Month: May 2008

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After 3 Weeks on Propecia, I Noticed New Hair Growth on My NOSE! – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Doc

About 3 weeks ago i started taking propecia(1mg) and roaccutane(20mg). I am 21 years old and yesterday i started noticing hair growing on my nose and lots of new hair on my head, its quite visible from close and it looks quite thick. I haven’t had hair on my nose before this… Should i continue taking the medication?

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Propecia does not grow hair on your nose but it may stop hair from growing in your nose and in your ears if it has not started doing that yet. Minoxidil might produce hair loss in other parts of the body, but you are not taking it — and although Roaccutane (accutane / isotretinoin) can cause hair loss, some abnormal hair growth has been reported on that drug.

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I Have No Hair Loss, But I Want a Forelock Transplanted to Frame My Face – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I would like to first say how much I appreciate your site here and how valuable a resource it is.

I am now 24 and have been fortunate to not have any experience with any extensive hair loss. It is not in my families history but I do take avodart at 2.5 mg just in case that I inherited the genes my uncle on my father’s side has. Strangely he (my uncle) has almost completely lost all the hair on the top of his head while my father has almost retained his preadolescence hair. They are both about the same age and well into their 60s. Anyways, I am seeking advice about something I would like to do about getting a forelock. I know this sounds strange but I am really into the look and being of the theatrical I would like to go into acting and I think a slight forelock at the front middle would frame my face nicely. Having some experience with photoshop I think I have a pretty good idea about how this would turn out. I think the look suits me (much as it does other actors such as Colin Farrel, but would not want mine to be so blunt). I would not mind sending you pictures of the befores and afters I have done.

I know it is risky even with medication but I am absolutely certain that I would like to have the procedure. Thank you for your time and feel free to get back to me at your convenience.

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First of all, if you do not have hair loss, I would highly advise you reconsider taking Avodart (dutasteride) 2.5mg. I can’t see how your doctor could’ve possibly prescribed this to you! Not only can it affect your sperm production and the long term effects in young men are not well established, but as far as I’m aware, the dosage that has been commonly used (off-label) for treating hair loss is 0.5mg — so you’re taking 5x the dosage and you’re not even losing hair, I’m worried that you’re going to end up getting yourself in a corner. It is simply not a medication that has been FDA approved for treating hair loss despite the fact people do take it off-label.

If you are considering a hair transplant to your forelock you should start off by seeing a good hair transplant surgeon that you trust. If you are not balding and want a strong forelock (not a widow’s peak?), then it is pure cosmetic surgery, which is something that we do. I really cannot advise you on what you are doing or what my opinion is on your goal, because I really don’t know if you have realistic expectations and/or goals. These are things that need to be done during an office visit.

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Master Plan for Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

What is the “master plan” you keep talking about?

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The Master Plan I often refer to is what you will be able to accept in the future with respect to your hair loss. It is simply anticipating for your future hair loss pattern and having a “plan” to stay one step ahead.

As an example, if you are 21 years old and currently a Norwood Class 3 hair loss pattern and want a hair transplant in the corners of your frontal hairline, it may be easily achieved. However, as you age you may progress to a Norwood Class 5 hair loss pattern and you will be left with only that permanently transplanted corner hairline as you lose the surrounding hair. In other words, you would look like a freak! Your master plan should have been made to consider the possibility of future hair loss by mapping your scalp hair for miniaturization patterns. The master plan may have also included consideration for postponing a hair transplant surgery for a few more years or starting on a FDA approved hair loss medication such as finasteride (Propecia) or minoxidil.

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Over 2 Months After Transplant, I Colored My Hair and Now My Scalp Is Scabby and Raw – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi, I am a male 25, I have had two previous hair transplants in the FRONT of my scalp..turned out GREAT. On March 4th 2008 I had my THIRD hair transplant on the CROWN area..I had 1500 grafts, its been two and a half months. On April 18th I coloured my hair. i didnt leave it on that long (10mins)… on the crown area I have scabs still and when i wash them off, the crown area is extremely pink and RAW with puss. Is this normal?

Also I lost MORE hair around the crown then before my surgery? no hairs have grown yet..is it normal for me to have puss and scabs two and a half months after surgery? Thanks

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You seem to have two problems going on. Concerning the dye, you may have sustained a chemical burn and this can cause permanent hair loss. If you are losing more hair since the transplant I would want to know if you were taking Propecia (finasteride) before the surgery to protect against shock loss. The chemical dyes may have also impacted the hair you have in your crown area. See your hair transplant doctor and ask him/her to examine you and render an opinion. Pus and scabs two months after surgery is not a normal occurrence.

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I’m Losing Hair on the Sides, But the Top and Front Are Fine – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I’ve noticed lately that the sides and the lower back of my hair have gotten a little thinner in density. However, the front and top and upper back (crown) have remained the same density. Also, I there isn’t any receding in the front of my hairline or any loss in density there either. Looking through your website I saw something about DUPA and I was wondering is it possible I have DUPA? Is the loss of density on the sides of my hair a sign of balding ? Because the top and front and crown look fine and I thought balding occurred there first. I also recently lost a lot of weight and am continuing to lose weight could hair loss on the sides be because of that?

Thanks for any help you can give.

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Typical male pattern baldness does not occur on the back and sides of the head, but I couldn’t say what you have going on without seeing what you’re talking about. To get that diagnosis, you absolutely need to get your scalp hair mapped out for miniaturization. This can be a serious problem, so do it right and have a good doctor manage you.

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Does Scalp Tingling Mean Propecia is Working? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I ave now been on Propecia 1mg a day as prescribed by my Dermatologist. My hairline is not receeding, but the entire scalp except the sides and back is thinning to the point where you can see scalp at all angles. I have been on propecia since April, 22 2008. My question to you is is there a phase where the hair becomes thinner before propecia begins to work? I have felt tingling in my scalp since i have started it and was wondering if that’s a good sign that propecia might be working.

Thank You

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You’ve only been on Propecia for about a month, so it is too early to see results from the medication. Wait out a full 8-12 months to determine what is happening to your hair and your response to Propecia. Tingling has nothing to do with hair loss or hair growth

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Experiencing Regrowth with Propecia and Minoxidil Years After First Use? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Can a person still experience regrowth even after 2 years on Propecia and Minoxidil. And how long does it take for an intermediate hair to turn into a terminal hair with Propecia and Minoxidil?

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It sometimes takes more than a year to get detectable results. Getting a ‘terminal’ hair where a previous miniaturized hair was before, has never been proven 1:1. We are guessing on what we see.

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In the News – Restoration Robotics and the Automated Hair Transplant – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

From the article:

A robot that can pluck and move individual hair follicles on a person’s head makes hair transplants look more natural than those performed by humans, a US company claims.

The robot can also perform the procedure twice as fast as human clinicians, with less pain and scarring for the patient, says Restoration Robotics of Mountain View, California.

Read the full text at NewScientist.com – Surgical robot gives hair transplants a natural look

I am well aware of Restoration Robotics. They approached me a year or so ago to obtain rights to use our U.S. Patent to perform such surgery. Dr. Pak was the engineer back in 1998 when he helped me design the first prototype. I am eager to finally see this project get on its way.

I must disclose that if they succeed, I have a financial interest in their success from the license grant.


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Propecia Estimates and Other Related Questions – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I know you’ve treated many men with thinning hair. For men in their early thirties like me, what can you estimate are:

1) The success rate for stopping hairloss with Propecia alone
2) Cosmetic regrowth with Propecia alone
3) Reports of sexual side effects or discontinued use from Propecia alone?

How many patients do you have taking Propecia for more than 5 years?

I tried 1/4 Proscar daily but had awful side effects, and I believe Merck’s side effect percentages are low. My hair loss is in the “early” phase and only really noticeable to me when I obsess, but I’d really like to not have a noticeable bald spot any time soon!

You take Propecia, right? How long? What else do you do for your hair?

Thanks!

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I have been taking Propecia (and no other medication to treat my hair loss) for over 5 years.

The success rates of Propecia depend on what you consider success. You will still continue to lose hair if you are genetically prone to losing all your hair but it may slow to a crawl. Propecia can reverse hair loss, stop hair loss, or slow it down. A small percentage of men (I really cannot give you a number, but it is probably greater than 10%) have good growth and some reversal on the top/crown area. A larger percentage of men (about 90%) have slowing of hair loss. Many of my patients have been taking Propecia for over 5 years without side effects. I routinely look at my patients’ hair under a microscope for a miniaturization study to document the progression.

You are asking a question that is tailored specifically to you and this is impossible because everybody has different results. Try to understand the “big picture”. Propecia is not a magic pill that cures hair loss. NOTHING does! Propecia is the best medication we currently have to treat male pattern baldness, though. You need to sit down with a physician and talk about all the risks and benefits and come up with a Master Plan for doing something (or nothing) about your hair loss. I know you are looking for specific suggestions by me, but you are not my patient and I can not examine you over the Internet.