March 2009 – Page 9 – Balding Blog

March 12, 2009

Hair Loss Information » Generic Propecia from India is FDA Approved? – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman, generic finasteride is available in india manufactured by Cipla and other pharma companies. the name written in them are Finasteride tablets USP 1mg (eg: finpecia from cipla). A search in internet for USP returns “the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is an official public standards–setting authority for all prescription and over–the–counter medicines and other health care products manufactured or sold in the United States.” Link: http://www.usp.org/aboutUSP/

so does that means these generics are approved by FDA or are they keeps the standards set by US law? thanks

There are some companies outside the US that make generic drugs that are marketed in the United States and they are legitimate. There is a difference between when the manufacturer meets FDA manufacturing guidelines and the company’s ability to sell the drug in the United States.

In the case of finasteride 1mg tablets, the restrictions are enforced through the laws that govern patent protection. If company ‘X’ decided that it wanted to sell a drug in the US that is covered by U.S. Patent, the patent owner can get a court to supply a cease and desist order to company ‘X’. The owner of the patent can also file for triple damages for lost revenues under existing patent laws.

March 11, 2009

Hair Loss InformationFish Oil and Hair Loss in Asian Populations? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Great site. I have always thought that large amounts of fish oil can cause diffuse hair loss. The reason I think this is because of observing Asian woman and men. I have notice a LARGE amount of this population have diffuse hair loss, on the sides and back. I’m actually surprised of how many. I live in a major city and live in the ChinaTown section. I understand they have different hair characteristics ect…like skin color and dark hair but am convinced that this group of the population suffer from more diffuse than any other. I am convinced large amounts of Omega 3 can cause diffuse hair loss. It is interesting that GSK’s new prescription fish oil also list hair loss(Alopecia) as a possible side effect.

Lovaza Product Info PDF

Just thought I would get your view.

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I do not think large amounts of fish oil cause diffuse hair loss. Are you implying Asians consume large amount of fish oil because they eat more fish and fish products than non-Asians? If we were to entertain your argument, I would think the Eskimos have a very high Omega 3 fish oil diet. I do know that they have less balding than the general population of Caucasians and American Indians. I can not address any suggestions by some manufacturers of fish oil supplements that hair loss is a known side effect, because I have no personal or professional experience one way or the other. The information PDF you sent (linked above) doesn’t have an actual percentage of those that experienced it. It could’ve been 2 people out of hundreds, but I have no way to know.

Asians (non-balding) generally have less hair than their Caucasian counterpart and also have less balding than their Caucasian counterparts according to studies I have researched in the past. Asians also have straight black hair which contrasts with their light colored skin and may look thinner. These factors can sometimes make non-balding Asians look as if they have thinning hair.

March 11, 2009

Hair Loss InformationI Want to Rock and Roll All Night (And Keep My Hair) – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Doctor Rassman
I’m 20 years old and afraid I’m losing my hair, probably a mature hairline but I still fear the worst. I’m in a successful rock band and was wondering what my option are if i start to bald because i can’t just shave my head. I know i can use propecia but that would only last for so long right? Would a wig or weave stay on with all the constant head movement associated with playing rock concerts?

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Rock! Genetic hair loss is due to genetics (as the name implies)… meaning, if you are going to lose hair you will lose hair and there is nothing you can do to stop it 100%. Drugs such as Propecia or Rogaine can slow it down or sometimes reverse some hair loss, but over the course of your life you will continue to lose hair (if you have the genes for genetic hair loss). Propecia is the best solution for a young man like yourself, if there is early hair loss going on. I would start by seeing a good physician who can diagnose you with genetic hair loss (also know as androgenic alopecia / male pattern baldness). There is no need to start any medication if you are not balding.

Wigs and weaves can stay on if fitted and attached properly, which many performers wear without it falling off while they “rock and roll” all night.

March 11, 2009

In the News – New Hair Institute in the Los Angeles Times – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

There’s a nice article in today’s Los Angeles Times business section (sprinkled with Dr. Rassman quotes and a plug for the Hair Loss and Replacement for Dummies book) written by a reporter that attended our free Open House event last weekend in our LA office!

Snippet from the article:

The recession has caused patient volume at cosmetic-surgery facilities to fall by a third, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. With money so tight, it’s hard for many people to contemplate spending thousands of dollars on face-lifts or boob jobs.

But when I attended an open house at the New Hair Institute in Century City last weekend, I found a waiting room full of guys who were willing to spend as much as $20,000 apiece to restore what nature was taking away.

In many cases, the motivation is vanity or self-esteem. But increasingly these days, another incentive for men to undergo hair-transplant surgery is a desire to be more competitive in a challenging job market.

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The full article can be found at the LA Times website — In a hairy job market, can transplants aid the balding?

March 11, 2009

Xolair (Asthma Medication) and Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Doc.

Can the usage of Xolair an expensive asthma injectible cause hair loss. I have read warnings that this is possible. I may be taking this medicine in the near future and wondered if you have any thoughts on this issue with this medicine. It appears that most people take this med for multi years.

Thanks

Yes, Xolair (omalizumab) has been reported to produce hair loss in some patients. I don’t have anything else to add, as I don’t use nor do I prescribe this medication (I do not treat patients for asthma ailments). Sorry.

You can find a list of potential side effects here.

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March 11, 2009

Cutting Proscar – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dear doctor,
I have few questions about Proscar.

Do you think it is safe to cut proscar to 4-5 pieces?

Do you think that it is safer than buying generic finasteride?

Do you think that small differences in cutted pieces could have some negative effect?

thanks

Pill cutter And here’s a few answers to your questions about Proscar:

Yes, it is safe to cut Proscar into 4-5 pieces. Just cut one pill at a time.
I don’t think it is safer or less safe. The generic should be the same, just cheaper.
I don’t think the effect would be much, if any. This is why if you’re going to cut a 5mg pill, you should try to cut it into 4 equal pieces — much easier than cutting it into 5.

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March 11, 2009

Can Propecia Cause Telogen Effluvium? – Balding Blog

Doctor,

Have you ever heard of Propecia causing TE?

No, I have not.

March 10, 2009

Hair Loss InformationLace Weave and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi,
I’ve had some hairline loss/breakage from wearing a Lace Weave. I would like to help it grow back if possible. I don’t know if it was pulled out at the root. I’ve read that Minoxidil doesn’t help the hairline and if you stop using it the hair will fall back out. Is there anything that I can use to help? Thank you.

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The lace weave will produce traction alopecia, so if the hair does not grow back on its own, then it is probably permanently lost and even minoxidil won’t substantially help (you can try it anyway and I hope I am wrong). Hair transplantation is the only reliable solution available for you.

March 10, 2009

Why Isn’t Nitric Oxide Viewed as a Hair Loss Treatment? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Minoxidil is a vasodilator and is topical. Nitric oxide (Arginine-alpha ketaglutarate) is a vasodilator and oral.

I am having a hard time understanding why Minoxidil can grow hair (although I don’t know if it’s the same kind of hair and not just small hairs) while nitric oxide and massage typically aren’t viewed as hair loss treatments right now? You said before that Minoxidil probably works in that it prolongs one of the hair phases, but if they’re both nitric oxide based, what makes Minoxidil so different?

Nitric oxide Minoxidil has hair growth as a side effect of the drug and I believe that it has nothing to do with its vasodilating properties. Minoxidil’s reason for growing hair is still not entirely clear.

My role on this blog is to explain what is known in research and clinical medicine, but the use of nitric oxide is not known as a hair loss treatment and to my knowledge has not been scientifically studied. You can sponsor it if you wish, but the drug companies that do this work are apparently not paying for the research.

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March 10, 2009

I Have Thinning Hair In One Area on the Top of My Head – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman.

Thank you for your extremely informative and educational blog. I refer to it on a regular basis and I am extremely grateful for having this source as a reference.

I am a 36 year old male experiencing thinning in the frontal hairline primarily in the temporal area and a noticably visible thinning spot isolated to the right middle top of my head approximately one inch in diameter. I maintain very short hair (typically use a number 2 guard on the back and sides of my head, and a number 3 guard on top) with an electric trimmer. The thinning has slowly progressed over the past 5 years and appears to be more prevelant over the past year. I would attribute the frontal hair loss in the temporal area to a maturing hairline and I still have a low widows peak, albeit thinner.

My questions are:
1. What would cause the unsymmetrical thinning on the top of my head?
2. Would I likely receive any benefit from propecia in regrowing the hair in the top of my head or should I consider a localized hair transplant in that area?

Any insight you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards

Genetic balding is often not symmetrical and it does not always follow the rules on balding patterns. Yes, hair loss does break the rules. That is why I recommend mapping the scalp for miniaturization so that you will have an idea over what is actually going on beyond what your unmagnified eye can see. You can map it yourself with the right tools (see here). Clearly, you need to know if what you see is genetic balding and the mapping will give you that information, which you can post on BaldingForum if you need help on the interpretation.

Alternatively, and a better solution, is to get to a good doctor who will tell you from proper measurements and a good thorough examination what is happening to you. If you have genetic hair loss, Propecia/finasteride is the way to go. I’d look into medication before considering surgery.

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