Month: August 2013

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Is Tetracycline Causing My Female Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I’m 17 years old female. I have been taking tetracycline for about 2 months for acne and have recently noticed a fair amount of hair falling out of my head when i wash/dry/brush it. This has been happening for about 3/4 weeks. I just wanted to know if there’s a link to it and if i stop taking it will my hair be okay? I’m really worried. I haven’t noticed that its going very thin, or any bald patches.

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The relationship between tetracycline and hair loss is known, though rare. If the only change in your medication schedule over the two months was tetracycline and the hair loss started with this drug, then there may be an association between the two. Speak to your doctor about this problem and possible alternatives to tetracycline.

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Hair Loss InformationPress Release – iGrow LLLT Helmet Receives FDA Clearance – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Snippet from the press release:

Apira Science, Inc. recently earned 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its iGrow® Hair Growth System, which is indicated to promote hair growth in males with androgenetic alopecia who have Norwood Hamilton Classifications of IIa to V. The iGrow is currently available by prescription only.

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Read the rest — Apira Science’s iGrow In-Home, Hands-Free Hair Growth System Earns FDA Clearance

Just another low level light laser. There must be money in selling these! Remember, FDA clearance is different from FDA approval. All this is saying is that this can be sold because it is safe, not that it is effective.

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Hair Loss InformationAfter 5 Years on Propecia, I Noticed One Corner of My Hairline Was Slightly Thinner – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I been on Propecia for 5 years. I’m almost 27 years old. I have early front hair loss especially thin corners. Up until a few days ago my hair looked just the same like 5 years but now I noticed my left corner got slightly thinner it’s easy to tell there. I know Propecia can’t hold hair forever and since I noticed this slight loss will it continue again and fast or may it be a slow process? I read a lot of guys used Propecia for years and once the effects weaned off they would lose hair super fast. I don’t want that to happen so I’m strongly considering to switching to Avodart and try to save what I have because I still have a full head of hair.

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I realize many men take Propecia to treat the front hairline thinning, but it generally rarely works for that area. Propecia works mainly for the thinning on the top/crown area.

Please speak with your doctor regarding stopping or starting any medication. Stopping Propecia abruptly can potentially cause “catch up” hair loss. Almost every week, I see a patient who told me that they tried stopping the drug or ran out of supplies of it for a few months. In every case the patient lost hair, and most of the time it did not come back upon restarting the medication.

Finally, Avodart (dutasteride) does not work any better than Propecia at the hairline since the mechanism of action is similar. At some point you may have to face that hair loss is genetic and there is no simple answer.

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Hair Loss InformationCould Using Baking Soda Instead of Shampoo Interact with Minoxidil Foam? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Dr. Rassman,

What are your thoughts on the “No Poo” method of washing your hair, that is using baking soda, rather than commercial shampoos?

I recently tried this and liked the heavier texture it gave my otherwise fine, thinning hair. After about a month, however, I feel my hair looks thinner. Do you think the extra build up of oils could actually cause an issue with the hair follicle? I use minoxodil foam as well- could there be some reaction?

It could be my imagination, but I think I’ll just take the blue pill on this one and go back to regular shampoo. Still interested in your opinion though!

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I honestly don’t have a clue. I don’t recall ever reading anything about minoxidil and baking soda having any interaction issues, nor have I had any patients tell me that was their regimen. If it works for you, then it works for you. If the baking soda isn’t giving you the desired texture, I guess you can go back to shampoo. I don’t have an opinion on this one!

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Is Rogaine Hair Growth Just Temporary? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I read that hair only grows for 48 weeks w/ the use of Rogaine Foam 5% (according to an article published by FDA on site called ASKWEBDR) . If this is true why would anyone go thru this routine for temporary hair for just 48 weeks? Doesn’t make any sense????

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No, that doesn’t make sense. Rogaine (minoxidil) can work for years. There was apparently a clinical study that lasted 48 weeks, but that doesn’t mean the hair loss restarts at the start of week 49. We addressed this years ago here.

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I’m Not Sure if Finasteride or Oxycodone is Causing My Erectile Dysfunction – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am a 23 year old male currently taking 1mg finasteride daily. I am about 16 days into taking the drug and have recently noticed some of the sexual side effects that this drug “may” cause.

I am also on oxycodone for a current procedure I had done which might be the cause of my erectile dysfunction I am having. I don’t know which is to blame right now. I know you have stated before that one could take .5mg to cut down on the side effects which I just started to do today to see if it cuts down on the side effects. My question is by doing so is there a large decrease in the effectiveness of the drug?

Another question is if I do not regain the ability to have a lasting erection for sexual intercourse should I immediately stop the use of Propecia? Since I was on oxycodone I want to give the .5mg of finasteride a shot for at least week and if things don’t get better I guess I will go from there.

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You need to speak to a doctor in person (face to face) about these issues. There may be many things going on that I cannot assess via the web. A physical exam and a detailed medical history is an important part of assessing a medical issue.

Finasteride can cause erectile dysfunction in about 1 to 2% of the patients. A narcotic such as oxycodone will also cause erection problems. I even think pain in general (because of your surgery and the need to be on a strong pain medication) can cause erection problems.

To answer the first question though, the efficacy of the finasteride should be about 80% if the dosage is down to 0.5mg. Talk to your prescribing doctor about any dosage changes to your prescription medication.

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My Doctor Prescribed a 5mg Proscar Tablet Each Week for My Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

My doctor prescribed me 5mg Proscar tablets for my hair loss, but told me to take one each week. I’m a bit worried since I see most people cut it into 1mg daily doses. Would this influence the effectiveness of the finasteride or its side effects?
Thanks

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There have been tendencies more recently to change the dosage schedules for finasteride. One of them is to take only one 5mg pill each week, while other suggest alternative day dosages of 2.5mg. Some people suggest that even a lower dose might work. All of this varies from the known, tried and true 1mg/day dose, which is what I recommend.

I can not tell you if the alternative approaches work as well or work at all. If you’re concerned, I’d ask your doctor about why he decided to prescribe this dosage instead of the recommended daily approach.

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My Hair Looked Great 3 Months After Starting Finasteride and Minoxidil – Then It Stopped – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello. I am 50. I had thinning hair and a year ago undertook a program with finasteride and minoxidil. In three months my hair was healthier and thicker. I had no side effects. In the past three weeks I have noticed a thinning again. I wonder what is going on here. I have been assiduous in taking the treatment.

Many thanks

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You must always remember that genetic hair loss in men is a progressive process. I see changes in people who are on finasteride that indicate that over time the drug is less effective. That could be you, even on this short time fame. Stay the course.

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Hair Loss InformationViviscal and Horsetail Extract – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Dr. Rassman,

I’m 23 and beginning to develop a receding hairline. I have recently started to take Viviscal. I know you don’t rate it highly however I’m in the early stages of hair loss and am not keen on going down the route of prescription drugs yet. My question is regarding the safety of viviscal as it contains 30mg horsetail extract which has been deemed unsafe by the FDA. Should I discontinue use of the supplement because of this?

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As far as I am aware, when taken orally horsetail extract might cause a thiamine deficiency over time. I don’t know what it might do to be unsafe as a topical, nor do I know that the FDA deemed it unsafe. Viviscal is sold over the counter in many large pharmacy chains, so I would expect if there was a safety issue, it would be pulled from shelves.

That said, the efficacy is something I’d be equally concerned about, since you’re wasting time and money as your hair loss progresses before you realize that this treatment likely isn’t helping. You’re in the early stages of hair loss, and time is ticking.

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If I Have an Increased Libido After Starting Finasteride, Will It Decrease Later? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Doctor,

I’ve been on finasteride 1mg oral daily for the last one month. I’m experiencing slight but noticeable increase in my libido. Do studies or experience show any correlation between increase in libido at early stage of treatment to a later decrease below the normal? I’ll be grateful for an answer, knowing this finasteride paranoia must be annoying you.

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The published material on the subject of increased libido is much more limited than the published material on decreased libido, which was calculated to be present in about 2% of men.

I do not know what will happen with your increased libido over time. It may return more to your normal levels, similar to some patients who experience decreased libido over a few months.