Month: September 2008

Posted on

Can I Get a Proscar Prescription Over the Phone? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello, I am a 26 year old male and have thinning hair in the frontal and top-mid portions of my scalp. I am currently taking Hydrochorot and Lisinopril for hypertension. I would like to know if Finasteride (Proscar) will interfere while taking these hypertension medications? Also, I noticed in a prior blog, I can call(800)-NEW-HAIR to setup a phone consulation and be taken as a patient over distance, with photos provided. Would I be able to get a Proscar prescription this way? If not, can you recommend a hair specialist in Phoenix, AZ that will be able to help me?
Thank you.

You can see your family doctor or just check the yellow pages for hair transplantation and find a doctor. Also, the physician search at ISHRS.org is a good place to find a doctor. I will not prescribe it over the phone for someone I have not met, but I can give you an opinion.

Balding Forum - Hair Loss Discussion

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):


Posted on

Hair Loss InformationWorld Anti-Doping Agency to Remove Finasteride from Prohibited List! – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

WADA
USADA

The World Anti-Doping Agency (and subsequently the US Anti-Doping Agency) will be removing finasteride from its list of banned substances at the start of 2009. I can’t find any news items about this yet in the media, but according to the WADA website, the updated prohibited list won’t be made available until October 1.

So how do I know early? Well, I was forwarded a letter dated a few days ago, written by the USADA legal affairs director that states in part, “USADA has confirmed today that as of January 1, 2009, finasteride, the substance for which your client tested positive, is being removed from the WADA Prohibited List.”

Some background on the World Anti-Doping Agency from Wikipedia — “The WADA is an independent foundation created through a collective initiative led by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It was set up on November 10, 1999 in Lausanne, Switzerland to coordinate the fight against drugs in sport.” The WADA had placed finasteride on the list of banned substances in 2005, because it was being abused by some as a way to mask steroids in urine testing. Meanwhile, the ban was punishing those balding athletes that wanted to take control of their hair loss problems. I’m glad they’ve come to their senses about this.

Posted on

Doctor Offers 4000+ FUEs in One Session – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi there… I am a female who has had a 1600 graft transplant using the strip method and am considering a second procedure of 1,000 grafts with a different surgeon. I am very concerned about shock loss, which I did have after the first transplant. Below is an extract from a doctor’s website. I would be grateful to hear your opinions on this.

Thanks

“[FUE] allows for the extraction of 4000+ follicular units in a single day session. Removing individual follicles with a microscopic instrument allows the skin to heal quickly and naturally. Patients receive greater freedom regarding hair styling choices and a diminished healing time, allowing them to return to the normal activities of life sooner.” [note: quote edited]

Block Quote

Firstly, 4000 FUE grafts in one session without damage to the grafts during extraction is something that I simply don’t believe. I would have to see it and judge the transection rate under this surgeon’s hands. As for this doctor discontinuing the use of the strip harvesting method “due to its highly invasive nature” as his site states, well, this is more a marketing ploy than anything else. If the doctor could successfully do the amount of grafts using FUE that he claims, that’s great — but as I said, I highly doubt 4,000 FUEs can be done in one session with minimal transection rates. Plus, if you were to have this done, you would have to shave your head. I don’t know that most people would be prepared to do that. You’d have good reason to be skeptical.

In your case, shock loss will probably happen again. Shock loss in women often happens on the second and third procedure, but it usually grows back. Even the anesthesia can cause it in some women.

Posted on

Propecia and Infertility – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Mr Rassman.
I have found your web site and by the way , I find it really useful. I would like your opinion on one specific point. I have now been on propecia since February 2005 .

My partner and I have been trying to conceived since 10 month without any result . I did a sperm test wich showed a problem with living spermatozoon after 4/6 hours and a decreased (not huge but right on the limit) in the volume of semen being produced …. Can you tell me if other studies have recently been made on the effect of the finasteride on young male fertility ?

Thanks and best regards

Block Quote

I have written to Merck concerning this question and they have a good history showing a wide safety margin for male fertility. I looked up some sites for you with case reports that focus on your question. What it means is anybody’s guess, but I believe this is where you and your doctor come into play:

Posted on

Writing Off Miniaturization as MPB When There’s a Possible Disease Causing It? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hey Doc,
Today you mentioned that there are other causes of miniaturization besides mpb. If so, then how would you be sure it was caused by mpb as opposed to a disease? Couldn’t you theoretically write off miniaturization as mpb when there’s a more serious underlying issue? What diseases might cause this? How do you tell the difference? If there’s a receding hairline at the temples and thinning in the crown is this defenitely mpb? What about if it’s diffussed thinning? Just wondering how one might tell. Thanks!

Block Quote

The easiest answer is that genetic hair loss in men occur in patterns… and these patterns are almost always diagnostic of genetic hair loss (male pattern baldness) and follow the Norwood classification chart either with thinning or frank balding.

The rest is the art of the practice of medicine and that is why a doctor adds value when you are being evaluated. Hair loss occurs with many other diseases, such as alopecia areata, ringworm, a variety of autoimmune diseases, drugs, etc…

Posted on

Intercytex – September Update? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Dr. Rassman and thanks for a great website. I’m curious about the September update Intercytex said they would provide. I know you don’t work public relations for Intercytex so this could be kind of an annoying question, but when in september do they plan on updating us? seeing as it’s already half over.

Block Quote

Here’s what I found posted to their site last week in their September 18, 2008 update —

    ICX-TRC – hair regeneration
    Data from the Phase II trial shows increase in hair count in 11 out of 14 (79%) evaluable subjects at 24 weeks

A little lackluster for those that have been waiting, but that’s all they have made available this month about their hair project.

Posted on

Brain Surgery Scars, Burr Holes, and Hair Transplants – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dear Dr. Rassman, I have two burr holes on my temples from an operation when I was a baby. My temples receded to a mature hairline whe I was 25 & the scars are now visible (I’m 32). I don’t suffer from hairloss & seem to have the same hair as my dad who still has a full head of hair at the age of 60 (temples slightly receded). I was considering a HT to get back to my original hairline & cover the scars. I was wondering if the holes in the skull underneath could be a problem during the operation. Is there any danger (I don’t know how deep the needles go)? Thanks!

I have performed hair transplants on many post brain surgery scars and burr holes. Skills in such a situation is critical in placing hair into scars or burr holes to be sure that it does not penetrate into the brain. If the normal hairline will cover it, then this is a wonderful solution to the problem.

Balding Forum - Hair Loss Discussion

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):


Posted on

Hair Loss InformationNecrotic Tissue After 3rd Transplant – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I had several hair transplants that went well, so I decided on a 3rd which led to necrotic tissue damage. The doctor told me it well be ok. i had 3 holes w/ necrotic tissue, which i would treat for several months getting worst. fortunately after 3 months, the holes got as big as a quarter and black. went to the emergency room, when they said this is your lucky day after removing the black. and 3 years and 4 surgeries later, i finally got everything corrected. now i have 3 bald spots in the front of my head. i use the dark particles to hide it. any recommendations. what to do besides surgery ??

Block Quote

Necrosis causes the skin to turn black (it is called gangrene). I would love to know more details, like who was your surgeon and what did he/she tell you caused this? I might be able to help, but I’d need to examine you first. As you are in Los Angeles, you should consider paying me a visit in my LA office (no charge for the consultation). You can call my office at 800-NEW-HAIR (or 310-553-9113) to setup the consultation.

Necrosis was not uncommon in the early days of megasessions when the surgeons used large punches and too many of them. This did devascularize the scalp and parts of the scalp died. There were numerous reports published that condemned the procedure because of this risk, but as the world was trying to make up its mind on the risks, I had published large series of huge megasessions with not one case of necrosis in the recipient area. Eventually the doctors learned that small holes were critical to getting not only good growth, but no damage to the skin of the scalp.

There are non-surgical solutions, including Toppik, DermMatch, Couvre (all are concealers)… and of course, hair pieces.

Posted on

Hair Loss InformationCan Propecia Stunt Growth? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Can Propecia taken by mid-teen guys stunt height growth?

Block Quote

There are some teenagers who take Propecia (finasteride) under the care of their doctors, but it is generally not prescribed to teenagers. The effects of finasteride on developing teens is not clear and should probably not be used in those who are still in growth mode (usually under 17-18 years old). It is theoretically possible that it may stunt growth during the puberty years, as it interferes with testosterone conversion into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is one of the many hormones that is involved with secondary sex characteristics such as beard, chest, and pubic hair.

Posted on

I’m Very Sensitive to Products with Alcohol, Like Rogaine Foam – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr Rassman, is it possible for a person who is very sensitive to products containing alcohol even have problems with the Rogaine Foam. I stopped the foam because it was drying out my hair alot and I noticed my hair thinning more and falling out more. Even if I go a few days without using it my hair looks better. I never had itching or redness from it but my hair texture changed to a more haylike feeling. I used good conditioners too but my hair still was still too dry and the hair diameter was thinner. I have my hair professionally colored and it even strips the color of my hair near the roots. So basically is it possible for someone to have a negative result due to even a small amount of alcohol in the product. I also notice my face retains more fluid and my skin gets more acne when I use the foam or any type of minoxidil. Would that also be considered a negative reaction to minoxidil?

Block Quote

Rogaine Foam has alcohol in it, so if you do have a sensitivity it could be an issue. While the 2% minoxidil is alcohol based, the 5% minoxidil liquid is propylene glycol based (though check the ingredients on the packaging since it may still have some alchohol). You may consider trying the 5% as an alternative to the Foam. Alcohol does dry the hair out. If you’re retaining fluid in your face, that is a known negative side effect. I’d meet with a dermatologist about the acne.