Month: December 2007

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Hair Loss InformationI Haven’t Had Hair Loss in 14 Years, But I’ve Started Propecia Anyway – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am asking this question in regards to the rate of hair loss and the multiple minaturization studies conducted. I have had HT at [name removed] twice 1994 and 1996 (small procedures 125 total, they robbed and mamed me) but the next two were with [name removed] in MI. The latest in July 2001 and Oct 2007. Just started propecia again Sept 2007 (real good results on propecia) Dr. stated that my min study did not show thinning on the top sides and or upper part of the back of head (taken in 2004, 2005 2006 and 2007) / my stylist also stated the same thing by not noticing any changes for the several years of cutting my hair (*just a little in the front and crown but nowhere else). I still have a decent bridge in the middle (slight thinning) and my brother who started thinning in the same pattern at 28 has the same pattern which he is now 41 with no hair loss product (more hair in fornt of head though). My transplants were just in the front and hopefully my last.

I started thinning at age 24 and the top sides and upper back of head are thick with no signs of miniaturization even being off hair loss products for almost ten years. Is this a good sign that the patten will stay?

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That’s an interesting history and some tough times you’ve had. If you have been off hair loss products for 10 years with no progressive balding, but you just started on Propecia (which is a hair loss product) and it is working nicely, then you should stay on the Propecia.

Honestly, I am surprised that you think that Propecia is already working for you, as it usually takes 8 months to see any benefit (the hair only grows 1/2 inch a month). If you stop the Propecia, then you will probably lose all of the hair gain benefits that the drug gave you. I gather from your letter that you are happy with where your hair is now, correct?

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Hair Loss InformationGrowing Fine Hairs from the LaserComb – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Dr. Rassman, I’m 29, hair has been thinning, and I’ve been using the hairmax laser therapy for about 7 months.. I’m not sure if what I’m experiencing is considered positive results. Hope you don’t mind having a read, I would really like to have your opinion!

  1. Excessive shedding, quite common (apparently).
  2. Overall look doesn’t seem much worse after the big shed, but fine hairs have been growing. Not vellus hair, because these fine hair are much longer. And I’m very sure they were never there before.. in fact, for years they were never there. These fine strands of hair only started growing after I used hairmax.
  3. A few strands of dark hair growing on the front hairline.

Hair still falls, but within the common average of like 10 – 20 strands a day. Will the fine hair ever grow darker? Cos although these fine hair grow out longer, they don’t seem to make much cosmetic difference. Will they always remain this fine? Are my results considered positive?

Anyway, I thank you for your time.

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LasercombI am impressed that you are seeing some growth and surprised about the shed you discussed. If you’re seeing growth at all, that absolutely should be considered positive. As to whether those hairs will get thicker, I couldn’t say.

A man your age should be on Propecia (finasteride 1mg), as that will be the very best thing you can do to treat your hair loss. The LaserComb might be a good addition to the Propecia, but it is not a substitute for finasteride, which actually blocks DHT.

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Hair Loss Information5mg Finasteride Is Difficult To Cut Evenly – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have recently started taking finasteride. Although, in order to save money, I buy them in the 5mg size. I try to cut them into 4 pieces as equally as possible, but considering the shape of the pill(triangular), this is not always an easy task. My question is: Are there any problems I will run into by sometimes taking a little more than 1.25mg and sometimes a little less than 1.25mg, especially in regards to the rebound effect. More specifically, does my body/scalp get use to taking the amount that is over 1.25mg, therefore not recieving enough when I take a little less than 1.25mg and therefore, contributing to hair loss.

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Small variations in the dose should not be a problem, provided that you average 1-1.25mgs per day. That is why the drug company makes Propecia, as it is exactly the correct recommended dose of 1mg. No cutting required with Propecia, but you are going to be paying a premium over the generic 5mg finasteride.

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Hair Loss InformationPropecia Worked Great for 10 Months, Then It Got Worse Than Before – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi doc. I am a 22 year old male and I have been on propecia now for about 13 months. It has been working very well for me, and I was even getting some regrowth at my temples and along my hair line. however, around the tenth month my hair started to get worse, and I started to loose more hair and my hair looks as though it is miniaturizing especially along the hairline and my temples. This has been occurring for the past 3 months and my hair does not seem to be improving at all. Is it possible that propecia is causing my hair follicles to become more sensitive to DHT or that my body has up regulated androgen receptors in the hair follicles to make up for the low amount of circulating DHT? I just wanted to know what I should do? Thanks.

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It would be highly unlikely that Propecia would be causing your hair loss. The most likely explanation is that your genes are causing your balding process to continue, and Propecia can only do so much to arrest the process. It is possible that the hair loss process has itself, accelerated.

Since you are using Propecia, you must have a prescribing doctor. You should ask him/her to do a miniaturization study of your scalp to get some metrics knowing at least from this point forward, where your miniaturized hairs are and to what degree they are miniaturized.

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Hair Loss InformationHair Loss and the Inevitable Cure? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have a couple questions regarding meds as being direct causes of MBP among other things. Well, I have been on antidepressants for quite some time now, and for a while I stopped taking them, around the time inbetween the ages of 16 and 17. Around the time I was almost 17 and a half I got back on them and when I turned 18 is when I started noticing a change in my hairline.

Currently im 19 and a half and the left side of my hairline has gone up maybe a bit more than half an inch and the right side about an inch. Are antidepressants directly linked to MPB? Do they trigger hair loss? Or when they talk about hair loss as a side effect are they talking about the patchy kind that just falls out and regrows when you stop taking the meds? My family history of hair loss is very inconsistant so its hard for me to tell if I really am experiencing MBP or just a mature hairline. Unfortunately I have a very skinny long face and naturally pronounced hairline so it makes it all the more noticable….. My other question is, this whole gene therapy thing. If we do find a cure for hair loss through this what will happen to your buisiness? Will you continue working for the hair loss industry? Just curious, heh. Thank you for your time sir.

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While many medications may cause hair loss, the most common cause men is genes, unrelated to medication use. Genetic hair loss causes male pattern baldness (MPB). It is possible that your medications could have accelerated changes in your hairline or balding, but there is really no way to be 100% certain. Mapping out your scalp hair for miniaturization may give you insights into any gene expression that is active at this time. Male pattern baldness is also known as androgenic alopecia (AGA), because hair loss is from the effects of androgenic hormones, such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). While we all have androgenic hormones, only the men with the gene for hair loss will lose hair. The change in your hairline, if it follows a specific pattern as MPB, will generally mean you have the gene for hair loss. To be certain though, you should be evaluated by a doctor for a physical exam and a miniaturization study. I really cannot diagnose your hair loss problem with just brief descriptions. BaldingBlog is merely a source of the opinions of our staff physicians and is not a source for diagnosis.

With respect to gene therapy, I sincerely hope it will come to fruition in my lifetime. While it is undoubtedly still many years away, it will definitely impact my field in a positive way. After all, we are the physicians in the field of hair loss. Gene therapy will only empower us to offer more options to our patients.

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Hair Loss InformationH-Pantoten 3 and Hair Growth? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

what is your opinion on H-Pantoten 3 . I had a lady tell me that it had done wonders for her husbands hair growth.

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H-Pantoten 3 is a natural supplement, and as stated many times here on BaldingBlog, it is my opinion that there are no proven supplement treatments for hair loss. If if it worked for the lady’s husband, I’m pleased to hear it! However, this is a “buyer beware” market. It seems most people think it is worth a shot if the cost is right, and as such, we collectively spend millions, if not billions of dollars on that elusive hair loss treatment.

To date the only proven method for regrowing hair is:

  1. oral finasteride 1mg (Propecia) — for men only
  2. topical minoxidil (Rogaine) — for men and women
  3. hair transplant surgery — for men and women, though more men are candidates

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Hair Loss InformationRanitidine, Adderall, and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Is hair loss associated with medications reversible? I have been taking both Ranitidine and Adderall for a about a year now and suddenly my hair looks and feels very thin in the crown and temple areas. Also I seem to be having problems with Alopecia Areata on my face. I had two spots that suddenly went away but now have returned. Would stopping the medicine reverse the hair loss?

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Your situation sounds out of the ordinary for alopecia areata. With your thinning hair and taking medications that are known to cause hair loss… plus carrying a diagnosis of alopecia areata? It doesn’t add up. Often, people who use medications that cause hair loss, can stop the medication and see that the hair loss reverses, provided that there is no underlying condition such as genetic balding.

There is no substitute for a good doctor to manage you and I am assuming that since you have a diagnosis, that you are seeing someone now. Your doctor should establish a miniaturization analysis of your hair to see what areas are impacted with genetic type balding.

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Hair Loss InformationWoman Prescribed 5mg Finasteride for Idiopathic Hirsutism – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

i was given fincar-5mg for idiopathic hirsutism. i am a 24 year old female and about 7 years back i was operated for fibroadenoma ….i was tense due to this. is it safe for me to take drug?

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I am not trying to be harsh, but why are you asking me, a doctor you do not know, if a medication you were prescribed by your doctor is safe to take? I sense a lack of communication with you and your doctor.

Finasteride is not approved for women in the United States, because it may cause birth defects and it has not been extensively studies in women. There are women who take finasteride in the U.S., but they are under close supervision of their physician. In women who have virulizing symptoms or conditions that produce high androgen levels like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), DHT blockers may have value. Great caution on their use and close supervision by your doctor is important.

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Hair Loss InformationMy Toupee Irritates My Scalp – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I’ve been wearing a toupee for the last 10 years. I am a 35 year old male. I’ve recently had some issues with my scalp being irritated, so I’ve decided to take the toupee off while at home and allow the scalp to heal and recover a bit. I actually have not reattached the toupee to my head in a week or more, and still have a couple of areas on my scalp that remain red and dry, where the tape track has set for years.

My question, will these red marks go away over time? Is there anything I should be doing to moisturize or care for my scalp?

Your advice is greatly appreciated!

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I do not have the benefit of examining you in person, but you seem to describe some local irritation. These marks should go away in a few weeks, but without a physical exam I do not know what you have. The red marks can be a local irritation, or a permanent scar, or an infection, or even cancer (though it is not likely from what you describe). Please follow up with your primary care physician.