May 2007 – Page 7 – Balding Blog

May 18, 2007

Lewenberg’s Formula — Retin-A with Minoxidil – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I know you probably will not reply, but thought I’d give it a try. Do the topical minoxidil plus tretenoin sprays actually get through the hair onto the scalp? I’m very interested in Lewenberg’s formula, but do not see how a hair spray can get to the scalp. I would really appreciate your opinion – someone with expertise. Thank you

The use of Retin-A with minoxidil is commonly used. Retin-A produces irritation of the skin, a sort of light burn which increases the circulation as the body tries to repair the burn. As a result, the blood supply to the scalp increases and any medications such as minoxidil (which is in Lewenberg’s formula) gets better absorbed. I do not like the burn effect and would rather use a higher concentration of minoxidil and even Rogaine Foam 5%, which also has better absorption. The use of a spray is impacted by any hair that gets in the way, so you have to apply the spray carefully, parting the hair so the spray gets to the scalp.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

May 18, 2007

If Shock Loss Happens, Where Would It Occur? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Dr.,
I plan to get a transplant in the future and have been reading on this site about shock loss. I have been on propecia for about 4yrs, i am 28 white male, i also take dutasteride & minoxodil. Does shock loss happen at the area where you put the hair or take the hair from or anywhere on the scalp? How long after surgery can you go (time) until its safe to assume shock loss wont happen? Thanks

If shock loss happens, it hits the miniaturized hair, not the healthy hair. Propecia (finasteride) seems to protect the miniaturized hair from shock loss in young men.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

May 18, 2007

Death Rate of Grafts Kept Out of the Body for Too Long – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I was recently told that if the grafts from a hair transplant were out of the body for more than 4 hours, they died. Is that true?

This was studied in the past. Dr. Bob Limmer did this study and kept one group of grafts out of the body for up to 8 hours (studied them each hour for growth), and then studied the graft survival after 8 hours on another group, then 24 hours, then 48 hours, and finally 72 hours later. There was no difference in graft survival in the first 8 hours, but after that, the death rate came out at about 1% per hour for grafts out of the body above 8 hours. I hope that this answers your question.

May 18, 2007

19 Year Old Stopped Taking Propecia Because He Doesn’t Have Fully Developed Facial Hair – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am 19 years old and male pattern baldness runs in my family. I was prescribed finasteride (propecia) to ward off male pattern baldness and have been taking it for 5 months. I recently stopped taking it, however, because I have not yet fully developed my facial hair and fear that the DHT-inhibiting effects of finasteride will delay or completely cancel my full development of facial hair. So far, I have upper lip hair, chin hair, and sideburns, but little on the cheeks and under the chin. Please let me know if my concerns are valid or if finasteride does not affect the development of facial hair and I should continue taking it. Thank you

I have answered a similar question question before here — Will Finasteride Harm My Growing Body?

There is a theoretical possibility that Propecia might suppress facial hair development, but I can not be sure of it. The actual dose of finasteride might be too small to impact facial hair development, but as facial hair takes years to evolve, I do not know of any way to be sure.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

May 17, 2007

Hair Loss InformationGene Identified to Solve Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

From the BBC — Gene find triggers baldness hope

Hair loss in humans might not be irreversible, suggest scientists who have helped create new hair cells on the skin of mice.

Block Quote

We have all hoped that we could make new hair from stem cells or gene manipulation. It looks like we have moved one step closer to that goal.

What Percentage of Men Shed Hair When Starting Propecia? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am a 38 year old male from the UK and i’ve noticed hair on my pillow in the morning. furthermore when my hair is wet or gel’d thinning can be noticed. However during what would be a normal day to day e.g. not wet or gel’d, all appears normal. My concern is if i start propecia will this make matter worse? Hence it is important for me to ascertain what percentage men suffer hair shedding while beginning the course of propecia? if shedding does occur does this mean the shedded hair will be replace during the next regrowth cycle? if so under normal conditions how long would the hair loss be noticeable before recovery? sorry for so many questions! regards

I have had a few patients claim that they go through a shedding phase after starting Propecia (finasteride). This lasts only a month or two and is followed by the expected decrease in hair loss. I believe that this is a small number, but I can not put a figure to it for you as there have been no studies that I’m aware of that reference a percentage to answer your question. There are theories that suggest acceleration of cycling as a cause of temporary shedding, but I do not know much about this other than what other doctors assume could be the cause.

Patients start taking Propecia because they do not want to lose hair. Most people notice an immediate slowing of the hair loss on Propecia.

May 17, 2007

Jintropin’s Impact on Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

If I take Jintropin, will it impact my hair loss?

Sylvester Stallone Jintropin is manufactured and distributed by GeneScience Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. It is a potent brand of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and will accelerate any hair loss in men who are genetically prone for hair loss. It is worse than steroids for hair loss. There are many dangers in taking HGH, particularly without a doctor supervising the process. This has become a big business for baby boomers who feel extra vigor when they take this medication. Many good, responsible doctors feel that HGH raises the risks of stroke and heart attacks and the aging process may also be accelerated on it, even if the person taking it feels better.

In related HGH news, actor Sylvester Stallone just plead guilty to bringing Jintropin into Australia without a permit. From the Associated Press — “Stallone was accused of bringing banned substances into Australia after a customs search of his luggage during a Feb. 16 visit to Sydney revealed 48 vials of the human growth hormone product, Jintropin.” Ouch.

May 17, 2007

Dr Rassman, How Do You Find the Time? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Sir, as a friend and ally of your fellow countrymen, I fully understand and respect the term “freedom of speech”. However, what I do find moronic at times, are the extreme ways in which people abuse this right, by asking the most stupid questions via professional, well informed internet sites and blogs etc.

For instance,and I quote “whilst sleeping, my leg hair fell out, please help me Dr Rassman as I’m desperately seeking answers – what would you recommend I do in the mean time?”

How the hell do you find time to answer up to a stupid question like that?

How about wax them and then you won’t have to worry!!

I understand the desperate plight of hair loss sufferers in search of need of reassurance and hope, but for God’s sake, some people just take the biscuit!!

Thanks anyway for your site – I do enjoy reading it.

Time Sometimes the other writers for this site (Dr. Pak or Dr. Mohebi) will make a somewhat sharp reply with a humorous intent. Since I edit all of the responses before they are published, some of their barbs are quite pointed and we all get a good laugh out of these creative comments. My job, when the other editors write the answers, is to keep a general respectful spirit on the site. At times the questions can be…. not very intelligent… and at times some of the writers of these questions must be challenging my patience. As an expert in this industry though, I find that many people are hair obsessed and do not apply rational thinking about the subjects that they toss at me. With my obvious answers to obvious questions, these people may learn to think this through rather than believe all of the hype that is generated by vendors who just produce lots of marketing material that confuses issues and make any clarity more and more difficult to consumers (by design).

I recall a very bright professor of engineering who was convinced that all of the hair that grew out after a hair transplant 4 1/2 months earlier just appeared one night while he was sleeping. On first blush, one would not expect an intelligent person to think that he grew an inch long hair overnight, but that was what he was convinced had happened. I believe that when we are emotionally caught up in something like our health, we lose perspective and rational thinking at times. I just call it like I see it, as directly and as gently as I can. I try to think the best of the person asking the questions, but you are right, it does frustrate me a bit.

As for how I find the time — well, I make time. I generally spend a few hours each day (including many weekends) answering emails and writing responses for posts that make it to the blog. Somewhere in there, I find the time to run a business, invent new technologies, perform surgeries, eat food, and even sleep. If I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t do it. Judging from the amount of email I get, this site helps many, many thousands of people from all over the world, so that makes it worthwhile for me. I can’t be the doctor for everyone, but I can provide general insight and opinions that hopefully will help many people. As always though, this is just a blog and not intended to be a replacement for your doctor.

May 17, 2007

DHT and Impotence – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Dr Rassman,

Once Propecia is stopped, will DHT levels return to thier high levels prior to the introduction of Finasteride to the body? Is it true that impotence is associated to low levels of DHT?

DHT levels return to their normal level upon stopping finasteride. I do not know why some people on finasteride lose their sex drive (less than 1%). DHT is a less potent male hormone than testosterone and when people are started on Propecia, there are reports that testosterone blood levels rise. Some older men reported to me that their sex drive went up on Propecia and I know that they are telling the truth because their wives (some of them) complained about it to me.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

May 17, 2007

Can Rogaine Damage Hair If It’s In Too Long? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Can rogaine hurt, damage and or cause hair to fall out if it remains in the hair for a long period of time? I don’t wash my hair everyday because my scalp becomes so dry from rogaine. Rogaine always gets stuck in my hair when I apply it to my scalp. Can the rogaine that remains in the scalp harm my remaining hair? Thank you! sorry if this question seems stupid!

Providing that the Rogaine does not ‘cake’ and cause hair to stick together, there should be no impact on leaving it on the hair shafts. Always be gentle when brushing the hair.