Dr. William Rassman – Page 1430

August 5, 2008

Leg Hair Toxins? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Is leg hair made up of the same organisms that head hair is? Can leg hair be cleansed of toxins the same as head hair?

What toxins in your hair? I do not understand what you are asking.

Scientists and doctors sometimes use hair samples to detect drugs (marijuana) or lead, as your hair “records” the exposure. Sort of analogous to the rings in the trees or coring ice samples. I do not believe there is a process to clean or rid of these toxins — short of cutting your hair. Remember hair is dead tissue, so any toxins in the hair like lead, will have already harmed your body. You leg hair or body hair should act the same way as scalp hair, but your leg hair is not constantly growing to the lengths as your scalp hair is and it may not record the exposure to the chemicals as for the historical time frame you took toxins like lead in the scalp hair.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

August 5, 2008

Will FUE Make the Back of My Head Look Moth Eaten? – Balding Blog

Hi,
I was wondering if you could tell me if it would be better for me to get strip or fue? I have already had 1 strip procedure 5 years ago (3300) and feel I need more hairs to fill my thinning frontal area. I am worried about fue because I heard the back of your head may appear as if moth eatin. Also, I exercise so I want to recover as quickly as possible. I used [name removed] before and that’s who I plan to use for my next procedure. Any recommendations? Thanks.

Moth The things that make a follicular unit extraction (FUE) surgery produce a “moth eaten” donor area include:

the use of larger punches
low density donor hair

If you already had a strip procedure, another strip may be a better choice for you, but if you are a hair transplant ‘virgin’ (not your case) then FUE is a much more clear decision process. Going the FUE route will make for a very fast recovery with full activity, including swimming, scuba, and professional level exercise. I do not generally make recommendations for doctors here.

August 5, 2008

Zadorin (Doxycycline Hyclate) and Hair Loss? – Balding Blog

I have been taking an antibiotic called zadorin for back acne for approximately 2 and a half months. While its common to have hair loss in Dubai (apparently because of the water) it appears that in the recent two months the hair loss has accelerated. Could the cause of this acceleration be the antibiotics. If so, is this a temporary hair loss?

This is almost an impossible question for me to answer. I would have to examine you and understand what is happening on your head and to your hair before I can render an opinion. I doubt that the antibiotic would cause hair loss, but any medication theoretically can. If the water in Dubai is that bad, consider using bottled water.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

August 4, 2008

AutoloGel System by Cytomedix for Hair Regrowth? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,

I enjoy reading your blog and it gives me some comfort seeing other people out there with the same issues as me. I wanted to ask your opinion about this product which I only just heard about called AutoloGel by a company called Cytomedix. They released a share holder update yesterday as below: Cytomedix CEO Issues Shareholder Update.

Its been FDA approved, and they believe it can be used for hair growth and are actively seeking partners and strategic allies for hair growth and hair transplants according to the release. For your reference, this is the patent, dated back to 19 would imagine based on a 15 year time frame that they are probably fairly convinced about their product: USPTO — Patent #5,178,883

What is your opinion on this? And would you be interested in implementing it in practice at some point in future?

Block Quote

I have not been able to find any clinical studies involving AutoloGel and hair regrowth. According to the shareholder update letter (linked above), is is suggested that this gel could be used in such applications as hair growth and hair transplantation.

AutoloGel has been studied extensively for the treatment of non-healing ulcers and has showed positive results — and they received FDA marketing clearance for use on these types of wounds (not for regrowing hair). Until we see a well done clinical study to support that AutoloGel will help with hair regrowth, I think it is far too premature to assume that we could use in practice one day.

August 4, 2008

In the News – Scientists Find Hair Growth Molecule in Mice – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Snippet from the article:

The study identifies a key signaling molecule that tells hair follicles to start the hair-growing cycle.

“These are very complex molecular signals, and the authors have very nicely shown that there is one molecule, laminins 511, that is a very important signal to tell the hair molecule to move through the process. It’s part of a basic biological understanding,” said Dr. Ronald Crystal, chairman of genetic medicine at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City.

The researchers, reporting in the Aug. 1 issue of Genes & Development, feel the findings may one day hold the key to treating male-pattern baldness, as well as hair loss from chemotherapy or even to restore hair on burn victims.

But, as so often happens, the study was conducted in mice and, as Crystal pointed out, “Mice are not just little men and women. They are different than us and also different in their hair.”

Block Quote

Read the full article at US News & World Report — Mouse Study Finds Molecule That Tells Hair to Grow

This is a terrific story which shows an important step to the process of hair growth. Could it explain why some men of one race have no body hair and others get much? Following that thread of thinking can be fun. Could it be that genetic balding is caused by a mutation on that particular gene?

August 4, 2008

Hepatitis B Vaccine and Hair Loss? – Balding Blog

Doc,
Is there a possibility that a Hepatitis B vaccine may cause hairloss? I am due this jab very soon (actually it will be 3 shots over 6 months) and i’m worried as i’ve read about some people who have started balding after having this vaccine. Any thoughts? Thank you.

Yes, though it is very rare. The Center for Disease Control says, “For example, recent studies suggest that alopecia (hair loss) may rarely occur in persons who have received hepatitis B vaccine. While the mechanisms responsible for alopecia following vaccination are not certain, it could be immune-mediated.”

The most common cause in men is genes, and I don’t think you should be worried about losing hair from the vaccine.

August 4, 2008

I Got Drunk and Waxed My Eyebrows Off. When Will They Regrow? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

hi
i was at a party recently and got drunk. i then thought it would be a good idea to wax my eyebrows however it didnt work so well when i sobered up as there was still clumps of hair still attached. i then shaved the rest of my remaining hair off my eyebrows. i was just wonderin how long will it take to grow back?

Yes, your eyebrows should grow back, though it may take several months (possibly up to a year). Drinking and waxing is obviously not a good idea. See a good hair transplant doctor if it does not grow back in a year.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

August 4, 2008

Propecia to Halt the Hair Loss, Rogaine to Regrow the Hairs? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I been to a dermatologist and Dr. Bernstein and both advised me to use Rogaine in addition to Propecia at least once a day. They told me that Propecia will most likely halt the hairloss but Rogaine can help stimulate hair follices and help regrow. I been reading around online and that seems to be true. I know you been saying you should try Propecia first and later add Rogaine if you ain’t satisfied, but what are the chances Propecia can also give me regrowth?

I’m 21 and with early frontal hair loss something I noticed about 4 months ago.

In my experience, regrowth with Propecia is fairly common at your age. I have seen reversal in most young men, but not necessarily on the hairline if it is receded. The advice you have been given is also reasonable, but I generally like to go at it in a step wise manner, because if the Propecia works alone, then why use minoxidil and get hooked on it also?

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

August 4, 2008

Why Is Hair Bleach Dangerous to Hair? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

If I added blonde streaks to my hair (bleached it), then dyed it back to dark brown the next day, am I at risk for any hairloss because of this? I did this about 7 weeks ago and there are no problems at all — I’m just wondering. Isn’t hair above the skin level dead anyway, so I could put paint and it wouldn’t affect the follicle?

Hair dyes use chemicals to set color into the hair. If you can get the effects you want from a water soluble solution, it should not hurt your hair. As a result of the abrasive nature of the heavy peroxide based dyes, they can cause damage to the hair and the hair follicle with a person who does not have experience with it. Some of these chemicals can cause local scalp irritation and allergic reactions which should be tested against a small part of your scalp skin to see if you are sensitive to the chemicals before applying all over the head. It sounds like your treatments did not cause you any bad outcomes, however, that is not to say that you are safe from hair loss from repeated dye sessions if they are anything more than a good commercial hair rinse.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

August 3, 2008

Will Propecia Work for Years to Come? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I’m almost 23 and been on Propecia for about a year now. I started to have early frontal hair loss. And also a year ago I had a miniturzation study done and I was on a NW 2A-3A pattern. Like the first inch into my hairline the hair was lighter. Now I’m filled up again and am on a solid NW2 so Propecia was a success.

Is there a possibility Propecia might work for me many years to come? I’m afraid it will not since I know guys who start to have MPB in the early 20s have usually aggressive hair loss, so I know Propecia can’t hang in for too long. And it’s funny how nobody in my family had MPB except my father but not till his mid 30s.

Block Quote

I couldn’t say for sure how long you’ll see lasting benefits from Propecia. I’ve had patients on it for 10+ years and it still shows the same benefits it did in year 1. As I’ve said many times before, each person is different and will react differently to various medications. Here are some facts — Results with Propecia.