Month: April 2007

Would trichologists be a good place to go to diagnose genetic hair loss. Consultation with examination is a bit expensive so I’d like your opinion on it. I’m seeing one in 2 days and what he plans to do is take some of my hair and examine it under the microscope. Would you have any idea on the effectiveness for diagnosis with this method vs the scalp mapping for miniaturization? I’m 26 asian male with a full head of hair (although not as thick or a lot compared to in HS)Is it still a good idea to see these specialist anyways even though Im not exhibiting any clear observational signs of balding (my diabetic father thinned and had bad hair loss at 46 and his younger brother balded in his teens…grandfather on both sides have hair although diabetic mother on father’s side has extremely thin hair pretty much balding)

I can not tell you what the trichologist will see or what he/she is looking for. Without miniaturization studies I do not believe that hair loss patterns for genetic hair loss can be anticipated. The miniaturization study is a microscopic examination of your scalp. If your trichologist is doing this, and knows what to look for, then you’re a step in the right direction.

You have repeatedly stated that computer generated images used to show hair transplant results are misleading and inaccurate. You recently stated “although using a computerized simulating system sounds like a neat idea, in reality the pictures are misleading at times and the final results may be considerably different from those shown on the computer screen.” Why then, did you stand on the stage on the American Dream show under computer enhanced photo of the contestant who won a transplant? Was this a case of letting the marketing opportunity of appearing on nationwide TV overcoming the deeply-held beliefs and positions you’ve espoused as a healthcare professional? If so this not speak well of your integrity.

I accepted to do the hair transplant on the patient (Russ) from The Great American Dream Vote show and the producers pushed me hard to project an “after” result for them that they could use for shock value on the show. With proper releases, I found another hair transplant patient who looked almost exactly the same as the Dream Vote show winner — he had the same hair thickness, color of hair and skin, and balding pattern as Russ did — and I used Adobe Photoshop to “move” the hair from the former patient to Russ’s head. It took a considerable discussion with the producers who wanted more so this was a compromise to meet what I thought was ethical. If I disappointed you by doing this, well I share some of your concern (and had pain as I negotiated the picture), but with the clear and proper disclosure, what I did was a reasonable exercise. Your point is nevertheless well taken.

I will post his after pictures following one or two procedures and we can see just how close my projected look would be.

For more about my appearance on this very short-lived television show, check these:

• Dr Rassman on The Great American Dream Vote
• The Great American Dream Vote Winner Update (Video)