-By Hair Team Manager Linda Loria, MSN, RN, CNE

Topical and oral medications are the foundation of the treatment of hair loss and thinning hair, and they are on the first rung of the treatment clinical ladder at the Quatela Center for Hair Restoration.  What if it was possible to combine the ingredients from an effective topical medication (minoxidil), with a proven oral medication to treat hair loss (finasteride)?  This was a question the physicians at the Quatela Center for Hair Restoration, Dr. Vito Quatela and Dr. Heather Lee, had been researching and now would like to share the results of that research.

Medications Available for Hair Loss

Minoxidil is an ingredient in a blood pressure medication that was incidentally found to increase hair growth.  Prior to this product being available commercially to slow hair loss, it was prescribed by physicians as a compound made by specialty pharmacies to be applied topically to the scalp.  Following FDA approval for hair loss in 1988, minoxidil became available as Rogaine®.

The second medication, finasteride, is a 5-a reductase inhibitor that prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).  DHT is the hormone responsible for the majority of hair loss.  This medication, commonly known as Propecia® and used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), was FDA approved to treat hair loss in 1997.  When taken daily in a small oral dose, many of our male patients have found great benefits in the treatment of hair loss.  The medication is not approved for use in females.

A New Option

The answer to the question our physicians had now exists as 82F®.  This compounded medication is available only by prescription.  The product 82F® combines the therapeutic advantages of minoxidil and finasteride with a small amount of tretinoin to increase the rate of scalp turnover, and a topical steroid to decrease irritation.  This formulation can be used by patients seeking a non-surgical option, as well as before and after hair restoration procedures to increase hair retention and contribute to the growth and strength of the hair.

For our female patients, or those who do not require the added finasteride in a topical application, the other product that has been found beneficial is 82M®.  Likewise, this topical medication combines 5% minoxidil with tretinoin and a topical steroid as vehicles to promote hair retention, while improving absorption and reducing irritation to the scalp.

The feedback from our patients has been very positive on this product.  Dr. Quatela, a patient himself using the product, has experienced stabilization and improvement in his hair loss in the last six months.

If you are a current patient or a new patient interested in a virtual consultation to learn more about the product and the potential benefits for you, visit our practice website and click on “REQUEST YOUR CONSULTATION.” In the online form choose the option for a “Virtual” consultation.  You may also call the practice directly at (585) 244-0323 to speak with one of our Patient Consultants.