Month: July 2012

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Hair Loss InformationIncreased Sex Drive with Qigong (with Video) – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I saw the video from the other day about the guy that drank his wife’s breast milk and said it cured his ED. That reminded me of something I saw equally as funny that you might like to see

YouTube – Chinese traditional qi gong treatment for prostate problems

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From the description of the video — “Qigong (Chi Gong) healing techniques is said to shrink enlarged prostates and result in healing and improved sexual functions.”

Is seeing believing? It’s not hair loss related, but the first few seconds were enough to make me want to post this. Ouch!

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In the News – Hair Club Sold to Aderans (Bosley) – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Snippet from the article:

Regis Corp said it will sell Hair Club for Men and Women, its hair loss products unit, to Japan’s Aderans Co Ltd for $163.5 million in cash, as it focuses on its salon operations.

The hair-salon operator, known for its Vidal Sassoon and Supercuts chains, is battling rising costs and slowing demand as frugal consumers take more time between haircuts.

The company has been exploring options for its non-core assets to cut costs and shore up its domestic business.

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Read the rest — Regis sells hair loss chain for $163.5 million

We mentioned a month ago about some doctors objecting to a possible sale of Hair Club to Aderans (parent company of Bosley), but it appears that the sale has gone through.

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Breast Enlargement from Propecia – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have been taking Propecia since I was 28, in varying doses from .25mg to 1mg. I have seen a huge benefit from it, but I have also seen some increase in breast tissue along with some pain in the breast area. My doctor has asked me to stop taking it to see if the pain subsides, and I have stopped for about a month but it has made little difference in terms of pain. What has changed is that my hair has thinned dramatically, mostly in the crown area.

My doctor would like me to continue off of Propecia for another month or so to rule it out as a culprit, but I’m concerned that I may lose a lot of hair permanently. Can you give me any idea of how permanent the hair loss is that I am experiencing now? If I’m off Propecia for two months, am I likely not to get back to near the same levels of hair that I had while I was on it?

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If you were my patient, I would probably tell you to stay on the Propecia (unless you are willing to lose your hair and then not get it back). Hair lost after stopping Propecia might regrow for some, but I would expect that once the hair is gone, it won’t return.

Breast enlargement resulting from Propecia does not go away simply by stopping the drug. The breast tissue should be treated by a person knowledgeable in this field, first examined carefully to make sure that there is no breast cancer. Then consider treating it as a typical gynecomastia case with surgery and possibly liposuction done by someone experienced.

I am now working with such an experienced doctor at my office who treats this condition, which can occur with or without Propecia use.

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Hair Loss InformationIs SMP Removable? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi,
Is SMP removable? The reason I am asking is, what happens if person turns grey-haired or hair’s color changes with the age?

Best Regards

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Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) can be removed with appropriate lasers, but otherwise it should be considered a permanent cosmetic procedure. If you’re looking for something temporary, consider Toppik or DermMatch.

We’ve answered similar questions about graying hair in the past — What Happens to the Scalp Micro-Pigmentation Once You Turn Gray? — but gray hair has not been a problem that we have seen. You can try a test area with us and see if it works for you and your hair color.

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96 Percent of Men on Propecia Have Persistent Side Effects?! – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Doc,

Please go through this ridiculous article in Yahoo.

Link: For Some Men, Propecia’s Sexual Side Effects May Be Long-lasting

Please tell me what you think.

Thanks

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There are a great deal of claims that may accurately reflect the patient example, however, the documentation and balance of the presentation is poor and heavily biased. Read it accordingly.

It’s worth pointing out that this recent hysteria is just based on interviews with 54 men, where the participants reported their own issues after stopping the medication. Even more important is to note that these men were recruited from PropeciaHelp.com, an anonymous web forum where men post about problems (real or otherwise) they have from the medication.

The surprising 96% figure gives the media a good, scary headline to get people interested in watching or reading their report. For example, I just saw a quick 20 second segment on my local morning news that said “96% of men have persistent side effects”, but provided nothing else beyond that. It’s very alarmist and misleading.

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In the News – Finasteride and Dutasteride Don’t Decrease Cancer Risks – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Snippet from the article published online June 20, 2012:

Finasteride use marginally increased the incidence of prostate and overall cancer at a level of statistical significance. Dutasteride use significantly increased kidney cancer risk. Dosage analysis showed that lower doses of finasteride were associated with higher overall and prostate cancer risks.
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The major limitation is the lack of important data in the NHIRD, such as prostate cancer histologic grades, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, body mass index, socioeconomic status, and family history of cancer.

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Read the rest at The Oncologist — A Population-Based Nested Case-Control Study in Taiwan: Use of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Did Not Decrease Prostate Cancer Risk in Patients with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

This study seems to go against the grain of some of the original studies which showed some protective effect of finasteride in the overall population, however, the original study used the 5mg dose. This article suggests that the results of lower doses might be a problem.

I know I’m going to get a bunch of questions about this one, but I can not comment beyond what is in the article. I’m just presenting it so you’re informed.

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How Can Some Men with BPH Still Have Hair? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

doctor Rassman, How come there are people who have BPH or even prostate cancer and still have a full head of hair? We know DHT is a cause of an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer, and DHT causes hair loss as well. There are so many people with a full head of hair that get BPH and prostate cancer and then there are bald people who don’t have prostate problems at all. What is the connection there? I am kinda confused. So some people don’t have the genes for hairloss and have the genes for BPH and then DHT does its work?

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Let’s make it simple —

Genetics cause male pattern hair loss. If you have the genes for male pattern hair loss, DHT is what ultimately causes the hair loss. If you do not have the genes for male patten hair loss, then you can have all the DHT in the world and you will not have hair loss.

Prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate) has nothing to do with genetic hair loss.

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Hair Loss InformationIs a Norwood 3 Pattern Rare? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Is staying at a norwood 3 rare?

Dear Dr Rassman,
My father (70) and brother (48) are both pretty advanced norwood 3’s, yet they have no hair loss on top or at the crown at all. I am 28 and it looks like I am starting to head the same way. Is it rare for men to reach norwood 3 and have no further hair loss on other parts of the scalp? I ask as I rarely see other men with this same hair loss pattern in everyday life. Just about always there is some crown thinning too it seems. If you are a norwood 3 does that make you a good transplant candidate as the hair loss is limited to a smaller area?

Thank you

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Norwood 3I think the answer to your question is all around you — they’re shopping at the mall, walking out on the street, sitting at a restaurant… or as you note, take a look at your family! Many men are Norwood class 3 and that is their final hair loss pattern. These men make great hair transplant candidates. Of note, only about 7 to 8% of men in the world are Norwood 6 or 7.

It’s very important to note that the Norwood classification chart is not meant to be used as way to chart the progression of hair loss. It is meant to be a description of all types of hair loss patterned men. I would think more men are Norwood 3 than Norwood 7 by a long shot.

So no, I wouldn’t say a Norwood class 3 is rare at all. It’s possible you don’t see men with similar patterns because they’re treating this loss.

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Hair Loss InformationShould I Stop Minoxidil Now That I’m 50 Years Old? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

According to the National Institutes of Health, minoxidil is most effective in stimulating growth and slowing balding in people with recent hair loss who are under the age of 40.

I’m 50. Using minoxidil for 20 years. Never thought it was doing much but was never sure what would happen if I stopped. It can’t still be effective after all these years can it?

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If you stop it, your minoxidil dependent hair can fall out. After 20 years of use, I would stay on it.