January 2008 – Page 8

January 17, 2008

Hair Loss Information » Going Bald from Chemical Hair Straightener? – Balding Blog

Can you go bald from using a chemical hair straightener regularly? I follow the chemical straightener directions to a tee. I’ve been straightening my hair about every month and a half for 2 years. My hair grows very fast and it takes about a month for the chemically processed hair to be completely out. i keep my hair short. I’ve had no side effects whatsoever thus far. I am concerned about the future. I am a male age 25.

There are may women who believe their hair loss was due to chemicals they put in their hair (perms/straighteners), but take comfort in knowing that the most common cause in men is genetic male balding. If you notice hair loss, I would absolutely stop using chemicals to see if that is the cause. For now, it seems that you’re in the clear.

January 17, 2008

Follica to End Baldness? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Are you familiar with Follica and their technology to generate completely new hair follicles on the scalp? This company seems to be headed by a who’s who in the field of hair loss….Dr. Vera Price, Dr. Rox Anderson, and Dr. Cotsarelis from Penn State University where this technology was first discovered. I see where they recently acquired 5.5M US from investors to conduct a clinical proof of concept study on 50 or so volunteers. Since everything they use to accomplish this is already FDA approved and/or already being done (microderm abrasion + application of special proteins), it seems like this could really be the “holy grail” to end baldness much sooner than expected (at least sooner than NEOSH101 or Intercytex).

Have you been following this exciting development at all or do you have any thoughts on this technology?

Follica The work sounds exciting and I look forward to reading more about their research in medical journals. I have not been following it though, because the information on it is cursory and does not give me the insights I need. You are right, the people associated with it indicate a general excitement that has been generated. There is a quick write up on Follica here.

For those wanting to read the news about their recent $5.5 million round of funding, you can check it out here.

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January 17, 2008

Can My Hair Miniaturize In Different Areas at Different Times? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello docs,
My question is pretty simple: can your hair begin miniaturizing at different times? For example: let’s say you start losing your hair in the vertex area first; then, maybe a few years later you start thinning in the crown area as well? Does this just mean that your body is playing catch-up, or does it mean that the end result is total loss in one area versus partial in another?

We do not bald symmetrically, so your observations are correct. The patterned hair loss which everyone references generally does not occur uniformly. Miniaturization varies by part of the scalp and the genetic patterns you inherit. Although most hair loss is started with signs of miniaturization, sometime this miniaturizing does not show and the hair loss occurs anyway. The time line for miniaturization and balding varies between people and can be erratic.

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January 17, 2008

A Big Batch of Rogaine Foam Questions – Balding Blog

Hello Doctor,

I’m male, 37, 6,1, 180lbs, don’t take any medication and my hair is about 1.5 – 2 inches long and sometime 3. I have male balding on the top and receding hairline. In the past I have had thick and lots of hair, now the top is thinning to a point were I get sun burns and makes me cold in the winder. This is the part that I really don’t like as I hate wearing something on my head.

My question is, when looking at Rogaine, which product is best for me? Here’s my thinking, some with questions:

It is important that the solution gets in contact with the scalp, so with “longer” hair will the foam product be as effective?

Is volume and length of hair need to be considered when choosing product?

With the foam product how do you know one is using the right amount?

There has been remarks about the smell of the foam, are there scent free versions [coming]?

How can one test the product without buying a full size?

Is there a difference between the different brands, besides price?

Is there a generic foam vs. Rogaine?

Thanks.

Rogaine Foam

Yes, the Rogaine (minoxidil) needs to be in contact with the scalp in order to be effective. Hair length doesn’t matter, but volume of hair could play a role in getting the medication to reach your scalp. Just be diligent and move your hair around to get the minoxidil onto the scalp.
See answer above.
I would think there is some instructions on the packaging. The Rogaine Foam site says “the total amount of foam applied should not exceed half a capful.” For the liquid, the recommended dose of the Rogaine 5% topical applied twice daily.
I have no idea if they’re making a scent-free version.
I don’t know if Johnson & Johnson (makers of Rogaine) offer a free sample of the foam. Drugstore.com sells it at $22.79 for 1 month or $42.49 for 3 month supplies. The best price depends on your own research.
The foam is reported to have better absorption than the liquid formulation, but I do not believe it is a significant advantage to achieve a drastic difference. Generally speaking, a generic minoxidil 5% solution would be the least expensive (most bang for your buck).
To my knowledge, there is no generic version of Rogaine Foam.

More information can be found on the Rogaine Foam site. Remember, before starting any medication you should see a doctor (a hair transplant doctor is fine) for a good initial evaluation. You may also be a candidate for finasteride (Propecia).

January 16, 2008

Hair Loss InformationDostinex (Cabergoline) and Propecia – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Dr. Rassman,

I’m a 28 year old male. About 6 months ago I was diagnosed with a rare pituitary condition called hyperprolactinemia. This disorder is genetic in my family, and mine is a very mild case. The treatment is a single half-dose of cabergoline (marketing name Dostinex) taken once a week.

Male pattern baldness also runs in my family and I’m starting to show thinning on the crown of my head. My dermatologist suggested I try the propecia/rogaine route. Since propecia affects the endocrine system I am a bit reluctant to take it without knowing more about possible side effects or interaction with the cabergoline. I don’t think it should and my dermatologist said she wasn’t aware of anything and I haven’t found anything about it on the web, but I wanted to get another opinion before I started propecia. I also read online that minoxidil from rogaine may have a side effect of increasing prolactin – the condition I have too much of. Do you know of any cases like this? If so, should I reconsider starting propecia, rogaine, or both?

Thanks!

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Dostinex At this point, it is very difficult to accurately assess the cause of your thinning hair. As far as I know, cabergoline does not have hair loss listed as a potential side effect, however, this does not mean that this drug can not cause this in you. Also, certain diseases / stresses to the body have also been known to cause hair loss. Lastly, as you have mentioned, male pattern baldness could be the cause of your thinning hair. You definitely need a miniaturization study to determine the extent and locations of most of your hair loss (i.e. does it correspond to MPB?).

There have been reports that minoxidil may be related to the development of hyperprolactinemia, definitely something you don’t need more of (see Drugs.com – Interactions between cabergoline and Minoxidil). The main point here should be that before you start any medication, whether it be Propecia or Rogaine, you should have a coordinated discussion between your physician that is treating you for the hyperprolactinemia and your dermatologist. To answer your question though, I haven’t read about Propecia (finasteride) and cabergoline interactions, but again, please discuss this with your prescribing physician.

January 16, 2008

Hair Loss InformationMy Father Has a Class 6 Pattern – Does Propecia Have a Chance to Work for Me? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi, you’ve stated that everyone responds differently to Propecia, but that it often works better in younger men (I assume in their very early 20’s) as a general rule since they’re mostly likely in the early stages of MPB. However, I believe you’ve also suggested that Propecia can only slow down the process for a younger man who may be headed towards a class 6 or even 7. Does this mean that only young men with a history of lower class balding on the Norwood scale in their family can have their hair loss stopped or even reversed with Propecia? Is it unrealistic to think that Propecia even has a remote chance of stopping hair loss in a 21 year old that has noticed some general thinning but has a father with a class 6 hair loss stage on the Norwood scale?

Thanks for your response in advance. Also, I wanted to compliment you on the website, it’s a great resource and I’ve enjoyed reading it.

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Just because your father is a Norwood Class 6 patterned balder, does not mean that you will be that. You may have different expression of the gene or inherited it from another line on your father’s or mother’s side. Since we can not predict your pattern with certainty, slowing down the loss with Propecia (finasteride 1mg) makes common sense no matter what your final pattern will be. So instead of significant hair loss in your 20s, maybe you can push it back to your 40s. If you get your hair mapped out for miniaturization, then at some point your final hair loss pattern can be predicted and from such an examination you can establish a good Master Plan for your future with a competent, caring doctor.

January 16, 2008

If I Restart Finasteride After Stopping for 6 Months, Will Side Effects Occur Again? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I have taken finasteride for about 18 months. after noticing a decrease in semen quantity (by about 40%) i stopped taking it for about 6 months. After stopping it. i have lost much more hair than what i had before starting the medecine. I can now almost see a big bald patch on the crown. I am thinking of restarting the medication. I would like to know if i will get any more side effects if i restart taking finasteride, i.e will my semen quantity reduce even further than what it has reduced earlier? or could i get any other side effects now considering that i had tolerated finasteride quite well earlier??

Your experience with finasteride and your semen quantity are probably the most cost common side effects reported. If you restart the finasteride, it will probably happen again. Despite the reduced quantity, you should be alright with fertility.

The really bad news is that you experienced “catch up” hair loss when you stopped taking the drug and that will not likely reverse, retaining much of the balding that you developed over the past 6 months. Your doctor should have told you about this, as I stress with my patients that stopping the drug will have the hair loss problems you experienced.

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January 16, 2008

Female Hair Loss After MRIs – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

(female) Recently I underwent a series of MRI’s 6 in total, for diagnosis of MS, which i didn’t have. The thing is my hair is falling out now, to the point I can comb my hair and bunches of it will come out, my hair was always thin on top, so to have all this hair fall out, and on the sides and back is really depressing, I know that my age (62) may have something to do with the thinning hair line, but this extreme hair loss started just after the MRI’s. Do you have any idea what it may be?

thank you

I doubt magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would cause the hair loss. If I was a betting man, I would think more along the lines of the multiple sclerosis or stress as the cause of your hair loss… or even some of the medications that you use to treat the MS. You should ask these questions to your treating doctor. As always, do not stop or start any medications without first consulting your doctor.

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January 16, 2008

Crinagen – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

what’s up with Crinagen- does it work? well?

Crinagen is not a medication and it is applied topically. It contains: Distilled water; Polysorbate 20; Azelaic Acid; Gamma Linolenic acid, Zinc acetate hydrate; Niacin; Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxal-5-phosphate); Saw palmetto extract (serenoa repens); Ginkgo biloba, Oleic acid, tea tree oil, Ribofalvin, Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopherol) and Proanthocyanidins from grape seed extract.

Despite its claims, there are no clinical or medical studies that indicate any of these ingredients work for treating male pattern hair loss. Even if it is “scientific” it does not necessarily correlate with real human trials / results.

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January 16, 2008

Chin Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

There are no scars in the area but on the left side of my chin about 3 months ago I developed a bald spot about the size of a quarter. there are some very light hairs but not growing. Also I have developed smaller spots under the chin line. I am on no medication and my hair is a very dark brown.

These balding spots may be a sign of alopecia areata. This is NOT a diagnosis, just a possibility. You need to see a doctor (dermatologist) to get a real diagnosis.

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