Month: December 2008

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Hair Loss InformationNo ED Problems After Chemo – ED Problems Started When I Took Propecia – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Doctor,
I am 33 yo, I took Propecia for two years with NO erection problems and good hair growth. I stopped October 2007. In April 2008, I got diagnosed with testicular cancer, had a left orchiectomy, chemotherapy, a retropertioneal lymphnode disection surgery and have been cancer free since early October 08. I have now retrograde ejaculation but I had NO decreased libido or erection problems until November 08. I started on Propecia on mid Nov 08 and I have been having serious erection problems since then. I can’t get an erection, rarely I do after a lot of help from my wife, but can’t maintain an erection. I stopped taking the drug five days ago, but the problem is still there. Any advice would be appreciated. Is it possible that it didn’t affect me before, but now it does because of either orchiectomy, chemo, or something else? Should I get my testosterone level checked? Will the problem go away now that I stopped? Please advise.

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There are many things that you need to explore. Amongst them might be a visit to Boston Medical Group (for treating ED that does not respond to drugs like Viagra), but I would first ask your doctor about your problem. He must certainly have expertise to help you and knowing your testosterone levels might help.

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Hair Loss InformationCytostatic Agent on the Face and Eyebrow Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello doctor,

can a cytostatic agent applied to the face in order to relieve effects of seborrheic dermatitis cause damage to eyebrow hairs? As far as I know, it slows down cell multiplication rate of the skin so I am wondering if it affects eyebrows and how?

Thank you

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I think this question is better asked to a dermatologist. I have no experience with cytostatic agents as they are used for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.

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Hair Loss InformationAfter a Year on Propecia (with Photos) – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

This patient came to our office a year ago showing a Norwood Class 3 pattern of hair loss. Dr Pak prescribed Propecia to this young man and after a year of taking it every day, the patient returned to our office to show off his results. He had no hair transplant surgery. The results shown (in the photo on the right) are strictly from a daily Propecia pill.

Before on the left, after on the right. Click the photos below to enlarge.

 

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Hair Loss InformationFUE Aftercare Question Because My Doctor Is Unavailable – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hey Dr. Rassman, I have a question regarding a recent curiosity about FUE post op care. Would it damage the grafts if i buzzed my head down to a 2 in about a month from now? I had a 3500 FUE procedure for zones 1 and 2 in Canada about a month ago. I just want to be sure and have been trying to contact my doctor but he is currently unavailable. If you could answer this question that would be great!

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Shaving the head or clipping it after FUE procedure is OK after a month.

Considering that you must have paid a pretty penny for 3,500 FUE grafts, I am distressed that your doctor can not be reached by you. I would like it if you take good photographs of your head now and then more photos again in 8 months. I have been seeing a number of patients with FUE grafts in the 3000+ range that have had very poor results in terms of growth. So don’t forget to keep me in the loop — if for any reason you don’t get good growth, I might be able to help you.

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Hair Loss InformationIn the News – Disgraced Governor Blagojevich’s Hair Caused by Mental Illness? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

BlagojevichSnippet from the article:

It’s a head of hair that a man 20 years his junior would envy — a chestnut helmet that brazenly mocks Father Time and screams “healthy!”

Gov. Blagojevich’s glossy locks — perfectly sculpted in rain or snow — may be an indication of a sickness beneath his scalp, said one local psychologist.

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Read the full text at the Chicago Sun-Times.

It’s pretty ridiculous that anyone could label this man with a disorder just because of his truly awful hair. That being said, his helmet of hair really does look bad. I won’t dispute that. It looks like he’s got something to hide…

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Hair Loss InformationI Had a Transplant a Month Ago and Feel New Hairs Sprouting Up – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Dr. I had hair transplant back in November 3, 2008. When I gently place my hand on the transplanted area I can feel the “bed of thorns” or “sprouting new hairs”. My concern is are they really new hairs or is it the grafted hair waiting to fall out. I have been taking finasteride religiously for more than two years and still continue to be on it. Does this suggest that grafted hair may not fall out and continue to grow right away, since it is over 45 days from surgery and grafted hairs should have fallen out by now. Is it compulsory for grafted hairs to fall out, if so, generally how many days from surgery they should fall out.

Thanks

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In about 5% of people who have hair transplants, they will notice immediate growth without a ‘sleep period’ of 2-5 months, which is normally seen. If the hair falls out (95%) of patients, it will occur in the first 3-4 weeks. Propecia should be continued through the entire process without stopping it.

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Hair Loss InformationCan Transplanted Hair Grow Long? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Most men who have had hair transplants show shorter hairstyles. Can transplanted hair even grown long (12 inches)? If so, what would it look like?

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Many of my patients with comb-backs, allow their transplanted hair to grow to lengths of 9+ inches routinely. From there it is up to you and the barber to decide what you want for the length of the hair. It is purely a styling decision.

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Hair Loss InformationIs Revivogen Safe? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have been experiencing male pattern baldness for some years now. Initially used Rogaine, it worked at first but now no longer respond to it. Next used Propecia, but had to stop due to side effects.Lasercomb failed too. I am currently saving up and considering getting a hair transplant maybe in 4 years time.I’ll have enough money by then.

There’s one thing I’m really curious about. Would you happen to know anything about Revivogen from www.revivogen.com. It’s a topical lotion combined with shampoo/conditioner that was invented by Doctor Alex Khadavi, MD, a US Board-certified dermatologist. I have a question below which I hope you can answer and shed light on.

All I just want to know before trying the product and applying the lotion to my scalp is for my “safety” concerns.If this product was developed by a dermatologist (i.e.Dr Alex Khadavi,MD) is it okay to allow myself to test it out even if it may not grow/and or stop hair loss but at least I can be rest assured it won’t cause allergic reactions on the localized surface of my scalp. Although I don’t have sensitive scalp skin, some of the things I’m scared of are like more hair loss(worse than pre-treatment) or cause unknown severe harm like scalp dermatitis/acne/burn/swolleness, stain my scalp permanently orange etc.(I’ve probably just exaggerated every side effect.May or may not true!). This is what I mean by safety. What’s the worse a topical solution like Revivogen could do to my scalp anyway? Any potential risks? Are the ingredients mentioned on the website even safe on humans?

Finally, do you believe it is safe enough and whether its worth a try for me to test out what appears to be a very safe and sound consumer product and hopefully not a scam? There’s nothing else on the market and I’m really desperate too to give it a go(whether it works or not its a small price to pay).

Please do feel free to take your time and answer me whenever you can.Your comments and recommendations would be very appreciated. Thanks.

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RevivogenYou can experiment with almost anything that is not prescription, including Revivogen. It is not true that medications that are developed by a doctor will not cause allergic reactions as they happen, but if someone is telling you this, then I would run from the recommendation. You can still get an allergic reaction if you’re allergic to an ingredient in the product. Being made by a dermatologist doesn’t make any difference in that regard. The ingredients are safe for humans, but I am not an expert on this product so I can not offer you advice on its efficacy. It contains saw palmetto extract, and that appears to be the active ingredient… but I’ve written about saw palmetto before (see here).

What you should be doing is what I’ve discussed over and over again on this blog: the use of one or both of the proven drug approaches to genetic balding, finasteride and minoxidil. If you had side effects from the Propecia, you should consider cutting the dosage in half (some finasteride is better than none). If you stopped responding to Rogaine, perhaps you could try a greater strength. As you have seen, the LaserComb does not really add any value, so I can not put more advice that you already do not know yourself.