Author: Dr. William Rassman

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If the FUE Technique Isn’t Predictible 100% of the Time, Why Would You Perform It? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Results from FUE are variable while the strip procedure is predictable nearly 100% of the time-Does this mean the strip method is the better option as its more certain. And if this is true why would you tell people and/or use this method rather than the strip method at NHI.

I test everyone to determine how good their follicular units will come out with follicular unit extraction (FUE). I call this test a FOX Biopsy and I insist on doing this so that I am comfortable that wastage is not a problem. It is hard to match the quality grafts that a strip-method hair transplant can produce. With an FUE procedure, the bottoms of the follicular units can be stripped of their fat and supportive structures; in a strip procedure, the follicular units are all perfect. If you saw two follicular units side-by-side (one from a strip harvest and the other from an FUE), you would see a significant difference. I believe that when this problem occurs, the growth from an FUE with stripped infrastructure should not, in theory, grow as well or as thick as a strip graft. The benefit of the FUE technique, of course, is the lack of the linear scar in the back of the head, allowing for a very closely cropped haircut without noticeable scarring. We perform both techniques at NHI.

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FDA Warns About Hair Loss from Total Body Mega Formula – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I read that the FDA has issued a warning about the oral supplement Total Body Mega Formula being unsafe because of high selenium and chromium levels. So my question is why does the FDA not have control over the sale of these supplements, but they do have control over the recall of them?

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FDAI saw the official FDA warning and the Center for Disease Control advisory (PDF file). Apparently it took the Florida Department of Health to send reports to the FDA about the potential toxicity of Total Body Mega Formula and Total Body Formula before they were actually looked at by the FDA. The reason for this is because as dietary supplements, there isn’t a requirement of the FDA’s approval processes for safety or effectiveness. This is quite unfortunate, and just goes to show that you really don’t know what could possibly be in these supplements. So for these particular products the FDA found that, “In all cases, the reactions included significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue.” Yikes.

The FDA itself didn’t recall the product — after they issued their warning, the manufacturer voluntarily recalled the toxic products to avoid lawsuits and more bad press.

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Hair Loss InformationCan’t Take Finasteride, But Is a Hair Transplant Still an Option? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr Rassman,
If one has been evaluated by a urologist and undergone a variety of tests for problems and finasteride has been single out as the cause. Can one still undergo restoration work? Or should one simply forget it?

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You are asking for a medical opinion without my ability to find out details about you, something that I do when I perform a consultation. Things like family history, age, miniaturization (where it is and how advanced it is) will tell me much. One can have a hair transplant without taking Propecia. I do this in older men and in men who I can predict what will happen to them over time. Everyone is different. My job is to protect you from over-enthusiasm, bring you down to reality, and then try to accomplish your goals (which may or may not be a hair transplant).

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Hair Scarring from Bleaching? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi doctor,

I have heard that hair follicles get scarred if you have had extensive bleaching done for coloring. Could you please explain what exactly happens because I am confused. Does the hair just fall off, or the entire mechanism shuts down ie, the dermal papilla cells get destroyed and the pores close?

Also, say one had his hair (black) bleached three times so that he could have it toned white (I did it 5 years ago, don’t ask why, it was college). Would you notice hair scarring within the year or is it possible that hair will gradually fall off because of it even five years later.

Thank you in advance for your help in the matter.

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BleachBleaching can become permanent if it went down to the bulb of the hair follicles and impacted the granules of melanin that produce color. Bleaches can also damage the production mechanism of the hair-producing part of the hair follicle. That is why bleaching should be done by professionals who know how far to push it without going overboard. I would expect that the damage would occur quickly and not be delayed. See a good dermatologist and get your hair examined.

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I Am Bald at 78 Years Old — Is There a Solution for Me? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am a male and started to loose my hair when I was 18 yrs old and now I am 78 yrs old and have male pattern horseshoe shape baldness. I hate being bald. is there any solution for me? thank you

It’s never too late! I have performed hair transplants for men in their 70’s and 80’s. Here are two patients off the top of my head that have had surgery in their 70s:

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I See Some Almost Invisible Hairs at My Hairline – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi doc,i just have a question,I am almost 21 and I think I have a mature hairline,my hairline started to change when I was 19 years old.I have a widows peak and in the widows peak I noticed that there are like some vellus hairs that are almost invisible between the terminal hairs,the rest of my hair is thick and healthy but the thing that worries me is that they can be miniaturized hairs.You said that it is normal some miniaturization at the beginning of the hairline.

Yes, vellus hairs are normal. You will have them everywhere on your body. Some miniaturization is normal at the very front at the beginning of the hairline.

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Propecia and Testicle Pain – Balding Blog

First of all, I am a big fan of the site. As such, I know your first response will be to “see my doctor,” which I may do soon, but I wished to hear your input as well. I’m a 22 year old male with a small/moderate amount of hair loss. I started taking propecia 5 months ago. I’m not sure if I have had any hair regrowth, but I certainly have not had any more hair loss (which is fine by my standards). However, as many others, I have noticed the sexual problems, mostly that my erections are sometimes soft and not as large as normal. Also, I seem to have acquired an on/off again dull pain near my left testicle.

I’m not sure if the testicular pain is related to propecia. As such, I am not sure whether to see a urologist or the dermatologist first. Also, in regards to sexual problem, I have thought about taking half the dosage (.5) myself and observing whether these things go away before consulting a doctor (my budget is small as it is). Thank you for any input.

I’m concerned that you’re talking about taking a prescription drug (or altering the dosage) without consulting a prescribing physician.

I’ve written about groin pain and Propecia (finasteride) before –

You are your own man, and if you already have Propecia and decided to half the dosage, that is ultimately up to you. Legally, as I am not your doctor, I can’t give you suggestions like what you’re asking about. However (you knew this was coming), you really should meet with your doctor sooner rather than later. A urologist is a better choice when it comes to the diagnosis for testicular pain.




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Seborrheic Dermatitis or Psoriasis? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Dr,

I am a 29 year old male who developed scalp flaking problem last year. My doc diagnosed it as seborrheic dematitis but didn’t rule out psoriasis also. At that point there were no symptoms on my joints.

For the last 1.5 months I’ve again developed the flaking problem. I went to the local physician and he gave me Fluocinolone acetonide to apply locally. It aggravated my condition (lots of itching and more flaking). I discontinued the medicine but around 2 days back I noticed red spots (small swellings) on my left elbow and knee. Is this a sign of psoriasis? Do the shampoos that work for seborrheic dermatitis also work for psoriasis? Any other treatment or self care that I should be doing?

I am going to visit a dermatologist soon. The current situation is causing a lot of mental anxiety within me.

Thanks a lot

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I really couldn’t tell you what you have without an examination, but psoriasis may start off with red areas on the skin leading to flaking and eruptions. These red areas, when they impact the scalp that is covered by hair, may not show up well. There is a fine line in the diagnosis between seborrhea (also known as dandruff) and psoriasis at times. I realize you are looking for help and anxious about your problems, but you are doing the right thing by making an appointment with a dermatologist.

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Hair Loss InformationWeaves Pulled Out My Hair – Can I Use Steroid Cream to Regrow It? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Can you use Steroid Based Ointments to help grow the sides and back part of your head that has thinned from Weaving? I pulled out a lot of my hair over years of weaving and left my weave in for over three months most times. My hair is originally thick, tough, bulky and curly and I think I used weaves because of anxiety and low self esteem, kind of like self harm as I abused my hair with weaves for years. Anyway, I didnt realise the weaves were slowly pulling out my hair and the last weave was so tight I lost bulk from the middle and the front was so thin you could see my scalp after it came out.

Ive now stopped that. My immediate family including both pairs of grand parents have absolutely no balding or hair loss problems. My twin sister also has thick curly hair. I am now 32. Will my hair grow back to its natural state and remain like that and can I use anything to help?

Thanks

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No, no, no steroids! They are generally bad for your hair. Steroid-based ointments, creams, lotions, or potions will not regrow the hair you lost.

Hair loss from years of using tight weaves is usually permanent. The constant pulling from the weave in your hair likely caused traction alopecia. You should see a hair transplant surgeon to find out if you can be helped. For more on traction alopecia, please see eMedicine.