Are you watching more hair collect in your brush or shower drain? Are your nails splitting, lifting, developing ridges or becoming thick and ugly? Don’t give up on your hair or nails just yet. There are lots of companies making promises to regrow hair, but can you trust the claims? There are also people offering to cure your nasty nails with some antifungal cream. Here at the People’s Pharmacy we like to turn to an expert for straightforward advice!
Dermatologist Chris Adigun, MD, joined us in The People’s Pharmacy studio to explain what actually works for some of the most frustrating hair and nail problems. And this is one interview that is especially worth watching, rather than just listening to.
Dr. Chris Adigun, dermatologist, with People’s Pharmacy hosts Joe & Terry Graedon
Dr. Adigun is a nail specialist as well as a general and cosmetic dermatologist. She explains why some popular treatments deserve consideration and why others may be a waste of money.
Can You Really Regrow Hair That Is Thinning?
There are more options than many people realize.
Dr. Adigun discusses topical minoxidil (Rogaine) as well as the increasingly popular use of low-dose oral minoxidil. She also explains when prescription drugs such as finasteride, dutasteride or spironolactone may be useful.
What about approaches that don’t require a prescription? We ask her about rosemary oil and red light therapy for hair growth. Which treatments have evidence behind them, and how do they compare with conventional medications?
Are Ugly Toenails Really Caused by Fungus?
Thick, discolored or misshapen toenails are frequently blamed on fungus. But Dr. Adigun warns that not every ugly toenail is a fungal infection.
Repeated trauma from shoes, bacterial infections and other nail disorders can look surprisingly similar. That matters, because antifungal medicine won’t solve a problem that isn’t caused by fungus.
Getting the diagnosis right could save months of frustration and unsuccessful treatment.
What Are Your Fingernails Trying to Tell You?
White spots? Ridges? Nails pulling away from the nail bed?
Some changes are harmless consequences of aging or minor trauma. Others may deserve medical attention.
Dr. Adigun explains what causes nail ridges, white spots, lifting nails and irritated cuticles and why manicures, gel treatments, polish remover and cutting the cuticles can sometimes make nail problems worse.
And What About Biotin?
Millions of people take biotin supplements for stronger nails or thicker hair.
Dr. Adigun is not a fan. One reason may surprise you: high-dose biotin can interfere with important laboratory tests and produce misleading results. She explains why she advises her patients to be cautious.
Watch Our Conversation With Dr. Chris Adigun
Dr. Adigun is lively, engaging and wonderfully clear as she separates promising treatments from hype. If you care about keeping your hair thicker and your nails healthier, we think you will enjoy seeing this conversation rather than merely hearing it.
Watch the full People’s Pharmacy video podcast here:
Then please tell us about your experience. Have you found anything that helped regrow hair? Have you struggled with brittle, ridged or fungus-like nails? We would love to hear what worked—or didn’t work—for you.
