November 2009 – Page 8

November 6, 2009

Transplanting Hair Between Fraternal Twins? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I’m worried that the combination of continued balding and my very fine hair will make it difficult to naturally and densely cover my scalp via transplant. In the case of having a fraternal twin, female family members, or maybe even friends with hair to spare, is it ever possible to retrieve grafts from a donor that is not the patient? Would grafts from a female donor be viable on a male MPB scalp? Thanks!

Unfortunately, transplanting hair from any person other than an identical twin will fail and get rejected. Hair is like any other organ transplant, which would require anti-rejection medication that could lead to further health complications. I’ve written about this process and the medication required before.

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November 6, 2009

MDF Advanced – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Doc

Any thoughts on MDF Advanced (site), seems like it’s a mega all in one treatment – but i thought duta wasn’t allowed to be used for hair loss?

keep up the good work

MDF Advanced contains a very high level of minoxidil (15%), dutasteride (a prescription medication), and flutamide (I’ve yet to see a study that proves it does anything to treat hair loss topically). I don’t see how this is safe or why a doctor would sign off on this. The way they sell the topical treatment is interesting — you order it and supply your doctor’s info, they fax something to your doctor asking for him/her to approve prescribing this medication, then they have their own pharmacy send you this formula containing a prescription medication. Is that even legal? It might be a gray area.

There’s a couple of red flags that I need to point out:

Dutasteride is yet to be FDA approved as a hair loss treatment (it is a prostate medication), so the doctor would be signing off on something for off-label use. Doctors have to consider their liability when prescribing off-label medication. Also, the FDA controls all claims on lotions, potions, drugs, and any variation left open for misinterpretation can be actionable. Many doctors won’t do what this company wants them to do. I certainly would not!
It contains dutasteride in a topical form (the limited studies I’ve seen have been for oral dutasteride). You’re risking a lot to use an expensive treatment that hasn’t been proven safe or effective.

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November 6, 2009

If My Libido is Higher on Propecia and Avodart, Does that Mean DHT is Increasing? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I started taking propecia when i began noticing my hairline receding and hair becoming thin in the crown. About 1 year later i decided to give dutasteride ago. Throughout both medications my testosterone increased quite alot, causing increased libido to such a degree that i was getting an erection almost 3 times a day compared to almost never (unless needed) when i wasnt on the medication. i have been taking these medications now for 3 years and my testosterone shows no sign of of decreasing back to normal.

My question is, if i am taking medications to reduce as much DHT as i can and my medications are actually increasing my testosterone which inturn is creating more DHT as its a by product isnt it a paradox and useless. I have however heard that this increased testosterone isnt almost a momentary thing that may last a while because my bodys thinking ‘we need to make more testosterone’ due to the decrease caused by the medication.

Thanks NHI Team

Few men will complain of an increased libido or an increase in the frequency of erections. As you noted that the increase in erection function has been now two years since you started it, I would imagine that it will continue. How do you know your testosterone levels increased? Did you have them measured before and after you are taking Propecia and/or dutasteride? These blood levels need to be compared to the normal values established by the lab testing you.

The connection with your sex drive and the DHT block from the drugs you are taking, and possible increased levels of testosterone are unclear. Without knowing testosterone levels before and after you started taking the DHT, I can not tell you much. I personally think that you are going overboard with analysis here, and should just enjoy the moments as long as everything is working well.

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November 6, 2009

Any Minoxidil-Based Treatments That Just Require 1 Daily Application? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dr. Rassman
I have started using scalpmed. It requires daily twice application. I cannot go to office with greasy head. I either have to take bath after applying or have another minoxidil based solution that needs daily once only application. So

What should be the minimum time between application of minoxidil and shower?

Is there any minoxidil based treatment that requires once nightly application?

The minoxidil will have been absorbed by the skin within an hour or so, so that should be the time in between applying and showering.

Using Rogaine Foam might solve the greasy head problem for you. Since both the foam and ScalpMed are minoxidil based, you wouldn’t lose benefits by switching between the two. Most minoxidil products recommend twice daily use, but some people do apply just once a day.

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November 5, 2009

Tanning Lotion and Hair Loss? – Balding Blog

Hi there,

I have an unusual question! I have noticed mild temple recession over the past 6 months. I am not aware of my hair “falling out” in the shower or anything like that, but rather when I look at photos of myself of late, it is noticable that my temples are more receded. I still have hair in the temple point region, but it is not as thick or prominent as it used to be.

However, something occurred to me today. I have for the past 6-8 months been using a “self-tan” moisturizer, of which the active ingredient is DHA… The areas where I have noticed hairloss (frontal hairline & temples) are the exact areas where my hairline comes into contact with the tanning lotion. The instructions for the self tan state that you should avoid the hairline, as it may cause mild discoloration of the hair, which I have noticed in this area.

After googling DHA and DHT, my initial understanding is that it seems that there may be some correlation between the two? My question therefore is could the DHA in self tan be having an impact on my hair and causing slow but gradual hair loss? And if so, if I stop the self-tan, will the hair likely return in these areas? I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks

I do not know the connection to the tanning solutions and hair loss. If you think that it may be the cause, then stop using the self-tanner and see if your loss subsides. Most tanning lotions like that will advise to not let it touch the hairline, but that is because it could dye your hair.

November 5, 2009

My Teen Daughter is Losing Hair — What Should She Do? – Balding Blog

Is their a Dr.in the Sacramento area who specializes in hair loss. My 18 year old daughter has been experiencing hair loss for about a year. I took her to the Dr. last year and was told it was probably due to stress. Her blood work showed no abnormalities. She has another appointment soon. I am thinking it could be heredity. My father stated losing his hair at 18. I have Kaiser Insurance and I don’t think they are going to do a whole lot to figure out what is going on with her hair loss. What would be the next step? Should she be referred to a Dermatologist? If you could give some assistance, that would be appreciated, thanks.

Women’s hair loss is very different from men’s hair loss. Finding the source of the female thinning isn’t as simple as looking to the history of hair loss from the male side of the family. You should take a look at the female hair loss category of this site and read the many posts on the subject. A doctor who specializes in hair transplantation and has the intellectual capacity to analyze it may be able to help. Usually this is an elimination process for known causes.

I would be happy to give you an opinion, but you would have to fly to Los Angeles to see me. Or Dr. Pak goes to our San Jose office and may be a first start to the process of analysis. It’s not quite Sacramento, but it’s closer than Los Angeles. If not, you can try the physician search at ISHRS.org.

November 4, 2009

Are There Any PRP Studies Underway? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

You recently stated that you would need to see a well-controlled scientific study to be convinced that PRP would be worth the cost. I was wondering if you were aware of any such study. I’m sure doctors and patients alike would be eager to see the results if in fact a study is currently underway.

The popularity of PRP treatment seems to be increasing and I get the impression (just from what I read online) that more and more doctors are adopting the practice.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a great marketing gimmick, but there is no good scientific evidence that it has any value. Most of the studies that I do know of don’t provide the quality of data I demand before I’d consider using it. Also, we have not heard from the FDA, which may be interested in the claims made by those who promote it.

I am not aware of a well designed scientific study going on with good double blind controls, but maybe there is such a study being conducted. If so, when it is published, I will certainly know about it. As a surgeon quoted in this recent article about PRP says, “there currently is minimal evidence of this clinically and more research must be performed“.

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November 4, 2009

Any Hair Thickening Recommendation? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

What product will you recommend for hair thickening and to stop hair-loss. When do you think Follica will be ready with the miracle drug?

For hair thickening, there are a variety of products like volumizing shampoos and protein fibers that you can apply to your hair. I don’t have any specific recommendation for these, as they’re over the counter and you can try them as you like. Some work better than others to give the illusion of thicker hair, but none of them will stop hair loss.

As for information on Follica, please contact the company (here is their Consumer Inquiries form). I have no insider information.

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November 3, 2009

Hair Loss InformationIn the News – Andre Agassi Wore a Wig – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Snippet from the article:

Former tennis star Andre Agassi has admitted the lion mane-style hairstyle he sported during the 1990s was actually a wig, in extracts from his autobiography published in British newspapers Saturday.

Agassi said he wore a hairpiece held together with pins in his first Grand Slam final, the 1990 French Open final, and blamed his concerns that it would fall apart for losing the match to Andres Gomez.

Before the match he prayed “not for victory, but that my hairpiece would not fall off”, he writes in “Open”.

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Read the rest — Agassi admits mane was a wig

Well, coming clean about his wig-wearing days is certainly one way to sell books. Here are some before and after photos for those that might not remember him with his mullet wig in the 90s:

November 3, 2009

Can Propecia Stop Any Medication-Induced Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have been on propecia for about 6 months and it seems to have stopped my shedding. I read somewhere that Lexapro can cause hair loss. If i start taking Lexapro 10mg can it still cause hair loss even if i’m taking propecia?

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The drugs that cause hair loss are not protected by taking Propecia. Keep in mind that Lexapro doesn’t cause hair loss for everyone taking it, but it is a possibility.