October 2006 – Page 5

October 24, 2006

Propecia and Testicular Cancer? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

35, male

I have read that Propecia can cause testicular cancer. Is this true? I was born with a congenital anamoly which increases my risk for it and don’t want to exacerbate that risk.

If my wife were to accidentally get pregnant while I was on Propecia, would it negatively affect a baby. I have read that a pregnant woman should not handle finasteride, but is there enough in the sperm to harm a child if a pregnancy occurred?

Can Propecia regrow hair at the hairline or only the crown?

What do you think about dutasteride?

Currently I take minoxidil+azelaic acid. I have no problems applying it regularly.

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I have not heard or read that finasteride (Propecia) may cause testicular cancer. If possible, please send me the link (if it was on a website) or the publication (if it was in print) that you got this information from.
Most doctors ‘in the know’ and the drug company Merck believe that you can safely take Propecia while trying to conceive. For those who are still worried or their wives are preoccupied over risks, it is my standard practice to tell my patients not to take Propecia for the one week each month where the female partner is in their fertile time. Your hair will not fall out because you didn’t take it for one week. Some doctors (for medical legal reasons, not based upon any facts that I know of) tell their patients to use condoms during the first three months of pregnancy.
Propecia is unlikely to grow hair in the hairline, as it works mainly in the crown area (sometimes in the top between the ears). That being said, there are rare cases that it does works in the hairline to regrow hair.
Dutasteride is not approved by the FDA for the treatment of hair loss. It is a very potent medication and you should discuss using this medication with your doctor, only if Propecia does not work for you. If you are even remotely worried about using Propecia during your partner’s pregnancy, you should be very, very worried about dutasteride, which has a half life of 5 weeks.

October 24, 2006

DermMatch and Toppik – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I came across your website and was impressed with the information you provide. I am a 35 year old caucasian male with black hair who has been losing his hair for the last 6-8 years. I may eventually have a transplant and while I am saving my pennies, I would like your advice on a temporary short-term cosmetic solution to give me thicker hair. I have read about many of the botanical solutions you discussed and I know you cannot believe most of the stuff you read on most websites about hair thickening techniques. However, in at least one blog post you said that DermMatch helped improve someone’s appearance. Can you recommend which of the above topical solution, and let me know if they are safe?

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Toppik and DermMatch are good products that can be looked at like cosmetics for hair. DermMarch can be found at DermMatch.com and Toppik can be found at Regrow.com.

The products work differently. DermMatch is a scalp coloring agent (like a cosmetic for the scalp), while Toppik has fibers that cling to the hair. Each have their advantages, but you need some hair for either one of them to bring value. They are relatively inexpensive, worth trying both at least once. They wash right out in the shower.

October 24, 2006

Bill Murray’s Hair – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have seen both pictures of matthew mcconauhey’s hairline. His hairline reflects that of Bill Murray’s. What do you think? What do you think has prevented the rest of Bill’s hair from falling out?

Thank you very much for your time and a great blog!!!

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I’ve followed Bill Murray‘s career on a very superficial level and have watched his hairline move higher and higher. It seems to have stabilized now, but I do not follow him close enough to know for sure and his films may not be a good showing of his hair loss status, because the presentation ultimately shows what the director wants him to look like.

Hair loss slows down with age and will often stop way short of the final balding process. Norwood Class 7 patients are only present in 7% of the adult male population and it is doubtful that Bill Murray will ever get that bald. Most Class 7 patients have this pattern before the age of 30.

October 24, 2006

Had a Hair Transplant a Year Ago – Could I Just Be a Slow Grower? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I had a transplant a year ago. My question is that for 10 months I noticed almost no growth. Now though I’m starting to see fine baby hairs sprouting up. Is this growth? Am I just a slow grower? Or is it the propecia that I’ve started taking? The hairs are just beyond the hair line. Thank you for your time

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After a hair transplant surgery, it may take 8 months of so to see 80% of the benefits of a hair transplant and up to a year or slightly more to see the full benefit of the surgery. This is absolutely something you should discuss with your hair transplant surgeon. A failure to grow would be evident if the growth to this point is most of what you had transplanted.

October 24, 2006

2% Minoxidil Worked Well, 5% Worked Better – Should I Try 15%? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

A while back I began using Rogaine 2% and found after a number of months that it worked well for me. I have always have very thick dense hair in my youth. I then tried the newer 5% Rogaine and found that it worked even better, including additional hair growth of the hairline, though not a great deal. Going on this premise that the higher concentrations offer myself additional hair growth I am interested in trying even higher concentrations. I hear that they are available up to 15%. What would you advise, should I attempt it and how high a concentration can I use safely. I have not had any adverse reactions in the year that I have used these products. I am a male 50 years old.

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Some doctors regularly formulate 15% minoxidil. I am sure that if there are no side effects you experience (such as blood pressure drop manifested by light headed feeling), then it would probably be more effective. Just a guess on my part and it would require a doctor’s involvement.

October 24, 2006

Stress Caused Body Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I lost my hair because of bad nerve and stress. i lost my hair in spots. what do i need to do to make it come back? I lost my hair on my stomach and face.

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For a very short and brief description and without the luxury of a physical exam, I cannot offer much help, but I can suggest that you visit your primary care doctor or a dermatologist to make sure you do not have any other medical causes of hair loss. It sounds like you might.

October 24, 2006

Are Neck Pain, Hearing Loss, and Itchy Scalp Related to Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

(female) I was in a car accident a year ago and have been suffering neck pain since. I also have noticed in about the last 5 months severe itchy scalp and some hair thining. I noticed the loss by my forehead at first but within the last month noticed that I can put my hair in a small clamp. I never have been able to do that before. Also I have noticed some hearing loss, could this all be related? Thank you

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Neck pain is not related to hair loss. Itchy scalp is not related to hair loss. Hearing loss is not related to hair loss. Itchy scalp with neck pain and hearing loss in any combination are not related to hair loss.

You may just have a lot of separate medical issues going on that needs to be followed by a doctor. Hair loss can be a result of stress (physical or mental), which you may have.

October 24, 2006

Female Hair Systems in the UK? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Dr Rassman,
Your blog site is very interesting and I came upon it by chance.

I’m a customer of Farrell systems and was wondering where else I can buy as good a unit with that natural front. Can you direct me to another similar company, preferably in the UK? It seem hard to find systems as natural, am I right?

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I am sorry, but I am in California and my network to wig makers in the UK does not extend to the one-on-one associations I have here. If there are any suggestions from those that are reading this, please feel free to post a comment. Thanks.

October 23, 2006

Any Adolescent Hairline Transplant Photos? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Can you post a before & after photo of someone who you’ve lowered their hairline to an “adolescent hairline”. I know you’ve said in the past you usually only do this procedure on someone who makes their living by their looks & I wanted to see how much of a difference it would make. Thanks, great blog!

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These three patients had their central hairline brought down to the childhood hairline position:

Also, please take a look at the hundreds of patient before and after photos on my website in the Patient Photo Galleries.

October 23, 2006

Oily Skin or Acne a Factor in Male Pattern Baldness? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Is having really oily skin or acne a risk factor for Male Pattern Baldness? My dermatologist didn’t see any miniturization. I’m not shedding. I’m 22 years old and there’s no visible recession. I still have a teenage hairline. But I do have really oily skin. My dad is a Norwood Class 7. I figure if I was going to be a class 7 I’d have recession by now. What do you think?

Acne is common in young men, and really, it’s common with any man with oily skin. That being said, there may be an association, but not a cause and effect (balding does not produce acne). Likewise, oily skin and acne will not cause balding. The acne problem is more common in the young patient, when hormones seem more volatile. I am sure you remember the days in high school when the zits seem to pop up at the worst times. In these situations, the appearance of the beard in the young man compounds the problem.

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