Dr. William Rassman – Page 1228

January 14, 2010

Does Hair Miniaturize While It is Growing? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Question about ministurization. Can hair miniturize throughout growth or does it only miniturize after previous hair has fallen out. The hair that I lose I find some of them are really thick while some of them are thick but are thin near the root – is this miniturization? Thanks

Balding men lose mostly miniaturized (thinner) hairs, but they do lose normal thickness hairs. I believe it happens within the anagen (growth) phase and during the telogen (rest) phase of the hair cycle, but things are not always clear cut. Some hairs are partially miniaturized and can look thick, and the hairs you are looking at in a point in time may not be found again when looking anew. Usually the hair follicle that stops producing hairs will make the root of the hairs shrink and eventually the shaft of the hairs would also shrink (in a continuum).

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January 14, 2010

I Don’t Trust My Doctor After My Hair Transplant Consultation – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am planning to undergo hair transplant. I have consulted a doctor in Delhi (India). He has suggested that I will require 3500 grafts. He says he will perform the hair transplant from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. My concern is: Can he place 3500 grafts in one session in one session or is he just cheating me? Because placing 3500 grafts skillfully might require more time.

Please advise whether 3500 grafts can be placed in one session.

It would be rare for an Indian to have enough density to allow for even 2500 grafts, as the typical Indian has a much lower density than Caucasians (who might yield 3500 grafts). With the time he quoted, it would be unusual for that to occur as well. In the hands of experienced hair transplant surgeons in the US like me, it generally takes 7-8 hours. Plus, you are questioning his honesty and that alone should raise a flag.

To be sure that he can do this procedure, ask to meet other patients who have had this done so you can see the results of that work. There is no substitute for meeting and seeing patients who have experienced this.

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January 14, 2010

Is 15% Minoxidil Too Much? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Is it okay to use 15% minoxidil, or is it too much for a good thing?

5% minoxidil is the recommended dose and I’d suspect that 15% would be a bit much, possibly causing more side effects (fainting from drops in blood pressure, more skin reactions, etc).

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January 14, 2010

Is Elocon Safe to Use on Transplanted Hair? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello Doctor

this Elocon lotion is supposed to be massaged on the scalp topically in order to fight seb derm (a few drops per application, once a day for a few days)

Is it safe to use it on
a ) transplanted hair
b ) healthy non transplanted hair

Is there a hair loss risk , and if so , permanent or temporary ?

Thank you in advance

Elocon Elocon (mometasone) is a topical steroid and there is plenty of information on the Drugs.com site. It specifically states that Elocon can cause “swollen hair follicles”. Does this mean that you may lose hair? Well, the term swollen hair follicles is not one I am familiar with. Steroids applied to an area of hair loss can accelerate hair loss.

If I can provide some help it is that healthy non-transplanted hair is equal to transplanted hair. It is YOUR hair! I mean, that is one reason people get hair transplants and not wigs! So if a drug can harm your healthy hair, it can also harm your transplanted hair.

In the end, Elocon is a medication that needs to be prescribed by a physician. The use of topical steroids can be dangerous when not controlled by a doctor, so you need to discuss with your physician the risks and benefits of using such medication. Please do not read this as my trying to brush you off or not address your issues. My role here is limited and I give general opinions.

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January 14, 2010

Rogaine Half-Life? – Balding Blog

Doc,

I read that Rogaine has a half-life of about 22 hours in skin. Assuming you have no side effects from applying it all at once, could you apply double the recommended amount once per day and have the same effect?

Rogaine Minoxidil was originally a not-that-great oral high blood pressure medication called Loniten. The results varied in the treatment of high blood pressure and eventually the medication was turned into a topical after the hair growth side effect was noticed. The drug stays in the plasma for about a 4 hour half life, but on the skin it stays much longer with slow absorption suggesting that once a day application may be satisfactory.

I can not comment on the official use of twice a day application to the scalp, but clearly more of it will be used and sold with twice a day applications. If you double the dose and apply it once a day, the drop in blood pressure side effect becomes more prevalent.

January 13, 2010

How Can David Beckham’s Hair Look So Great Now? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I was wondering whether it is possible to go from miniaturization such as these pictures of david beckham (click both links): Beckham 1, Beckham 2

To a head of hair such as what he has now in 2010 which is in the link below (click link): Beckham 2010

My question is, beckham actually cant take finasteride as sports wont allow him to take the medication. How is it possible to go from quite severe miniaturization to a good head of hair. Also is not a wig or hair piece as he shaved his head off infront of a live audience. Is it possible to get the results that Beckham has some how and with what.

Thanks

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I’ve written about David Beckham before, and I agree that his hair does look great now. A see-through look can have multiple causes:

character — fine hair
length — short hair
presence of miniaturization if the thin look is mostly on the front and top

And if there is actual hair loss, it could’ve been from stress in his life or some other medical issue causing some early acceleration of genetic balding… or this whole thing could’ve been as simple as poor/unflattering lighting. It’s tough to tell how real his loss is based on photos from differing angles and light sources.

Can medication be completely ruled out? Finasteride was at one time banned in most professional sports, but the World Anti-Doping Agency has removed it from their prohibited drug list. I don’t know if that applies to the various soccer/football leagues.

January 13, 2010

Hair Loss InformationNow That Intercytex is Dead… – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Given the recent winding up of Intercytex, what hopes for a future cure or improved prevention treatments? Do you know of any new avenues that are being pursued? Has Intercytex’s research been bought by another company or is it dead in the water?

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I found an article (requires free login) about Intercytex’s death. Here’s a quote from the article:

“Shareholders at Manchester-based medical firm Intercytex have approved its plans to sell off its assets and leave the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). The shares will be canceled on January 8 and the company’s name will be changed to Regenerative Medicine Assets.”

Bummer. I don’t know where their research has been sold to or if it will continue elsewhere (it’s not mentioned on their site yet). There is much going on beyond what Intercytex had been doing, so all is not lost. With a potential multi-billion dollar payoff, industry is not giving up on cures for balding.

January 13, 2010

Hair Loss InformationSplitting Follicular Units, Surgeon Precautions? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Is it possible and convenient for you to provide the clarification on the following?

What are the effects of keeping donor hair out of body for a long time?

What is the advantage of follicular units not be split.

What are other precautions/questions should I be asking the surgeon over here in India?

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Yes, it is possible to clarify:

If they are kept moist ALL of the time, they can stay out of the body for up to 8 hours safely without loss.
They are naturally that way and they look best. If the units are split into smaller than follicular unit, you have the risk of follicular death.
I’ve written much about things to look out for when choosing a hair transplant surgeon. Check out these featured posts: Selecting a Hair Transplant Doctor and How to Avoid Dishonest Hair Transplant Doctors.

January 13, 2010

Hairy Ball Theorem of Topology – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Have you encountered the Hairy Ball Theorem of Topology. Seems to me it is germane to your field. Quote: “you can’t comb a hairy ball flat without creating a cowlick”

See: Hairy ball theorem, also: Cowlick

Enjoy.

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Thank you for the information, but what my patients do with their balls is none of my business.

In all seriousness, aside from the word “hairy” in the name of the theorem, I don’t see a case where I could’ve possibly encountered this in surgery.

January 13, 2010

Taking Propecia with Paxil? – Balding Blog

Hello

Thank you for this great site. I learn so much from here. Here is my question, SSRI drugs can cause hairloss as a side effect. Is this hairloss permanent and will taking propecia and a SSRI drug like paxil be beneficial in reducing the possibility of hairloss as a side effect of the SSRI drug?

thank you for the help.

Many drugs (including Paxil) can cause hair loss, but the hair loss from medication usually diffuse (not in a pattern). For the diffuse hair loss that occurs in women, the hair should grow back within about a year after stopping the medication. For men, taking Propecia (finasteride) will probably not protect against the hair loss that is caused by these medications.

Some people who feel that are losing hair from their drug may ALSO have androgenic alopecia. This is why you need to go see a doctor for a complete physical examination and a good diagnosis to distinguish the impact of the drug on the non-patterned component of the hair loss.

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