April 2007 – Page 10 – Balding Blog

April 12, 2007

I’m Worse Off Now AFTER My Hair Transplant – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dr. Rassman,

I had a my first procedure done over 1 year ago (1900 grafts) by a reputable surgeon but am extremely disappointed with my results. I have noticeably less hair now than prior to surgery. My doctor said the procedure went fine, but I have lost more native hair than transplanted hair received which is the source of my visible concern. My question – how do I know if this is correct. How can I know that the 1900 grafts survived or if there was in fact a problem with my procedure I am not aware of. I am 49 and have been on Propecia for several years. Have you ever heard of this situation? I feel like I’m in the middle of a nightmare – I have paid a small fortune to fast track my hair loss. I don’t know where to go from here. Please help!

I hear and see situations similar to yours nearly everyday. If you were a young man (under 25) and not on Propecia, I would predict the hair loss as almost a certainty. Hair transplant surgery should take into account a Master Plan to plan for future losses.

You should not have lost native hair at your age (49), as men of this age have hair that rarely reacts with shock loss, particularly as you are on Propecia. Although this is a risk that patients must be made fully aware of before having the surgery, there are too many uncertainties here for me to draw conclusions without examining you myself and see what happened to the transplants you had. Hopefully, you have good before pictures taken for an expert to draw conclusions. You need to have a second opinion.

April 12, 2007

Hair Transplant Costs – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Can you give me an estimate of costs for a hair transplant with 2000-3000 grafts? Would this procedure be closer to $3,000 or $10,000. Just trying to get some idea of price.

2000 grafts on our Standby program would cost $10,000 and if you come from out of town, there is hotel and airfare reimbursement available. See our Fees and Financing page to learn more.

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April 12, 2007

Ambien and Female Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I have been using ambien for like two years this past summer I got a bad color hair shed, broke off throughout. I got it cut to try to cut dead/damaged hair out and start over as of now my hair is thinning on the left side and it is sore., I have been wearing wigs to cover, Don’t know what to do I take more than the prescribed dose of the ambien because I have built up a tolerance. I also take a womens multi vitamin, ortho-tri BC and have a fairly balanced diet.I used to have long thick beautiful hair and I just want that back. What should I do first?

You should first see a good doctor and make sure there are no other medical conditions for your hair loss such as hypothyroid, low iron, etc. You history shows birth control pills, well known to cause hair loss. Female hair loss is very difficult to address, because there are so few treatment options. Get a thorough examination by your family doctor before going any further — then see a good dermatologist.

April 11, 2007

Patient Kept Hairline with Propecia, but Density is Poor (with Photos) – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

The photos below are of a 24 year old man who started taking Propecia (finasteride) at the age of 18. At 21, he switched to Avodart (dutasteride), but on seeing no improvement or reversal of his hair loss he switched back to Propecia, which he has maintained through today. His donor density is 25% less than the average Caucasian, which obviously means that his supply of donor hair is limited. Plus, he has black hair and very white skin and he is miniaturized to 90%.

I suspect that the hair he has is only there due to the Propecia routine he has followed strictly over the past 6 years. Starting hair transplants at this time would be the wrong thing to do, as it most certainly will accelerate the remaining hair loss. With thickening products and the use of Toppik, he does not look balding and I suggested that he continue that approach until it fails to work. Only then can the transplant option be used, but he will have to give up any thought of crown hair and accept only a frontal hair transplant.

April 11, 2007

White Sheath at End of Pulled Hair – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi,

I am 20 male and when I pull on my hair, it comes out with a white sheath at the end. It is not just a white bulb, but rather it is a white sheath. Also, sometimes when I pull out hair, two comes out in the same white sheath. So sometimes I am not even pulling out one single hair, but two hairs attached to the same white sheath. Is this what normal balding hairs look like?

If you pull on your hair, less than 5% of the hair should come out like what you are saying. If it is more than that, maybe you have early hair loss and should get your hair mapped out for miniaturization to make a diagnosis. The white tip you are seeing is mucus (sebum) in a hair that has started to go out of anagen and into telogen and is nothing to worry about by itself.

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April 11, 2007

Propecia vs Rogaine? – Balding Blog

My doctor has recommended me to use Rogaine instead of propecia cuz he believes it affects the prostate tissue and so the side effects of this drug could persist even if I stop it (that’s if I got some), do you think this might be true since you doctors prescribe it to your patients!?

what do you think of the effectiveness of rogaine?? it must be sure that you have prescribed this drug to many patients since it was the only drug approved to treat the hair loss and before propeica was available on the market, do you think its really effective?? did you see patients that could restore their hair using this drug??

please let me know the answers to these questions

Thanks

Propecia (finasteride) does impact the prostate when it is swollen. What your doctor is saying, or at the least the way you are telling it, makes no sense to me. The two drugs work differently. Propecia is more predictable than minoxidil, but they could work together. I have seen hair come back with minoxidil, however I have seen more patients show great benefits from Propecia.

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April 11, 2007

Jungle Warfare Supplement and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

A short while ago you answered a question regarding hair loss and testosterone boosters (T Bomb II was the product in question). Your answer made sense and was helpful. I have slight variation on that question for you.

I’ve been on Proscar (1mg daily) for about 8 months. I’m happy with the results. I’m thinking of buying a supplement similar (i think) to T Bomb II called Jungle Warfare. It’s different than T Bomb, but I’m guessing the same rules apply: boost your testosterone and you boost your chances of going bald. My question is, what if I’m already on Proscar, will that be enough to offset any increase in testosterone? If I take Jungle Warfare, should I increase my Proscar dosage?

A rise in your testosterone level will increase your hair loss and it might not be helped by finasteride (which is only about 80% effective as a blocking agent for DHT).

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April 11, 2007

Can a 16 Year Old Use Propecia? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am a 16 year old male who has been losing hair in the crown area only for the past 2 years. I don’t really see any hairs in the drain or on my pillow, but my crown area is getting thinner and more noticable. I was told I could not use propecia until I was 18 or 19 years old. What would be the reason for that and is it true? Is there anything else I can do?? I was told to use Rogaine, but does that actually work??

Safety of Propecia (finasteride) is studied at age 18 and above. Get your hair mapped out for miniaturization and let’s get a metric for your hair loss and a diagnosis. With that in hand and your parents’ cooperation, a good doctor may elect to put you on Propecia if everything is understood and risks are discussed in detail.

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April 11, 2007

Any Studies On Using Minoxidil and Finasteride Together? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Since Minoxidil and Finasteride working differently, what happens when they are combined?

Is there any studies on using both Minoxidil/Finasteride vs. just finasteride?

Wouldn’t Minoxidil be a lot more affective if combined with a DHT blocking agent (finasteride/Dus.)?

I agree finasteride is a better drug since it addresses the cause. But with one blocking the cause (DHT) and the other stimulating the follicle wouldn’t the results be a lot better?

As a matter of fact, this has been studied and your answer is positive. Minoxidil and finasteride have a synergistic effect and using both is proven to be more effective than only one.

PubMed – Comparative efficacy of various treatment regimens for androgenetic alopecia in men.

April 10, 2007

When Does the Maturing Hairline Stop? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

At what age should the maturing hairline process stop? I’m 33 and I’m getting a bit paranoid about my receding hairline not stopping. I’m at least at the 2nd stage in the Norwood pattern, but have no hairloss on the crown.

A maturing hairline usually stops around late twenties, but that rule is not followed by everyone. If you are concerned about hair loss and its progression, you should have your scalp hair measured for miniaturization and get someone who is an expert to let you know if you are actually balding (see Maturation of a Hairline — Moving From Juvenile to Mature).

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