Dr. William Rassman – Page 1546

November 16, 2007

What Does a Hair Transplant Cost? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

My family and I need to know an approx. cost because we have a ten month old and we are trying for our 2nd child. Any kind of approx. would be greatly apprecitated. Also, how many treatments/procedures must you have? Thank you.

Generally one or two surgical treatment sessions will get most people where they want to be. The costs will relate to the amount of balding and the amount of work that has to be done. There’s no one-size-fits-all pricing solution. I would have to look at the scalp and hair to make an assessment of suitability for a hair transplant and by reviewing photos or meeting you in person, I can then make such an assessment. If you’d like to send photos (a series of images is best), please use the address on the Contact page.

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November 15, 2007

I’m 26 with Thinning Temples – When Is It Safe for Me to Have a Hair Transplant? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,

I’ve heard many different opinions regarding the appropriate age to seek out a hair transplant. I’m roughly a Norwood 2 at age 26, and my father is a Norwood 6 (age 62). I came into your LA office last year and had a miniaturization test done. The test showed I had receded at the temples, but the rest of my hair was holding strong. I’ve been using a Propecia/Rogaine combination for 5 years, since the first signs of balding appeared.

I consulted with another doctor who said I was a good candidate for an immediate transplant. He mentioned I should front load the grafts, using 2400 to fill in the temples. I know he’s a reputable doctor, but isn’t it dangerous to use 2400 grafts to fill in the temples (~1.5 inch receded)? I know the miniaturization test showed the rest of my hair is holding strong, but who really knows what the future holds, especially given my genetics.

Is it prudent to wait a little longer to have surgery? Right now, when my hair is grown out long enough, I can spike my hair in front and the recession is barely noticeable. However, I hate the way my hair looks when I first wake up in the morning or after a workout- it clumps in the middle, clearly showing the recessed temples.

My questions is, even with a miniaturization test and a consistent cocktail of hair loss drugs, when can you safely have a transplant without the risk of looking foolish 10-15 years down the road due to the overzealous use of grafts in the early phases of MPB?

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Let’s look at it this way — I advised you to take Propecia and said I’d retest you a year later with another miniaturization study. I gave you the consultation at no charge. Another doctor that you met wants to immediately perform 2400 grafts on you after just meeting you. Does that sound strange to you… like maybe that other doctor is more interested in your money and less interested in your long term Master Plan?

I could have certainly told you that you’d need 2400 grafts when I met you last year, but it would not have been fair to you, nor would it have been the honorable thing to do. I would have been taking advantage of you. As you point out, if you lose much more hair and already have 2400 grafts in the front, you do run the risk of possibly looking foolish down the road (maybe a bad Master Plan). You should return for another visit with me so that you can have another miniaturization test and a reassessment of your Master Plan based upon what has changed in you since your last visit. To answer your question, I can’t say with any certainty when a good time for a transplant is without seeing you again. This is one of those questions that simply can’t be answered without an exam.

I hate to see patients taken advantage of, and I’m glad you wrote to inquire about this. This could be a case of a doctor that is preying on your insecurities and wants to line his wallet, rather than look out for your best interests. I always suggest that potential patients do plenty of research so that you know what you’re getting into. Many doctors who ‘claim’ a great reputation, promote that reputation with good PR and lot of dollars in advertising. The only protection you have is to perform good research for yourself.

November 15, 2007

Vitamin-D Deficiency and Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Does having a vitamin D deficency cause hair loss? I’m a 26 yr. old female and I’ve been going through what the Doctors are calling TE. After all the blood work, my iron levels were just below normal, but the more alarming results were my vitamin D levels. I was wondering if you thought a vitamin D deficency could result in hair loss?

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Some researchers believe that vitamin-D regulates the expression of genes. When scientists knocked out those genes in mice, the mice displayed vitamin D deficient symptoms of rickets and hair loss. Correcting vitamin-D makes sense if you believe you are deficient in vitamin-D. Check with your doctor about how to manage the process.

November 15, 2007

I Get Side Effects from Propecia and No Results from Rogaine — Am I Out of Options at 22 Years Old? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

what shampoo would you recommend to someone with male pattern baldness? also, i have been on both propecia (sexual side effects), and rogaine (did not work) and i have read, on your website, that those are the only two hair loss products you would recommend. Are you telling me that, realistically, i have no other options besides going bald or getting a hair transplant? i am only 22 and have been loosing hair at an unreal rate for the past 8 months. I saw a dr., and a dermatologist and they essentially have told me the same things I see on this website. I really need to find something before I’m completely bald.

I understand your problem. First, I might recommend that we look into your loss of libido by getting testosterone levels taken by your doctor. If your testosterone levels are low, it would explain the loss of libido. Then it should be revisited by the doctor who is managing you. Don’t give up yet, but you must realize that this is the internet, not a medical facility where I am your doctor. There’s only so much I can offer at this point. You need a good doctor to manage your situation, in-person.

November 15, 2007

Is Provillus FDA Approved? – Balding Blog

I see that Provillus’s press release states that they are FDA approved. What is this about?

New “Miracle Cure” Hair Loss Treatment Announces FDA Approval

From HairLossWatch.com, which sells Provillus –

“The Food & Drug Administration does not have an approval process for any nutritional supplements, only prescription medications. All of Provillus’s ingredients voluntarily comply with the FDA’s GRAS safety requirements.”

In short, it contains FDA approved ingredients, but I don’t believe Provillus itself is FDA approved and I can’t find any info on the FDA site about this. The pictures and the claims for Provillus are over the top. I remain skeptical with such claims.

Remember, minoxidil is approved… finasteride is approved. Those are your FDA approved and proven drug treatment options for hair loss. If Provillus has any proven hair regrowth treatment in it, I’d assume like ScalpMed, it contained minoxidil.

Is Shedding from Propecia Positive? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hey Dr. Rassman,

I’m a 23 year-old male, and over the past two years noticed my hair slowly thinning. Initially the problem started on both the sides (a few inches above the sideburns), and then in the last year or so I noticed the top slowly losing density. However, overall my hair is still fairly good, am I hoping to at least salvage it.

A bit of background, my hair has always been pretty thick, and used to grow incredibly fast (1-2.5 inches a month), and in the last 2 years slowed down and the thinning started, however I never noticed hairs falling out. The back is fine, so after extensive reading, I had a feeling it must of been genetic DPA (I see a similar pattern in my older brother), and I’ve just started propecia. I’ve been on propecia for about 2 weeks now, and for the first time I’ve actually spotted shed hairs. Is this a sign I am responding (positively) to the drug?

Also in the last two weeks on propecia, my hair has changed texture. It is now smoother, more flexible bends easier), and feels of better quality (like when I was younger). Is this a normal occurrence? No complaints, just curious.

Is this a normal for propecia?

While this does not occur for everyone, some people report that hair goes into cycling when they start Propecia (finasteride 1mg). If this happens, it will stop at some point over the first couple of months. Hair grows out at a rate of 1/2 inch per month, so if you have been on Propecia for 2 weeks, the most you will see is the bottom 1/4 inch hair change. Just give this some time and you will know what the impact of the drug has on your hair.

It is true that the hair grown on Propecia may be stronger (thicker) and more like your normal hair in the back of your head where there is no impact of balding.

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November 15, 2007

What Is the Name of the Laser Used in Laser Hair Therapy? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

what do you think about the new laser hair restoration therapy? My mom works for a medical laser clinic. What type of laser are they using for hair restoration? What is the name of the laser?

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is not used in connection with the actual surgical procedure. There were some doctors that used lasers to actually make the surgical incisions and the results were awful. That practice was stopped quickly for the most part, but not fast enough for me. There are many LLLT systems on the market… too many to mention here.

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November 14, 2007

Does Sebum Build-Up Produce More DHT on Follicles? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,

When I met with you earlier in the year, we decided the best course of action for me right now is not hair transplants but rather to take Propecia as you thought that I would get good benefit from the drug alone. I have been taking it every day since. So far, I am pleased with the results and the fact that my hair loss isn’t progressing. I have read that a major cause of hair loss is sebum buildup and that sebum contains high concentrations of DHT that accelerate hair loss and that is why we need to get a shampoo that will get rid of the sebum. Is this true?

I’ve read your book and understand that a good shampoo will clean your hair but no shampoo will stop the balding process. In my efforts to take every precaution possible, I did some additional research and found four commonly used shampoos to aid in slowing hair loss.

Here are the four I found and a little information from various websites on each:

Nioxin: Can improve the hair’s health by cleansing the scalp’s skin, strengthening the hair follicle and energizing the cellular activity. Nioxin has not been found to have any effect on DHT. However, by keeping the follicles healthy, these products may help delay hair loss. Because there are no side effects, the products can be used everyday.

Nizoral: The Propecia FDA trial participants all used a shampoo like Nizoral for the duration of the trial. This was required, as the increased sebum production, inflammation, and irritation caused by the balding process can limit the effectiveness of any treatment. This is why it is strongly recommended that a regimen including Propecia also include Nizoral shampoo used once every 3 days in rotation with your normal shampoo. You will not see optimum results without Nizoral, or a shampoo like it, in your regimen.

Neutrogena T/Gels: Another study said that all men, whether receiving Propecia or placebo, were given the medicated shampoo, Neutrogena T/Gel Shampoo.

Tricomin: Formulated to efficiently deliver vital micronutrients to the hair follicle environment. Tricomin works by strengthening and revitalizing your hair. While Tricomin’s cosmetic benefits will be realized in the short term, the added benefits of younger; fuller healthier hair may require longer use. Tricomin can be used effectively with other hair treatments including Rogaine and Propecia.

I realize this may only be for the comfort of doing something else proactively, but if it could provide any benefit I’d like to take advantage of that. Could you recommend the best and most likely to make any difference of the above four or any other one that I might have missed in my research? Thank you for your time.

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Shampoo My opinion on cleaning out sebum is that there is no value in doing this, because claims that sebum contains high concentrations of DHT that kills hair is just not supported by today’s science. I have heard these claims particularly by various clinics that sell shampoos for women with hair loss or thinning. If sebum build-up caused hair loss in women, then certainly more women would be bald like us men.

I have no real preference on shampoos, as they will not grow back hair or even slow down the loss. If it is a good shampoo, you should not worry about things in there that can harm your hair. My opinion on this matter is not always shared by other doctors, many of whom, as I mentioned above, sell shampoos in their office with their own label on it. You must experiment yourself, for what works for one person (likes and dislikes) does not always work for another. If you believe that one of these shampoos are reversing your hair loss, let me know.

November 14, 2007

My Transplant Doctor Offered to Sell Me His Own Blend of Finasteride and Vitamins – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

The doctor who did my hair transplant has offered to sell me his ownn blend of Finasteride. He says it is the same as propecia just less expensive. He claims it has 1.1 mg of finasteride plus some vitamins that allowed him to get FDA approval and not violate propecias patent

In some states, doctors can legally mix their medication ingredients. What he is doing sounds alright to me on the surface, but the issue of patent infringement may be more of a problem for the doctor if the 1mg dose of finasteride is used. This is more of a legal call than a medical one. His special blend is not FDA approved, although the finasteride itself is FDA approved to treat hair loss.

November 14, 2007

Propecia Might’ve Bent My Penis… But It Might’ve Been That Way Before – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I have been taking 1mg finasteride to treat hair loss for more than a year. I have been facing problem of reduction in sperm quantity. I also get stomach upset and gas trouble on the next day after i masturbate. After reading about the side effects in internet i have now decided to quit. Will the side effects go after i discontinue?? I also find that my penis is bent sidewards (dont remember if it has become after i started taking the medicine). Pls advice

Where is your doctor in dealing with your problems? That is where you should be evaluated, not on the Internet. Starting and stopping finasteride is not something you should take lightly if you are really balding. Sounds like you are psyched up from taking this medication.

With regard to your penis, many men have a bend to their erect penis and this is normal, that is, unless the bend makes it non-functional, in which case you need a doctor to address the problem. The reduced sperm volume with finasteride is a well know side effect (not low sperm count, just a reduced ejaculate), but there is no way that your penis will bend from finasteride.

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