October 2008 – Page 4

October 27, 2008

Seasonal Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Doctor

Any tips to fight seasonal ( autumn ) hair loss ? Might not be permanent but it sure is annoying !

Thanks in advance

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There are seasonal changes in hair shedding that is mild for most people. We look at human hair loss as asynchronous, which means that it does not shed completely at one time of year. Some of the vestiges of molting may be left over from our embryonic pre-human existence… unless, that is, you don’t believe in evolution (in which case, I can do nothing but shake my head).

To answer your question though, there is nothing that I know of that will deal with any seasonal shedding.

October 27, 2008

Child Hair Loss – It’s Not Fungus, So What Is It? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

My daughter is 9 years old and I just found out she has several bald spot in the back of her head . We took her to the peditrician doctor, they scrape the bald spot to get it test. The lab just call me and they said that it wasn’t fungus nor ring worm. Can you please give me some information on what it could be? I’m very worry, please response back to me ASAP. Thank you.

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I can only tell you what is not (fungus or ringworm). I cannot diagnose your daughter’s condition on the Internet without any examination. I would take her to see a dermatologist so that doctor can take the next step in the diagnosis. She may need a biopsy rather than skin scraping. There are many differential possibilities, such as alopecia areata, but that diagnosis has to be made by a physician who can examine your daughter in person.

October 27, 2008

Hair Loss InformationHair Cloning and DUPA – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Both you and Dr. Bernstein mention in various places that it will be ten years before hair cloning will be available as a successful treatment for hair loss. If and when this process becomes available to the public, would it be effective for DUPA patients as well? Or would the process still require a stable donor area?

I am a 19 year old male experiencing DUPA. Assuming propecia does not work, I think all of us with DUPA are wondering whether there is any effective solution we can look forward to, or if we should just shave our heads and get on with our lives.

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My heart goes out to you. If the medications do not work, there is little to offer other than the use of concealers. Hair cloning can not be predicted for a time line. If/when cloning becomes a reality, these types of questions can probably be answered, but it is way too early to guess as to what future technologies could do.

October 27, 2008

Saw Palmetto Was Junk – Is it Too Late to Try Propecia or Minoxidil? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have been thinning pretty bad for a tad less than two years. I tried all those dht saw palmetto blockers which were junk. I have the horseshoe effect going but i have some miniature hairs on top that look like they are on their last limb. I was wondering if i start using propecia and rogaine asap if there is any hope since i still have visible hairs? Any advice would help. Thanks for your time.

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There is always hope. While I doubt you will grow an abundant amount of hair, you can at least expect the hair loss to slow down. It’s not too late. See a doctor for the Propecia prescription.

October 27, 2008

Androscience – Balding Blog

Dr Rassman,
What are your thoughts on Androscience’s approach to hairloss treatments ?

The Androscience website states the lead compound ASCJ-9 is being developed as a topical treatment for acne and male pattern baldness. And they will have completed a clinical trial for there acne cream soon. And they plan to start trials for MBP toward the end of 2008 (PDF).

Should the acne treatment make it to market would you end prescribing it off label for MBP until a foam arrived?

I only know what I read in the above references. Thanks for sending these, as it makes for interesting reading, but nothing practical that I can see at this time while we wait for the results of the clinical trials. It is far too early to speculate on what I would or wouldn’t prescribe. I’d need to read and learn a lot more about this.

October 24, 2008

Avodart (Dutasteride) Dosing – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,

I just received a prescription for Avodart from a general practitioner. I have been on Propecia for 3 years; however, I think the drug is loosing its effectiveness. About 1 month ago I started taking 2 mg of Propecia daily. Then out of desperation, I consulted with a physician and received the prescription for Avodart.

The Avodart clinical studies on hair loss that I have read on-line involved doses higher than the standard .5mg which is recommended for men with enlarged prostates. I’m reluctant to take the drug every day. However, would you consider taking 2mg of Avodart 3x weekly and 1mg of Propecia on the other days an effective strategy to achieve maximum DHT reduction, stop further hair loss and/or grow back hair?

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You are desperate and experimenting with your body. There are limitations of medical science and you need to accept you are losing hair. Taking a high dose of Propecia (finasteride) will not cause more hair growth. Taking a high dose of Avodart (dutasteride) may not cause more hair growth either. We just don’t know, and I certainly can’t give you recommendations on how much of a prescription medication you should take, even though you have a doctor that prescribed it to you for off-label use. The Internet is a wonderful source of information, but you need to understand that everything you read is not always 100% accurate.

I am purely guessing that your general practitioner agreed to prescribe you Avodart, as he saw how desperate you were and your need to be proactive with some sort of medical treatment. I am sure your general practitioner gave you information on Avodart and its possible long term side effects (risks of sterility is present) and how it is not at this time approved by the FDA for the treatment of hair loss. There are also no long term studies on young men taking Avodart. With these warnings I am sure you made an informed decision. Now you must accept some responsibility on limitations of drugs and your genetic predisposition for hair loss. I realize this sounds harsh, but it is an unfortunate fact of life. There are no easy answers or solutions.

October 24, 2008

Norwood Class 2 and Had 3300 Grafts Transplanted to the Hairline! – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I at 22 years old and had one hair transplant procedure with 3300 grafts in the first 2/3ds inch for my Class 2 balding pattern. Now my hairline is clearly not normal looking and runs like a straight line across my brow. What can I do to fix the problem.

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Norwood 2 A 22 year old with a Norwood Class 2 pattern (see image at right) should never have been transplanted. I am assuming that you understand that in many young men, the Class 2 pattern is a movement from a juvenile to a mature hairline. I am also assuming that the surgeon put your hairline against the upper crease in your furrowed brow and if I am right, you may have limited your options to fix it.

What you need is a thinner hairline, one that is irregular. I would want to know if you are balding behind the area that was transplanted and if so, what did the miniaturization study show (get one if you did not have one done). If you have had a successful transplant of that number of grafts in that narrow a space, you will appear more dense in the front if you are thinning behind it. You need to know all of the options and build a good Master Plan with a good doctor. Ask your doctor what he had on his mind when he built that hairline for you. More surgery may or may not be one of your choices.

October 24, 2008

Is Puberty Causing My Hair Loss at 16 Years Old? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi,
I am a 16 year old male, and i think i m losing my hair but i don’t know. Is it possible that this could be because of puberty perhaps, and to what extent is shedding hair normal?
Thanks

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I am not sure how to comment without knowing more about you. Everybody loses 100 hairs per day… sometimes more, sometimes less. If you are paying more attention to your hair you may be noticing something that is normal, but you can definitely be noticing an increased hair loss rate. As you are a male and maturing, you may notice some stages of early genetic male pattern baldness (MPB). MPB starts as early as 16 years old in some men and it is related to the changes in your hormones combining with the balding genes. I am NOT suggesting you indeed have MPB, but I am just answering a generic question. To find out, go get your hair mapped out for miniaturization and if you are really in the evolving balding process this will make the diagnosis.

October 24, 2008

CNN Contributor Roland Martin’s Hair – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Roland Martin

Hi doctors,
I’ve been watching a lot of CNN lately and keep seeing this contributor named Roland Martin on there with a very unusual looking hairline. It looks like it’s caving in at the front. I’m just curious as to what class that might be considered or is that just a weird version of a mature hairline or something?

Here’s his photo from CNN.

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I do not think this is an unusual hairline. Rather, it looks like he is showing early signs of balding, possibly a Norwood Class 3A. His balding is starting in the middle and on the sides, leaving two mounds of hair off center. In the years ahead, he will most likely lose all of the frontal hair, leaving only these mounds which will eventually go away in time. I see this fairly frequently. In other words, we don’t bald all at once. It is a slow and gradual process.

Photo source: RolandSMartin.com

October 24, 2008

Female Hair Loss – Is it Because of New Shampoo or Cancer or What? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi. I am a 36 yr old female. I have lost approx 60-70% of my hair in the past month. Scary. I had a kidney/liver and thryroid blood test done which came back normal. I am just so worried. Could this be a sign of cancer or something terrible. New hair is growing in a little, but I think I’ll have to shave my head. I understand the stress related hair fall and am not sure this could apply to me. Is it possible to have this reaction to a new shampoo? I have always used natural shampoos but have lately used a cheaper drugstore shampoo…any ideas?
Thank you in advance.

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You need to see a dermatologist or hair doctor to make a diagnosis. Something is wrong and there is no substitute for a good doctor’s examination. Perhaps it is as simple as an allergy to an ingredient in the new shampoo? Perhaps it is something more. I couldn’t possibly determine that via the Internet.

You can learn more about possible causes of female hair loss here.