December 2012 – Page 4

December 12, 2012

Is Triangular Alopecia from Menopause? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I saw some of your pictures of triangular alopecia and it seems to be what I’m experiencing except that it is not congenital and I am a 53 years old. Could it be menopause? Is there is anything I could do about it?

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Triangular alopecia is not related to menopause. Triangular alopecia is an entity in and of itself, which both men and women may get and could appear almost any time, but usually is congenital. It can be treated with a hair transplant surgery very successfully.

Triangular alopecia has many appearances, but the common thread is that the hair loss is on the front/side of the scalp. These pictures from Google Image Search give some good examples of the diversity of its presentation.

December 12, 2012

Taking Male Enhancement Supplements to Combat Any Possible Finasteride Side Effects? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

If one takes male enhancement supplements while in finasteride would that combat any possible male member negative effects from finasteride? Thanks

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We all know about the prescription medications like Cialis and Viagra, but I do not know if there are any valid male enhancement supplements out there that really work. I realize they are advertised as such, but scientific research and actual effectiveness attached to these supplements are vague.

That being said, if you are having side effects from Propecia / finasteride, please speak with your doctor and make sure there are no other medical issues.

December 12, 2012

Whatever Happened to Dr Cooley’s Auto-Cloning Procedures? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hey Guys,

I was reading something on Dr. Jerry Cooley and him already doing the auto cloning procedures and that it takes better when implanted in areas of already implanted sites. I think I remember a few years ago that you guys were starting to test this. Are you guys doing this now? I would love to thicken out my front of my head without taking anymore from the back of my head since I’ve had 5 surgeries already. Thanks.

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To put it in a politically correct way, the claim could not be validated by us and it did not work in our hands. Many prominent doctors/peers and medical clinics tried to replicate the research and method, and it does not hold up to the claims. If he is still promoting it, then I would ask him personally.

December 11, 2012

Big Problem – Dealing with Unmanageable Scars – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

The pluggy hair transplants of the 1980s and 90s, and even the strip surgeries in the years following that, caused considerable scarring in some percentage of patients. Few of them complained unless their donor area was depleted from multiple surgeries so that long hair would not cover it. Even today, scars from follicular unit extraction (FUE) are causing problems for some patients who have had donor area depletion. I’ve seen a few men for consultations recently that have shown a see-through appearance at the back of their heads, asking us what they could do to help make this less noticeable, and prompting me to write this post.

The best solution for unmanageable scars was introduced by us in 2010 — Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) — and it can be effectively used to camouflage scars so that they can be made undetectable. Scars are more of a problem when patients have multiple surgeries, each surgery adding to the amount of scarring.

In the past, we have recommended scar revisions with variable success. Usually the scar would be reduced following the revision, but the biggest problem we found with this solution is in the patients who get poor scarring after strip surgery, get it because that is the way they heal. So when trying to repair it, we found limited value with occasional good results, but always leaving some level of detectable scar. There are people like me (three strip surgeries and no detectable scar) who heal very well, but there are some that aren’t as lucky. Treating these scars with SMP seems to always work regardless of the patients tendency to scar.

We’ve posted some outstanding results in the treatment of scars of all types and this is usually what happens to all patients, not the select few shown on this website.

December 11, 2012

What Info Can Be Gathered from Fallen Hairs Found in the Bath? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi.

May I ask, is there anything to be gathered from the quality of hairs I find in the bath after washing my hair?

I have always noticed quite a lot of hair floating on the top of the bath. My mum has the same problem and we both have thick, coarse hair. There’s about 100 hairs after every bath, but it has been like that for as long as I can remember. Some of the hairs in the bath are thinner/finer than others. Does this support the idea that my hair is miniaturizing?

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100-150 hairs lost each day is considered normal, but if they’re all coming out in the bath at once that might be a little much. Do you wear a hat all day and trap in the hairs that would normally fall out during the hair cycling process?

If you are concerned about hair loss, please see a doctor. I cannot possibly diagnose or understand your hair loss issue from 100 thin hairs in the bath water. The only info you can gather is that hair is falling out, either from genetic loss or just normal hair cycling.

December 11, 2012

Should I Wear Goggles When Applying Minoxidil? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Doctor
Do you know any possible ways of avoiding eye irritation because of minoxidil lotion usage?
*Does it make any good if i put goggles on when i am applying it on my scalp?
*Does it make any good if i close my eyes during application?
*Does it make any good if i wash my forehead with a wet cloth after application?

Thanks..

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You should not get eye irritation from minoxidil use. If you are having eye irritation you are likely allergic to the medication or you are doing something wrong. Goggles are not likely the answer.

December 11, 2012

Does Avodart Minimize Shock Loss Like Propecia Would? – Balding Blog

I stopped using Propecia (Generic) approx 2 yrs. ago & switched to Avodart as Finasteride was no longer effective after 10 + yrs. of use.

What is the possibility that Avodart would be comparable to Propecia in minimizing shock loss before another transplant? Also, although you have strong reservations about this, what are the “possibilities” Avodart would have a similar effect used in conjunction with 2% ketoconazole on hair growth as propecia does?

Just wondering if you have any feedback from other physicians. Thanks again for a superior forum!!

Avodart (dutasteride) is not approved for the treatment of androgenic alopecia, but I realize some doctors and patients out there use it for that purpose anyway. The results and its effectiveness over Propecia (finasteride) are unclear, but at best, in my opinion, you get about the same result with a higher side effect potential. Did you have your hair bulk measured before you started the Avodart so that you could compare it to today, 2 years later? I’m curious to know what you saw.

As to the minimization of shock loss from Avodart… I do not know, but I would expect it will have value at preventing it, just as Propecia does.

December 10, 2012

Why Do You Carry Revivogen In Your Office Now? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,

I noticed you sell Revivogen in your office. I thought you do not endorse or believe these products work! What gives?

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For the record, I do not endorse many products out there. I still maintain my buyer beware mantra, and I will be the first to say this to all my patients. But I also recently acquired a Dermatology / Cosmetic practice (Wilshire Center for Dermatology) and expanded my medical services with new physicians who offer non-hair related services.

The office also sells a variety of skin and hair care products, and Revivogen is just one of the many products we offer. Revivogen is a natural supplement (non-medical) line of products.

December 10, 2012

Hair Loss InformationThe Back and Sides of My Head Are Decreasing in Density – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi guys,

I started thinning when I was 19 and this continued slowly up until I turned 25 when it became far more aggressive and has continued in that vein for 18 months now. I had tried Minoxidil over a year to seemingly no effect and I had significant side effects from using finasteride. Overall in the past 18 months I’ve gone from a Norwood II to a Norwood IV and adjusting has been extremely difficult.

The back and sides appear to be decreasing in density at a similar rate (although they have more hair than across the top, as you would expect) and for that reason I’m very concerned I would not be a good candidate for hair transplant surgery.

I guess my question is whether this is attributable to only androgenetic alopecia, or could there be an additional problem? (be it some sort of telogen effluvium etc)

Thanks 🙂

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The basis of good clinical medicine is to establish metrics (measurements) that give baselines from where we started. If you take such measurements yearly, you will be able to document the degree of thinning and this will help in the diagnosis.

Your story is not one that I hear too often, but to give you any insights I would have to examine you, take a good history from you, take bulk and miniaturization measurements of your scalp (sides and back, as well as front and crown). I can say that the back and sides of the head should not be decreasing in density, but only after you are examined can I do a better job of answering your questions.

December 10, 2012

Hair Loss InformationWould Any Product Work for Treating Traction Alopecia? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have lost my hair at the crown due to tight braiding. Before I try a transplant if it’s even necessary, what products would be best for me as a 43yr old African American Woman? Thanks

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In general, traction alopecia is considered permanent hair loss, particularly if it has been present more than a year. Some women try Rogaine with mixed success, and some women go through hair transplant procedures, which work very well. Every case is different.