November 2007 – Page 12

November 6, 2007

Salome Shampoo for Hair Loss? – Balding Blog

Hi, Doctor Rassman, I’m a 22 year old male, i’m going bald and I found a colombian product: salome shampoo for hair loss it is intended for cancer patients I would like to know any expert information on this product. the website where it is been sold is: www.emarket-pro.com/tratamiento-m-salome.html

thank you.

My Spanish is a little rusty, so I ran it through Google’s online translation here.

I do not know of this product other than the information you gave. I have looked at the site and I do not see any ingredients listed. Even if there were ingredients listed somewhere, I do not know of any natural herbal ingredients that actually grow hair.

It it apparently from Colombia and is on sale for the “low” price of $89 — wow, only around 40x the price of normal shampoo! And with free shipping in the United States! I don’t think I need to write the following, but for those readers that may actually think I am endorsing this product — I am being sarcastic. I understand hair loss can be devastating to some people, but sometimes common sense can get in the way of balding.

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November 6, 2007

Had Good Results from Propecia, Switched to Avodart and Now See Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello. I have taken Propecia since 2004, with great results. I was sick of paying for it, and got my hands on avodart. I switched to avodart in March 2007, and it has been about 6 months now. My concern is that my hairline in the front has definately thinned, and there is no question that it began shortly after I started Avodart. My question is could Avodart have worsened my condition and will it continue to get worse? Will it grow back? Should I go back on propecia or wait this out? Thanks!!

You should address these concerns with the doctor who prescribed you Propecia (finasteride) or Avodart (dutasteride). If you switched to Avodart specifically due to cost issues, you should know there are other less costly alternatives, such as generic finasteride in 5mg strength, that you can cut in 4 pieces to approximate the 1mg finasteride (Propecia). I have very little experience with Avodart, but the limited studies which are published show some (more than Propecia) value at much higher doses.

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November 6, 2007

Finpecia is the Same as Propecia – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

dear doctor,hi i use finpecia tablets for 4 day,my doctor suggested to me i use this tablet for always because my hair lose,i want to know that this tablet is the same as propecia and if it causes decrease sexual tendency and maybe porstate cancer, please explain to me,best regards.

Finpecia is the brand name that Cipla has given to 1mg generic finasteride. This drug is not legally available in the United States, as Merck still holds the patent for 1mg finasteride.

The phenomenon you mentioned has been documented in less than 1% of patients to decrease libido (sex drive) and the higher dose has been shown to reduce the risks of prostate cancer in men over 55. I suspect that the same anti-cancer effects will be at the 1mg level.

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November 6, 2007

Deca-Durabolin and Hair Loss – Balding Blog

I have used Deca Durabolin (Nandrolone) for two weeks (100mg/week) and I have started to lose hair. I have been told that tropical use of Spiromide and Minoxidil should stop the hair loss.

After doing some research I read in some forums that Deca Durabolin counter acts Minoxidil or Propecia. I would like your expertise on how to stop my hair loss and/or possibly reverse it. I am a 30 year old male.

Thanks

Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid (such as Deca-Durabolin) and can accelerate androgenic alopecia (AGA), otherwise known as male pattern baldness (MPB). First, I would suggest that you stop taking it. See whatever doctor who is treating you and ask him/her about this. Unless you are under the supervision of a medical doctor, using anabolic steroids is illegal in the U.S. and also dangerous to your health. If you are under the care of a physician, I would address these issues with him/her. There is no role for me here.

For more info on nandrolone, see Wikipedia.

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November 5, 2007

Hair Loss InformationPoor Growth 6 Months After FUE Procedure – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,

It has been a little over six (6) months since I have had FUE surgery. I had approximately 900 grafts done. My surgery was with a well respected doctor in the industry.

However, I have experienced poor growth thus far. My updated pictures that were recently sent to my physician showed lingering redness in the recipient and poor growth. My doctor responded that he was concerned about the lack of growth, and suggested that I have biopsy peformed if there is no improvement in the coming months.

Is this necessary and what can I expect a scalp biopsy to show as far as poor growth is concerned? It seems to me that not enough grafts were placed to begin with and that I may have experienced poor growth due possible transection of some of the grafts. Some areas are growing in better than others. What do you think?

Thanks

Block Quote

I really cannot tell you what is to be expected and what is poor or good growth without examining you. Not being your doctor puts me at a great disadvantage. It seems you are in good communication with your physician and I would recommend that you follow up with that doctor. Sometimes the full growth may take as long at 12 months.

I believe that follicular unit extraction (FUE) has problems, even in the hands of good doctors experienced in that form of art. Notice that I said the “form of art”. I believe that FUE is a form of art in the way it is done. I have received many reports of failed FUEs and have spoken to doctors who are skilled in this ‘art form’ and they report hearing of many failures amongst the doctors procaiming to be experts in it. For example, I know of one doctor who is well known for FUE (he heavily promotes the practice expertise) and states that the speed for doing them exceeds an extraction rate of over 1000 grafts per hour. I would say, off hand, that this doctor’s failure rate must be huge. Not knowing your physician’s experience, I can not comment on your doctor, but you should be able to meet many of his/her patients to determine his/her success rate.

For more on FUE / FOX Procedure, please see:

November 5, 2007

Will Using a Blow Dryer Cause Brain Cancer? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Doc, I’ve been shedding hair everyday for the past year or 2, usually within 50 a day. I went to 2 physicians and they told me that my hair is fine and im not losing hair and they even did the test by pulling my hair. But I do see that my hair is thinner than before. I really dont know what’s causing my hair thinning. Is it because I wash my hair 2 times a day everyday, and I use blowdryer and hairspray to style my hair everyday? Also I want to ask you if I use blowdryer and hairspray to style my hair everyday, will it cause brain cancer? What should I do to stop shedding? Do I really have to use Rogaine to grow thicker hair? Please give me some advise this time, because last time you didnt answer my post. Thank you!

Blow Dryer If you are male, the most common cause of balding is genetic hair loss. This is also known as androgenic alopecia (AGA) or male pattern balding (MPB).

Hair dryers do not cause brain cancer — otherwise I would expect to see a brain cancer epidemic. If you blow your hair too hot, you could potentially damage the hair, but I suspect you would stop yourself before you start to burn your hair and skin.

If you are concerned about hair loss, I would consider seeing a doctor who can diagnose the cause of your hair loss. There are medical and surgical options.

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November 5, 2007

What Can New Propecia Users Expect? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dr. Rassman, I’m 35 and I’m considering taking Propecia. Do I assume for most patients taking Propecia, that after being on the drug for an extended period of time (four, five, six years perhaps?) that it’s normal for Propecia to eventually lose it’s effectiveness or level off somewhat? Also, as a Propecia user yourself, did you experience any hair shedding when you started the drug and do you think this is something new users should be concerned about? Your site is very helpful. Thanks for taking the time.

When I started Propecia (finasteride 1mg), I did not experience any shedding. Shedding is very rare, but when it occurs it does stop in a couple of months. Over time, the Propecia does not lose effectiveness, but as hair loss is a progressive process, it eventually overtakes the ability of Propecia to stop the loss process.

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November 5, 2007

Using Listerine to Treat Dandruff? – Balding Blog

According to Wikipedia, “Listerine was invented in the 19th century as a powerful surgical antiseptic. It was later sold, in a distilled form, as a floor cleaner and a cure for gonorrhea.”

Now I just saw this old advertisement from 1953 for Listerine, saying to use it on the scalp to take care of dandruff.

This is one of those home remedies that has floated around for a long, long time (apparently since at least the 1950s). Interesting… just don’t get it into your eyes! I can’t say for sure whether this works for dandruff, but I know it is a great mouthwash (though I have a hard time holding Listerine in my mouth for 30 seconds and can’t imagine putting it on my scalp).

Full ad from 54 years ago, plus text at Modern Mechanix.

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November 5, 2007

Scientific American Asks, Does Stress Cause Gray Hair? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Scientific American looks into whether stress really causes gray (or grey, if you prefer) hair. From the article –

“There is evidence that local expression of stress hormones mediate the signals instructing melanocytes to deliver melanin to keratinocytes,” notes Jennifer Lin, a dermatologist who conducts molecular biology research at the Dana-Farber / Harvard Cancer Center in Boston. “Conceivably, if that signal is disrupted, melanin will not deliver pigment to your hair.”

And general practice physicians have observed accelerated graying among patients under stress, says Tyler Cymet, head of family medicine at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, who conducted a small retrospective study on hair graying among patients at Sinai. “We’ve seen that people who are stressed two to three years report that they turn gray sooner,” he says.”

Full article here — Fact or Fiction?: Stress Causes Gray Hair

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November 5, 2007

Is My Hair Going Into Catagen Phase or Am I Balding? – Balding Blog

hey doc,
I’ve noticed that some of my everyday falling hairs are lighter at the follicle than at the end where they are black. At first i thought this could be miniaturization but then a read this article (Student Health – Hair thinning and hair loss) which says “In late anagen, there is a gradual thinning of the hair shaft and a lightening of the pigment in the hair. This hair is then shed.” Is this correct and it is just the normal hair cycle before the hair goes into the catagen phase?? Thank you very much for you help.

We cycle hair asynchronously, so only about 10% or less of your hair is going out of anagen. Don’t focus too much on the hair that you lost. In normal periodic hair shedding we may lose both miniaturized and normal hair, since most adult men (50%) experience some degrees of balding at some time. A miniaturization study can tell you what you’ve got left and whether you are actually balding or not.

For more on hair growth cycles, see Hair Follicle Cells Growth Stages.