Month: October 2007

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Why Is Dutasteride More Effective than Finasteride? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dr.Rassman
I’ve been using dutasteride for 2 years and 9 months after being on finasteride for 6 years and dutasteride has made an improvement on my hairline and the overall fullness of my front line. The scientific question i would like to post, could it be possible that the reason why dutasteride outlasts finasteride has to do with the fact that it is three times more powerful 5 alpha reductase II than finasteride, and since finasteride mode of action as to do with the fact that inhibits 5 alpha reductase type II? since dutasteride is more effective at inhibiting the type II of alpha reductase, that explains why it’s more effective that finasteride in fighting hairloss (so it has nothing to do with dutasteride’s ability of inhibiting 5 alpha reductase type I).
Best regards.

AvodartThere is no proof in what you’re saying, but the reality is that you saw a benefit from dutasteride over finasteride. The hair loss treatment study overview, according to FDA standards, is being performed now in the Republic of Korea. When the study results are in, then we will know more about the predictability of dutasteride, as well as the safety factors.

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Using Rogaine to Regrow Facial Hair – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I turning 34 and have a patchy beard. I understand it’s most likely genetics, I’m part Peruvian. I can tell if my beard grew out it would look good, but at this point I don’t think that will happen. In reading the posts on your site I hear time and transplants are the thing. I think time is against me here (I don’t want to wait until I’m 40) and I don’t care that much about it for a transplant. So my question is if I were to use Rogaine could this help my beard’s growth and since I have no problem with my hair anywhere else could there be side affects to that hair? Also I used Rogaine and it worked would I have to keep using it or could I stop and my beard remain? Thanks!

Minoxidil / Rogaine may cause hair growth to facial skin. I suppose you can try it for 6 months or so and see.

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Using LaserComb After the Flap – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dr. Rassman
I had transplant (the flap) about 25yrs ago. I want to try laser comb, I it safe to use on flap area? thank you

It won’t hurt, but it probably won’t help. Get a proper evaluation before you treat yourself. I see many flap procedure patients and have helped many of them. The changes that the laser comb will possibly bring you is like playing the lottery — in other words, it’s a huge gamble and probably not worth the money.

Balding Forum - Hair Loss Discussion

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Transplanting My Mother’s Hair to My Head? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi,

I would like to know if it is possible to have a Follicular Unit Transplant using a donor instead of your own scalp. My mother has very strong, thick hair and she would do it for me.

Thank you very much

This gives new meaning to mama’s boy.

Hair transplantation is in essence an organ transplantation back to yourself. Yes, what you are describing is possible, but like all organ transplantation you would need to be on a life long regimen of anti-rejection medications which in itself can cause more hair loss as well as host of other potential life threatening illnesses. Clearly, the risks outweigh the benefits. Perhaps one day new medications will be out which will make the risks less, but for now, the only way for this to work is if you have an identical twin.

Balding Forum - Hair Loss Discussion

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Taking 1.25mg of Finasteride Every Other Day – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi, I’m a 21 years old male. I was prescribed Proscar 1.25mg to be taken once every other day. I was wondering whether this skipping a day dosing suggested by my doctor will affect the proper functioning of the drug? According to Hairlosstalk.com , here’s what they say:

“Propecia should be administered at 1mg daily in pill form, with no exceptions. Many people talk about custom dosing, skipping days, doubling up, etc. This will not only do nothing to help your hair loss, but will also do your system more harm than good. Hormones are very delicate chemicals that operate in conjunction with each other Therefore a constant daily dose will ensure a stable hormonal environment, and keep your biology in harmony”

I need to confirm what they say here is true or not according to your clinical experience. Thank you!

I don’t know why you were prescribed to take finasteride every other day, as it should be taken daily. Just to give some background for the readers that might not be familiar, Proscar (or generic variation) is 5mg of finasteride, and cutting the pill into 4 equal parts is easier than cutting it into 5 equal parts, which will have you winding up with 1.25mg per piece. The recommended dosage, of course, is 1mg finasteride a day, but if you do end up taking 1.25mg daily, it shouldn’t cause you harm.

Balding Forum - Hair Loss Discussion

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Strange Regrowth After Shaving Body Hair – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi!

I just read a question by someone who shaved his pubic hair, and claimed the hair regrew with multiple hairs from the same follicle. I have experienced a similar thing myself, and wondered about it for a while.

I shaved my stomach and chest a while ago, and in a lot of places there are two, sometimes even three, hairs growing from almost the exact same spot. It looks like extra thick hair, but if I examine closely, I see that it is more than one hair.

Have you never heard about this? I don’t feel any need to go to a doctor to have it examined like you suggested, it doesn’t seem to do any harm at all, but I’m still a little curious about it.

Is it possible that you are looking at your shaved body hair before it becomes long enough to appear normal? I doubt that the hair count of each follicular unit will change with shaving, and aside from the two posts I’ve now made about this phenomenon, I don’t recall ever hearing about this before. I don’t know if it is the type of thing really worth focusing attention on, but I can understand your curiosity. Unfortunately, I just don’t have an answer for you.

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Propecia Worked Great for 7 Years, Now Over the Past 8 Months I’m Shedding Hair! – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I have been using Propecia since the drug was approved by the FDA, which I believe was at least 6-7 years ago. I have had very good results up until 8 months ago when I started shedding hair for the first time since I started taking Propecia. I am now at a point where my thinning is becoming noticeable and my hair is very difficult to comb. I am wondering why it stopped working after all of these years. My doctor did change my prescription from Propecia to 5MG Finasteride which I break into quarters, but reassured me that Propecia is just a lower dosage of Finasteride. Is this true, and could inconsistence dosages impact the drugs effectiveness even though I always take atleast a 1mg per day.

Propecia is 1mg finasteride. Proscar is 5mg finasteride. Finasteride is a generic name for the brand name drugs Propecia and Proscar.

For the treatment of male patten baldness (MPB), otherwise known as androgenic alopecia (AGA), 1mg of finasteride is recommended. Taking a higher dose does NOT mean it will be better or work faster. Instead, you will have more risk for negative side effects.

Finasteride (Propecia/Proscar) does not stop MPB / AGA, but it slows it down. Eventually it may become a uphill battle, as you are finding out, because your problem may be progressing. Do not stop the medication, for if you do, you will lose massively more hair than you are now (in other words, you will lose all the hair you managed to retain with finasteride use). Acceleration of the balding process does not mean finasteride is not working and that you should stop taking the medication. It may seem like it is not working, but it is still slowing your hair loss down as best as it can.

Balding Forum - Hair Loss Discussion

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Man Trying for World’s Longest Leg Hair – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Tyler, Texas- Wes Pemberton thinks he may have a world record. He’s submitted a hair on his leg as the world’s longest leg hair. A hair on his calf measures about five inches. The world record is 4.88 inches.

Full article here — Man goes for world record leg hair

One can infer this is why body hair transplantation to the scalp is so difficult. Body hair does not grow like scalp hair and the length is limited. Some doctors claim that when body hair is transplanted to the scalp, there are scalp influences that give it more length, but not more thickness of the shaft.

Good luck to this guy though. The world has been searching for a new world’s longest leg hair. I hope the search is finally over. I’m being sarcastic, by the way.

Balding Forum - Hair Loss Discussion

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Lost Hair After My First Hair Weave! – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

(female) I recently removed my hair weave that I had for eight weeks (first and only time). I went to a professional Hair Weaver and anticipated no problem. I have noticed a few bald spots and hair thinning. I am worried that my hair will not grow back with the thickness and fullness I once had. I have read on the blogs that consistency on braids causes irrerversible hair growth. Is eight weeks considered a long period of time?

What you describe is traction alopecia, where hair is put in traction (a tight weave, for example) and the hair follicles can be permanently damaged. I cannot say if eight weeks is considered a long period of time, but I would wait about 6 to 12 months before you conclude permanent damage.