Month: January 2023

Posted on

Genetic Balding in Family History

Hello, Im a 16 year old male and i have been experiencing frightening thoughts of a receeding hair line. My hair is currently around 40cm long from the root. Not so long ago I looked in the mirror to notice that my hair was slightly more blonde amongst the corners from my temples up, and the hair seems thinner and smoother. Im probably guessing it is from wearing my hair tight in a bun. There is no form of genetic balding in my family. Is this a Form of balding that can be overcome?

It sounds like you could have traction alopecia which occurs when one braids his/her hair tightly, causing continuous traction, which over time will cause permanent hair loss. The actual pattern of hair loss will be helpful to view so send me a photo and I can tell you from that (wrassman@newhair.com). Alternatively, receding hairlines in men as they mature is a normal part of the aging process, most notable between the ages of 18-29.

Please note that genetic balding may skip a generation or two, so it is possible that you have a genetic predisposition to lose your hair. I recommend that you see a doctor that specializes in hair, so that he can evaluate you in detail, looking for miniaturization to determine if there is any balding process going on.

Posted on

Generic Propecia (1mg Finasteride) Now Available in the US?

Snippet from the press release —

Drug firm Dr Reddy’s Laboratories today said it has launched its generic Finasteride tablets used for treating male pattern hair loss in the American market.

The company has launched Finasteride tablets in the strength of 1 mg in the US market on January 2 following the approval of its abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) with 180 days of marketing exclusivity, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories said in a statement.

Read the rest — Dr Reddy’s launches tablets to treat hair loss

So it sounds like Dr Reddy’s has a 6 month exclusive window to sell their brand of generic Propecia before other pharmaceutical companies can legally make their brands for sale in the US.

I’m not sure if they’ll keep the Finax name they were using to sell 1mg finasteride in other countries or if they’ll go with something new, but if anyone out there has picked up some of their 1mg finasteride, let us know in the comments!


2013-01-06 10:29:49Generic Propecia (1mg Finasteride) Now Available in the US?

Posted on

Generic Plan for Hair Loss

Could you send me a generic plan…I have been using propecia for two yrs.. might try avodart down the road but not until I hit the 5 yr mark. I would like to know what else I can do maximize .. keeping my hair… THANKS

If you’ve followed the many questions and answers on this blog, you will see that there really is no ‘generic master’ plan. The doctor must create a full map of your scalp loss status, the degree of miniaturization of the hair at each point on your scalp showing the balding and thinning area so that the progression will be clearly defined. As you move from class of hair loss to another, you need to have a good doctor who UNDERSTANDS exactly where you are and where you are going. Then and only then, can you have a plan customized for you and modified as you get older and progress with the hair loss that is a certainty in the years to come.

Posted on

Generic Minoxidil Says Only Intended for Vertex

I purchased 5% Minoxidil from Costco and on the side of the box it explains that Minoxidil is only intended for the top of the scalp ( vertex only ) and will not work for receding hairlines or on the front of the forehead – is this true ?

I don’t have a problem with the top of my forehead or the back. I have receding hair line. If it is true, can you recommend what I could use to regrow hair for receding hair lines ?? I appreciate your help, thanks

The claims for minoxidil reflect the approved study that was submitted to get the product to market through the FDA. I am certain that minoxidil works on skin (best in the crown), but it even works on the face of women, putting hair where there was none before. Minoxidil is not my #1 choice for men with genetic balding. My preference is to treat the cause of the balding with a DHT blocker (finasteride).

Posted on

Generic Hair Loss Drugs

Hello Dr. Rassman,
Well I am 23 year old student and I have been experiencing hair loss since I was about 22. My question is regarding dutas or the generic avodart that is made in India. Do you believe that this is a legitimate form of .5 mg dutasteride? Furthermore, I just order procerin and was going to take it in conjuction with the .5 mg dutas as a supplement as well as revivogen and tricomin. Do you recommend this and if not what do you recommend that I take to supplement the dutas. Thank you for your time.

I can not advise you on medications made off shore (India). The other supplements you discussed are not scientifically proven to my satisfaction. That does not mean that they do not work, just that I can not advise you that they do work. I generally stick to what I know works and that is limited to two approved medications Rogaine (or the generic form of it) and Propecia. The rest is up to you, the buyer.

Posted on

Generic Finasteride Approvals

Hi Dr. Rassman,

I have been reading some things on the internet and I’m confused about whether the FDA really approved a generic for Finasteride last summer. I thought that Dr. Reddy’s Finast was approved, but I am not seeing it available yet. Any news on this?

All pharmacies will now fill generic finasteride prescriptions of the 5mg dose. There appears to be two producers for this medication, one comes from India and the other from Israel. The cost ranges between $54 (at Costco) to as high as $90 at some pharmacies. These pills can be cut into quarters with a pill cutter.


2006-12-12 16:30:58Generic Finasteride Approvals

Posted on

General Anesthesia for a Hair Transplant

Why can’t the procedure be done under general anesthesia, to avoid the shock loss associated with the local anesthesia and the epinephrine used with the local anesthesia?

General anesthesia has risks that local anesthesia doesn’t have (the death rate is about 1:20,000 people). In addition, hair transplants are very long procedures, and general anesthesia would cost a lot of money for 8 hours and put you at more risk than needed.


2020-06-04 20:08:40General Anesthesia for a Hair Transplant

Posted on

Gene Identified to Solve Hair Loss?

From the BBC — Gene find triggers baldness hope

Hair loss in humans might not be irreversible, suggest scientists who have helped create new hair cells on the skin of mice.

We have all hoped that we could make new hair from stem cells or gene manipulation. It looks like we have moved one step closer to that goal.

More articles about this here —