September 2006 – Page 4

September 26, 2006

Ephedra and Hair Loss – Balding Blog

You recently answered a question about amphetamines causing hairloss in which you stated it can. Amphetamines are a CNS (central nervous system) stimulator that suppress appetite, increase energy, etc… Would Ephedra which also happens to be a CNS stimulator cause the same hair loss effects as amphetamines would? Basically, wouldn’t amphetamimes and ephedra physically stress the adrenals of the body? I have used ephedra for almost 3 years daily to help with workouts and during this time is when I noticed my hair thinning/miniaturizing…….

You seemed to have answered your own question. Yes, ephedra can cause hair loss.

September 25, 2006

Doctor Charges Per Procedure, Not Per Graft – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Thank you for taking the time to maintain this website. I met with a hair loss consultant last week for the first time. He recommended that I have 2500 grafs on my forehead area and a second transplant a year from now on the top of my head. Why not just have it all done at once? He claims that they dont charge per graf, but a flat fee regardless of how many transplants they do. Is this just a opportunity to make more money for a second procedure?

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If the consultant you spoke with was not a doctor who does the surgery him/herself and is trained in hair transplantation as a specialty, then he/she is practicing medicine without a license and I would run for the hills. There are some clinics that promote consultants to recruit patients and I have seen some people get recommendations that are way out of line with their need. Doing more than 2500 grafts depends upon:

The size of the bald area being treated
The donor density
The looseness of the donor area skin (laxity)
The skill of the surgical team (only some teams are capable of performing 5000 grafts at one session)

Fees are generally priced per graft, but that is not a hard and fast rule. Whatever the basis for the charge, it should be both competitive to what a quality medical group would charge and show value for what you are going to receive (result focused of course). Selecting a doctor should follow the science I have outlined in How to Tell if You’ve Found the Right Hair Transplant Doctor.

September 25, 2006

Taking Propecia Before the Sun Rises – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hey doc, I need this question answered ASAP, if you wouldn’t mind. As you may know, Ramadan has begun and many Muslims will be getting up in the middle of the night to eat and drink, for eating and drinking aren’t permitted until the sun sets.

So if I take Propecia before the sun rises, like around 4 AM or so, would it have the same effect as taking it later on in the day? Thanks

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You can take Propecia (finasteride) at any time. Just take it about once every 24 hours (day). I generally recommend taking it when you wake up in the morning, when your testosterone is highest and if that is 4am, it will work as well at that time.

September 25, 2006

Can You Explain Hair Loss from Amphetamines? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

On a molecular level, how do ampetamines cause hair loss and how can this drug induced hair loss be halted or reversed? Thank you for you time.

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I really do not know the answer to your question. My previous posting reflected what is known by the manufacturers of the various amphetamines and from others that have suffered from this hair loss side effect. I am sure that the answer is intricate and related to many other factors in those particular people taking the drug.

September 25, 2006

Very Irregular Periods a Cause for Female Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello there….I am a 29 year old female experiencing frontal and temporal hairloss. I am upset and not sure what to do. I have VERY irregular periods. I may have one 1-2 times a year. Will this cause hairloss? I know a decrease in estrogen will cause it, but I am young and wonder if a very rare period would contribute to it. I have had my thyroid checked and it was ok. Not sure what causes the irregular periods either. I would greatly appreciate a reply to help my questions. I am a nursing student who will be graduating this coming May and would like to look nice for pictures. Thank You

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There may be no relationship between your hair loss and your periods. There are conditions like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), where infrequent periods and hair loss go together. You can see this at 4woman.gov or PCOSupport.

I am not suggesting that this is what is wrong with you, but the diagnosis of female hair loss is complex and requires a complete examination by someone who can evaluate your periods and your hair loss in partnership with you.

September 25, 2006

Can Any of These Supplements Cause Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr.
I wanted to know, since I have been taking creatine, animal m stack and muscle milk I have noticed my hair has been falling off, I also take ocuvite, fish oil, and korean ginseng, do any of these supplements contain anything that may make my hair fall faster, I mean im just concerned since I am only 20 years old.

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It is a cruel fate of nature for some of us to lose hair at such young age. While I cannot comment on every supplement and their efficacy on hair growth or loss, sometimes the cause of hair loss can be related to increased androgens (example: testosterone) in your body. Drugs like finasteride (Propecia) work by addressing this fact. It is my general opinion that no one source of food or supplements are a cause of hair loss unless it has steroid type of activities (of which there are probably a few natural type of substances out there on the market). If you are losing hair then it is likely you may have a genetic component of hair loss. To be certain, you should have your scalp hair examined by a doctor and if possible have you scalp hair mapped for miniaturization.

September 25, 2006

Restoring the Moustache – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

A few years ago i had some stiches places on my mustache area and it left a scar and now hair doesnt grow in the places that the stitches were placed.

I was wondering if you know of any product, surgury or any other possible solution that could allow hair to re-grow in the spots that the scar is or in other words where the stitches were placed?

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Hair transplantation is an ideal procedure to address the scar on your mustache area. At NHI we have even done entire beard/chin areas and recently for a patient who wanted to grow a goatee.

[Note: photo above is of the World Beard and Moustache Championships world champion, Willi Chevalier. Photo used for display purposes only, and not to imply that Mr. Chevalier had any restoration to his facial hair.]

September 25, 2006

Olive Oil and Aloe Vera on Scalp – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I’ve read about testestorone which produce DHT causes hair loss. I would like to know if lifting weights causes hair loss. I lift weights(heavy) almost 5 times a week. Also, I check out some website and they recommend using olive oil and aloe vera which I took from my back yard. Applied it on my hair and massage it for about 30 minutes. So far it help with getting rid of my sometimes smelly scalp and my dandruff problem. I would like to know if that really work. Thanks.

I know that aloe vera is the magic plant that cures almost everything. It is used extensively in the tropics where it is grown as a herbal solution to a wide variety of skin problems and I know that it works in many. Reading that it helped your dandruff is not a surprise. Adding olive oil is a wetting agent, which should stop flaking. It would not benefit you in the treatment of hair loss, however. For more info on aloe vera, you should check out the Wikipedia entry.

Oh, and weightlifting does not cause hair loss.

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September 25, 2006

Losing Eyelashes – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

do some balding/thining men lose their eye lash hair too, i noticed my dad has some hair there left, but not much, it seems like im losing some eye lash hair too

The loss of eyelashes in men can be a genetic characteristic. It could be unrelated to male patterned balding. From what you wrote, that is what it seems like. Are there other men in the family line that also have loss of eyelash hair?

For a near complete review of the subject see: ISHRS – Eyebrow & Eyelash Hair Restoration Surgery

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September 22, 2006

Problem with Wig Leads to Heart Attack – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Sounds like a hairpiece can be stressful, in more ways than just worrying about it falling off. Here’s an interesting case of man that felt he was wronged by a wig maker, and it ended up causing him much more emotional and physical distress than a wig is worth.

Milford man counter-sues in hairpiece lawsuit

A city man claims in a lawsuit seeking more than $15,000 in damages that he suffered a heart attack after refusing to pay for a hairpiece that was not only the wrong size but also the wrong color.

Paul Lewis filed the counter suit in Superior Court after Paula’s Wig Boutique in Orange filed a small claims action seeking $1,200 in payment for the hairpiece.

Lewis says in the lawsuit that he suffered a heart attack in December 2004 after Paula Wood, the owner of the Boston Post Road wig shop, threatened to call police because he refused to pay, court records state.

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You can read the rest of the article at Connecticut Post Online.