Dr. William Rassman – Page 1323

April 15, 2009

I Can’t See My Scalp Unless It’s Under Direct Light – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi William, Jae –
First off I’d like to say thanks for hosting such a great blog; I’ve found myriad answers to my questions on here over the past year. The reason I’m writing is because I’m concerned that my Rogaine regimen isn’t working as well as I thought it would. I’m 26, and of Southern Italian descent (with a bit of Brasilian thrown in), so my hair is rather coarse. I keep it very short, and have it cut every four weeks or so. I first began using Rogaine about 1 1/2 years ago when I noticed some thinning around my crown. While I still have a full head of hair, I’ve noticed as of late that it’s gotten a bit thinner in that region, even though I’m still using the product on a daily basis. I’ve read that people tend to lose more hair in the Spring/Autumn, so I’m wondering if that could be the case. Likewise, you can’t see any hair loss unless I’m seated directly under a bright light – that’s the only time you can see my scalp. Since my hair is on the tight and curly side, I’ve noticed that it’s always clumped together in spots, but I don’t think that’s entirely it. My question is – since you can’t really see my scalp unless I’m under a light, does that mean it’s a harbinger of what’s to come?

Thanks.

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It seems like you’re looking for some sort of endorsement from me that you are not balding. Seeing your scalp under direct light could be a styling issue, it could be an issue with the character of your hair changing (any chemicals/products used?), etc. Generally if you can’t see through the scalp, one might conclude that there is no balding… but to be sure, you should have a physician microscopically examine your scalp (which is what I call miniaturization mapping). Perhaps you are losing your hair in the crown and the Rogaine isn’t doing much for you, but I’d just be guessing at this point.

By the way, when the hair is not coarse, some people see their scalp even without being under a direct light… and they are not balding.

April 15, 2009

I Stopped Propecia After 10 Years – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I was taking propecia for about 10 yrs. I’m a 47 yr. old male. I just recently stopped using it about 2mo. ago fearing that I’m doing harm to my body internally. I was always able to get an erection while using propecia, but it never seemed to be full. since I’ve stopped using the product I’ve noticed that I have a full erection and better feeling in that area, but the down effect is I think my hair is getting worse. I was still able to perform so I have a decision to make. Should I start using it again before I’m completely bald? and is it a good idea health wise?

Please give me some advise its a very depressing situation. Is there anything on the market that may be a better alternative? I’ve heard that laser comb works! In the mean time I’m going to start up today with propecia. Thank you very much and I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

I’ve written many times about the Laser Comb (and variations thereof), and I’m not impressed with the results. I do not think they work as claimed.

Since you took Propecia for 10 years and then stopped, seeing hair loss should be expected. Restarting the medication will hopefully halt your hair loss once again, but I can’t say that for sure. Cross your fingers and keep up the daily Propecia if you want a chance at maintaining your hair. If you’re having a sexual side effect from the drug and yet still want to keep your hair, talk to your doctor about Viagra or Cialis.

The only other FDA approved hair drug works a completely different way from Propecia, and that’s the commonly known minoxidil (marketed as Rogaine). If you stop the Propecia in favor of Rogaine though, the Rogaine won’t maintain what Propecia kept for you. So it’s not really an alternative, but it is something to look into if you’re running low on options.

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April 15, 2009

In the News – Study Shows People Would Rather Have More Hair than Money or Friends – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Snippet from the press release:

According to a new online survey conducted by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), 59.8 percent of people who were asked whether they would rather have more hair, more money or more friends chose more hair. By comparison, only 26.2 percent of respondents chose more money and 13.9 percent said they would rather have more friends. Of the 1,407 people polled, slightly more women (64.2 percent) than men (59.1 percent) indicated they wanted more hair than more money or more friends.

Read the full text — ISHRS Releases Study Showing More Hair Is Still a Hot Commodity During Recession

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April 15, 2009

Mystery Hairline Bumps? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I have small bumps near the hairline of my scalp that dont itch. There aren’t many bumps (about 5 or 6) and they are concentrated near the the side hairline (by my ear). These bumps eventually shrink and turn into a scab. If I get the scab out of my hair I notice there is a hair in the center of the scab. Also, I notice when my hair falls out sometimes I there is a little ball like thing attached to the end where the root is. Sometimes there is a small white see through flake of skin with hair in the middlel as well. I lose a lot of hair and have been using hair for about 9 months. I have been seeing a dermatologist for the past 6 months at least once a month and he has prescribed different medicines but I feel like he hasnt even examined my scalp. I had blood tests run and everything came back fine. I have also had one cortizone shot to the hip (which he said would reduce inflamation) but it just made me feel sick. He also prescribed a topical ointment for psoriasis that I have to wear for at least 4 hours a day with a shower cap on but it doesnt seem to help. I have seen pictures of patients with psoriasis and it looks nothing like my scalp. Could you please help me?

Unfortunately, this is something that I can not help you without seeing you. If your dermatologist can’t figure it out, perhaps you should seek out another dermatologist.

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April 15, 2009

Stopped Propecia for 2 Months Then Restarted — Now I’m Losing Hair! – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I took propecia pretty faithfully for all of 2008 and for some reason still unknown to me, stopped for the month of Dec and Jan. I started taking it again in Feb and then come March, I started shedding hair like crazy. When will the catch-up loss stop?? Its scaring me like crazy!

If you don’t know why you stopped taking Propecia, how are you sure you remember when you actually stopped taking it? I can’t give you an end date for the catch-up loss, as I wouldn’t know how to determine one. The hair loss may never catch up, even with just a 2 months hiatus. You need to hope and pray that it will reverse to where it was prior to your stopping the drug.

Readers, take note: If you’re serious about keeping your hair, do not follow in this man’s footsteps by forgetting to take the daily finasteride.

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April 15, 2009

Young Teen Has White Hairs! – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello. I am thirteen and I was in class one day and a friend say i had white/gray hair all over in the back and side. I checked at home with two mirrors to see and I saw ALOT. Is it just the glare of the sun/light or is something wrong with me and i first thought if it was my showerr hair product. Whats a good recommendation(Dying it, Different hair product?)

You could dye it, but at 13 years old you should get a parent involved in the process. You’ll want to do a spot test for dye to make sure you don’t have any allergies (it should explain this on the packaging). White/grey hair isn’t terribly common in someone your age, but it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s anything wrong with you. It’s likely just genetics.

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April 14, 2009

I Called GlaxoSmithKline About Dutasteride… – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Today I called GSK to inquire about the phase 3 results for dutasteride, and a GSK representative said that the clinical trial results were listed on their website. However, I could only find the Protocol Summary for the trial. The representative also mentioned that he could not give me any more information on where to find it because I am not a health care professional.

Do you have access to this information? Is there someplace I can find it?

I found the completed results here (most of them are for dutasteride as a prostate treatment) — Dutasteride Result Summaries

And this is all I could find about the Phase 3 results for dutasteride as a hair loss treatment (which I assume is what you found) — Dutasteride Phase 3 Protocol Summary

I do not have access to the information you’re seeking, as it is my understanding that it hasn’t been released yet. Phase 3 results have been released for dutasteride as a prostate treatment (but not for hair loss treatment), so perhaps you weren’t clear when you spoke to the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) rep or they were just confused.

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April 14, 2009

My Hair Is Thinned from Traction Alopecia – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

(female) I hope you can give me the answer to a very easy question. I have traction alopecia. My hair has thinned on the top and sides. I don’t have bald spots –it’s just thin. I’m wondering if my hair will continue to thin if I do nothing, or will it just remain thin on top as it is today.

It might be easy to ask, but it’s not that easy to answer. I don’t know what your traction alopecia was caused by or how long you’ve seen the thinning going on for. Without an examination, I couldn’t tell you if the hair loss will progress or not. Sorry.

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April 14, 2009

Using Conditioner Daily, but Shampoo a Couple Times a Week? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I’ve read you’re only supposed to shampoo hair a couple times a week tops, like the Europeans. But I live in a windy locale, so if I don’t use cream/pomade/wax/clay/glue and/or hairspray in my hair each day for work, when I get to work my hair looks crazy and if I don’t shampoo it, combing it after is extremely hard, especially with hairspray. Someone suggested to me that you can use conditioner everyday but I haven’t tried that yet. Any thoughts?

Considering what you said, I would recommend that you shampoo daily. There are many good shampoos have have conditioners in them.

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April 14, 2009

What to Do for a 21 Year Old Non-Responder to Propecia? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Dr. Rassman, thanks again for your work here. I was wondering if you have ever encountered a young patient say, 21 years old, that did not respond to propecia. I have been on propecia for 8 months now and my thinning is becoming more evident. From my impression, you’ve held that propecia is most effective for the early stages I’m experiencing. Should I expect to see any difference between 8 months and a year (the full potential marker)?

I’m just really concerned propecia hasn’t slowed the process for me. Thanks for the help

I’ve been mentioning it a lot lately, but there is a genetic test that will determine just how good Propecia will be for you (see here). You can find a doctor in your area that carries the HairDX tests here.

I believe Propecia always works, but it could be a matter of degree. It should slow down the balding process, but the balding process could be aggressive. Generally you see the results in 1-2 years, but some indication of the benefits should be evident at this time. I would recommend getting baseline measurements for miniaturization and then get the genetic test. This combination of things should give you more insights with a good doctor at your side.

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