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	Dr. Alan J. Bauman, MD

Dr. Alan J. Bauman is the Founder, Medical Director and Chief Surgeon of the Bauman Medical Group, P.A. located in Wharfside at Boca Pointe in Boca Raton, Florida. His practice is dedicated exclusively to treating male and female pattern hair loss. Dr. Bauman uses state-of-the-art medical and surgical techniques to help his patients maintain and/or restore their scalp hair.

	Question Asked By

kris
2006-09-05

	Question Topic

Laser Shedding

	Question

Does using laser comb also cause initial hair shedding similar to Minoxidil and Propecia?

	Answer

In my experience with laser therapy (as well as minoxidil and Propecia) in my hair restoration practice, some patients have experienced increased shedding during the initial phases of treatment--typically within the first 90 days. While physicians don't know exactly why this occurs, it is commonly believed that the initial shedding seen with hair restoration treatments has to do with the fact that we are stimulating (either chemically--with minoxidil or propecia, or photo-chemically--in the case of lasers) hair follicles to return to their 'growth' phases. Remember that all hair follicles cycle on and cycle off normally as they pass through various stages called Anagen, Catagen and Telogen. When there are hairshafts within resting follicles, and those follicles return to a growth phase, the 'old' hair shaft is pushed out or shed--which is why we see some shedding normally every day (100-200 hairs). Hereditary hair loss is commonly associated with prolongation of the resting phases and shortening of the growth phases. This means that more hair follicles than usual are 'resting.' When these resting follicles begin to produce hair again (all around the same time due to the treatment you've started) you'll see an increased shedding. In my practice, when someone says that they are seeing increased shedding from a treatment like propecia, minoxidil or laser, we consider that a sign that the treatment is working--so don't be discouraged. Typically, we use density measurements and standardized medical photos to track the progress of your hair restoration regimen over the year (it takes 6-12 months to 'see' the results of any hair restoration regimen). Hope this helps. Sincerely, Dr. B. Alan J. Bauman, M.D. Medical Director Bauman Medical Group email: doctorb at baumanmedical.com

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