Re: To Fade-even longer

Hey Fade. Last night, I re-read the Rogaine section in my book and another hairloss reference manual (a doctor's training guide believe it or not) and according to the studies quoted in these sources, Rogaine did increase the number of hairs per centimeter, increased hair weight and thickened existing hair by expanding individual shafts in the majority of women in each study. I think in one, they quoted 66% of women reporting minimal to moderate regrowth. So that sounds good! The women in the study had AGA.

In the Hairsavers book, it talks about waking up the hairs in catagen,which is a 2-4 week transition phase between anagen and telogen.

What you were asking about with all the hair falling out would be considered anagen effluvium, similar to what happens in chemotherapy, which means that hair just breaks and falls out during the growth phase. Apparently hair that falls out during anagen does not have a white bulb and may have no bulb. That article that I read (which I cannot find now) was not suggesting this, but rather the revitilization of miniaturized hair by switching it to telogen. Since 99% of what I've read since then talks about the release of telogen hairs, lets not think about the anagen theory. It might be incorrect, God knows we have to be very skeptical about everything we read.

As far as your question, based on what I have learned, I think that Rogaine forces follicles to be a larger size, so if you do have some that are thinner because of miniaturization or whatever, Rogaine may be able to force these to grow larger hair.

I think applying when your scalp is dry is a good idea. This is recommended and it might cut down the shed a little as not as much of it will be hitting your follicles.

Also, you mentioned in a previous post that you seem to be shedding most in your bad areas. I believe that this is possible since that is where you are applying it, but don't forget that these areas will also show the most effect since they are already the worst areas to start with. I know that I noticed my bad areas, which werent that bad to begin with, became abysmal with my increased shed. Now it seems that if I lose 3 hairs in these areas, I can actually see the difference.

So Fade, that's what I understand about Rogaine. I am certainly no expert, this is just my perception of what I've read so far. Don't take my word as gospel because I could be wrong. The worst thing about what I've read about Rogaine is that they tell you all this positive stuff and then they will say it does not work for everyone. Its such a crapshoot, but it looks like it does work for most.

If you haven't already, please visit those sites that I mentioned yesterday. They really contain good info about shedding. I know that I felt better after reading them and I think they might set your mind at ease.

I'm worried about you! Hang in there, I know things are bad, but it will likely only last for a little while longer. Dr Klein said that it might last for 6-8 weeks at the longest. And I think one or two of the ladies in the archives shed for maybe 2 months, but most shed for less than that. You always have the option of quitting, but if I were you, I think I'd stick with it, however hard that may seem. Especially if I knew that my hair wasn't very good at growing back on its own.

Keep me updated, I want to know how everything is going with you. If you prefer to contact me privately via email, its dorinha123@hotmail.com

Last changed: April 18, 2007 - visit HairSite, the ultimate consumer hair loss guide to hair transplant and hair replacement.

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Topic #383 - Minoxidil & Rogaine for women hair loss - forum # 11