Belaray Dermatology - Jericho, Plainview, Long Island, NY

Hair loss can be very frustrating. There is a long list of reasons why one may develop hair loss, and it is important to see your dermatologist to explore the different possibilities. At times, a medication you have been prescribed may cause hair loss as a side effect. The list of medications that can be associated with hair loss can be found here. If you are experiencing hair loss and started taking one of the following medications shortly before your thinning started, you should ask your doctor if your medications may be contributing to your problem.

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Here are some tips to keep you looking your best for 2008! 

DISCARD OLD, USED BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Because bacteria is transferred from your fingers to your cosmetics, we suggest you discard your products one year after opening them. Products used near the eye (like mascara) should be replaced after three months. 

STOP SMOKING

We have already discussed several reasons to stop smoking here.  Smokers are more likely to have psoriasis, and to loose their hair.  It is also readily apparent that smoking makes your skin age prematurely - giving you wrinkles around your lips and eyes.

UNHAND THOSE PIMPLES!

Squeezing pimples is not the best thing for you.  Though it may appear as if you are getting the “bad stuff out”, often you are actually pushing bacteria and debris deeper into the skin.  Think of a pimple as a balloon under the skin.  When you squeeze it… you pop the balloon.  But balloons rarely pop in one direction.  They shatter.  The same thing is happening to you when you go for a zit.  You are much more likely to develop scars from pimples that you popped.

MORE SLEEP, LESS STRESS

Stress plays an important roll to our body, & our skin is no exception.  Studies have shown that stress can decrease the skin’s barrier, slow down wound healing, and lead to flairs of inflammatory skin disease like psoriasis, eczema, and hair loss.

WEAR SUNSCREEN & BE SUN SMART

Regular use of sunscreen, sun protective clothing, and avoiding the peak hours of the day can help you avoid some types of skin cancer as well as keep your skin looking its best.  The sun’s rays may make you feel good, but it is making you look older.  Exposure to UV light makes the skin blotchy in color and wrinkle prematurely.

The best sunscreen is the one that you use regularly!  There are several good sunscreens to choose from… but it might be worth looking for a broad spectrum sunscreen that also contains strong antioxidants like green tea polyphenols.  We will discuss the benefits of green tea in future posts. 

SIMPLIFY YOUR BEAUTY

Going to the pharmacy can be overwhelming!  There are so many products, and many many claims of efficacy!  Being on too many creams can be not only confusing, but also counterproductive.  If you want to do the best you can for your skin, you should ask your dermatologist about products that they recommend.  They can help you through the marketing, and get you products that are easy to use and effective.

WASH YOUR FACE

As we make our way through the day, our skin picks up environmental debris.  It is a good idea to wash your face nightly before bed.  After washing your face, we often recommend a variety of night creams - to help you achieve the goals you are after.

Several stories appeared in the news regarding Age Intervention Eyelash.  Here is the scoop:

U.S. marshals on Friday seized 12,682 applicator tubes of a cosmetic called Age Intervention Eyelash, which the FDA claims is being marketed as an unapproved and misbranded drug.  The FDA suggests that this product may harm some users’ vision.  The product, promoted as increasing eyelash growth, is sold and distributed by San Jose, California-based Jan Marini Skin Research, Inc (JMSR).  Though this sounds like it was an action packed day for U.S. marshals - things probably went pretty smoothly since the product has been off the market for more than one year and the company was storing the old product for disposition at the FDA’s direction for 14 months. 

Why all the fuss?  Part of the problem is JMSR’s claim that Age Intervention Eyelash will increase eyelash growth. Making a claim that a product will have a specific effect -like increasing eyelash growth- means that Age Intervention Eyelash is a drug.  Before a new drug product may be legally marketed, it must be shown to be safe and effective, and approved by FDA. Age Intervention Eyelash was not put through these rigorous (and expensive) tests.

The articles in several papers focused on the accused wrongdoing JMSR is involved with, by bringing a product with claims to market hat did not go through the FDA process.  What was not reported is the question of potential legitimacy of these claims.

The product in question contained bimatoprost, an active ingredient in an FDA-approved drug to treat elevated intraocular pressure (elevated pressure inside the eye).  Bimatoprost, a prostaglandin analogue, is marketed as Lumigan.  There are other medications in this class, Travoprost (Travatan), and Latanoprost (Xalatan).  All of these medications have been shown to have the side effect of increasing hair growth.  In fact, Murray Johnstone, an ophthalmologist from Seattle Washington, filed a patent in 1999 Patent 6,262,105 after he noticed this effect in several of his patients who were using one of these eye drops on just one side.  Since then, there have been several papers in the medical literature discussing the use of these products for enhancing hair growth.  Some subsequent studies have suggested that Travoprost is the best at inducing hair to grow, but more research needs to be done.

Even though Age Intervention Eyelash is off the market, if you have a problem with eyebrow or eyelash growth you may want to ask your doctor about your options.  Though it is against FDA regulation for Jan Marini Skin Research to market a drug in a cosmetic package without rigorous testing, your physician may be able to prescribe for you a product like Travoprost to use topically to the areas you need hair to grow one or two times per day.  Every treatment has potential side effects, and you should discuss these with your doctor.  Of note…. the newspaper articles failed to mention the most common side effect.  When this medication is used in the eye, it has been may make your iris (the colored part of your eye) turn permanently darker in color.  It is not clear what the risk of this side effect is if the medication is used on eyelashes or eyebrows.  In addition, using this medication would not be recommended for patients who already take this type of eye drop to manage glaucoma.  With this medicine… more can be less, and may result in inadequate control of glaucoma.

JMSR reformulated its eyelash product in late 2006 to eliminate the marketing claims and the ingredient questioned by the FDA. JMSR’s new Age Intervention Eyelash Conditioner does not contain bimatoprost or any other prescription drug ingredient.  In this new cosmetic product, there is no “active ingredient” that has been disclosed that has been scientifically shown to increase hair growth.  Age Intervention Eyelash Conditioner is not intended to stop, prevent, cure, relieve, reverse or reduce eyelash loss or to promote the growth of eyelashes.  So if you just want thicker appearing lashes, you may enjoy Age Intervention Eyelash Conditioner as a high end mascara.  If you have a problem with lashes not growing… you will need to talk to your doctor – and bring a copy of this article.

We are often asked about clinical trials that are available in our area.  Clinical trials are not for everyone, but should you choose to participate you will have several to choose from.  You should always speak to your physician before choosing to participate in a clinical trial.  Here is a list to help you learn about the resources in our area.

• Skin & Connective Tissue Disease (ie: Acne, Alopecia, Lupus, etc.)
• Basal Cell Carcinoma
• Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome
• Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
• Dermatofibrosarcoma
• Melanoma
• Merkel Cell Carcinoma
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Warts
• Xeroderma Pigmentosa