June 2011

If you suffer from hair loss, perhaps you can benefit from the fact that eccentric singer Lady Gaga has the same problem.

In response to inquiries about her predicament, hair-loss experts discussed several available treatments, which work well together.

Excessive hair bleaching is a likely cause of her newly revealed problem, says Dr. Ken Williams of Irvine, a hair-loss and hair-transplant specialist. In addition, he says, “Hair loss can also be caused by changing your hair color back and forth” — a favorite activity in the Land of Gaga.

“The best way to get your hair to stop falling out and grow back quicker is to stop all hair coloring,” he says. That’s good advice, but the chart-topping fashion-shifter isn’t likely to take him up on it.

"Hair vitamins, such as Viviscal, can aid those suffering from hair loss or thinning in achieving stronger, healthier hair,” says hair expert Dr. Alan Bauman of Boca Raton, Fla.

He adds, “If Gaga wants to optimize her results, which as a young star I’m sure she does, I would recommend combining (a hair-nourished vitamin) supplement with a regimen of low-level laser therapy, which is known to stimulate growth and help create thicker, fuller, healthier hair.”

Another suggestion from Williams is that, in addition to low-level laser therapy, Lady Gaga might benefit from a hair restoration system such as Tricomin, which contains copper peptide.

Lady Gaga isn’t the only celebrity suffering from hair loss. It’s also a problem for Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie, actress Kate Beckinsale and model Naomi Campbell, who briefly revealed a bald patch during a photo shoot in 2010.

Celebrities who abuse their hair for fashion’s sake typically suffer from a more temporary form of hair loss than the genetic female-pattern hair loss that affects millions of women.

For women with that genetic disposition, the normal replacement pattern for hair follicles shifts into a pattern of gradually finer and thinner hair. As a result, typically later in life their scalp is visible through their thinning or vanished hair.

Williams and Bauman provide these additional comments for people trying to decide which hair-loss treatment is best for them:

VIVISCAL

“A food supplement made from marine extracts and a silica compound. It is for patients who want a natural method to restore their hair,” Williams says. He cites a 1992 study showing that it “demonstrated an increase in hair growth.” Bauman adds that Reese Witherspoon is a “huge fan” and that “some European studies and our years of experience with it give us good confidence recommending it.”

LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY

These treatments can be performed at home or in the doctor’s office. In either case, Williams says this type of treatment:

•Stops the progression of hair loss in 93 percent of clients
•Stimulates the rejuvenation of hair follicles, promoting new growth
•Rehabilitates damaged hair follicles
•Increases volume by 25 percent
•Promotes thicker, stronger and healthier hair

The LaserCap, which costs $3,000, is the best product on the market, Bauman and Williams say. It provides energy and laser output that are equivalent to a $60,000 machine that physicians purchase – and for which patients would pay $8,000 a year at a doctor’s office.

The device is currently available through about 18 doctors in the United States who are taking part in a clinical study of the treatment.

LaserCap is particularly helpful for women suffering from hair loss, Williams says, because women sometimes are not good candidates for hair-transplant surgery.

TRICOMIN

Williams says this hair restoration product, which contains copper peptide, has solid scientific evidence to support it. “I personally use Tricomin and have been happy with the difference in my hair’s appearance,” he adds.

Bauman is less enthusiastic. “Tricomin is a very dilute copper peptide product. There are a few weak studies on the effect of copper on hair growth. More is known about copper and wound healing (it helps!) than hair growth,” he says.

NIOXIN

This line of head and scalp treatments, cleansers and conditioners has not impressed either Williams or Bauman.

“This is a very sought-after consumer product with more consumer hype and excitement than science. It is well promoted and advertised. Most of my patients have tried it, and anecdotally express there was no change in hair density and no decrease in shedding with its use. But they did notice how much better their hair looked,” Williams says.

Bauman says, “Nioxin has been deceiving hair stylists for many years, promoting their product for thinning hair without ANY active ingredient.”

ROGAINE, PROPECIA AND 82M

The over-the-counter drug Rogaine contains the active ingredient minoxidil, which “serves as the foundation of any treatment program. Whether patients choose a surgical approach or not, the use of Rogaine is always a must,” Williams says, because it helps keep hair follicles in the growth phase of their cycle for men and women.

Bauman prefers a stronger version of minoxidil, called 82M, which is available only by prescription.

The drugs minoxidil and finasteride, which is available by prescription under the Propecia brand, are the only two FDA-approved products for hair loss, Wiliams says. Otherwise, he says, “There is little science and effectiveness for over-the-counter hair-loss treatments.”

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