Month: August 2013

Snippet from the article:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning about vitamins sold from a Long Island-based company.

At least 29 people were sickened by Purity First Health Products’ B-50 vitamin supplement because of traces of anabolic steroids, the FDA said. The product is sold in stores and online.

Candice Tripp, the owner of the company which is headquartered in East Northport, told WCBS 880′s Sophia Hall she has been in business for over 20 years and finds it hard to believe the product was dangerous.

Read the rest — FDA Says 29 People Sickened By Vitamin Supplements From L.I.

The article has a local slant to it since it appeared in the CBS New York website, but the product was sold over the web to people all over the US and marketed as a vitamin while containing the steroids methasterone (a controlled substance) and dimethazine.

Apparently the company refused to recall the supplements, even though some people “experienced fatigue, muscle cramping, and muscle pain” according to the FDA. The article continues — “Additionally, women reported unusual hair growth and missed menstruation, and men reported impotence and findings of low testosterone, the FDA said.”

Hi Dr. Rassman,

I have a question about fine vs thin hair. I am 32 and have very VERY wispy fine sandy blonde hair with an intact juvenile hairline. I don’t *think* it’s thinning as I have no shedding issues. But since I got a lousy haircut recently, I notice my scalp looks shiny under bright lights or the sun and it is making me paranoid. Some people say that scalp shine means hair has been lost, while the hairdresser advised me to use a medicated shampoo since it is extremely oily. Does this sound like thinning or does it seem more like a combination of hair cleanliness and natural texture? Thank you.

I believe “tow heads” was what we used to call those boys with fine, blonde, nearly see-through hair. As these boys become men, they may sooner or later recognize the see-through nature of their hair. If you are concerned, come see me or another good doctor and find out what your hair loss problem is, if you have one.

Scalp shine doesn’t necessarily mean your hair is falling out. It could be lighting, oily scalp, a combination of everything. I have no idea without seeing you, though.

hi,
I’ve been seeing some empty patches in my beard lately. They are not fully bald spots, but in fact there are some hairs in them. They just contains less hair than the rest of my beard. I also have one on my chest. So what do you suggest i can do? Thank you so much for your help

Sorry, but there is no way for me to ascertain what is going on on your face and chest hair without seeing you. My suggestion is that you see a doctor for an examination.

What you’re describing could be caused by a wide variety of things from allergy to infection to stress to medication, etc.

Doctor.. You mention that 2-4 months after procedure may see some originals hair shed in transplanted area. is this shock loss.. or just continued loss or original hair or both.

Since loss is ongoing I would think the best one can hope for if they start early enough is delay looking worse as opposed to looking better. Since by the time the new hairs are full grown 1 year later you’re a year into further thinning of existing hairs which continue to thin. Is that a correct assumption?

Shock loss is a rapid loss that can be associated with a hair transplant within 1-4 months of the surgery. When this happens, there is substantial loss… not the slower loss you’d see with progressive genetic hair loss.

One can protect oneself by using finasteride in advance of the hair transplant. Finasteride should be maintained for at least 8 months following the transplant; however, upon withdrawal of the finasteride, a reactive hair loss might still occur.