Author: Dr. William Rassman

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Seborrheic Dermatitis and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

If seborrheic dermatitis is left untreated, can it possibly cause hair loss or small bald patches?

If you let it build hard plaques on the scalp and then you pick them off, it can cause hair loss. Just flaking scalp does not cause hair loss, though. An extreme example of seborrheic dermatitis is the disease called psoriasis, which does not cause hair loss unless the victim picks off the plaques on a chronic basis. My advice is to seek out a good dermatologist and get yourself looked at carefully.

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Steroid Use Led to Libido Issues — I’m Worried That Propecia Might Make It Happen Again – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello Dr.,

I expermented with steroids about 2 1/2 years ago. I was told that dosage would cause no side effects but before I even ended my cycle there was significant hair loss and a decrease in sex drive. Even after the two years I am still recovering and have not had a regular libido and show significant thinning of my hair.

Since I had the low sex drive when experimenting with steroids is it possible that taking propecia I have a higher chance of it occuring again? Is there another drug that can be taken along with propecia? I am 28 years of age and in good health aside from the hair loss and irregular sex drive.

You need to have a doctor manage this process for you. Your low sex drive can be a result of your anabolic steroid use or just a naturally low sex drive (independent of steroids). Many men have low sex drives that go undiagnosed or they are not readily willing to face the problem and often try to find other causes like steroid use or Propecia (finasteride) use. My recommendation is to have a good physical exam by your primary care physician. I really cannot tell you if Propecia will give you a high chance of sex drive issues. Propecia in general has a side effect of decreased sex drive (1 to 2 percent) and an increased sex drive (10 percent), possibly because testosterone levels go up between 9-18% on Propecia.

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Heavy Baldness In My Family and I’m Already Thinning At 23… – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

To whom it may concern,
Thank you for maintaining this site; the information is valuable and welcomed.

Well, I am a 23 year old male. My father and his entire side of the family experience heavy baldness. My hair is definitely thinning.

My question: Rogaine, Propecia, hair transplants – these are the major treatment options I’m aware of (and to some extent, experimental laser treatment). With only the few short details I’ve given you, can you give me an educated guess as to which option or combination of options might suit me best? I’d love to hear your opinion on hair transplants for males in their mid-twenties with projected substantial hair loss.

Thank you so much

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If the hair loss is early or just starting, simple drug use with Propecia (finasteride 1mg) is often the best approach to slow, stop, or reverse the hair loss. Propecia is a prescription medication, so you’ll need to meet with your doctor. I’m not convinced that the laser treatments actually are worth the time or money, and a hair transplant would likely not be an option for you yet, particularly because you haven’t been on any medication to treat your hair loss — a simple pill may eliminate your need for a surgery.

The first step in addressing your hair thinning problem is to have an examination by an expert doctor who can help you navigate the diagnosis and develop a Master Plan. This would include a miniaturization study. There is no substitute for a one-on-one consultation and examination to understand what you want and need. If you’re in California, I’d be glad to meet with you. If you’re looking for a doctor more local to you, I’d check the physician search at ISHRS.org to find a doctor in your area that specializes in hair loss.

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Hair Loss InformationCan Squat Exercises Cause Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have recently started doing squats at the gym with a lot of weight (I had never done them before). I have heard that squats raise your levels of testoserone and that high testoserone levels lead to hair loss. I have been taking propecia for over three years with excellent results but it seems that since I stared doing squats at the gym ( 3 or 4 weeks) I am losing a lot of hair. I have noticed that I loose more than 50 hairs per day while I shampoo, dry and brush my hair. Is this true? If so, shouldn’t the Propecia still block the extra testoserone I am producing with the extra squat exercises?

Thanks

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SquatUnfortunately, I have no experience with the question to respond properly. After researching this a little bit, squats and deadlifts are said to be the most effective muscle building exercise, but I have no idea to what level the testosterone would increase while doing these workouts. Despite what I read (the sources I found were not exactly 100% credible), it does not make sense to me that squats could increase testosterone levels, but you could find out by testing yourself before and after exercise with and without squats. It would cost you a few dollars to find out and I would be happy to draw your blood for the four tests required. Although you will have to pay the lab test bill, I will contribute my time to draw your blood and send it off, all on the same visit.

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In the News – Nanomedicine Prototype Affects Hair Growth – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

From the press release —

Luna Innovations Incorporated (NASDAQ:LUNA) announced today the discovery that a nanomedicine prototype aids in the growth of new hair follicles. Scientists at Luna’s nanoWorks Division in Danville, VA, have been developing a portfolio of new candidates based on antioxidant nanomaterials which could lead to a platform technology for treating a wide range of diseases. “One of our new nanomedicine prototypes, after only two weeks of treatment, was found to increase the number of hair follicles fourfold in mice which are born genetically hairless,” said Robert Lenk, President of Luna’s nanoWorks Division.

Hair growth is a process that normally depends on the regeneration of tiny hair follicles. Hairless mice have a mutation that results in atrophy of hair follicles a few weeks after birth. The hair does not regenerate. The gene responsible for the mutation in the hairless mice has been identified, however the biological processes that cause the follicle to atrophy are not well understood.

Luna is working with scientists at The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences to further pursue their discovery in the hope of identifying a therapeutic aide to potentially treat male pattern baldness. In addition to hair loss due to heredity, Luna’s discovery may also aid in hair regeneration for loss due to other medical conditions.

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Full text here — Luna Discovers Nanomedicine Prototype Affects Hair Growth

All the news here is good news, at least for hairless mice. This is where much of the research starts, so let’s hope that more good news will follow in the years to come.

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Neck Hair and DHT – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,
I was told by my hair transplant surgeon that FUE can be performed effectively from extracting the hairs near my neck since he finds it unusually dense compared to other areas on my scalp.Are you in agreement of this=based on the fact that these hairs can in fact be effected by DHT?

In other words if the hairs are in fact efected by DHT why would I go through this expense/discomfort if they will eventually fall out? please advise

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Neck hair is not scalp hair and as such it is NOT considered permanent hair. I have seen plenty of patients who had lost their neck hair as they age. If you transplant neck hair it may NOT be permanent. In your particular case, you mention hairs “near” your neck — and I simply don’t know precisely the area you’re talking about.

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4 Months After Hair Transplant, Seeing Dead Skin and Hair Coming Out – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi,
Im 4 months post op and noticed some dead skin peeling off fro the recepient area while combing my hair after shower.

There was no blood behind. Just Dead skin with some attached hair to it. is there anything to worry about? Will the hair grow again in place of the dead skin?

thanks

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This is probably crusting that you haven’t washed off. I have seen this on people who were too gentle with their post operative washing. See your hair transplant doctor to ask about your post-op care.

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In the News – Significant Hair Loss Linked to Dietary Supplement – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

From the article –

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers in 15 states about the link between a dietary supplement and adverse side effects including “significant hair loss.”

The distributor of “Total Body Formula” and “Total Body Mega Formula” has voluntarily recalled the dietary supplement products after 23 individuals suffered “serious reactions” within seven to 10 days of ingesting the liquid supplements, the FDA said in a news release.

Full text — FDA Warns ‘Significant Hair Loss’ Linked to Dietary Supplement

This is a significant news story on the potential dangers of dietary supplements, which I hope many of our readers take to heart. There are no free rides in this world.

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Why Is Mole Hair Different? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

This isn’t about hair loss, but I’m the curious sort and I figured you might be familiar with this. I’m a blond guy in my 30s, good health, no hair loss that I can tell, but I have a mole on my shoulder that grows a single black hair. The mole has been there for as long as I can remember without growing larger and I don’t think I have anything to worry about as far as cancer. The mole hair seems to grow faster than the rest of my body hair and is an obvious different color and texture. Why is the hair different like that?

There is clearly some different genetics in play here and that is the best answer I can give to your question. If you don’t like your single dark hair, you can have it removed or burned with electrolysis. The mole can also be surgically excised for cosmetic purposes.

When I read the question I thought you were going to ask about moles — the mammal. I knew that moles have a high hair (fur) count. Here is what I found on the web:

Mole Hair – Sometimes considered pests, moles are often trapped or hunted for their fur, which is quite unique. Soft, velvety, and very fine, mole fur is especially adapted to facilitate the animal’s underground movement in any direction, smoothly lying down no matter which way it points. Thus, when mole pelts are made into coats and other fur products, the fur can be brushed in any way the designer or owner chooses. Quite valuable, demand for mole fur has caused significant population declines in some areas.

Also I found out that the Alaskan Fur Seal has a huge hair count of 350,000 hairs per square inch when compared with the human as 1250 hairs per square inch. That hair count keeps them dry (water can’t get through it) and warm (a great coat).

Oh come on, I can have fun — it’s April Fools Day!

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Hair Loss InformationShould I Be Applying Rogaine with a Rubber Glove? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Doctor:

Two questions about Rogaine application:

  1. In addition to taking 1.mg finasteride daily, I’ve been applying Rogaine foam for a few months now, mainly the frontal third of the head. That area alone takes more than the recommended half a capful. Although it is the frontal third that is my main concern right now, I’m somewhat miniaturized pretty much on the N5 area, albeit, to the naked eye, I have a pretty good head of hear at the moment (I’m 29). I just don’t see how it is possible to treat the entire area with less than three times the recommended dosage (which makes the treatment prohibitively expensive and fraught with side effects).Is there any residual benefit to the vertex area through general scalp circulation at all, if the application is on the front third?
  2. Since Rogaine absorbs into fingers rapidly, does it make sense to apply it with a medical rubber glove, to ensure that more goes into the scalp, not hands? For some reason this issue hasn’t been addressed by Rogaine users.

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  1. Overdosing Rogaine for the entire scalp application is a real concern, but the best I can offer is to just watch out for side effects. Any Rogaine you use will be absorbed into the body before it works its way around the scalp where it is not applied, so if you use it on the crown, do not expect benefits in the front of your scalp or visa versa.
  2. The photo below (click to enlarge) shows the result of Rogaine Foam (minoxidil) on the hand that applies the medication to the scalp when compared to the other hand. Although this patient’s hands are quite hairy to begin with, clearly, the right hand has more hair than the left. This patient has been using the Foam for 3 months. It is up to you whether you want to use a glove when applying it.