Alan J. Bauman M.D.'s personal notes--www.BaumanBlog.com

LLLT hair growth mechanism theories explained by Harvard PhD

This is an update to a prior post:  http://baumanmedical.typepad.com/follicleblog/2009/05/hamblin_lllt.html

Dr. Hamblin, PhD 'sheds some light' on theories of LLLT hair growth mechanisms...

Download LLLT for hair regrowth_hamblin.pdf (106.5K)

Botox for Hair Loss

From migranes to wrinkles to sweaty palms, muscle-paralyzing BOTOX has been a 'wonder-drug' of sorts. However, I'm skeptical about Dr. Ourian's hair raising 'discovery' now hitting the UK press(The Sun) and making the rounds again on FOX news:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,528411,00.html

Back in February 2009, when the story originally broke in the U.S., I mentioned to some patients that the hair regrowth Dr. O. observed in his mother might have something more to do with her recently stopping chemo (regrowth typically takes 12-14 months after chemo) than with the Botox injections for her headaches.

Botox for hair loss would be quite a long-shot (not to mention, expensive!) especially considering there's no published, peer-reviewed articles and not a single photo of a result, anywhere!

For now, hair loss patients are best to stick with the FDA-approved treatments/procedures recommended by board-certified hair docs.

On a separate, but releated topic, Dr. Jerry Shapiro, a colleage and friend in Canada/BC registered a clinical trial with the US-NIH on Botox for Alopecia Areata back in 2006,  http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00408798, but no recruitment has started.

 

NeoGraft Live Surgery Workshop | Advanced Hair Transplant Technique

A Live Surgery Workshop will be held at Bauman Medical Group in Boca Raton Florida on June 26th, 2009 highlighting an overview and introduction to the use of the NeoGraft device in Follicular-Unit Extraction hair transplantation procedures. 

Topics will include:

• Hair Transplantation via Follicular-Unit Extraction (FUE)
• Follicular Unit Extraction using NeoGraft™
• Patient Selection Pearls
• Non-Invasive Medical Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia
• Linear Harvesting vs. FUE approach
• NeoGraft™ vs. alternative methods of FUE harvesting
• Using NeoGraft™ for ‘no-touch’ graft implantation
• Post-op care and healing of FUE
• Interactive Q&A and "live" procedure observation

Please Note:  This Live Surgery Workshop is for physicians and surgical technicians only who possess an intermediate to advanced skill level in hair transplantation.  Registration space is limited.  For more information on this and future workshops, please call 561-394-0024. 

The Science Behind LLLT--what are the mechanisms of action of laser therapy?

American Society for Photobiology

 

Symposium: 7-8 AUG / U of Rochester / NY USA

Over the past 40 years there have been many seemingly extraordinary claims of successful treatments of a wide range of diseases, dysfunctions and injuries through the use of “low-level” laser (or light) therapy (LLLT). Many different terms have been used - from LLLT to “biostimulation,” “photobiomodulation,” and other terms. Claims ranging from wound healing, analgesia, reduction of inflammation and nerve regeneration have been seriously questioned by the scientific community and met with great skepticism by much of the medical community. Since irradiances are below levels that produce any significant increase in tissue temperature, it is generally agreed that if these photobiological treatments are real, then they are photochemical rather than photothermal in nature. Although there are now FDA-cleared LLLT treatments and growing acceptance from some quarters, the scientific acceptance has been routinely set back by poorly designed, less-than-rigorous experimental and clinical studies.

Clearly presented photobiological dosimetry and recognition of fundamental methodology in the field of photobiology have frequently been lacking. The aim of this ASP symposium is to explore the scientific evidence for the photobiological mechanisms behind LLLT—from molecular biology to cell and tissue level, and to review those clinical results that appear to be well founded. Ample time has been planned for discussion after each review of the key scientific

questions from action spectra to temporal and spatial factors that appear to influence outcome.

Register at: www.pol-us.net/ASP_Home/asp_meet.html

June Newsletter from Bauman Medical Group: FUE - NeoGraft - Zerona

The June 2009 newsletter from Bauman Medical Group contained information on the less invasive hair transplant process called "FUE" or Follicular Unit Extraction using the NeoGraft device.  It also highlights the new non-invasive genetic test which can now predict your response to finasteride (Propecia).

View the June Newsletter: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs050/1010982112114/archive/1102486345394.html

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Japanese Scientists Identify Hair Loss Gene, Sox21

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Researchers in Japan have identified a gene that appears to determine cyclical hair loss in mice and believe it may also be responsible for hair loss, or alopecia, in people.

In a report published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the scientists described how they generated a line of mice that were lacking in the Sox21 gene.

"The mice started to lose their fur from postnatal day 11, beginning at the head and progressing toward the tail region of the back," they wrote.

"Between day 20 and day 25, these mice eventually lost all of their body hair, including the whiskers. Intriguingly, new hair regrowth was initiated a few days later but was followed by renewed hair loss."

The cyclical alopecia continued for more than two years and the researchers observed that the mutant mice had enlarged oil-secreting sebaceous glands around the hair follicle and a thickened layer of skin cells during periods of hair loss.

Full Article: http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE54O4D020090525

The normal cycling of hair follicles through their resting and growing phases causes a shed of  approxmately 100-200 hairs from the scalp per day.   However, hair follicle cycling problems in humans may cause a condition such as telogen effluvium (severe, synchronized shedding) which, to date, has no truly effective treatment.   Telogen effluvium is more common in women and may or may not occur in conjunction with ‘traditional’ hereditary female pattern hair loss--where hair density and hair caliber is normally lost progressively over time in a specific pattern.   An 'effluvium,' or shed, may be noticeable during different times of the year or even various times of the month as well as a consequence of crash diets, high-stress, hormone imbalance, childbirth, menopause, etc.    Severe shedding can cause significant concern for those worried about hair loss as hair volume may change dramatically as well as scalp coverage.

 

Genetic hair loss testing is available for men and women to determine their risk for developing the condition, by looking at the well-documented association between the Androgen Receptor Genes or ‘CAG repeat’ scores and the development of hereditary male or female pattern hair loss. Evaluation by a board-certified hair restoration physician is recommended for those who are experiencing severe shedding, decreasing coverage of their scalp, decreasing hair volume, receding hairlines or widening part-lines.  

 

Diagnostic evaluations, such as microscopic hair density and hair caliber analysis, genetic testing and counseling can be performed.  Treatments, based on the diagnosis, can then be initiated.

 

Medical treatments, like minoxidil (Rogaine), laser therapy, nutritional modification, other medications and even hair transplantation can be used to treat hair loss successfully.

 

For more information on hair loss (a medically-treatable condition), please visit www.baumanmedical.com

 

Predict Your Propecia Response with a New Genetic Test For Male Pattern Hair Loss

Thinking about starting Propecia (finasteride), but are unsure if it will work for you?    A new genetic test which predicts your “Finasteride Response” is now available from Dr. Alan Bauman at Bauman Medical Group.   The Genetic Test for Finasteride Response can predict whether you are a good candidate for medical treatment with Propecia (finasteride)—the only oral fda-approved treatment for male pattern hair loss.    

Is taking Propecia (finasteride) worth it?   The Genetic Test for Finasteride Response will help determine if you are likely to have a slight, moderate or great treatment response to finasteride.   Knowing your predicted response to finasteride will help you decide if you should start or continue treatment.

What does the test tell you?  The Genetic Test for Finasteride Response provides men with a score, called the ‘CAG repeat’ score.   A smaller CAG repeat score is associated with an increased response to finasteride for the treatment of male pattern hair loss.  Scientists discovered that among men that had the best response to Finasteride, approximately 70% had a CAG score below 22, while men that had a subtle response to Finasteride approximately 70% had a CAG score above 22.

The Genetic Test for Finasteride Response is a painless, non-invasive, cheek-swab which takes just minutes to perform.  Results from the genetic test performed on the sample are reported in just a few weeks.

The original Genetic Hair Loss predicts your chances of experiencing severe hair loss.

SPECIAL OFFER:  New Propecia patients can receive a FREE Genetic Finasteride Response Test at the time of their initial consultation with Dr. Bauman for a limited time (expires 6/12/09).   This is a limited time offer from Bauman Medical Group and some restrictions apply.   For more information on the FREE Genetic Finasteride Response Test, email doctorb@baumanmedical.com or call 561-394-0024.

 Propecia is a trademark of Merck & Co. Inc.

LLLT expert, Dr. Michael R. Hamblin, scheduled to speak at ISHRS 7/2009 on laser hair growth

hamblin_LLLT
Originally uploaded by Dr_Alan_Bauman

Harvard researcher, Dr. Michael Hamblin is scheduled to lecture on the Mechanisms of Low Level Laser Therapy at the ISHRS conference in Amsterdam in July 2009. This highly-anticipated lecture will literally 'shed some light' on the scientific basis of phototherapy and its use in hair growth, wound healing, etc. for a large audience of physicians who may be unfamiliar with the basic science behind this 40-year old modality.

For a preview of Dr. Hamblin's much-anticipated lecture, please download and read the following white-paper he authored on Low Level Laser Therapy-Induced Hair Growth which covers the basic science theories of LLLT and explains why LLLT may help those with androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss).

Download LLLT for hair regrowth_hamblin.pdf (106.5K)

Personally, I've found the reference section particularly useful.

post updated 7/2/09 --Dr. B.

Latisse for longer lashes is available in Florida

Latisse, the first fda-approved drug for increasing eyelash growth, is available in Florida at Bauman Medical Group.  Latisse is applied to the lash-line of the eyelid once each day before bed.  Half of all users can expect a visible improvement at 8 weeks, and almost 80% of users see significant improvement at 16 weeks of use.  The treatment can be prescribed and dispensed during the same visit at our Boca Raton, Florida office after a complete medical evaluation.   Board-certified hair restoration physician, Dr. Alan Bauman tracks the lash-growth improvements using digital photos and monitors for any eye-irritation, a rare side-effect.   For more information about receiving Latisse in Florida, email Dr. Bauman at doctorb@baumanmedical.com or call 561-394-0024.   

Additional info, videos, and photos of eyelash growth medications and other eyelash-enhancing treatments, like eyelash transplants, is available at http://www.eyelash-transplant.com.

Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Small Business Leader of the Year 2009

Friday May 15 2009 Boca Raton, FL--The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce recognized local business leaders at their annual Awards Luncheon attended by over 400 business people and local officials.  Florida Governor, Charlie Crist had a personal message for the honorees.  Watch Gov. Crist's message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4pHCUm8hcw

View more photos from the event at http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanbauman/sets/72157618617771618/

Dr. Alan Bauman was honored as the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Small Business Leader of Year 2009 and is the first physician to ever receive this distinction.  Congratulations to the other honorees, Business of the Year, West Boca Medical Center, and Business Leader of the Year,Mr. William Berger (Greenspoon-Marder).