Month: November 2005

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Different Hair Characteristics in Transplanted Region – Balding Blog

I had my transplant at NHI 9 montys (2000 grafts to the front). My hair is growing very fast, and looks awesome, except that it is curly, and the rest of my hair is absolutely bone straight. I am growing my new “full” head of hair long and “surfery” looking, but it looks so different with a curly, puffy front, and then the rest is long, flowing and stick straight. Will the front ever be straight? What can be done? I use a hot flat iron every day to try and straighten it.. I know totally why people with curly hair hate humidity and rain…instant frizz. Help.

Hair transplants rarely radically change the character of the hair, but it can happen. In about half of the people when this change occurs, the hair will straighten a bit after going through a hair cycle. I remember one person who had a very radical curly change to his hair after the first surgery. I personally did not like it at all, but he loved it. When he came in for his second transplant, the same thing happened again. It remained very curly and he could not have been happier. Much to my surprise, it lasted through a hair cycle, possibly a bit less curly.

Some people who get changes in hair characteristics, go to a slightly more wavy hair and this change is appreciated in almost every person because it produces ‘body’ for styling that they never had when their hair was very straight. This often reverses in a hair cycle (about 2-6 years), so these benefits may not last.

With regard to your situation, you need to see me personally so that I can review your change in hair character. In addition, unfortunately, you will have to learn to control the hair with relaxers that will allow you to gain better better control of styling. Blow drying and conditioners may help a great deal so that you may not have to use an iron. We should discuss this together. Call my office at 800-NEW-HAIR to schedule a visit.




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Balding Forum - Hair Loss Discussion

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Looking Like Art Garfunkel – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am a 26 year old male, I’ve experienced rather quick hairloss (forehead line receeding, especially in the upper corners) over only 1 and 8 month period. It started when I began to get chest hair growing in. So I assume I’m experiencing genetic MPB due to testosterone changes. Its only getting worse. I’m new to all the drugs and treatments available. What course of action should i take? I dont want to look like Art Garfunkel.

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You have just determined the absolute identifier for reaching the age where DHT kicks in. The appearance of chest hair is the biggest sign that DHT is now working on you. As you get even older you will see nose and ear hair as well; I should know, I am 63 years old. Propecia (finasteride) is a DHT blocker that will slow down the effects of DHT, but will not stop the chest hair completely. It will also probably slow down, stop, or reverse the hair loss. I recommend that you see a doctor and get on that medication. You need to have your hair and scalp analyzed for miniaturization so that good measurements will tell you where you are going to be as the treatment takes hold.

And for those too young to know who Art Garfunkel is, this is the hair style that the question-asker was referring to: Art Garfunkel.

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Hair Formula 37 – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am 28 y.o. female & have no history of balding in my family, on either side. My aunt has thinning hair, but her hair has always been very thin. I have always had tons of hair. Even hairdressers have commented on this. Within the last year or so, I have noticed that I lose a lot of hair in the shower & now I am worried that my hair is thinning. Could this be a vitamin deficiancy? I have gone online & see vitamin products such as Hair Formula 37 & Viviscal. Do you think these or similar products would be helpful for me? Are there specific vitamins/minerals that aid in hair growth, or are these products marketing scams?

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I have referred to Viviscal in the past and the same answer applies to Hair Formula 57, based on the information I’ve read on their website. You need a good assessment of your hair and scalp for miniaturization to rule out causes of hair loss that can make a proper diagnosis. There is much written on this site for women that addresses this, so I would suggest that you review the Female Hair Loss category for more information.

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Prozac and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I’m 38, just had an HT and plan to have at least one more. Propecia gave me the beginnings of gynecomastia, so I stopped it. Currently I’m using minoxidil and shampooing 2x a week with nizoral, also using a laser comb 2x a week. First of all, is there anything I can add that will help, secondly, you mentioned that lexapro causes hair loss, does prozac also? Are there any SSRI’s that don’t? Will hair grow back once you’re off them? Thanks.

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I think that all SSRI’s can cause hair loss; Prozac can. For men that lose hair from drugs like SSRI’s, the loss is rarely reversible if the patient has genetic hair loss. I would not count on it regrowing. I do not believe that the laser comb really works, but I do not see any negative from using it. the rest of your routine is reasonable and I can’t see any negatives with these either.

My best advice is that you need to see a good doctor who can manage your hair loss with you. I can understand that Propecia is not working for you and the breast side effects are rare, but they do happen. Breast enlargement or painful lumps in a male breast of any size are good reasons to consider stopping Propecia.

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RK19 – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

What is RK19 and the obvious question: does it really work?

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Again and again, more products reach the market that do not reflect legal claims allowed by the FDA. In my opinion, the pictures on this site are not believable, which makes the site and the claims not believable to me. The pictures appear to have some scalp coloring in the after pictures, which to me appear as if there was an effort to deceive the observer. I may be wrong, but as a clinician, I hold to stringent standards. Everyone wants a magical cure to balding and this certainly does not look like it.

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Hair Loss InformationPost-Operative Care and Scalp Flaking – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman, I think you are running a brilliant blog. After reading several posts, I am encouraged to share my own views and ask a question. I recently got a FUE megasession done in Europe and am pleased with the results, atleast till now (just 2 weeks post-op). While going through this website, I personally felt that it would be a great idea to start a new category called ‘Post-Operative Care’ since I am going through this phase myself and can feel the need to interact with others out there on the topic. Don’t worry, I don’t think it will scare away any prospective patients. It will only lend credibility to the transplant procedure.

On that note, I also have a question. I am using Minoxidil 5% to help with the growth of new hair. But my scalp in the recipient area shows considerable dryness / development of flakes when the scalp is dry. I was recommended to apply a hydrating lotion on the scalp. Would you agree with this advice and can you recommned a good hydrating cream /lotion meant for hair?

Thanks in advance.

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Thanks for your kind words and for the new category idea. I’ll add a Post-Operative category now.

The results of the FUE will take 5-8 months to show, so then and only then, will you know the value of what you had done. Minoxidil does cause dryness and flaking. Any non-alcoholic creams will work. Also, try a variety of hair conditioners as well. Take risks until you find the right one. Ask your hair dresser, as they may know the best that is available in your country.

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Hair Loss InformationHow Does Dr. Rassman Manage His Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

hi doc, what do you use for your hairloss???? what is your regime??? do you take propecia or proscar and how long you been on it??? and has it stop your hairloss??????? please be specific on what you use… details please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I take Propecia, and that is all I do. Propecia may have stopped the hair loss or it may have stopped by itself (I am 63 years old, so it is not uncommon in a man of my age). I had 3 scalp reductions in 1992 (big mistake) and then 2 hair transplants in 1994 and 1999. I was lucky that the first hair transplant fixed the scarring problem and the second one added bulk to the crown.

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Hair Loss InformationFinasteride vs Hair Cloning – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi, I’m 21 years old and I started thinning about a year ago, primarily on the temples and in the front. I started taking 1 mg of finasteride daily about 8 months ago , and I’ve been using 5% minoxidil. My temples grew back 100% and but I’ve noticed the front is still thinning and I’ve been losing alot of hair in the shower. Is it fair to say that the finasteride isn’t working for me? I don’t know whether to let nature take it’s course and just save my money. Is there a chance that finatseride will start to kick in ? Also do you have any news on the new buzz going around about hair cloning? Is there a possibility that it will be available in the near future?

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You should give Propecia at least 18-24 months to peak out its benefit. When you say it is not working, I assume that you mean you are still losing some hair. The normal hair loss rate is about 100-150 hairs/day and with that comes another new 100-150 hairs that start growing. Could it be that Propecia reduced the rate of loss and because it is still negative, you are assuming that it is not working? Whatever you do, I strongly feel that you should stay on the drug for the full 2 years. As you have indicated that you are in Los Angeles, you should be under a doctor’s management here. We can be reached at 800-NEW-HAIR if you’d like to set up a free consultation.

Hair cloning is not coming down the short-term highway. Maybe we will see hair cloning in 5-10 years in the research stage, but for someone of your age, you have to surround your problem well before that process is on the short term horizon. For more hair cloning posts, please see the Hair Cloning category.

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Confusing Information on Propecia – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

IT is funny how you waffle and change your mind on what propecia can do. I don’t understand you sometimes ..you are confusing.. sometimes you say propecia will stop hair loss and sometimes you say it just slows it down. Take a look at your blog and it is all over on how you say one thing and then another.. please look at what you wrote many different people… you use stop and slow as if they mean the same thing… thanks

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Propecia can stop hair loss, reverse hair loss and slow the hair loss process. It really depends upon the person, where they are in their hair loss process, and the expression status of the person’s genes (add to this a large group of unknowns that will become evident from researchers over time).

Sorry if I am confusing you. I write so much to handle each person’s agenda and what I write can be colored by the patient’s interpretation and the way I perceived the questions given me.

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Healthier Hair – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

My six year old daughter, had kidney reflux and a UPJ obstruction at birth, both have been surgically corrected. Her hair is shoulder length and has been for three years. I trim it regulary and it remains extremely dry and barely grows. Her hair does come out fairly easy when brushed or pulled (by her brothers). She really wants her hair to grow and I would love to know how I can make it more healthy and have peace of mind that nothing is medically wrong. I would appreciate your time and assistance. Thank you

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Hair loss can be caused by stress (physical and emotional), malnutrition, and multiple surgeries. Brittle hair can be treated with more gentle handling as brisk brushing can pull out or break the fragile hairs. Make sure that your daughter’s diet allows her to get all the nutrients that she needs. It is normal to lose around 100 hairs per day. The length of her hair indicates (assuming that hair grows 1/2 inch per month) that her hair cycle may be as short as 2 years (assuming 12 inch length of her hair) and each hair that falls out gets replaced by another one that starts to grow from ‘scratch’. Everyone has their own hair cycle, which usually ranges from 2 – 6 years. I would expect that as she gets older, the cycle length will change (probably get longer which may mean that the hair will grow out longer as well).