Author: Dr. William Rassman

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Ultherapy? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

What does Ultherapy do to hair follicles?

I am very curious what effect the FDA approved Ultherapy has on the follicles at the frontal hair line. Ultherapy is said to stimulate collagen in the deep layers of the skin.

Can this procedure possibly hurt follicles, invigorate them or just not affect them at all?

i would very much appreciate your opinion on this. Thanks!

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I hadn’t heard of Ultherapy before, but it appears to be a skin tightening / lifting procedure. After reading that the FDA approved the technology, that must mean that it is safe and effective, but I am not sure what that means from a practical point of view. It appears that the focus is on collagen changes and stimulation, but again I am not sure what that means either. They do not say it helps grow hair, just that it heats up the deeper level of the skin where the collagen is.

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Green Tea and DHT – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

My question regards green tea. We all know – or should know by now – that green tea is packed with great nutrients and health benefits, but how about hair loss. It’s hard to find a proper answer. Some sources say it reduces DHT, some say it increases it. What’s your view? Many, many thanks, it’d be great to enjoy my cup of green tea again without worrying.

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We’ve answered a similar question before — here.

In my opinion, green tea doesn’t cause or prevent hair loss. I am sure if you do enough research on the web you will find conflicting reports on almost anything. You can continue enjoying your cup of green tea.

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Would Birth Control Pills Effect Baldness in Men? – Balding Blog

This is a purely hypothetical question. Would a man taking female birth control pills have any effect on male pattern baldness? What would be the effects on DHT, Testosterone, and hair health. Thanks!

The following post is by UK-based physician Dr. Bessam Farjo:


Written by:
Dr Bessam Farjo, United Kingdom
Dr Bessam Farjo
United Kingdom

Female birth control or contraceptive pills are most often a combination of synthetic forms of the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. With regards to effect on men’s hair you may get a decrease in facial and body hair in terms of thickness and growth, although male-pattern baldness may improve somewhat or at least stabilises in a similar vein to finasteride for example. We see this effect most commonly in our practice when dealing with male to female transgender patients who use similar hormones to achieve their transformation.

However, these medications may cause a number of adverse effects in men similar to those seen with the use of other female hormones. You may experience changes in the appearance and function sex organs. Risks may include erectile dysfunction, decreased libido and lowered sperm count. Some men may also develop gynecomastia (man boobs). There may be a negative effect of general body muscle mass. In addition, the bones may develop osteoporosis (brittleness). There are other potential general health side effects of course making this an unreasonable approach to control male pattern baldness.

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Learn more about the author of this article, Dr. Bessam Farjo, on his BaldingBlog profile or at his website.




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Balding Forum - Hair Loss Discussion

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What is Confusing About The Dr Gho Patient Diary on Hair Regeneration? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Dr. Rassman,

you stated in a previous post that the pictures of the Dr. Gho patient is “confusing”. Could you be more elaborate on this topic? Why do you say so? In your previous post concerning Dr. Gho you stated that a follow up video would be nice. Aren’t these photographs followup documentation. It clearly shows regrowth. I used photoshop to lay the before and after images over each other. It is definately the same hair region displaying how the follicles are regrowing from the extraction sites. Why do you still consider this deceptive?

Regards

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For those that missed it, the original post is here.

Has anyone ever stopped and considered that maybe the regeneration you are seeing is just regular hairs (missed FUEs) growing back? I mean, what about the photos of the recipient site? Did anyone count the number or percentage of transplanted hairs that actually GREW?

If 1000 hairs were harvested, 700 of the transplanted hairs grew in the new location and 300 hairs regrew in the harvested donor area, would you consider this regrowth or hair multiplication or hair stem cell transplantation? Of course not! But you can take pictures of the donor area and show regrowth, and take pictures of the transplanted area and also show growth. The observer could think, “Wow! This is regeneration!” — but the observer would be mistaken. To show regeneration, duplication, cloning, stem cell transplant regeneration, or an outcome that showed splitting of the hairs, you must account for ALL the hairs that were taken out and ALL the hairs that grew back (not just a sample section). Otherwise, it is just hairs that grew back after being plucked.

Basic high school science teaches us about conservation of energy or mass in the universe. Many have tried to invent the perpetual engine or create gold from lead with no success. If Dr. Gho really figured out a way to clone hair, then he will be famous. If you would like to believe in it, that is your prerogative… but simply looking at someone’s diary or posts on the Internet is not a way to validate or document science.

The method and presentation of Dr. Gho’s study has serious issues and it does and (will) confuse many readers. A credible review by a third party should be something that Dr. Gho should want to do, if he is legitimate.

P.S. I understand that you’re very excited for my answer to your question, but sending a dozen emails and blog comments demanding that I answer right away is unnecessary.

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Hair Loss InformationRepliCel Retracts Their Misleading Press Release – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Dr. Rassman,

Please read the link: RepliCel Announces Retraction of Public Disclosure

Do you hear the fat lady singing for Replicel (and us balding lucky ones)?

Thanks

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I had the link to the original press release and intended to write about it early this week, but saw it was removed. This explains it.

For those that aren’t aware, RepliCel issued a press release touting their hair loss “cure” and promoting the price of their stock. Then they issued a retraction of the statement, which is causing some on various forums to believe they aren’t hitting their targets. It sounds to be more like lawyers making sure they aren’t going to dig too deep a hole, but I really don’t know one way or the other. The link you sent about the retraction doesn’t mention anything about results of their treatment.

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Can Phytosterols Cause Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

dr Rassman, does consuming foods rich in phytosterols such as black sesame seeds cause hairloss? I know phytostreols are plant hormones, can they increase testosterone and therefore more DHT?

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If it means anything, I’ve seen phytosterols listed as a key ingredient in various herbal hair loss treatments…but I couldn’t say one way or the other if they work (I’m leaning towards them not working).

As to whether phytosterols can cause hair loss — I am not an expert on dietary issues and phytosterols, so I don’t know the answer to that.

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I’m an Athlete and Concerned That DHT Plays a Role in Strength and Aggression – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi, I have a couple of questions about finasteride, if you have any answers they’d be very appreciated:

– Does finasteride shrink the prostate even in men with a normal prostate (no BPH)? Are there any studies available for this?

– I have read that although finasteride is said to increase testosterone, it actually decreases free/bio-available testosterone which is more important than total testosterone for muscle strength/libido etc (see here). This worries me because as much as I want to save my hair, I am also an athlete and want to be at my peak. Could you comment on this?

– Along the same lines, do you have many patients that are sportsmen using propecia without side effects or reduction in their performance (particularly those in more ‘physical’ sports)? Apart from the ‘free testosterone’ theory, I have heard that DHT plays a role in strength/aggression etc.

Many Thanks for taking the time to read. I find it so frustrating that there isn’t more information on the subject and when I do find something I can’t be sure to trust whether it is a study which should be considered valid or not.

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I don’t know if finasteride shrinks a normal prostate, though since it is used to treat enlarged prostate it can be inferred that there is the possibility of some effect. I don’t have any studies to refer to off the top of my head, but there have been many studies done relating to finasteride and BPH… so if someone has links to studies that this reader is requesting, please feel free to share.

From a practical point of view, I do not know if taking finasteride will negatively impact your overall physical strength. I would doubt that you would see an impact from reducing your DHT, but everyone is different and this opinion is not universal across the board. I don’t recall any of my more athletic patients mention their athletic performance being limited after taking the medication.

On the flip side of the coin, finasteride/Propecia was once banned in professional sports by the World Anti-Doping Agency due to a similar idea that it may enhance performance or mask steroid use. It does not and it is not banned in professional sports anymore.

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Hair Loss InformationWhat Does Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) Cost? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I came across your writing on SMP. I am a Norwood 5 – 6. Caucasian, fair skin blue eyes 63 years old. I decided against a hair transplant but would consider SMP. Can you tell me what the costs would be?

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Are you planning of shaving your entire head? If so, the Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) procedure will cost $7,000 and will include up to 2 touch-ups in the first year. The process often takes one or two touch-ups, as early as 5 days after the first, and then a month or two for a second. The pigment can fade and become patchy, so touch-ups are important. For less than the entire head, costs can be about half that. For very small areas, even less.

The first procedure often takes 6 hours and the second procedure can take 3-4 hours, depending upon the fading. Anesthesia to minimize or obliterate the pain is recommended and included in the professional fee.

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My Loss Started at the Crown and Now the Hairline – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I’ve started balding a year ago (when I was 19), since then my crown has become very thin, but now i’m also slowly losing hair in front and top, what kind of Norwood class did I start with because I can’t find any that starts with the vertex while having full hair in front, but slowly thinning on top and front too.

Also, would you advice propecia to a 20 year old?

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If you were taking Propecia (finasteride), the hair loss you are experiencing will be slowed, stopped, or reversed (particularly in the crown). The Norwood scale is to define the final stage of balding, not the interim steps you are experiencing. It’s not unusual to have the loss start in the crown.

Get a good doctor who will work with you to build a Master Plan for your short and long term hair loss problem.