Dr. William Rassman – Page 1142

November 9, 2010

In the News – Unihair (Aderans) Hopes Hair Cloning Will Increase Sales – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Snippet from the article:

Unihair of Japan, the world’s biggest wigmaker, is hoping for a big increase in sales through what might be regarded as the ultimate cutting-edge technology – a method to “grow” luxuriant displays of new hair on a person’s scalp.

The method uses cell-generation processes derived from pharmaceuticals research. “We see a tremendous number of possibilities [from the new process],” said Tadao Otsuki, Unihair’s chief executive. “It adds up to a fundamental shift in how the world can combat problems of baldness.”

With the help of the new techniques, based on ideas developed in the US and which are now undergoing clinical trials, Unihair is hoping to increase its annual sales roughly three-fold, from Y57.3bn ($706m) in the year to February 2010, to about Y150bn in 2017.

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Fingers crossed Read the full story from the Financial Times — Unihair gets a grip on baldness

There is a big difference between what we hope to achieve with using ACell in hair transplantation to multiply hairs in an ‘auto-cloning’ manner and what Unihair (formerly Aderans prior to September of this year) is trying to do with cloning hair outside of the head in a lab.

It’s in the best interest of patients that these technologies work, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

November 9, 2010

Lichen Planus and Hair Loss – Balding Blog

Is there anything that can be done for lichen planus? Had it on my legs and arms for over 2 years and its now on my scalp. I’m losing hair in patches and i’m afraid it will never return. How can i combat this to make sure i keep my hair? Thanks

Unfortunately, lichen planus is a chronic medical condition in which there is no definitive cure. When it affects the hair, it may grow back in time. There’s really not much help I can offer. There are treatments for the disease, but nothing that works 100% of the time for everyone. Please follow up with your primary care doctor or a dermatologist.

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November 8, 2010

Female Hair Loss from Wellbutrin – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I believe Wellbutrin (an antidepressant) has caused my thinning hair. I’ve read that wellbutrin increases testosterone (DHT) in women. What could I use to block the DHT or stop it so I can continue using this medication which works well for me.

Thank you

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Wellbutrin Hair loss in women is a bit more complex than in men, as women tend to have other medical issues such as low-thyroid hormone levels, hormonal changes, and even anemia that can impact hair. We created a partial list of female hair loss causes here.

That being said, Wellbutrin (and many other antidepressants) is known to cause hair loss, though I’m not clear if the reason for this is due to increased DHT production. I did find one site that says, “It is believed that the increased dopamine function due to Wellbutrin may lead to an increase in the testosterone levels. This in turn causes over production of DHT, a metabolite of testosterone, which can be the reason for hair loss.” The problem I’m having is that I can’t seem to find any study backing that up, nor can I find any other sites discussing it. I am not discounting the information completely, but if I can’t find science to corroborate these claims I’m not going to entertain them as true.

You should talk to your doctor about it, who may know more since he/she prescribed the medication. Similarly, if someone out there knows of a study showing a link between Wellbutrin (bupropion) and DHT, please pass it on my way.

November 8, 2010

How Long After a New Scar Can I Transplant Hair Into It? – Balding Blog

i have scar on my scalp. can i do hair transplant on my newly 1 month scar??

I don’t know what your scar is from, the placement of it, or even the size of it. You never know, you may have some hair grow back around the scar. Many people will show redness at the scar which fades over weeks and months. I generally advise patients to wait at least 6 months when the redness is also minimal. Sometimes up to a year.

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November 5, 2010

ACell Hair Multiplication Study at NHI – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

ACell Last week I wrote about the ACell presentation at the recent International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) meeting that may have opened the possibility for a patient’s hair to be multiplied in his or her own scalp. ACell’s MatriStem has had some early success with growing hairs that were plucked and then placed into recipient sites on the patient’s scalp, and although this is a major breakthrough, significant work remains before this becomes a practical hair loss treatment.

For those that missed my post from last week, here is a little background —

ACell, Inc. has developed and refined an Extracellular Matrix (ECM), a natural biological material derived from porcine (pig) tissue. When ACell’s MatriStem product is placed into a surgical site or wound, it is reabsorbed and replaced with new, more supple tissue, rather than a firm scar. The ECM stimulates the body’s own cells to form new tissue specific to that site. When applied to hairs plucked from elsewhere on the body, this is called “auto-cloning”, as new hairs are derived from the process.

We are currently studying the use of ACell for scalp hair multiplication (auto-cloning) as well as the facilitation of wound healing in follicular unit transplantation procedures. For those individuals interested in auto-cloning, we will be happy to see you in the office for a more in-depth discussion of the opportunity. Details will not be discussed over the phone but will be covered by the doctor during your consultation.

People interested in working with us in a study can participate at no cost, but because of the newness of the process, we will be selective as to which patients we accept. A limited number of patients who are not selected for a study may be eligible to obtain this procedure as well for a special fee. We will also be using ACell in the donor area of on our traditional strip surgery patients to promote better wound healing at no additional cost. Please call my office at 310-553-9113 to set up an appointment for a qualifying examination.

November 5, 2010

Is My Alopecia Areata Returning? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I’m a 17 year old kid who had alopecia areata starting at 15 years old. I shaved my head (all the way to the skin, shaving cream and all) and did this for 2 years. Recently i stopped and my hair has grown again (YAY!) Its back to normal but for the past month, my hair has started falling again. Can alopecia areata come back again? Or is it another problem? and if please what will be a solution for it!

Thank you very much!

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There is no cure for alopecia areata, and as such, it can regress and then come right back. If it comes back again, another such experience it is not predicable. Alopecia areata is a lifelong condition. Please the see National Alopecia Areata Foundation site for much, much more information on this condition.

November 5, 2010

Are Low Hairlines Immune to Hair Loss? – Balding Blog

Dear Dr. Rassman
During my full time obsession with male pattern baldness, I have observed the hairline of quite a lot of people. I came to notice that some people have hairlines that give the impression that they wont never recede, e.g.: Maradona; Colin Farrel.

These people with this particular hairline appear to be immune to baldness (at least frontal). My brother happens to be a case, when he was a child he had a fuzzy and very low inserted hairline that matured into that particular pattern. My question is could be hair distribution be associated with baldness?

You are doing exactly what Dr. O’Tar Norwood did many years back when he came up with his Norwood classification. You’re observing hairlines.

The pictures you see in the Norwood chart is NOT a scale of hair loss progression, but rather it is observations of how men’s hair can be classified. The thing is, not ALL men go bald. It is roughly estimated that only 50% of men will have some degree of balding. Of those 50%, only a small percentage (around 8% of total male population) will go completely bald. The other 50% will have a full head of hair (maybe like your brother).

So to answer your question more pointedly, hairline placement in youth isn’t an indicator of future hair loss plans.

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November 5, 2010

Can I Have My Dad’s Hairline But Different Balding Pattern? – Balding Blog

Hello Doctor,

I am a male in my late 20’s and had a question regarding the relation between your hairline and whether or not you will go bald like your father. Looking at past photos of my father when he was in his early 20’s I have his hairline rather than my mother’s. However, I seem to have more hair (pretty full head with just a little loss around temple area) than my father did when he was in his late 20’s. My father is now in his late 60’s and has just a little on top (basically bald). My mom is in her late 50’s and has very thick full head hair.

Is it possible to inherit the same hairline as your father but not go bald like him?

Thanks for your help.

Hair loss is genetic, but it does not always follow your father’s pattern either in the hairline or elsewhere on your scalp. It is just that in general your father’s hairline/recession is a good reference point, as may be your grandfather on both sides of the family and possibly your uncles as well. But as you are finding out, it is not always the case. Anything is possible.

If you’re fine with your current hair situation, keep your fingers crossed that it doesn’t progress… or talk to a physician about medication to slow it down.

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November 4, 2010

I Have a Hairline Like Joel McHale – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr Rassman and co.,

Firstly, wonderful job on the blog. The content is balanced, informative and insightful to my research – big props! I am early and my research and considering coming to one of your seminars, as I am located close to your San Jose office.

I was hoping you could first give me some perspective. I believe I am around a stage 2 and wanted to get a confirmation on this. My hair line is almost identical to Joel McHale’s pictured here: photo

I am planning on going the FUE route and I am wondering about how many grafts it would take a patient, such as the one in the picture, to have a better hairline upfront.

Thank you in advance.

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The photo you linked to of actor Joel McHale (from the shows “Community” and “The Soup”) might show what appears to be a Norwood class 2 or 3, but we’ve written in the past about his possible hair transplant. Without a close look at his hairline, I can not tell for sure what class he’s at now.

Without seeing you or at least seeing good pictures, I can not give you an opinion about your individual case. Graft needs depend on more than just looking at the size of a bald area. We need to also consider hair character, skin contrast, etc.

I also generally do not advise surgery on Norwood 2 patients or younger patients unless they fully understand they will never have a full hair density they desire. Plus, they need to understand that they may continue to lose hair in the future. In fact, hair transplants may precipitate more hair loss as a direct result of surgery itself.

November 4, 2010

In the News – The Connection Between MPB and BPH – Balding Blog

Snippet from the article:

According to Spanish researchers, screenings for urinary symptoms in men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA, more commonly known as male-pattern baldness) could help with earlier identification of those who could benefit from treatment to prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Their rationale: Men with male-pattern baldness have higher than normal levels of 5-alpha-reductase, the chemical that converts the male hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, the active form of male hormone within the prostate.

Male-pattern baldness, which accounts for almost all hair loss in men, results from a genetic malfunction that causes hair follicles to become more susceptible and shrink in the presence of dihydrotestosterone. Over time, the affected hair follicles stop producing hair. The chemical 5-alpha-reductase also plays a key role in the development of BPH. When testosterone is converted to the more potent dihydrotestosterone by 5-alpha-reductase, it can cause the prostate to enlarge, eventually leading to BPH and LUTS.

Read the full story — Male-Pattern Baldness and BPH: What’s the Connection?

In case you don’t want to read the whole thing, here’s a quick two sentence summary: If you’ve got genetic hair loss, you should get screened for prostate problems. The researchers found that in the 30 men they examined, all of them had larger prostates than the control group of men without hair loss.

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