Month: January 2012

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Hair Loss InformationI Want My Hair to Fall Out Faster So I Can Get a Transplant Sooner – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am currently taking finasteride and it has been helping me in slowing down my hair loss but not stopping or regrowing anything. If I am losing hair still, wouldn’t finasteride be a bad thing for me to take because I would want my hair to fall out faster so I can get a transplant right away instead of waiting to see my final hair loss pattern.

Wouldn’t this also avoid me risking shock hair loss if I get a transplant in areas I still have a bit of hair in which was being saved by finasteride?

Love the website.

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Oh boy. Why in the world would you want your hair loss to progress faster?! Please read about building a Master Plan.

If you are ready for a hair transplant, I would think you would want your existing native hairs present as long as possible for a better result. Shock loss may be an issue, but that is something you discuss with you surgeon for its risks in relation to the aforementioned Master Plan.

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Hair Loss InformationSpironolactone for Treating MPB? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Dr.Rassman, what are your opinions regarding the safety and effectiveness of topical spironolactone? Is it a safe alternative to proprecia or does it pose harmful side effects?

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It does work for the treatment of balding, but the side effects are significant and far more common than Propecia, including the scope of side effects.

Spironolactone causes an increased risk of bleeding from the stomach and duodenum, gynecomastia, and testicular atrophy (kills off the testicles or makes them smaller and less effective). Erectile dysfunction would be common and it can cause a serious rise in potassium in the body (hyperkalemia). The side effects and complications go on and on.

It should never be used to treat the benign condition of male pattern hair loss.

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Hair Loss InformationMicro Extensions? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Is there anything else other than finasteride I should consider to help with my hairloss?

What is your thought on micro extensions?

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Finasteride and minoxidil (Rogaine) are the two drug treatments I will recommend, as they are FDA approved to treat hair loss.

Micro ring hair extensions do not use glues or sewing, but while I haven’t had it done myself (I prefer my hair short), the photos I’ve seen show me that it will probably run the risk of causing traction alopecia (more hair loss) due to the tight pulling on the scalp.

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Hair Loss Information2006 Study Says Saw Palmetto Doesn’t Improve BPH Symptoms – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Dr.

Link: Study Shows Saw Palmetto Extract Does Not Improve BPH Symptoms

It says: There is no different between Saw Palmetto and Placebo. if it’s correct, then maybe there is absolutely no benefit for inhibiting 5-alpha-r/DHT? Please tell us your comment. thank you.

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I believe if you search BaldingBlog over the years, we have always maintained that saw palmetto is just an herb and there is no scientific proof of its efficacy (for MPB or BPH). Informal studies, differing dosages, and duration of use have all been issues with clearing up once and for all if saw palmetto does anything to treat hair loss.

Regardless, as I have said too many times here, “Buyer beware”.

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Hair Loss InformationWhen All Else Fails, What Can a Young Man With Hair Loss Do Besides Give Up? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hey, I just want to take a second to thank Dr. Rassman for all of the time that he puts into this blog in helping young men as myself in looking for solutions to hair loss. I just want to explain something for a second.

First of all im 20 years old, have been losing my hair for some time. For all the time I put looking for answers to stop my receding pattern, people like me seem to be just wasting their time. I have been on finasteride for two years, and from the looks of my head, it seems as if I have no more options. I come to this blog out of desperation to hopefully find a “miracle cure” that will hopefully one day regrow the little fibers of youth that have slowly destroyed any bit of self confidence I once had. Im afraid that I have put countless hours a week researching baldness and still can find no answer in how to stop this.

How do people like me… when all fails…deal with this situation?…because it seems to me like the answer that makes the most sense is to just give up. It is most certainly wrong that young men, barely out of high school, will not face judgement and humiliation from this. In my case, I am embarrased to say that this little problem has turned into one big life crisis. A couple of years ago I was a pretty good looking kid. Now I cant jump into a pool without my scalp showing for everyone to point fun at. Two years ago I was happy…now im just depressed

If I’m going on a little rant here im sorry, but im just desperate I’m afraid. In reality, is there any hope for the guys like us, who seem to see thier youth crumbling, and confidence fading?

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You’re not alone in feeling this way. Unfortunately, we don’t have all the answers and there is no cure for hair loss. It’s possible that a hair transplant could be in your future… but you need to find a caring doctor who can work with you on a Master Plan addressing hair loss possibilities.

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Hair Loss InformationI’m Noticing an Increase in Chest Fat with Finasteride Use – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Dr. Rassman,

Several months into using Finasteride, I seem to be developing a case of pseudo-gynecomastia. I do not have any swelling, tenderness or fibrous tissue growth, just a noticeable increase of fat in my chest. I have decided to halve my dose of Finasteride to see if there is any improvement; however, is this safe?

In other words, am I now at greater risk for permanent glandular changes and, as infinitesimal as the rates are, breast cancer? It is my hope that a lower dose and increased aerobic exercise will get rid of most or all of the fat. How might I proceed? Many thanks.

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Gynecomastia is a documented side effect of Propecia (finasteride), but how it relates to breast cancer and its risks are unclear. Gynecomastia is also an issue in it of itself for a minority of men who are not taking any medication. It could be coincidental timing. Have you changed any eating or exercise habits? Either way, BaldingBlog is not a place for diagnosis or treatment.

If you have gynecomastia you need to speak with or be examined by your doctor and discuss your options. Each and every case is different. While a lower dose might decrease side effects, you should also be discussing your dosage change with your prescribing doctor.

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Hair Loss InformationMy Temples Are Lighter In Color Than The Rest of My Hair – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am 28 and my temples are alot lighter in color and feel thinner than the rest of my hair. Does this indicate miniaturization and will I eventually lose this hair without treatment? Also, I feel like the corners of my hairlines are way further back than they should be. I have tried propecia and rogaine for the past 2 years and nothing has seemed to work. Bernstein hair told me that I wasnt a candidate for hair transplant yet but I am really self conscious about my hair. Any ideas on how to proceed? Thank you!

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Lighter color doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to lose that hair. Propecia and Rogaine aren’t likely going to help to regrow the temple peaks, as you’ve found out.

Without seeing you, I can not tell you what to do… but Dr. Bernstein is a good doctor and his opinion often mirrors mine. That being said, you can always get a second opinion. I just don’t know enough about you or your particular case to offer any real direction.

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Hair Loss InformationDo You Perform a FUT Test Before Surgery? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr.Rassman/Dr.Pak,
I understand that you conduct tests (FOX test) on potential FUE patients to determine their suitability, but do you offer similar tests to FUT patients (e.g. 3 cm x 1 cm excision / ~300 graft mini-HT to ascertain healing quality of recipient and donor areas, donor-strip scar assessment, health of grafts, growth/take of transplants, etc.)?

Thank you.

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Unless there is an issue with the patient who has a history of poor wound healing or poor growth, we do not test patients for FUT (follicular unit transplant — also known as “strip method”) surgery. If someone would like a mini hair transplant, that would be another issue.

The FOX Test (for follicular unit extraction / FUE) is only testing 1 to 5 extractions. We do not transplant the grafts unless there is a strong desire expressed by the patient. Thus the FOX test is a very simple 5 to 10 min test which we offer at no cost.

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Hair Loss InformationI Had a Chemical Burn at the Hairline 5 Years Ago – What Can I Do? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi, Im a 20 year old black male and my problem is when I was younger around 15 yrs old or so I used to have braids and I would relax my hair every so often. I got a chemical burn one time right on the front of my hairline in the middle and a little on the side. It scabbed up and I scratch the scabs off and the hair never really grew back so it makes my hairline look like its receding. I have long hair now and I was just wondering is there ANYTHING I can use or do to grow or fill in these spots so I can get my confidence back!?

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If there was trauma to the hair follicles and it has not grown back in 5 years I highly doubt you can do anything to have it regrow on the area with any medication alone. Hair transplant surgery may be an option, but you would need to consult with a doctor if you would be a candidate.

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Hair Loss InformationHair Length for Bulk Analysis – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I came in and asked for a bulk hair analysis but you said I did not have enough hair on the side for the device to grab. What is the minimum length you would need?

Also when I do a pull test on the sides of my hair (DHT resistant region) no matter how hard and how many times, I fail to get any hairs to come loose. But when I do it to my thinning areas hairs come off freely. Does that mean the cycling is accelerated in those areas? And that those areas will eventually become bald?

Thanks in advance.

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Bulk measurement is done by grasping hairs that are in an area about one square inch of your scalp. So if you can pick a region and mark off about one square inch and you are able to grab the hairs freely with about two fingerbreadths, that should be enough of a length. I’d say that about 3 inches long would be sufficient.

Also, you should not have any styling product (gel, pomade, hair spray) in your hair, as that would artificially increase your bulk. Remember that no test is perfect and these are all just our way of trying to standardize and quantify the hair loss progress.

If you are a patient who came to see us at NHI you should have gotten a follow up consultation letter with your likely Norwood diagnosis. Also, stop pulling on your hair.