Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am a 28-year-old male. For the past four years, I have been experiencing hair loss. About two and a half years ago, I started using Finasteride once a week along with a Ketoconazole shampoo 1 % and Lidocaine, which is similar to Rogaine. I would use this only at night usually using about half a teaspoon total around my temples and at the vertex. The ingredients in Lidocaine are water, propylene glycol, ethanol, minoxidil 5%, Azetinol, saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol, oleic acid, gamma and alpha linolenic acid, apple polyphenol, biotin, niacin, biotinoyl-tripeptide, phosphatidylcholine vitamin B6 and B12. The treatment was working well, and I grew back some hair, but about four months ago, I started experiencing a drastic increase in hair loss. Around the same time, my overall activity level dropped as well. I was much less active although I still go to the gym every day. I would go to bed late around 4 AM and wake up at about 12 to 1 PM. I recently switched to regular Rogaine which has shown an improvement as far as my waking up hair quality is concerned, but now I am experiencing scalp dandruff possibly because I am using it twice a day. I also increased my Finasteride usage to two to three times a week. I am still losing hair, but I do believe it has slowed. My hairline has receded since the start, and I feel that I have been losing hair somewhat evenly everywhere on my head except for my sides. Also, even though the doctor did not see it, I have noticed occasional small red bumps on my scalp. After using Rogaine for about three weeks, I decided to try the Lidocaine just for a night and got the same dry and brittle hair response as before. Please help. I would love to keep my hair as long as I can, but it is a losing battle right now.
Hi,
I am glad you chose icliniq for your medical-related queries.
I understand your concern and will try to help you with it.
From your description, I would say you have a male pattern hair loss also called androgenetic alopecia. If you are comfortable using the Rogaine solution, you can continue with it or consider Minoqilib 5% (Minoxidil) solution quarter teaspoon at bedtime over the scalp. If you have seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff, then that needs to be controlled with Ketoconazole 2 % shampoo to wash the scalp twice a week. Because, if you apply Minoxidil over the scalp in such a condition, it will lead to more irritation. As you are applying Minoxidil and want to use Finasteride topically consider using a combination instead of separate applications. Also consider procedures like PRP (platelet rich plasma) or hair mesotherapy for better results.
Thank you for consulting me.
You can always reach me at icliniq.com.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I understand and thank you for your response, but what I do not get and what is really bothering me is why did my scalp all of a sudden start rejecting the Lidocaine like it did? It was a very sudden onset of my hair being fine when I would apply the Lidocaine to my hair being extremely dry, brittle, stiff and stale.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read and understand your concern.
If you notice an increased hair loss upon using a product, it indicates that the product is working for you. This is because your new hair is growing, and it pushes the old hair out of its way. The shed hair would be lost anyway even if you were not using Lidocaine. The new hair is usually soft, downy, colorless hair. After further use, the new hair should be the same color and thickness as the other hair on your scalp. The most common side effects are itching and scalp irritation of the treated area due to the use of propylene glycol. If there is an irritation of the scalp, you should consider using a solution which is not alcohol based. Foam-based minoxidil would also help since it is non-alcohol based.
Looking forward to your response in order to help you.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I am specifically asking about Lidocaine. I have been using it for over two years on my scalp without an issue. Then, very suddenly my hair started to feel extremely dry and stale as if it was rejecting the treatment. I would only apply this at night, and I would wake up the next day with my hair being very brittle. I would take a shower in the morning and a ton of hair would fall out. I kept using the product for an additional three months trying various hair oils and such to try to stop my hair from becoming super dry. Over this time, my hairline started to recede, and my overall hair density became much less. My hair never regrew anything over that time, just aggressive loss. Do you know why this could happen? In my first response, I have gone more in-depth as to what was going on with me around the same time as well as the ingredients listed in the Lidocaine. I have been experiencing hair loss for quite some time now and I am somewhat educated on the subject, but I really only know from my own experiences.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read and understand your concern.
Lidocaine is an alcohol-based solution. Any Minoxidil solution which is alcohol-based can lead to stiff hair and irritation over the scalp. That is why newer topical solutions, which are foam-based and contain peptides are preferable as it does not lead to brittle hair. The efficacy of medication can change over a period of time. So also, your response to Lipogaine can change since you have been using it for over two years. It is advisable to change the brand of any product you use for skin and hair, every six months. Secondly, for hair treatment, you should always consider a procedural treatment along with topical applications.
Looking forward to your response in order to help you.
Thank you.
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Answered byDr. Thakare Sampada Avinash
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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