Dr. William Rassman – Page 1352

February 5, 2009

Am I Inhaling Toppik? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I’ve been using Organin and Toppik for almost 3 years now and whenever I put it on, the stuff goes everywhere. Only now did it actually occur to me that this stuff might be lingering in the air or that I’m inhaling it without knowing it. In the time that I’ve used it I haven’t experienced anything out of the ordinary but my concern is if it’s going into my lungs and staying in there causing harm. Again, I haven’t felt anything. Just curious if it’s something to think about?

Thanks.

Toppik You almost must be careful when you apply such powders. If you’re concerned, you may want to use a surgical mask while you apply it, then you should be OK once it is fixed to the hair and scalp.

You are the first to ask such a question, but you should certainly forward your question to Spencer Forrest, the manufacturer of Toppik. You can find them here. I don’t know who manufactures Organin, but if you can find that info you should write to them as well. I don’t know how the fibers differ in each product (as far as composition/harmfulness), but they appear to act in a similar way as camouflaging agents.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

February 5, 2009

Can Propecia Make My Hair Worse in a Week? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am a 20-year-old male and just began Propecia about a week ago. I have been looking and feeling my hair a ton since I began the drug. To me, it seems almost as if my hair is worse after starting it? My crown feels thinner to the touch and my hairline seems a little more sparse. I have two questions for you.

1) Is it possible that Propecia can make my hairline and crown thinner rather than help?
2) If so is it possible that it could have done it in a week?

Thank you for your reply

While there have been some rare complaints from people that say they have shedding since starting Propecia, I would doubt that something this severe occurs in a week. You should follow up with your prescribing doctor.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

February 5, 2009

Forums Say Minoxidil Does Nothing for Frontal Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I have read on many forums that Minoxidil only works effectively for the back region of the head and does nothing for frontal hair loss. Is that entirely true? As my hair is shedding around the sides and front but still thankfully have a ‘full head of hair’.

Much obliged

I have seen minoxidil grow hair on the hand of a man that used his right hand to apply the medication, so I would expect that it could grow some hair in the frontal area. In other words, it can potentially grow hair basically anywhere it is applied. The reports through FDA studies only show crown results, but that does not mean it would not (absolutely) work in the frontal area in some men to some degree.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

February 5, 2009

Is My Son’s Hair Loss Caused by His Asthma Medications? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello. I have a 19 year old son who is an actor and his hair is thinning so much we can see his scalp. He takes singulair and advair for asthma and I was wondering if you know if any of these could be a cause. My husbands’ side of the family has a lot of bald men as well as his mom’s brothers. Not my family so much, except my mom and sis have pretty thin hair. He is really worried as he is an upcoming actor. Propecia is so expensive…Is there anyway to get it cheaper and how would one know if stress is the cause..Applying to colleges was very stressful and being a freshman as well. I know he could eat better and have told him to take vitamins. I just don’t know how to help him! Would appreciate any advice..

Genetic balding in men is commonly known as androgenic alopecia (AGA) or male pattern baldness (MPB). It does not matter if the mother or father or grandparents had a full head of hair. It does not always follow a specific family tree pattern. Keep in mind that even if you have hair loss, it does not necessarily mean you will go completely bald. It varies for many men. While there is no cure for AGA/MPB, there are medications and surgery which can help. As far as over-the-counter supplements, vitamins, shampoos, or other products, they promise a cure but they often fall way short. Consumers will spend millions if not billions each year on such promises of hair growth. In the end, even proven medical and surgical treatments have limitations.

I highly doubt asthma medications (Singulair, etc) or stress has much to do with your son’s hair thinning. If your son (not you) is bothered by the thinning, he should see a physician to discuss his options, such as Propecia (finasteride 1mg). Propecia is a brand name drug that is relatively expensive because of its U.S. Patent protection. Propecia is the only FDA approved oral medication for the treatment of AGA/MPB. Since Propecia is under patent protection, generic finasteride in 1mg strength is not available in the United States; however, generic finasteride in 5mg strength is. As such, in the interest of finances, some patients (after discussion with their physician) may choose to have a prescription of finasteride in 5mg strength and break it up in the equivalent dose as Propecia. Ideally this would be breaking up the pill in 5 pieces, but that is not practical and most patients break it up in 4 pieces.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

February 5, 2009

Propecia Really Works — A Letter from an Enthusiastic Reader – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I recently sent an e-mail (that was posted in your blog) about my Propecia usage and my stylist noticing hair regrowth. Here’s the latest non scientific endorsement:

I flew back to my home state today to spend some time with my dad (a physician) who is recovering from a successful liver transplant, as well as my mother. Both made several direct comments about my hair: how it looked MUCH thicker, that the hairline up front had filled in, etc. They couldn’t stop talking about it.

True, my hair is styled much differently (upward….no longer combed forward) and I have it highlighted…..but this is after seeing me in December over the holidays. Again: for all readers….I’ve been on Propecia less than a year….I’m pushing 40……but IT WORKS……it just takes time. All the FREAKY, paranoid e-mails are going to scare off others. As I mentioned, when I hit the one year mark, I’ll shoot some pix to you….

People will always be worrisome about medications, and that’s normal. It’s good to have some success stories posted here, so thanks for sharing your insights. Looking forward to those photos!

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

February 4, 2009

Drug Holiday? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

What is your opinion about taking a drug holiday for a few weeks every few years to keep from developing a tolorance to Propecia? After 10 years on the drug things don’t seem to be working too well any longer.

If you stop Propecia, you will lose hair. A drug holiday makes no sense, but it is not unusual for a person with genetic balding to eventually lose out in the “war” between the drug Propecia and the balding process. The good news is that it is a slow process, but if you go on a drug holiday, you may find that your hair falls out faster. Tolerance makes no medical sense with this drug.

Think about insulin and the diabetic. If the diabetic stopped taking insulin for 2 or so weeks, he may die. Not a good holiday.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

February 4, 2009

Poor Diet, Insomnia, High Miniaturization – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello Doc,
I went to a hair loss specialist near where I live. She examined my hair and noticed that I had miniaturization well above 40% even in the permanent zone. She refused however to say that it was DUPA, but rather claims that my very poor diet and sleeping patterns have caused this and that it may reverse. Granted, I hardly ate for 7 months and I have rampant insomnia, but this seems very farfetched. Can I trust her?

Starvation can cause hair loss. Starvation can induce genetic hair loss and accelerate it if it is present. As I have not had a patient suffering from starvation and haven’t been able to microscopically map out the scalp of a patient like that, I can not tell you what it means as far as the type of loss experienced. In fact, I can not tell you what you mean when you write that you “hardly ate for 7 months”. I am not being disrespectful, but you are only telling me part of your history and clearly the doctor you met with may have more information than I do. Try to build a bond with the doctor you choose. If you don’t trust her, go to another doctor who you can trust and get another opinion. That is the way the medical system works and BaldingBlog is an oddity in that it really does not fit into the medical system, as it is just a source for information.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

February 4, 2009

Removing Scales from Scalp is Causing Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello,

I have seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp (since last 3/4 months). I had almost 25 % of scalp covered by thick scales. After my GP prescribed me for Nizoral(2%) and salycylic acid+sulphur solution (i also use tgel alternately), the flakes started to loosen up and are coming up after shower.

I gently remove the loosened scales which come at the end of the hair. But in this process i have suffered hair loss. Do you think this hair loss is reversible once the condition is controlled? My age is 27 (male).

The hair from one time hair loss should grow back, but you need to know why your seborrhea is so severe. Maybe you have psoriasis, which looks like seborrhea, but is often much worse. Check with your doctor.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

February 4, 2009

Took Dutasteride for 2 Years, But I Might Have Side Effects Now — Should I Switch to Propecia? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dear Dr Rassman,

I’m 23 yrs male. My hair was thinning and growing very slowly. I’ve been on Generic Dutasteride (Dutas) for exactly 2 years now. I’ve had very good results and my grows really fast. I’m not sure if I’m experiencing side effect or am I just stressed because of money problems. My sex drive and erection is not strong as I would like it to be, but this could also be natural right? So I’m not sure if they are side effects.

I want to switch to Generic Propecia now and just hope my sex drive and erection would be strong as I would like it to be. But I’m worried that if I switch to Propecia, I might start losing hair. I just wanted to know your opinion on what you would do if you was in my place? Thanks

Dutas I really don’t know why you are having erection problems. While dutasteride can possibly cause erection problems, if you have been taking it for 2 years without problems I doubt the medication is the cause. I would consult with your doctor for a complete examination. Also keep in mind, dutasteride will last several months in your body (possibly up to a year) if you stop taking it.

If you are asking for my advice on what will happen if you switch from dutasteride to Propecia, I don’t have a clear answer for you. Dutasteride blocks more DHT than finasteride, so you might see some difference there. All of this points to the fact you need to be followed by a physician who can follow your specific issues and give you objective and accurate recommendations. I’m not your doctor and I’m just making general observations.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

February 4, 2009

What Is Considered Extreme Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

This sounds simple and but I’m really quite curious. What would you consider rapid and abnormal hairloss for someone in their twenties? One month, two months, half a year, a year? I’ve noticed an extreme amount of thinning over a month period and then none for the past 5 months ( what I would consider normal hair loss, very similar to before the extreme thinning)? Help!

I’m not sure I follow your question. Are you suggesting that hair loss occurs for a month or two and then stops… and cycles that way? That’s not how it works. Normal hair loss reflects hair cycling, which can account for 100-150 hairs falling out per day. There are no general rules about what is considered extreme, but if you are concerned then take charge and either see a doctor or check out your own hair for miniaturization (see Mapping Your Own Scalp).

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):