Bimatoprost and shedding

[labellavita1985]

Hey guys, I have a question and have been unable to find an answer for it on existing threads. Does bimatoprost cause an initial shed? It is said to work similarly to minoxidil, so that makes me think it might. But I've also read that it works faster than minoxidil, so maybe it doesn't involve shock loss? Not sure.

If you have any experience, personal or otherwise, I'd really appreciate it. I just need to know what to expect.

 

[Captain Hook]

In theory it shouldn't because it acts via a different pathway than minoxidil. Bimatoprost acts as an analogue of PGF2-alpha whereas minoxidil's likely mechanism of action is simply vasodilation. Our bodies produce endogenous PGF2-alpha and hence it shouldn't cause a shed.

http://www.hairlosstalk.com/interac...ost-Results-of-6-mo-usage-of-Allergan-Lumigan

This physician did a trial of bimatoprost for 6 months and nowhere did he mention shedding that was related to its use.

If it's any consolation from personal experience too, latanoprost did not cause my eyelashes to shed any more than my right eye's eyelashes do (I only use it in the left eye), so hopefully that helps!

 

[Joan]

I mentioned that I use Latisse for my eyebrows. I have had zero shedding in the 10 months that I've been using it.

 

[labellavita1985]

Thank you so much to the both of you for sharing your experience and opinion.

I have one last question. It is my understanding that hair cannot become thicker (diameter) in the same cycle. This is purportedly why Rogaine causes a shed, because hair is being "signaled" to become thicker, but it can't do that in the middle of a cycle, it has to shed and grow back thicker.

Is this the case? And if so, how can Bimatoprost thicken hair without causing shedding? I'm not saying that I don't believe that it doesn't cause shedding, I do, I'm just genuinely interested in the process by which this happens. We already know that with Latisse, eyelashes become thicker and longer. And shedding has not really been reported. So, evidently, hair becomes thicker without shedding initially. How does this happen? Any ideas?

 

[Captain Hook]

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/470297_2

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2861943/

Minoxidil shortens telogen, which means hair sheds more suddenly than normal. Bimatoprost (and other drugs that act on prostaglandins) prolong anagen. Not only does this mean the hair or eyelashes will grow for longer than usual but it also means that since all hairs shed at some point even without medication, while on bimatoprost the hairs that grow after having been shed will be thicker. Hope that makes sense

 

[labellavita1985]

Ok, thank you.

Do you think bimatoprost can make hairgrow longer faster?

Is there anything that can do that?

 

[Captain Hook]

Speed seems to be one of the factors none of us can predict, I don't even think there are clinical studies comparing the rate of various hair growth agents.

 

[Joan]

Labella, how has your shedding been lately? In your last pics it looked like you were getting some good regrowth.

 

[labellavita1985]

Thank you for asking Joan, your concern means a lot to me.

My shed currently is around 50 hairs on non wash days. When I wash it's probably around 75. So, within what is considered normal, I guess, and I'm grateful that it's not worse.

Still very depressed about my hair, though. I do have regrowth, I just don't know if it will be enough to make up for the loss. I'm attaching some pictures.

Not sure what is going on at my temples, I think that might be regrowth, as I don't remember it being there a few months ago when I was shedding more, at least not to this extent. But then I think maybe that's just how my hair has always grown there.

You said when you recovered from your Telogen Effluvium, you could see a lot of regrowth, right? Did you mostly see it at the hairline or everywhere?

I am also attaching a couple pictures of the breakage I was referring to in that last thread. I think it's pretty extensive, and could definitely be contributing to the thinness of my hair, especially because my hair is very, very thin at the ends, more so than at the roots. You can see in the picture that many hairs have broken off where my hair has been processed; the roots do not look like that. What do you think? The texture of it is just absolutely horrible where it's been highlighted. It's a tangled, dry, crunchy mess.

I read that you started the spironolactone. I'm very hopeful for you. In my research, I have found that it's probably the most effective treatment for FPHL.

 

[labellavita1985]

Hey Joan!

Just wondering if you're still around andhow eveverything is going for you. I read that you started your spironolactone journey. I hope that you find that it helps you. If you have Androgenetic Alopecia, it should, at least theoretically, help you.
Keep us updated!

Hugs.

 

[Joan]

Hi, labella.

It does look like you're getting a decent amount of regrowth. At the end of my Telogen Effluvium shed after my first son was born, I had a thick band of hair around my hairline, and I used to joke that I looked like a punk rocker because it poked up all along the part. I'm sure the regrowth was everywhere, but it's always more apparent in those two areas. Looking at your photos, I did have more abundant regrowth than you are having, but everyone isn't the same. I've been having regrowth all along with my Androgenetic Alopecia, but, like you've said, it's just not enough to keep up with the loss. You are having a lot more regrowth than I am, though. I started spironolactone on Sunday, 25 mgs., working my way up to 200 mgs., if I don't experience sides. Time will tell. It's been over three years now, so I'm not getting my hopes up. Have you considered getting a couple of inches cut off your hair--no layers, just a blunt cut? That'll get rid of your breakage and thin ends and make your hair look thicker. I got at least three inches chopped off mine two months ago, and I have to admit it did make my hair "look" a bit fuller. 'Hoping you hang onto your regrowth and things improve for you!

 

[Greybeer]

Where did you get your BIM?

 

[Joan]

I buy it here:

https://www.shoplatissemd.com/latisse/

 

[Greybeer]

I buy it here:

https://www.shoplatissemd.com/latisse/

Thanks for the link
How has the BIM been for your guys any regrowth?

 

[I.D WALKER]

What would HairLossTalk.com do without Joan coming to our rescue?

I buy it here:

https://www.shoplatissemd.com/latisse/

 

[labellavita1985]

I ordered a generic called Careprost from alldaychemist. It's around $15 for a 3 mL tube. It's an Indian generic for Latisse.

Thanks for all the great feedback Joan. I really hope the Spironolactone works for you. It seems to work for a lot of women.

I know it's ridiculous, but I just don't want to get my hair cut. I'm just one of those women who is very attached to her hair (in fact I would say that I am in general preoccupied with my appearance overall.) This is why hair loss has been so devastating, although when I put things in perspective and apply the principle of gratitude to my life, I realize I have soo many things to be grateful for.

 

[Greybeer]

Ah so I doubt this stuff will have much benefit for male pattern baldness

 

[Joan]

What would HairLossTalk.com do without Joan coming to our rescue?

I'm the one surrounded by brilliant minds. I'd give up all hope if it weren't for the knowledgeable and tenacious guys on this forum.

- - - Updated - - -

I ordered a generic called Careprost from alldaychemist. It's around $15 for a 3 mL tube. It's an Indian generic for Latisse.

Thanks for all the great feedback Joan. I really hope the Spironolactone works for you. It seems to work for a lot of women.

I know it's ridiculous, but I just don't want to get my hair cut. I'm just one of those women who is very attached to her hair (in fact I would say that I am in general preoccupied with my appearance overall.) This is why hair loss has been so devastating, although when I put things in perspective and apply the principle of gratitude to my life, I realize I have soo many things to be grateful for.

It's not ridiculous at all to want to keep your long hair, no matter how thin, especially at your age. I think that's why most of us are here, because we always have been and will be preoccupied with our looks. To some extent, we've always been able to control things (at least when you're young), and then we're helpless when hair loss begins. Things could be worse, true, but they could be better too. Asking for hair isn't much, is it? You have a mature attitude for someone so young, and I admire that. I've seen your pictures, and you are a pretty girl, labella. Hair loss won't change that. I do feel for everyone young here more than us older ones.

 

[labellavita1985]

Joan, you are sweet Thank you. Hair loss is devastating for anyone that is affected by it. I can't help but think, though, that it is just horrible for women. Not trying to sound like a sexist at all, I hope everybody understands what I mean.

I just felt the need to tell you that my shed is way up, 2.5 months into Spironolactone. Not sure exactly what is going on. I increased my dose to 100 about ten days ago. I'm making a thread asking about whether or not spironolactone initially causes hyperandrogenism, because I have also noticed an increase in acne breakouts, so maybe you will want to check back on that thread.

 

[I.D WALKER]

Knowledge is only beneficial when it's applied through the beautiful and fluid form of good common sense, which you have truly sho(w)ne in inherently great abundance

I'm the one surrounded by brilliant minds. I'd give up all hope if it weren't for the knowledgeable and tenacious guys on this forum