Hair loss

Dear Dr. Jen,

I have very sparse hair on my head. I've been using some hair-growing and thickening shampoos over the counter but with no effect. Can you recommend any products that can give me thicker and more hair?

Nika

Dear Nika,

When we talk about hair loss or hair thinning, we immediately think of growing bald.  If you are still young, and female-pattern baldness does not run in your family, hair thinning merits more investigation.

Although right now there are a lot of hair products that can address hair loss, the most important thing is still to get to the bottom of the cause of it. The top most common reasons for it can be thyroid problems, nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, fever or illness and stress. Some medications are even known to cause hair loss like some anti-hypertensive meds and oral contraceptives.

If the main cause is addressed, then hair loss should be reversed easily. In fact, if the cause is removed, then there is even no need to treat hair loss at all because complete regrowth is almost always the result. Have your scalp checked by a PDS derma to ensure that you are approaching the problem head on, as opposed to buying everything over-the-counter without analyzing why you are losing hair.

Dear Dr. Jen,

Whenever I get occasional zits, I apply a product with benzoyl peroxide and it seems to shrink the pimple.  Lately, it hasn't been working.  I've tried to prick my acne with a clean needle and nothing comes out but blood. My pimples have hardened and have been there for a month!

Leny

Dear Leny,

Pimples, acne or zits come to every girl now and then. It usually heralds the arrival of our monthly visitor. Also, it makes an appearance when we are stressed or lose sleep. Spot treatment with benzoyl peroxide can work. But one of the side effects of using benzoyl is the darkness or discoloration after, as well as some hardening of the pimple. This makes it impossible to drain. Once it hardens, scar tissue sets in and may take a few months to resolve. You can visit your PDS derma to have the pimples injected. This will flatten the zit and hasten softening and fading of the scar in a few days to weeks. Good luck!

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). For information on PDS, check http://www.pds.org.ph/. For questions or concerns, please text to: 0932 857 7070; or email to: [email protected]; or call The Freeman: (032) 2531276, or PSH: (032) 233 8620 and 232 5929. Your inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.