Have any of you purchased the Nanogen Scalproller and used it in conjunction with your applications of Rogaine Foam?

After reading the post by nyny12, "Does this make prp more credible???", I have purchased two of them and have used the roller prior to my nightly application of Rogaine Foam.

While the use of the roller itself is easy, I'm not sure if I could accurately describe the level of discomfort since we all react to pain differently. If I had to describe it, I would compare it to the snap of a rubberband on bare skin. Then again, I have a decent head of hair yet so it will feel differently on my scalp than someone who has less hair. I certainly do feel the little needles more so in my thinner areas.

I have not yet and for quite some time, will not be able to quantify any results about my experience with this roller but I was just interested in finding out if anyone else has decided to give it a try and if so why.

For any of you who have read some of my previous posts, I have talked about my belief that scalp trauma from a HT (recipient sites) contributes to increased blood flow. In my opinion, the increased blood flow and subsequent body's repair response have led to a better environment for the growth of hair follicles; including those that are in the miniturization state. My HT's looked best at about 7-10 months post-op and then regressed only slightly. I'm thinking that's when the dht started to overpower the body's repair response. Anyway, that's just my opinion on why I have chosen to include the Scalproller in my personal arsenal against hair loss. Anyone else???

I think the effectiveness of the scalp-roller alone is still up for debate, but I do believe a lot of people agree that it does increase the amount of rogaine that gets into the scalp.

__________________
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)

Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

All opinions are my own and my advice should not constitute as medical advice.

I have a few patients currently using the scalp rollers in conjunction with Rogaine foam. It will be a while before I can post the results. I am anxious to find out if there is any additional benefits.

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Dr. Glenn Charles is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians

Dr Charles,
Do you think there will be any benefits from using the roller, as a modality, alone? Or would you assume the results would come from the roller plus minoxidil?

__________________
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)

Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

All opinions are my own and my advice should not constitute as medical advice.

As I stated when beginning this post, I am using the scalproller and Rogaine Foam. I roll my entire scalp but concentrate on the top as I am a diffuse thinner. It wasn't until after the first week of its use that I developed a SIGNIFICANT shed. It has been about three weeks now and the shed continues. And when I say shed, I mean after applying the foam, the hair on my fingers is thicker than that of my scalp...just kidding about that one but really...the amount of hair that has shed is as significant a shed most of us have experienced when first using other medications.

I can tell you that I have not shed this bad since my first few months on Finasteride back in 1999. I'd like to believe that the roller has allowed for better penetration of the minoxidil and that is the cause of the significant shed. And as most of us know all too well...shedding is typically a very good sign that the medication is working.

I will continue with my nightly applications and share further developments with those who are interested.

Hi Tom R.

How's the shedding going?

Does using the roller now cause any more discomfort with the decreased amount of hair you have?

I hear that they've brought out a smaller roller for those with less hair.

is there a possibility this could damage existing hair ?
ej

Hi Tom,

Any updates?

Hi Guys, Sorry I haven't updated this post. My work schedule drastically changed and put me through the ringer the last several months. Anyway, here's what's happened since last September.

I started having chest palpitations when walking up a flight a stairs. I though I had the flu and my body was fatigued. Well, I went to my doc and he prescribed some antibiotics and the flu cleared up in a few days but the palpitations persisted. I went back to the doc and we did a few tests like walking up a few fights of stairs and my heart rate went up into the 130's.

That was a concern to the doc and I'm a very fit 45 year old. So we ran more tests like ekg's, x-rays, heart monitors, cardiac echos, a Holter Monitor and some blood work. I did mentioned the use of Minoxidil but the doctor dismissed it because the medication is listed as a vasodilator.

Anyway, all the tests came back normal. Apparently my heart is in excellent condition. However, I wound up in the ER on two seperate occasions as my bloodpressure shot up to 180/130 and my heart rate was well above 100 and this happened while being quite sedentary. I thought it might be stress so I too dismissed the idea that Minoxidil could be the root cause of the problem.

Now I am personally convinced that with the use of the scalp roller and MY liberal use of Rogaine Foam, far too much reached my blood stream and caused heart palpitations, a rise in bloodpressure, lightheadedness and a general sense of brain fog.

In my opinion, the scalp roller will dramatically increase the rate of absorption of the Minoxidil. Therefore, I would suggest that if you choose to use the roller, apply the foam as directed and don't over do it. These side effects are scary. There were times that I felt I was having a heart attack and that's not good for someone who is overly concerned about their health to begin with. Good luck to you all and be very careful with this combination.

I'd be happy to answer any questions or explain my experiences in greater detail if any of you are interested.

For what it's worth, I've continued to use the scalp roller and the Rogaine Foam but I still have some symptoms despite cutting back. I'm guessing I haven't cut back enough. So for now, I'm either going to go with the scalp roller itself or use Rogaine Foam alone but I will NOT be using them together any longer.