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Scalp inflammation or scalp irritations are the most commonly reported side effects associated with topical minoxidil or topical minoxidil-Retin-A combo treatments. Scalp inflammation is often characterized by severe scalp itch, flakes, burning sensation, or crusts forming on the scalp. This condition can cause hair loss and is often misdiagnosed. Some suggest that scalp inflammatory conditions are a result of long term use of alcohol based topical lotions such as Rogaine. Others, such as Dr. Proctor, suggest that in addition to alcohol, propylene glycol in Rogaine or other topical hair products also play a role. Once diagnosed, scalp inflammatory conditions can be easily treated. The most commonly prescribed treatment is cortisone or corticosteroids, which can be found in almost all prescription drugs for scalp inflammation, eg: Termovate, Dermol, Dermovate, and DermaSmooth etc. To prevent or alleviate the side effects associated with topical minoxidil, some clinics formulate their own brand of topical minoxidil that includes corticosteroids. One of the most sought after is Dr. Lee's proprietary minoxidil formulas. Dr. Lee's minoxidil formula includes Betamethasone which is a kind of corticosteroids that helps to alleviate the side effects of topical minoxidil. With the skin repair and tissue regeneration properties of copper peptides unfolding in recent years, cortisone or corticosteroids are no longer the preferred treatment for scalp inflammation. According to Dr. Pickart, the use of cortisone and corticosteroids to reduce skin irritation is not recommended. Corticosteroids act by killing the immune cells to stop oxygen radical release but this also kills the immune cells that release the skin repair growth factors and hence stops skin repair which ultimately leads to a thinned and damaged skin. Frequent use of corticosteroids can build up tolerance in skin tissue and desensitize its ability to respond to treatments. Copper-peptides, on the other hand, directly detoxify the oxygen radicals. They also transfer copper to superoxide dismutase (SOD), the skin's primary anti-oxidant protein, which activates the skin's SOD which further increases the removal of oxygen radicals. Also, the copper-complexes have been shown to strongly stimulate the skin's repair systems and improve healing and skin renewal. The above mentioned nickel allergy study demonstrated both the anti-inflammatory and skin repair properties of copper-peptides. (Zhai et al 1999) Copper-peptide in products such as Folligen, Iamin, and Protect & Restore may be used to reduce minoxidil/retinoic acid irritation. During irritation and inflammation, the skin is damaged by immune cells that release toxic oxygen radicals into the damaged area. The purpose of these oxygen radicals is to kill invading bacteria after wounding but often the oxygen radicals are released in the absence of any bacteria.
Dr. Pickart via HairSite Editorial Forums / Community
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