August 2007 – Page 13

August 3, 2007

Mesotherapy for Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Greetings,
I have heard of a treatment called Mesohair which is basically mesotherapy for hair loss by injecting the scalp with a solution (probably minoxidil in the solution). My doctor in Canada also has a cosmetic clinic and uses mesotherapy for it’s more common purpose such as skin care and weight loss. He is willing to provide the Mesohair treatment for me, but we need to investigate the procedure such as equipment, solution, ect. Can you help us please? Thank you.

We should not volunteer to become experimental subjects without good science proving value for such experiments. I do not believe that there is good science in this treatment, so I would caution you and ask why you’d want to do this and how would you judge the risks vs the benefits in advance of seeing them? This just does not make sense to me.

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August 3, 2007

Late 50s, Noticing Acceleration in Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am 57 years old and have maintained a good head of hair (albeit grey these days) throughout my adult life. I did notice in my late teens and early 20’s some recession at the temples, but overall I have what is considered to be good “coverage” when compared to others in my age group.

I have been on Flomax for a urinary flow issue (high bladder neck) and Androgel for hormone replacement for 5 years now. Recently, I added Plavix, Enalapril, 81mg aspirin and Vytorin to the regimen because of an angioplasty and to lower my lipids.

In addition, I take Fish Oil, Folic Acid (5mg) Saw Palmetto and CoQ10 (200mg) although these are not prescribed, only suggested.

Recently, I have noticed some acceleration in hair loss at the crown and frontal area, although it’s progressing slowly and mildly.

I am wondering if the new combination of drugs might be the reason, or if this is simply the natural progression of MBP. I imagine at this point a minaturization study would be a good idea instead of speculating on the impact of my drug cocktail.

Please advise, and thanks for your excellent site as well as your candid, well-researched and scientific approach to this problem.

Yes, I believe a miniaturization study may be of benefit. Genetic male pattern balding (MPB) may be a cause of your hair loss, but is rare (although not unheard of) to occur so late in life. Of note, taking Androgel may contribute to the MPB due to its androgenic properties. However, you should always consult with your physician before starting or stopping any medication. It is unusual that hair loss starts in a person of your age, so I would look to the medications that you use as a possible cause.

If your hair loss is related to MPB, there are medications (such a Propecia) that MAY offset it.

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August 3, 2007

Hair Transplants Aren’t Growing 5 Months After Procedure! – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi

I did HT surgery for about 5000 grafts in Feb. 2006. My surgeon is very well known. It is now more than 5 months and I do not see any regrowth at all. i am very disappointed. Does it mean that my HT was a failure? May the high number of transplanted grafts be the reason for no growth?

I never worry about growth at only 5 months. You should be seeing growth any day now. Wait out a full 8 months and then you can make a proper assessment. Always consult with your doctor for the type of reassurance you need.

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August 3, 2007

Do I Have to Shave My Dreadlocks For a Hair Transplant? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am an african american male that has a receding hairline that I would like to correct. It makes my large forehead appear even more pronounced. The problem is a have long beautiful dreadlocks that I have been growing for the past 8 years. I am worried that if i have a hair transplant I will have to shave an area from the back of my head in order to harvest hairs and then shave another area on the front of my head where i want to have the hairline filled in. My question is, can this be done without having to lose my locks? Has this type of procedure been performed on anyone with my situation? I want to get back my hairline but i don’t want to start my dreadlocks all over again.

I just had a patient with dreadlocks stop by to show his results. He did not have his dreads shaved for surgery and he had great results!

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August 2, 2007

3 Months After My Hair Transplant, A Bald Spot Appeared Between the Crown and Donor Area – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello

I find your website informative

Here is my scenario. My surgeon is on holidays for two weeks. I had a scar revision and small graft session into the crown 600 grafts.

About three months after the procedure………I developed a small bald spot (size of a penny) about an inch below the crown diagonally betwween where the grafts were put and a few inches above the actual donor scar line. It was native high density hair.

The area in question is still very numb and tender. I all of a sudden developed a thick scab…………it came off with a bunch of hair and it is very pink skin below and a bit rough in texture and completely devoid in hair.

I have put emu oil on it for the time being……..

1. What do you think it is
2. Will the hair grow back

Thanks…….take care

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I would have to see your hair loss patch to give you a better opinion on what it is. Can you send me a picture to the address on the contact page? Please reference this blog post when sending. Thanks.

August 2, 2007

My Genetics Suck – I Am Losing Scalp Hair and Can’t Grow a Beard! – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Dr. Rassman.

I am 24 years of age and have been losing my hair since I was 17. However it has been a very slow process and I am now a NW II moving to a III but with no frontal receeding. However I can not for the life of me grow a full beard or moustache, infact my cheeks except by my jawline are pretty much bare of facial hair with a couple odd ones here and there. ( I have black hair and many of my facial hairs are red and transparent). I thought DHT was responsible for facial hair growth and thus if I was losing my hair, I would at least be able to grow a beard. I feel totally ripped off by my genetics. I can’t keep all my hair AND I can’t even grow a beard to frame my face a bit better as I deal with my rounded out hairline. What gives?

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If you have scalp hair loss with good donor hair in the back of your head, you might be a good candidate for hair transplantation (which can work on the beard as well). Look on the bright side — having less facial hair may not be such a bad thing. Personally, I would trade with you and give you my beard if I could. I’m tired of shaving every day. Ha!

August 2, 2007

Any Updated Laser Info? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello!
I have been using a laser comb for about 6 months, and it has grown more hair than anything I have tried in the last 25 years. (I am 54). It’s not a lot of hair, but it’s clearly new hair growth. Your article on Lasers is very good, but I notice it was dated 2005. Will you be updating the article soon? thank you!!

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Our understanding of the role of lasers in hair growth and hair restoration has not been changed much in the last two years. There has not been sophisticated research published in a peer reviewed journal on the effect of this particular type of laser on hair growth as of yet. When and if such information ever becomes available, I would love to post about it on this site.

August 2, 2007

Transplanting the Crown In a Young Man – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

My crown is balding, but my frontal hair has a solid hairline. I am a 26 year old actor and a bald beany does not fit the type of actor I want to be. How can I play the role of a seducer of women, a handsome male icon who tries to get those romantic leading man roles, when the crown shines with a beacon that draws the eye like the Luxor hotel lights up the Las Vegas skyline. Many doctors frankly refused to do my balding crown. Don’t I get a say here? What do you think?

There is a general reluctance to transplant the crown of a young man by competent hair transplant surgeons who tend to think long term on the progressive nature of hair loss. I think that transplanting the crown is not a problem provided that:

You are on finasteride (my strong preference) and you give it enough time to see if the drug alone reverses the hair loss in the crown.
You are aware of the long term supply and demand issues to manage your hair loss if it becomes extensive. I would require that you work out a Master Plan with me on what you would do if your Hair loss/Hair supply issues would be a problem in the long term.

People who are body dysmorphic can be treated with transplantation if there is enough education, maturity, and money available in following the course of the progression of the hair loss. With luck, you might just be a pure vertex balder (like me, who had just a crown hair loss and crown transplants) or have great success with finasteride with reversal of the hair loss. Behind every balding head is a balding ‘human being’ whose vote is important in determining what trade-offs the person is willing to accept in his future. Knowing who you are is important to me, so our relationship then becomes a mutual decision (a partnership) and although I agree that for many patients transplanting just the crown of a young man is not a good idea, I would put the doctor/patient relationship to the center of this discussion. Although I understand the general reluctance for good, honorable, and competent doctors to transplant a crown in a young man, rules are just rules and they do not dictate every decision before me.

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August 2, 2007

How Many FUE Sessions Can Be Done Into a Scar? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

i recently have had some fue into a scar in my hairline. It has been 6 months and approximately 60 % of the hair has grown back. I plan on doing another fue procedure in 6 months from now. My question is how many transplants can be done into a scar? I am not sure if the density of hair in the scar will ever match the density of my surrounding hair but i will try.

There is no specific limit to an FUE (follicular unit extraction) session, other than the supply of hair you have left (and the skills of the doctor / surgical staff). As long as there is enough supply and an area (such as your scar) that require more hair, you can have the FUE procedure. As a rule of thumb after only 6 months out, you may not have all the transplanted hairs grown out (some may still be dormant). I would wait at least 10 months before having another procedure in the same area.

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August 2, 2007

Hair Loss with Chemical Burn — Is It Seen Right Away Or Delayed? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

When you put bleach on someones head and they get a chemical burn wouldn’t they notice it while the bleach was on their head and even more so once the bleach is taken off of their head? I had a client who had her hair done by me June 8th and she is just now coming back to complain about chemical burn on July 19th! Which I think is kind of odd. Usually when people get a chemical burn they know it right away, right? Or atleast the next day or definitely by the 2nd or 3rd day at the latest. Not a month and a half later. I need your help with this please!!!

Brush In general, any burn or local scalp irritation can cause hair loss. Chemicals can work their way down the hair shaft to get at the growth centers which lies at the bulb (5-6 mm deep) or at the bulge (about 2-3 mm from the skin surface). For heat burns, you should have a second or third degree burn to the skin and see it quickly, but for chemicals burns, it might take weeks for the full damage to be known. If the chemical burn causes complete loss of the hair growing centers, then the hair will fall out in 7-14 days, but if there is partial damage to just part of the growing follicle, this may take more than a month to understand the damage. Varying insults may force hair follicles to go into their resting phase (telogen) and after 2-6 months, it may go into its growth phase (anagen). In your situation, hair loss may be seen as early as a few days after the injury or it may also take weeks to see the full impact.

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