February 2009 – Page 11

February 6, 2009

I Had Great Results from Propecia, But Stopped It Due to Side Effects – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello Doctor

Thank you for your blog. I just wanted some advice regarding my situation. I’m 24 year old male, who was on propecia for a year from may 2007 to feb 2008. I was quite impressed with the results, but the development of gyno made me go cold turkey. Unsurprisingly, my hair loss is getting worse, mostly at the front, receding and thinning. I’m looking to meet a doctor with regards to miniaturization, although I am putting off a hair transplant to avoid scarring in case I ever decide to shave my head (unlikely).

I was thinking of starting rogaine 5% foam. My problem is at the best of times my scalp is easily irritated, and I’ve heard the smell of the product is awful. Would you advise me to start it? Would my existing hairs become dependent on it or only the new hair?

If you really developed breasts or breast nodules or breast pain, you need to see a doctor. You can try minoxidil but that will not help your breast problem. As minoxidil is over the counter available, you can try it to find out if you react to it, but there will be no effect for at least 8 months to determine its value. The smell isn’t awful to my nose, but each person’s idea of stinky is unique to some extent.

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February 6, 2009

Bad Nutrition and Sleep Patterns — Now I’m Losing Hair in the Permanent Zone – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi doc,
I appear to be losing miniaturized hairs throughout the permanent zone. The onset of which has coincided with extremely bad nutrition, bad sleeping patterns, and stress that needs to quelled by Xanex. What is happening here?

This is too complex of a case for the quick description you’ve emailed… and I am not your doctor. If you’re already taking prescription Xanax (alprazolam), you should discuss the hair loss with your doctor.

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February 5, 2009

Hair Loss InformationCould Transplanted Hair Fall Out Months After a Successful Procedure? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Doctor

Is it possible that some transplanted FUs were rejected and (the respective hair) fallen some months or even years after a successful HT? I had an HT on a completely bald area. i had nice results, but i’m pretty sure the area looks thinner now than 8-10 months after the HT. My doctor says its my idea. I seriously doubt that. thanks for your time

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On very rare occasions I have seen the “permanent” hair lost some years after a hair transplant. I don’t understand it, but I have seen this complaint. You are not crazy! You’re only 10 months out from a hair transplant — so how soon did you see the results that eventually disappeared?

February 5, 2009

Propecia Really Works — A Letter from an Enthusiastic Reader – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I recently sent an e-mail (that was posted in your blog) about my Propecia usage and my stylist noticing hair regrowth. Here’s the latest non scientific endorsement:

I flew back to my home state today to spend some time with my dad (a physician) who is recovering from a successful liver transplant, as well as my mother. Both made several direct comments about my hair: how it looked MUCH thicker, that the hairline up front had filled in, etc. They couldn’t stop talking about it.

True, my hair is styled much differently (upward….no longer combed forward) and I have it highlighted…..but this is after seeing me in December over the holidays. Again: for all readers….I’ve been on Propecia less than a year….I’m pushing 40……but IT WORKS……it just takes time. All the FREAKY, paranoid e-mails are going to scare off others. As I mentioned, when I hit the one year mark, I’ll shoot some pix to you….

People will always be worrisome about medications, and that’s normal. It’s good to have some success stories posted here, so thanks for sharing your insights. Looking forward to those photos!

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February 5, 2009

Is My Son’s Hair Loss Caused by His Asthma Medications? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello. I have a 19 year old son who is an actor and his hair is thinning so much we can see his scalp. He takes singulair and advair for asthma and I was wondering if you know if any of these could be a cause. My husbands’ side of the family has a lot of bald men as well as his mom’s brothers. Not my family so much, except my mom and sis have pretty thin hair. He is really worried as he is an upcoming actor. Propecia is so expensive…Is there anyway to get it cheaper and how would one know if stress is the cause..Applying to colleges was very stressful and being a freshman as well. I know he could eat better and have told him to take vitamins. I just don’t know how to help him! Would appreciate any advice..

Genetic balding in men is commonly known as androgenic alopecia (AGA) or male pattern baldness (MPB). It does not matter if the mother or father or grandparents had a full head of hair. It does not always follow a specific family tree pattern. Keep in mind that even if you have hair loss, it does not necessarily mean you will go completely bald. It varies for many men. While there is no cure for AGA/MPB, there are medications and surgery which can help. As far as over-the-counter supplements, vitamins, shampoos, or other products, they promise a cure but they often fall way short. Consumers will spend millions if not billions each year on such promises of hair growth. In the end, even proven medical and surgical treatments have limitations.

I highly doubt asthma medications (Singulair, etc) or stress has much to do with your son’s hair thinning. If your son (not you) is bothered by the thinning, he should see a physician to discuss his options, such as Propecia (finasteride 1mg). Propecia is a brand name drug that is relatively expensive because of its U.S. Patent protection. Propecia is the only FDA approved oral medication for the treatment of AGA/MPB. Since Propecia is under patent protection, generic finasteride in 1mg strength is not available in the United States; however, generic finasteride in 5mg strength is. As such, in the interest of finances, some patients (after discussion with their physician) may choose to have a prescription of finasteride in 5mg strength and break it up in the equivalent dose as Propecia. Ideally this would be breaking up the pill in 5 pieces, but that is not practical and most patients break it up in 4 pieces.

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February 5, 2009

Forums Say Minoxidil Does Nothing for Frontal Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I have read on many forums that Minoxidil only works effectively for the back region of the head and does nothing for frontal hair loss. Is that entirely true? As my hair is shedding around the sides and front but still thankfully have a ‘full head of hair’.

Much obliged

I have seen minoxidil grow hair on the hand of a man that used his right hand to apply the medication, so I would expect that it could grow some hair in the frontal area. In other words, it can potentially grow hair basically anywhere it is applied. The reports through FDA studies only show crown results, but that does not mean it would not (absolutely) work in the frontal area in some men to some degree.

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February 5, 2009

Can Propecia Make My Hair Worse in a Week? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am a 20-year-old male and just began Propecia about a week ago. I have been looking and feeling my hair a ton since I began the drug. To me, it seems almost as if my hair is worse after starting it? My crown feels thinner to the touch and my hairline seems a little more sparse. I have two questions for you.

1) Is it possible that Propecia can make my hairline and crown thinner rather than help?
2) If so is it possible that it could have done it in a week?

Thank you for your reply

While there have been some rare complaints from people that say they have shedding since starting Propecia, I would doubt that something this severe occurs in a week. You should follow up with your prescribing doctor.

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February 5, 2009

Am I Inhaling Toppik? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I’ve been using Organin and Toppik for almost 3 years now and whenever I put it on, the stuff goes everywhere. Only now did it actually occur to me that this stuff might be lingering in the air or that I’m inhaling it without knowing it. In the time that I’ve used it I haven’t experienced anything out of the ordinary but my concern is if it’s going into my lungs and staying in there causing harm. Again, I haven’t felt anything. Just curious if it’s something to think about?

Thanks.

Toppik You almost must be careful when you apply such powders. If you’re concerned, you may want to use a surgical mask while you apply it, then you should be OK once it is fixed to the hair and scalp.

You are the first to ask such a question, but you should certainly forward your question to Spencer Forrest, the manufacturer of Toppik. You can find them here. I don’t know who manufactures Organin, but if you can find that info you should write to them as well. I don’t know how the fibers differ in each product (as far as composition/harmfulness), but they appear to act in a similar way as camouflaging agents.

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February 5, 2009

A Patient’s Experience Expressed in His Words – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Here’s a note from patient, posted here with his permission:

I’d like take this opportunity to express my gratitude for all your past help and suggestions. I wonder if potential clients realize how appreciated and important this follow-up care is to the whole experience. All of my expectations have been met or exceeded. Unfortunately, other than family members most people are either unaware of what the positive change is that appears to them or reluctant to ask if detected. Rest assured that if asked I would be delighted to speak of my experience. Please pass my sentiments on to your colleagues especially Dr. Rassman as I was fortunate to have him perform the procedure.

I believe that we practice medicine the way it should be practiced, focusing not only on the technical side of what we do, but focusing on the people side and helping them through the experience. From pain management to patient education, we make the experience the way it should be.

We keep answering questions about post-operative care from patients who have not had responsive hair transplant surgeons, so this post is presented because we practice what we preach.

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February 4, 2009

What Is Considered Extreme Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

This sounds simple and but I’m really quite curious. What would you consider rapid and abnormal hairloss for someone in their twenties? One month, two months, half a year, a year? I’ve noticed an extreme amount of thinning over a month period and then none for the past 5 months ( what I would consider normal hair loss, very similar to before the extreme thinning)? Help!

I’m not sure I follow your question. Are you suggesting that hair loss occurs for a month or two and then stops… and cycles that way? That’s not how it works. Normal hair loss reflects hair cycling, which can account for 100-150 hairs falling out per day. There are no general rules about what is considered extreme, but if you are concerned then take charge and either see a doctor or check out your own hair for miniaturization (see Mapping Your Own Scalp).

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