February 2009 – Page 9

February 11, 2009

I’ve Had Gynecomastia — Is Propecia Going to Make it Worse? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello Dr.,

I have mild gyno since I was 15, nothing to be worried, just my nipples are larger than those from other guys. Now I’m 21, and I’ve just started using Propecia (2 weeks ago). My questions are:

How many are the chances to make even worse my breast condition?

When I should see that my gynecomastia is getting worse and what are the signs to alarm me?

If it’s getting worse what are the alternatives for me (to save my hair), cause I know propecia is the only DHT blocker approved by the FDA? (I’m a NW2)

Your chances of Propecia producing gynecomastia problems is about equal to the regular population (one in about 500 men).
If you develop breast enlargement or breast pain, it usually comes on in the first month, but sometimes I have seen it delayed a year or so.
There are no FDA approved DHT blockers other than finasteride for treating hair loss. I only recommend FDA approved and proven treatments, which are limited to minoxidil and finasteride at this point.

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February 11, 2009

In the News – Heart Attack Genes? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Snippet from the article:

Researchers spanning three continents have pointed the finger at nine flawed genes after carrying out the largest-ever trawl through human DNA to search for inherited risks of a heart attack.

Variants of genes located in chromosomes 2, 3, 6, 12 and 21 boost the risk of myocardial infarction, according to five studies published online on Sunday in the latest issue of the journal Nature Genetics.

Identifying the culprits could open up new drug targets for people at risk, targeting inflammation by the immune system, adhesion between cells and other molecular mechanisms.

Read the full article — Nine gene clues found in risk of heart attack

No, it’s not a hair loss related news item… but it could potentially be huge news and I found it worth sharing.

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February 10, 2009

Zymo Hsor – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Dr Rassman

My question it’s about new approach of treatment. Have you heard about Zymo Hsor (used in Kaidax), or the options to use lotions with finasteride and flutamide with liposomes to enlvolve the drugs? Well, let me start describing the Zymo Hsor. It’ s a enzyme able to destroy DHT on the scalp. It’s manufactured on Italy. A brazilian Dr, that I know, likes Zymo Hsor and have formulas that use in liposome.

A transdermic gel aor foam with finasteride and flutamide in liposome forms it’s also used to reduce topical DHT. This brazilian Dr recomends to first use Zymo Hsor to destroy topical DHT, and then apply the gel of Finasteride an flutamide. The finasteride topical would reduce the DHT formation, and the remaining DHT would compete with flutamide for the androgens receptos. As the final result the DHT that would link to androgen receptors would be much less.

There are studies suggesting that retioic acid enhance minoxidil effect, and also studies that clains B-12 vitamin increase the effect of minoxidil. One study show that minoxidil with retinol and 0,1% of finasteride resulted in a much higher percentage of people with regorw, when compared to people that only used minoxidil. Propecia reduces more DHT on blood, but not much topical DHT. So I believe would be a fine approach if we use topical lotions to attack DHT, combined with the oral propecia.

I would like to heard your opinion about

Regards

I haven’t heard of Zymo Hsor, but lots of claims are made of various products and I am posting your comments to show the general inexhaustible approaches to the balding problem, your Brazilian doctor in particular. There is no evidence that topicals will work as you suggested here, but let the reader beware as he reads your post and researches it to his heart’s delight. I have no further knowledge to base an opinion on.

There’s this post at HairLossHelp about Zymo Hsor that doesn’t reveal much more than what you described in your email above, and I’ve written about flutamide gel before.

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February 10, 2009

Would Saw Palmetto Counteract Propecia? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Please can you explain scientifically how taking saw palmetto can be counter productive to propecia. You have said in some replys that taking even green ‘MAY’ interact with propecia and stop it working to its full potential. I wonder wether everyday things will then, from a lot of fresh veg and fruit or other things.

I do not know of any antagonism of saw palmetto and Propecia (finasteride 1mg). The side effects of both are similar so you might see more sexual side effects when you double up on both medications. I don’t know where I’ve said anything different…

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February 10, 2009

The Doctors TV Talk Show – Open Casting Call for Couples – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Are you bald and want to be on national syndicated TV to talk about it with your wife or girlfriend in front of a studio audience? Well, now’s your chance!

The following is an open casting call announcement for those that wish to appear on The Doctors TV show. I believe they are looking for people for a show taping this coming Friday in the Los Angeles area, but they’ll be able to provide the actual details (see their contact info below). I won’t be able to participate in the show due to scheduling conflicts, but Dr. Pak may be able to move some things around to be at the taping. Here’s the notice:

—

“The Doctors” Talk Show (www.thedoctorstv.com) is looking for couples to appear on the show! They are doing a fun, light segment about Male Pattern Baldness. They are looking for men who have begun to bald and are wondering why they lose hair on the top of their head first, yet still have a crown of hair along the outside. If you are interested in appearing on the show and asking a question about the balding process with your spouse, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact Julie at julie.laplaca@cbs.com or 323.956.8653.

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February 10, 2009

Minoxidil and the Prostate? – Balding Blog

Are there any data on the long-term effects of minoxidil use? I’m going for a prostate biopsy after a reading of 11+ and saw there is some connection with propecia (which I don’t use). Thanks.

There is no long term side effect of minoxidil, particularly with the prostate. The connection with Propecia (finasteride) and the prostate is that the medication drops the PSA level and has a preventive impact against prostate cancer in men with normal prostates. Minoxidil works differently than Propecia, and as such, minoxidil has no impact or connection to the prostate.

February 10, 2009

Hives and Facial Swelling Just Started After 2 Years on Propecia – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello Doctor,
I have been using propecia for close to 2 years now with great results. The hair got thicker and I am very thankful for it. But for last 6 months I have been getting hives over my entire body, initially I thought it was food. So I kept track of what I ate but it showed no consistency. I had hives almost every other day. Then I stated taking an antihistamine but the hives continued to get more severe and my lip started swelling up. I went to allergist and everything (got blood test). Nothing showed. Recently I started getting swollen eyes as well. I finally tried stopping propecia and no hives, swollen lips or eyes for almost 10 days now. What can I do now? I really think propecia works great and I want to keep taking it but the side effect is really bad. The lip swelling is really disfiguring. How can I get around this problem? Thanks

It sounds like you have developed an allergy to Propecia if your hives and swollen lips go away upon stopping the drug. I would like you to go back to your doctor or possibly your allergist and give them the information about stopping the drug, asking for an opinion. You are on a timeline here, as you can expect to see hair loss after stopping Propecia for about 2-3 weeks, so get those opinions in hand ASAP.

You may not be able to manage the allergic reaction which has dangers of progression and even more side effects. I am not your doctor, so this is just a general opinion not based upon an intimate knowledge of you and your situation other than what you wrote here.

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February 10, 2009

Hair Transplant in India Costs? – Balding Blog

How Much Would a Hair Transplant Cost Me in India? As I am in India, I want to know where do get my hair transplant.

Each doctor is different. There isn’t one set price for a procedure, and even the per graft price may depend on how many grafts you need. As for where to get the hair transplant, try using the physician search at ISHRS.org to find a doctor in your area. I do not have a particular doctor recommendation in India.

February 9, 2009

Can Zinc Block Minoxidil? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Doctor,
i have read in a hair loss forum , that zinc can block minoxidil’s action. So it is advised that one should avoid using products, that contain these two substances at the same time or sooner than 3-4 hours. Is this claim scientifically proven?

I thank you in advance.

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I do not believe that zinc will block minoxidil. There are multiple reports on various websites that I found via Google that go both ways, and I could not find a scientific article to point me in the proper direction. That being said, I don’t recall reading anything in the literature, nor does the minoxidil application information (including Rogaine’s FAQ) make any mention of avoiding products with zinc.

So to answer your question — if it has been scientifically proven, I haven’t heard about it and can’t find any reference to it. If someone has more info, please feel free to send a link to review.

February 9, 2009

Hair Loss InformationCan Hair Regrow in a Scar? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have a long scar on my head from an accident that happened just over a month ago. I want to know is there any thing that can be done to make it smaller and reduce the appearance of the scar. also wanted to know if there were any treatments that could make the hair grow back were the scar is?

Thank you for taking the time to review my questions

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I looked a the photo you sent, and although I won’t publish it on your request, your scar appears to be about 2 inches long and 1/4 inch wide. This is a scar that has no hair elements within it. The only solution for this is hair transplantation, something that can be fairly easy to do. I have done surgery on patients with cranial scars from brain tumor surgery and even injury scars like this, and they can take a transplant fairly well. This particular scar can not be removed without returning.