April 2007 – Page 11 – Balding Blog

April 10, 2007

Wearing a Baseball Cap After a Hair Transplant – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

How soon after a procedure can a patient wear a baseball hat to conceal the procedure?

Would a slighty oversized, baseball hat, placed gently on the head be OK?

You can wear a cap on the same day. In fact, at NHI we discharge almost all of our patients with a baseball cap. Written on the baseball cap is, “Look at me! I just had a hair transplant!”

Hey, I’m kidding!

All joking aside, as long as you wear the cap loosely it is OK and a good cover for even the most extensive hair transplants we do. The baseball cap we supply is plain blue with no markings on it.

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April 10, 2007

Swelling in My Head After Hair Transplant – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

hello doctor..i come from greece and i had hair transplantation about 3 months ago..a few weeks ago i noticed that the area where the new hair was transplanted it started to swell and raise up a little bit..i went to see my doctor again (actually it was a clinic, specialized in cosmetic surgery) and they told me it due to the new hair trying to find their way out but couldnt…they used a needle to cut it open a little bit and cleaned it from the blood and pus that was gathered in it..when i asked them if that is natural they told me yes, it happens from time to time cause some hair get trapped and inverted but they told me the transplanted hair will grow normally after that..is that true? could the transplants have died because of that? im sick worried..thank u

If what you are talking about is a few cysts, this occurs in about 5% of patients and with proper soaks (or drainage) they should go away. Sometimes they need antibiotics. If the pus or drainage was any bigger than a drop, then you could be having problems. You need to trust a doctor to deal with this (in person), not someone like me over the internet.

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April 10, 2007

Marijuana and Finasteride – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

hello doctor, i was wondering, does marijuana effect the side effects or progress of Propecia at all? that’s it, thank you.

I read so many concerns from people in emails and other various corners of the internet about the negative sexual side-effects of Propecia. Yet you ask about the effects of marijuana, which in itself gives you a low libido and other negative sexual side effects. So if you are a worst case scenario type of person, your chances of a negative sexual side effect most probably more than doubles. We also know that there are reports that marijuana may contribute to hair loss either directly or indirectly.

There is no interaction between marijuana and Propecia.

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April 10, 2007

How Long for Results from Avodart? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I’ve been on Propecia for a year now, and have just started on Avodart, taking it once a week.

I know that research is very limited in terms of the optimal frequency and dosage for Avodart…but roughly speaking, do you think it would also take 6-12 months to see any benefits from Avodart, just like with Propecia? And a second question, if the answer is yes, since i’ve been on Propecia for so long do you think the time required to see results would be much shorter?

I know you can’t give me an exact answer but I’d be happy with an educated guess so I know roughly what to expect.

Thanks

If there is an incremental value between Propecia and Avodart, it will take 6-12 months to see it (educated guess). I do not know the answer to your next question.

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April 10, 2007

Happy Belated Birthday and Other Hair News – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

First of all, we forgot our own birthday! The first post was made on BaldingBlog.com on April 6, 2005. We’re now over 2 years old… with over 3400 posts! Where does the time go?

I want to bring some attention to the news feeds we’ve added to the right sidebar from our friends at HairLossHelp.com. Direct links to the 5 most recent articles in their News section, and the 5 most recent forum posts from their Open Topic board. Scroll down a little ways and check them out when you get a chance.

Speaking of news, here’s a quick round-up of news items that I’ve either found or that readers have sent me that I just didn’t have time to write in-depth commentary about. I wanted to provide these links anyway, as they are worth reading (well, some of them are, anyway). Enjoy…

Hair-related stuff:

I’m quoted in this one — Can Surgery Fix Balding Heads?
“Bioabsorbable scaffolds are useful for the tissue engineering of new hair follicles…” — Hairlosshelp.com – New patent issued to Aderans for hair cloning technology
Hair Club for Men videotaped ex-clients to sue their wig stylists — TheSmokingGun.com – Follicle Firm Surveilled Ex-Clients
Based upon her upcoming movie, could balding women get a fair shake? I hope so! — CNN – Halle Berry set to go bald for new movie
An inspiring young lady with alopecia — MaineCampus – Student won’t let hair loss condition rule her life
Article about female hair loss treatment — WRAL.com – Women Have Options to Deal With Hair Loss

Other health stuff:

An important health matter for the readers over 40 — NY Times – Lessons of Heart Disease, Learned and Ignored
Protein in ear hair cells could power spacesuits — NewScientist.com – Motion-sensitive spacesuits could generate power

April 10, 2007

Female Hair Loss After Moving – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

(female)
Hi there.
Right after I moved to TX from CA, I’m experiencing a great amount of hair loss. I’m losing hair in patches all over my head. I went to see a doctor and he couldn’t find anything in my blood to indicate illness. Could water be the cause of my hair loss? IF no, what else could be the culprit for causing my hair loss? My diet is regular, no medications, no stress, and it does not run in the family.

If the hair loss is in patches, there is something wrong and you need to get a good opinion from a doctor. I would not think the water is causing your hair loss, unless there is something in your water that makes it different from anyone else’s tap water in California. I’m not sure what area of the state you’re in, but we are located in both San Jose and Los Angeles (Beverly Hills area) and you should consider a consultation. If you can’t make it to one of our offices, a good dermatologist should be able to determine what is happening to your head that is causing your patchy hair loss.

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April 10, 2007

2% Minoxidil vs 5% Minoxidil – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dr. Rassman

I have been on propecia for about 6 moths with some moderate improvement. I was thinking about starting minoxidil as well. What I was wondering is what is the most effective 2% or 5%. I have heard different opinions on this and would really appreciate your advice. I also heard that you cant get 5% minoxidil in Canada…Is that true?

Thanks for all the help Dr.Rassman

I generally recommend 5% minoxidil. You can get generic minoxidil (brand name Rogaine) just about anywhere. Furthermore, the brand name Rogaine comes in a different formulation of a foam which is reportedly much easier to apply and use, and may be more effective at the same strength based on absorption.

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April 9, 2007

What Are My Chances for Hair Regrowth After Restarting Minoxidil – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I have used minoxidil solution 2% and finasteride tablets for nearly 2 years and it was quite ok. But due to general opinion that you should not continuously take medicines and due to some vertigo problems i thought of discontinuing the minoxidil and finasteride. Now it is almost six months I have stopped using them. Almost all the hair grown due to this medicines have been lost. Now the bald spots are more visible than before. Is this hair loss permanent, or is there any chance the hair will grow again in the same area either on its own or with other treatments

Is the loss of hair due to stopping minoxidil and finasteride irreversible even on reuse of the above said medicine?

The vertigo you have experienced is a known side effect of minoxidil (which causes a drop in blood pressure on some patients). Unfortunately, you are your own doctor and just did not know what you were doing. As you report good results from the combination, I would restart up immediately on the Propecia (finasteride). Hopefully not enough time has gone by and the process can still be reversed. I can’t tell you what your chances are of regrowing, as it is different for each person. In your case though, I might suggest holding off on the minoxidil because of the vertigo (assumes low blood pressure response to minoxidil). Best to check with your doctor and get someone who knows what he/she is doing.

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April 9, 2007

Stress, Miniaturization, and Tin – Balding Blog

Hi

I have always had a high forehead and a slight receeding hairline since I was young. I am now 21 and for the last year and a half or so I have experienced miniturisation in the front and at the temples. I have been to my doctor who told me that I have miniturisation there.

I wanted to ask you some quick questions

1.) Is it therefore likely I will later miniturise in other areas and progress to a much worse Norwood scale?

2.) I recently went through a very stressful period where i think my hair loss increased. Is this likely to ever grow back (presuming I use Rogaine etc) or does hair loss through stress cause a permament loss?

3. Is tin good for hair loss?

Many thanks

Hair loss is a progressive process so the answer to #1 is yes, more areas will occur as you get older. There are four causes of hair loss (1) genes, (2) hormones, (3) stress and (4) time. Stress accelerates genetic hair loss in young men and may not reverse with drugs like minoxidil or Propecia. The earlier you start them, the better to prevent future loss. I never heard of tin helping hair loss.

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April 9, 2007

I Want a Wider Forehead – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi, my forehead is small and boxed. I went to the barbers who did a shape up with a blade (straight-razor), to make my forehead wider, but it grew back. Everytime I have a haircut the barber shaves the hair connecting my forehead to my sideburns. I think thats why my forehead has become like this. I’m pretty sure it wasnt like this when i was little. Is there any natural way my hairline could be restored, or any other ways to make my forehead bigger by adjusting the forehead hairline??

yours faithfully

p.s. thank you

I am not sure what you are asking. Perhaps you can send me a picture (it will be kept confidential). Please reference this post when sending.

There is no forehead widening procedure, but there is a forehead lift (standard procedures done by plastic surgeons) which will accomplish the goal of raising your hairline, but the eyebrows would be lifted as well. I would suggest that you get an opinion from a plastic surgeon, or at the least send photographs to me as suggested above.

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