Hair Loss Telehealth Is A Disaster! 3 Examples Of Serious Harm

Summary

In this video, Rob English, a researcher specializing in hair loss disorders, exposes critical flaws in the hair care industry. He reveals how certain products harm hair growth and expose consumers to serious side effects, such as skin thinning from corticosteroids and the potential for permanent eye color changes from topical latanoprost. Rob also highlights the inefficacy of compounded dutasteride when combined with other ingredients, offering insights from a lab test. With a focus on safety and efficacy, Rob stresses the importance of personalizing treatments and promises a future project aimed at providing better, safer hair care solutions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bad topical formulations are a major issue in hair care, with ingredients like propylene glycol causing skin irritation for up to 7% of users.
• 😀 To mask the irritation caused by propylene glycol, some brands are adding corticosteroids like hydrocortisone, which can cause permanent skin thinning when used long-term.
• 😀 Corticosteroids should only be used intermittently to avoid skin thinning, but some brands are recommending daily use, putting consumers at risk of irreversible damage.
• 😀 Latanoprost, an ingredient originally used to treat glaucoma, is being marketed for hair growth despite limited, poorly designed studies and potential safety concerns, including the permanent darkening of the iris.
• 😀 The systemic risk of latanoprost increases when used in higher doses in hair growth topicals, raising concerns about potential side effects that aren't disclosed in product marketing.
• 😀 Compounding pharmacies are making oral dutasteride less effective by powderizing it and mixing it with other ingredients like biotin or minoxidil, which reduces its ability to be absorbed by the body.
• 😀 Oral dutasteride needs to be formulated with lipids for proper absorption, and altering this formulation significantly lowers its effectiveness, as shown in experiments where powderized dutasteride had little impact on DHT levels.
• 😀 The common practice of compounding dutasteride with other ingredients compromises its efficacy, which could lead to consumers not seeing the desired results from their treatment.
• 😀 Brands are prioritizing convenience over effectiveness by combining dutasteride with other ingredients, despite the negative impact on its absorption and hair regrowth outcomes.
• 😀 The hair care industry often fails to address fundamental formulation issues and instead relies on quick fixes that could have long-term, negative consequences on consumers' health and hair regrowth.

Q & A

What is the main issue with many Tellahalth hair care brands according to the speaker?

The main issue is that these brands are selling products, such as pills and topicals, that can actually harm hair growth, expose users to unnecessary medications, and cause irreversible side effects. This is not just an issue with a few brands, but a widespread problem in the industry.

Why are propyline glycol-based topicals problematic for some users?

Propyline glycol, used in many hair care topicals, can cause skin irritation in up to 7% of users. This includes redness, burning, itching, and flaking, leading to a tolerability concern that prevents users from using the products long-term.

How do Tellahalth brands attempt to address the irritation caused by propyline glycol, and why is this problematic?

Instead of addressing the irritation issue by reformulating the products, many brands add corticosteroids like hydrocortisone or fluocinylone to mask the irritation. However, prolonged use of corticosteroids without breaks can lead to permanent skin thinning, a serious side effect.

What is the risk associated with using corticosteroids like hydrocortisone and fluocinylone in hair care products?

Corticosteroids like hydrocortisone and fluocinylone, when used continuously without breaks, can cause permanent skin thinning, spider veins, and translucent skin. This risk increases with daily usage, particularly when these steroids are prescribed for long-term use without proper breaks.

What is Latanoprost, and why is it a concern in hair care products?

Latanoprost is an ingredient originally developed to treat glaucoma, but it was later explored for hair growth due to reports of enhanced eyelash growth. However, its safety and efficacy for hair loss treatment are concerning, especially since it has been shown to cause irreversible iris darkening in a significant percentage of users.

What is the problem with using topical Latanoprost at higher doses for hair growth?

Topical Latanoprost, when used at higher doses (e.g., up to 0.3%), increases the risk of systemic absorption, which may cause side effects like permanent iris darkening, a condition seen in glaucoma patients using much lower doses. The minimal hair growth benefits do not seem to justify the potential risks.

What issue does compounding pharmacies face when mixing dutasteride with other ingredients like biotin or minoxidil?

Dutasteride needs to be formulated with lipids for optimal absorption. When compounded with other ingredients like minoxidil or biotin in powder form, the absorption of dutasteride is significantly reduced, lowering its effectiveness in hair growth treatment.

What did the experiment with powderized dutasteride reveal about its effectiveness?

The experiment demonstrated that powderized dutasteride, when compounded with other ingredients, results in a much lower reduction in DHT (a hormone targeted by dutasteride) than the standard lipid-based soft gel form. The DHT reduction was only 13% instead of the expected 80%, highlighting a major issue with absorption and efficacy.

What is the bigger issue with the Tellahalth industry according to the speaker?

The bigger issue is that many Tellahalth companies are prioritizing convenience and profit over long-term safety and efficacy. They often sell improperly formulated products and fail to consider the long-term risks for consumers, such as irreversible side effects and ineffective treatments.

What is the speaker's response to the industry's current practices, and what do they plan to do next?

The speaker is frustrated with the industry's failure to address fundamental problems and is determined to take action. They have been working on a new project to create hair care products that prioritize consumer safety, efficacy, and personalization, aiming to fix the problems prevalent in the industry.