July 2010 – Page 6 – Balding Blog

July 14, 2010

In the News – Napoleon Bonaparte’s Hair Sold for $13k – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

A lock of hair cut from Napoleon Bonaparte’s head after he died has sold for US$13,000 at an auction in New Zealand.

Extra phone lines were installed for the sale to cope with an expected rush of international buyers seeking to snip up the hair cut from the head of former French Emperor a day after his death in 1821 while he was in exile on the island of St. Helena.

The circle of hair was part of a collection brought to New Zealand in 1864 by Denzil Ibbetson, a British commissary officer and artist.

Read the full article at Reuters — Lock of Napoleon’s hair sells for $13,000

I don’t remember a lock of hair being sold for so much before, but I guess this proves that there’s a market for everything.

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July 13, 2010

Shedding After Switching from 1mg to 1.25mg Finasteride – Balding Blog

It seems like you have prescribed 1.25 mg of Finasteride (Proscar cut in fourths) to many people who were previously taking 1 mg Propecia. Have any of these people expressed concerns of temporary increased shedding after this switch? Do you believe that its possible that such a small increase in Finasteride could be the cause of increased shedding?

I was taking Propecia for approximately 15 months with great results. However, I am now experiencing shedding that began approximately three weeks after making the switch from daily 1 mg Propecia to 1.25 mg daily generic Proscar (from a reputable pharmacy). It seems unlikely that such a small change could increase effectiveness of the drug, and thus cause shedding.

Of course, I am aware that the effects of progressive hair loss very well could be the culprit of my sudden shedding…

Thanks for your time.

I randomly get these questions and reports from my patients, but I do not see any pattern or change as patients switch from brand name Propecia (1mg finasteride) to the 5mg generic finasteride split into four pieces. It is very difficult to pinpoint and establish a direct relationship, as most patients are very happy with the cost savings and same effectiveness of the medication.

July 13, 2010

Pityriasis Lichenoides Chronica and Hair Loss? – Balding Blog

I have been diagnosed with Pityriasis lichenoides chronica which I have had since I was 15. About the same time my hair started thinning. I am now in my mid 30s and I have general thinning (no hairline recession) from the crown to the front. Both sides and the back of my head is fully thick. I have started propecia and minoxidil.

Is there any connection between the PLC and my hair loss?

I have no personal experience with pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC), but as I understand it, there’s not much known about the condition. How it relates to hair loss is unclear. For those readers that are curious, PLC “is characterised by the gradual development of symptomless, small, scaling papules that spontaneously flatten and regress over a period of weeks” (source: DermNet NZ).

What I do know is that the most common cause of hair loss in men is genetic male pattern baldness (MPB). It occurs in a pattern from crown to front as you describe, leaving the hair on the sides and back “fully thick”, as you also describe. It could be possible that you have PLC along with MPB and the two are unrelated.

It seems you need a good diagnosis and you cannot get that here on the Internet. You need to find a physician who can examine you and give you his assessment. A miniaturization study may be helpful as well and may point to the association of genetic male patterned hair loss if that is also present.

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July 13, 2010

How Long Before Propecia Is Out of My System? – Balding Blog

I have been consistently taking propecia for 3 months and starting noticing sexual side effects one day away from completing my first 3 months of consumption of the drug. Obviously, that was the same day that I stopped taking drugs. It’s been four days since I have stopped taking the drug and I want to know if the “no erection” (erectile dysfunction) sexual side effect of propecia will go away, and how long does it take for propecia to get out of my body?

Thanks in advance for your help

Propecia (finasteride 1mg) lasts about one day in your body. The half life (the time it takes for half of the medication to be cleared by your body) of Propecia is about 4 to 6 hours. Some have said there are still traces of Propecia that are left that can linger for about one week in general, thus the side effects should be dissipated by one week timeframe.

On a separate note, having a side effect appear after 3 months of consistent use is fairly rare and there are also other possibilities of sexual issues. These things can be discussed with your physician. Good luck.

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July 12, 2010

I Have Characteristics of DUPA and MPB – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have been losing hair since I was about 17 (I am now 23), and I’m confused as my hair loss seems to have characteristics of both DUPA and typical MPB.

For example, I have a receding hairline and a small bald spot at the vertex – typical of MPB. However, I also have general thinning on the crown, forelock and down the sides and back of my head. Is it possible to have a receding hairline with DUPA? I was under the impression men with this kind of hair loss retained their hairlines.

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NW 7 If you have the gene for male pattern baldness (MPB), the expression of the gene will dictate when the hair loss starts and which balding pattern that you will evolve into. In most people, the frontal loss starts at the leading edge of the frontal hairline, but a few people will keep their frontal hairline while they lose the hair behind it. When it comes to those with diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA), the loss of the hairline as you describe is possible.

Here’s an excerpt from a paper published in 1997 referring to DUPA that may clarify: Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia patients have a similar progression of balding as the DPA [diffuse patterned alopecia] patient except that the progression is often more rapid and will more likely eventuate in a “horseshoe pattern” resembling the Norwood class VII, except that in contrast to the Norwood VII, the DUPA “horseshoe” can look almost “transparent” due to the low density.

The hair on the sides and in the back of the head (a 3 inch high part of the scalp that starts at the body prominence of the skull aka the “horseshoe pattern” mentioned above) is looked at as permanent hair in most men. In the diagnosis of DUPA, this permanent zone has miniaturized hair in excess of 20%. The higher the miniaturized hair count in the permanent zone, the more difficult it will be to get enough good healthy donor hair for a hair transplant.

Women have what looks like DUPA in that same area and also often throughout the head. This makes most affected balding women poor candidates for hair transplantation.

July 12, 2010

Will a Hair Transplant Make Psoriasis Worse? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Sir,

I have psoriasis and may be it has caused some hair loss. I would like to know if I conduct hair transplant on the affected area can the hair grow there or the skin become worse?

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I too have psoriasis and had a hair transplant twice. The psoriasis did not impact the hair transplant or vice versa. I wrote about this very topic in one of my earliest blog posts way back 5 years ago — Scalp Psoriasis and Transplants.

It’s worth noting that I doubt the psoriasis caused your hair loss unless you picked at your scalp and developed traction alopecia.

July 12, 2010

Did My Testosterone Injections Cause My Transplanted Hair to Fall Out? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Doctor,

I had a hair transplant in July 2009. The physician completely re-constructed my anterior hairline. There was no hair growing there before he transplanted some. In September of 2009 I began monthly injections of 1ml of testosterone. I noticed my hair really filling in from the transplant until about 6 months ago. Since then I have noticed a definite thinning of my hair including the reconstructed frontal hairline which was exclusively transplanted hair. Is it possible that the testosterone treatments have caused the transplanted hair to fall out? I have been taking 1mg of Propecia religiously since the transplant, but it doesn’t seem to be making a difference. Thank you.

It is possible that the testosterone impacted the transplanted hair and almost certainly may have impacted the native hair that is present. If the hair transplants are falling out due to the testosterone injections, it might even suggest that the hairs used in the transplant didn’t come from the donor area (permanent zone in the back of the scalp). You need to discuss this with your surgeon, as he has the insights into your case and I only know what you told me above.

I realize you indicated that you’re not in the Los Angeles area, but if you make it out this way I would be happy to examine you.

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July 9, 2010

At What Age Should Men Seriously Consider Hair Transplants? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,

Right off the bat, I have to give my deepest appreciation and gratitude for everything you do here! I have 3 seperate questions for you. I don’t believe I have seen these specific questions on your blog before, so hopefully you won’t have to be repeating yourself!

For anyone willing to send you pictures to publish with your comments (I am), what are factors should we keep in mind? For example, eyebrows raised are good, correct? What about wetting your hair vs. keeping it dry? Are pictures easier to dissect and faux diagnose if it’s longer or shorter? What about including older photos of yourself? Lighting, etc.

I realize every case is different, but generally speaking, at what age do you think people should start seriously considering transplants for receding hairlines? I’m 27, and I realize my mature hairline may continue to recede until at least age 30. If that’s a good rule of thumb, is it logical to wait until approximately age 30 to consider restoring your hairline? (I’m sure the last thing anyone would want is to transplant your hairline too early, only for your natural hair to recede more, leaving you with a bald gap!)

While I don’t quite understand why this occurs, I often see the immediate results of transplantation, which is often scarred and scabbed looking. How long does this look last? The reason I ask is regarding those who perhaps want to try and not let EVERYONE in their office (& life) know they had a procedure. If one were to take a week off work to let their scalp heal, would it look back-to-normal after 7 days? Then can you just wait for the hair to start growing in? I haven’t seen many week-by-week photo diaries online. Most tend to be more month-by-month, IF that.

I appreciate any detailed insight you might be able to give. Thank you, sir!

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Old camera If you want a formal consultation from me, you can call (800) NEW-HAIR or send photos to this address and make time for a phone consultation. Sending pictures to BaldingBlog and having me comment on it will be just generalizations. I recommend taking the photos outside in daylight with some close-ups that wrinkle the brow so I can estimate where the hairline belongs. I also recommend taking some photos with the hair pulled back and even some with the hair wet if you think it will help me see what you want me to focus on.

I have performed surgery on men in their early 20’s to late into the early 80’s. There is no one age I would recommend. It all depends on what you are trying to do and your expectations and your maturity and understanding of what is possible (realistic expectations).

The scabbing after a hair transplant can last as long as one or two weeks, but it all depends on how well you clean and wash your hair. It can look “normal” after one day, and patients who have considerable existing native hairs in the recipient area often have their own coverage. In other words, if you already had some hair in the transplant area, you can use that to camouflage it. If you had no hair in the area at all, that wouldn’t work for you… so we often suggest changing your face by growing a beard or mustache to give a different look overall and detract from your scalp until the healing process is done.

July 9, 2010

Can Lasers or Home Remedies Thicken Hairs? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Doc,

Thanks a lot for the blog. I’m 22 and I have a full head of hair, but all the hairs are very thin. Moreover, there is distance between my hairs. Also, I have a problem of small acne kind of thing which keeps popping all over my head. However, I have started using betadine scalp and skin cleaner which has resolved the problem but I have tiny round scars all over my scalp. The main problem is my hairs are very thin. When I make them long, it covers my whole head but it gives a see-through look. When I get a buzz cut, no body knows that im balding.

IN YOUR OPINION,

1.Is there a way that each hair of my head can be thickened? Is it possible for thick-hair-promising hair oils and home remedies (egg yolk, etc.) to penetrate the scalp and nourish the hair from the roots? what about lasers, i know they cannot grow new hair, but can they make thin hair thicker (many doctors on tv say they can)?

2. Any update from lexington? They said something like they were going to publish their results in the scientific journal?

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LLLT You can put styling products (pomade) to make your hair “feel” thicker. Medically, you can take Propecia (finasteride) to thicken the shaft size, but it is not a permanent solution. Herbal products and shampoos that claim hair thickening may accomplish this by adding water to the hair shaft. There is no scientific proof that Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT lasers) work in my experience.

There was a study published in Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy last year that an insightful BaldingBlog reader wrote a response to — Reader Checks in with His Thoughts on the Latest LaserComb Study. I can’t seem to find the actual study online anymore though.

July 9, 2010

Is Skipping a Shower Bad for Your Hair? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello, I have a question about the shower and hair loss.

My question is, is it harmful to your hair if you do not shower daily, or sometimes go a few days without showering? Does not showering daily or showering every other day cause hair loss/is it bad for the hair to not shower often? Thanks so much!

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You do not need to shower or wash your hair daily. There are many people all over the world who do not have access to water and they have the same frequency of balding that we see in countries that have the luxury of lots of water for frequent hair washes. I think a nice shower just feels good.