Month: November 2007

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My Grandfather Rapidly Lost His Hair in His 60s – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am 22 and I have noticed over the past two years my hairline changing into a widows peak, but the rest of my hair remains as thick as ever. I am genetically susceptible to balding as I have two uncles either side of the family (one totally bald and the other started thinning around the age of 40)

But when I look through family photos I notice that my hairline most resembles that of my late grandfather (who ironically I am named after) in his mid twenties and he had the exact same hairline. but the thing which confuses me is that the temple recession is much deeper than with what you describe as a mature hairline (as is mine) and he kept his hair until his mid sixties which he rapidly lost due to cancer.

So I suppose what I am asking is whether MPB can occur to an extent during early life then pick later on in life. Or whether there are varying degrees of a ‘mature hairline’

Thanks

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Generally male pattern balding (MPB), otherwise known as androgenic alopecia (AGA), has varying degrees of hair loss. It can start as early as your puberty years and progress into your later years. Your grandfather’s rapid hair loss as you described is likely not related to MPB or AGA, as it was more likely related to his cancer. If you are concerned about hair loss, you should consider a miniaturization study, which is a microscopic examination of the state of the health of your hair. We do not always match the hair loss of a relative (hairline for hairline), but the trend can be anticipated.

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Does Propecia CAUSE Frontal Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Sirs,

Thank you for such an informative blog. I have read many things in French language forums about Propecia that, although the drug fascinates me, cause me to question its ability to help me. I’m 29 and moving towards a NW 3.0 (I might already be there). I have read that Propecia causes frontal hairloss. This is frequesntly mentioned in French-language forums and frightens me away from the drug. The only hairloss poblem I have (and it is rather minor at the moment) is frontal.

Can you confirm that propecia does not cause frontal hairloss?

very cordially yours

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Those with Norwood Class 3 balding patterns may progress with further balding. Propecia will either prevent this from happening or slow down the process. I have little doubt about answering your question — Propecia does not cause hair loss in the front or anywhere else on the scalp in a person with male patterned balding. It is FDA approved to treat hair loss, not cause it. See Are Minoxidil and Propecia Worth Using? (with Photos) for a great example of regrowth from Propecia (along with minoxidil).

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In the News – Smoking May Accelerate Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

We have known for some time that smoking reduces skin circulation, particularly in the scalp. These articles do connect the dots between smoking and acceleration of hair loss in those individuals who are genetically prone to it. Of interest, there is a clear suggestion in these reference articles to the original research, which show that Asian men have a lesser incidence of balding.

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Steroid Nasal Spray and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Dr. Rassman:
I’m confused about steroid-based medications and hair loss. My ENT recently prescribed me a steroid cortasone nasal spray for chronic rhinitis. Can this potentially have adverse side
effect on my already progressing MPB?
Thanks

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Yes, steroids can produce accelerated MPB. When using the steroids through a nasal spray, body absorption is as good as any other route. Sounds like you need to have a conversation with your otolaryngologist (ENT).

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Warts and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi, I was wondering if warts can cause hairloss. I just realized that I have had a wart on my foot for quite some time (I just figured out that it was a wart). If warts aren’t treated can they cause hairloss and will the “trauma” of the treatment cause hair shedding? Thank you!

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No… unless you are very stressed over your warts. Stress can cause hair loss. Warts do not.

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How Can I Expect a Natural Transplant Result when Donald Trump and Other Rich People Can’t? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Dr.

I’ve been looking at your page for some time now and it is loaded with great information. I also consider myself to be fairly well educated regarding the various options available to balding men such as myself since I’ve spent years keeping up on these developments. I am 39 years old and my hairline began to recede when I was about 20. For the longest time, the rest of my hair was so thick that no one really noticed since I wore my hair long. Over the past few years, the top has thinned substantially and I no longer bother to try to style it. I just wear it very short. I’ve never wanted to be one of those guys that look like he’s trying to hide something. The problem is that I’m also not one of those guys who looks good bald. I wish I were, but I’m not. About 15 years ago I had consultations at two different hair replacement doctors and both, to their credit, told me I was not a candidate at that time and to come back in the future when my hair loss was more advanced. I’m sure that time is now. However, I’m not sure I want to commit to a transplant procedure. The biggest question I have is this. Is there really a chance for someone of moderate means such as myself to achieve a natural and attractive result from a hair transplant when people with unlimited resources like Donald Trump, David Lee Roth or the myriad other balding rich people can’t seem to do it? I would say that I’m probably somewhere around a 3 on the Norwood chart.

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TrumpI laughed when I read your question, for you see, I’ve been wondering the same thing. A good hair transplant today is the norm, but in the days when Donald Trump did it (allegedly *cough, cough*), it was not a procedure that produced undetectable results. Mr. Trump, I believe, had scalp reductions (the bald spot was cut out) and hair transplants of the older vintage. The issue for people like him should be to repair the process, but he can not wipe the slate clean and go back in time prior to having the surgery. We wrote and published in peer reviewed medical journals, most of the original articles on the art of repair. I have no hesitation discussing the repair process, but first please read some of the articles we wrote on the subject:

For a person having his first hair transplant, you need to find a competent doctor (when you are ready) who is artistic and has a great reputation. I stress the importance of viewing patients (one on one) as a doctor who proudly shows off his/her results by giving you the opportunity to meet many of his/her patients. This will give you a very good idea of what you would look like after a hair transplant. I always say that what you see in the patients you meet will be a reflection of the surgical results you will get. Always ask for “before” pictures when you meet these patients yourself! Not to be alarmist, but I know of one immoral doctor who used a photo in a newspaper ad of a man with no balding to promote his practice — he was legally able to call this man a hair transplant patient because he had a few grafts placed behind his thick, normal hairline.

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Best Surgeons for FUE in the US? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello,

I apologise if this question has been asked and answered previously, but who would you recommend as the more accomplished surgeons performing FUE in the US. Kind regards

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There are a handful of hair transplant surgeons who claim expertise in follicular unit extraction (FUE) in the U.S. You should visit the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) for a listing of qualified surgeons and there is a sub-group from this list that do this procedure. Some good hair transplant doctors do not do this procedure, by choice. At NHI, we created the FUE technique and published it in medical journals. There are a few doctors with publication credentials, but many claim expertise. Unfortunately, I have heard about many failures by some of the doctors who claim expertise so you need to do the research yourself and meet with the surgeons on your list (who claim FUE expertise). Ask to meet some of their patients so that you know what the surgeon is capable of doing. I realize this may not be the answer you are looking for, but there is some work required on your part to assure yourself of a good result. Even for me, sorting out the doctors who can perform successful FUE procedures is very difficult as there are so many who claim such expertise and just can’t cut it.

For more, please see:

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Hair Loss InformationCrescina Hair Regrowth Formula – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

hello Dr Rassman,

i had a hair transplant surgery from a well recognized doctor before 7 months, without noticing very significant results.Maybe a very small change.i have been using that Crescina products for a few months for better penetration of the scalp.(the old skin fell over my scalp 2-3 months ago, after the surgery), and nowadays the skin of my scalp is clean. How long will it take for me to see good results, or shall i worry?please let me know, because i am a bit stressed.

Best Regards

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CrescinaIt generally takes 7-8 months after a hair transplant to see enough hair length to show about 80% of the value. At about 12 months, 95% of the value of the hair transplants should be evident.

Regarding Crescina, while I am impressed by the slick product packaging and fancy animations on their site, none of the ingredients listed (including lysine, cysteine, silicon, zinc) blow me away. If its making your scalp feel cleaner and you’re not experiencing any irritation, you should continue doing as you please, but I wouldn’t look to this for hair regrowth.

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Inhaling Finasteride? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

hey doc!

I love your blogs, they are very helpfull!

This might be a stupid question.. but i’ve heard smoking something is the best way to get it directly into ur blood so what would happen if I smoked finasteride, could this possibly increase results?

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Smoke finasterideInhaling an aerosol medication is often the best way to get it into your system from a speed point of view, but what would be the rush with smoking finasteride?

As I believe I’ve already commented, the dose response data is well documented and the oral route for the 1mg recommended hair loss treatment dose taken orally will not be improved… even if you could smoke it.