit paranoid! I have just returned to a very cold London from 6 months work in a very hot Africa, and noticed within a couple of weeks that I have lost a little bit at the front, after reading around I noticed that a change of environment could have caused this, if this is the case do you think this lost hair is in any way recoverable (I also use a Hairmax lasercomb)?

[Mark]

Hi Mark, many thanks for your answer, I tend to leave it for 2-3 days as it always looks better after it has been on my hair for a day! I think I was just being a little bit paranoid! I have just returned to a very cold London from 6 months work in a very hot Africa, and noticed within a couple of weeks that I have lost a little bit at the front, after reading around I noticed that a change of environment could have caused this, if this is the case do you think this lost hair is in any way recoverable (I also use a Hairmax lasercomb)?

It's probably hard for anyone on the internet to tell you whether any hair you've lost will be recoverable. You'll probably need to see a doctor that can properly assess your hair loss.

That being said, I've heard of people reversing some of their hair loss after taking drugs like Finasteride and Minoxidil, and even some anecdotal stories about people using devices like the lasercomb.

Speaking of, have you seen any positive results from using the Lasercomb? I've looked at a few of them and I just don't understand how they're supposed to work.

[Christian]

Thanks for the info. As regards to the lasercomb, it is very hard to tell!! I certainly have not witnessed any kind of 'miracle' from using it! But it is impossible to say whether I have prevented any great deal of further loss by using it. The guy who gave it too me (i swapped it for some spray paint for his car, believe it or not!!) said it was too much hassle and he didn't think it was working for him. I have been using it regularly for nearly a year.
I may visit the doc and get a private prescription for propecia.

[Mark]

Thanks for the info. As regards to the lasercomb, it is very hard to tell!! I certainly have not witnessed any kind of 'miracle' from using it! But it is impossible to say whether I have prevented any great deal of further loss by using it. The guy who gave it too me (i swapped it for some spray paint for his car, believe it or not!!) said it was too much hassle and he didn't think it was working for him. I have been using it regularly for nearly a year.
I may visit the doc and get a private prescription for propecia.

I'm really interested in this whole Laser therapy fad that's going on lately. I should note that I'm a computer guy, not a doctor by any strech of the imagination, but I just can't understand how those things are supposed to work. I understand how finasteride works, and I understand how hair transplants work, but I just don't understand how lasers are supposed to regrow hair.

[Christian]

According to its claims, low level laser light stimulates the follicles promoting regrowth and strengthening existing active follicles. As I said, without knowing what state my head would be in without using it, it is impossible to know whether it is working for me! I think it is a home version of a laser treatment offered by a few big hair studios in London.

[Mark]

According to its claims, low level laser light stimulates the follicles promoting regrowth and strengthening existing active follicles. As I said, without knowing what state my head would be in without using it, it is impossible to know whether it is working for me! I think it is a home version of a laser treatment offered by a few big hair studios in London.

Interesting. I'm just wondering how exactly the laser light "stimulates" the follicles.

In a related point, we're working on a way for you to map the miniaturization of your hair so that you can see exactly how well things like laser combs work at re-growing your hair or slowing your hair loss. I should have a video up today showing how to use the Microscope we're recommending and you can even post the photos from your own miniaturization test here to the forum and doctors can look at them and give you some professional advice.

I'll be sure to make an announcement once it's up.

-Mark

[Christian]

Nice, look forward to it.

[Mark]

Nice, look forward to it.

Done and done!

You should be able to see a notice at the top of every page with a link to the thread detailing all the info. I'm really excited about this and I'm glad that people will finally be able to truly measure their own hair loss themselves.

[DownUnder]

I think it is a home version of a laser treatment offered by a few big hair studios in London.That certain "studio" has locations around the world. They are con-men, not doctors, and I walked out on them after 5 minutes.

The laser comb has no academically peer reviewed study behind it that suggests that it works, as far as I am aware...there is no science behind it, and the FDA "approval" isn't exactly what it sounds like...they only say it is safe to use, not that it actually does anything...

[Mexican Hair Off]

Hi all,

Thanks Mark for the miniturisation guide, but if you're taking a photo of your own head how can you tell you've got the right area (a square inch?) photographed?

I agree DownUnder, even if it turns out that the comb works, (and from what I've read there's some bitter fighting between quite a few doctors so I'm guessing it's not proven) I still wouldn't be too enthusiastic simply becuase of the expense, and the way it's been sold to people as 100% proven.