Dr. William Rassman – Page 1591

August 7, 2007

Using Rogaine for 15 Years — Just Developed an Allergy? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Doc,

Taking Rogaine for 15 years. Have had a lot of shedding the last year. I stopped the rogaine for a week and noticed a definate decrease in shedding almost immediately. Could Rogaine be irritating the scalp and cause shedding? After so many years would Rogaine still be effective? If it does become less effective over time is it safe to stop without more loss?

Thanks

There is no way to tell with anecdotal accounts. It may just be coincidental. Generally, I would doubt Rogaine has been causing hair loss, but you might have developed a skin allergy to the drug. Generally speaking, some drugs may lose its effective clinical value over time, but it should not lose all of its potency.

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August 6, 2007

G-Spot and the “Designer Vagina” – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Note: This post isn’t related to hair loss or balding, but interesting and worth posting nonetheless.

On my recent trip to the Canadian Rockies, I read an article in the Globe and Mail newspaper about the “latest in sexual enhancement: a collagen injection to swell the elusive G spot”. This was the sub-heading and it caught my attention, not only as an interested reader, but as a physician who practiced some gynecology (as part of my general surgery practice) many years ago. Essentially, a shot of collagen is injected into the spot in the vagina where the G spot is supposed to be, thereby enlarging it and making it less elusive (read the article for the details — link below). This is supposed to produce a “trigger” for the female orgasm. The ‘G shot’ was patented in 2002 by Dr. David Matlock, a gynecologist and plastic surgeon in Los Angeles. The article discusses, in detail, the need for other treatments related to plastic surgery for the vagina “that shorten the plump labias, tighten vaginal muscles, shrink the skin covering the clitoris and reconstruct hymens”.

Many men think that libido and sexual dysfunction are problems that are unique to them, but this article provides some insight into the needs of women, a ‘black box’ for most men whose ignorance on this subject may be helped by reading this article.

Full article: globeandmail.com — Hit me with your best shot

August 6, 2007

Hair Loss from Accutane After 5 Months of Treatment – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I took Accutane and began losing hair in my fifth and final month of treatment. I lost about 30% of my hair. My doctor has emphasized to me that I have telogen effluvium and that my hair will grow back if given time. However, I am skeptical. It’s been 6 months since I lost the hair. And I am a 23-year-old male with some history of MPB in my family.

Interestingly, I stopped shedding 3 months ago. My question is: is it a bad sign that I stopped shedding but haven’t grown any hair back yet? And do you really believe Accutane causes a “pure” telogen effluvium, or are there any other mechanisms at work?

An answer to these questions would be appreciated. Thank you.

If it is pure telogen effluvium your hair should start to grow back after about about 6 months. In rare instances it may take longer. With some family history of MPB and if you also suspect some degree of MPB, you may consider a miniaturization study to see if there is a pattern to your hair loss.

With respect to Accutane, it may cause hair loss as a side effect, but there is no mechanism of why hair loss occurs. I have unfortunately seen people with Accutane hair loss that has not returned. Only time will tell.

August 6, 2007

Is Straightening and Blow Drying My Hair Causing Thinning? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi. I am 19 years old male and over the past 3 – 4 months I have noticed that my hair seems to be thinning on the crest area of my head. During the same peiod of time I began blow-drying and straightening my hair every single day. I have also been diagnosed with seborrhoeic dematitis, and was wondering if the constant starightening/ blow-drying is causing this thinning. Furthermore my hairline is not receding at the temple area and both my mother and father are in their late fifties and still have a good, thick head of hair, as did their mother and father.

Normal blow-drying or straightening your hair will not cause thinning or balding. If you are thinning or balding it is likely genetic, and a good, qualified physician can assess this. Genetic balding in men (male pattern balding, also known as androgenic alopecia) can be inherited without your mother or father or grandparents being bald, skipping generations.

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August 6, 2007

Procerin, Again – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I’ve read the user feedback from these webpage: http://www.askdocweb.com/procerin48.html
It’s obvious that through 4 years feedback, procerin is proved to be effective for hair loss problems. Could I beg ur opinion about this? Thanks.

I’ve already written about Procerin a few times before. I generally do not believe what I read when the only source is the manufacturer or the sales organization… or in the case of the site you sent, unsubstantiated message board claims. So while you say it is “obvious” that it has been proven to work — at this point, I would wholeheartedly disagree.

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August 6, 2007

Using Rogaine and the LaserComb – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello Dr. Rassman, I’m a 24 year old male who started losing hair at about age 16. My case is not critical but I am starting to get a little worried since hairloss has increased significantly over the last year.

I recently started using Rogaine, but I found an article involving the Lasercomb which I read and therefore studied a bit on the subject. Now, my question is: Is it safe to use Rogaine and the Lasercomb at the same time? What damages or interactions could occur?

I have read some of your articles regarding both subjects but was unable to find one that combined the use of both. I would greatly appreciate your advice on this matter.

I see no problem with Rogaine and using the LaserComb, but I doubt that the laser will bring much value. Minoxidil might help and may add value if used with Propecia (if you do have male pattern baldness). With regard to the LaserComb, I really don’t believe the results that are claimed.

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August 3, 2007

Are Doctors Promising More Grafts Than Can Possibly Be Delivered? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman, I’m surprised no one else has raised this issue with you given the activity on various hair transplant discussion boards during the last few months. My question concerns the quantity of grafts in the donor reserve.

On these boards, I see a new trend of very young men wanting high density transplants to restore their juvenile hairlines and being transplanted under the assumption that they have, *on average*, 10K-15K grafts available via both strip and FUE. When the blarney of the clinic(s) making these graft count claims is questioned by more critical posters, the young men in question usually get very defensive and end up expressing their confidence in their doctor(s), and say that even if such estimates are exaggerated, surely some new drug, or hair maintenance, will come along to help them by the time their balding progresses to the point of making their transplants looks unnatural.

Since you believe in documenting scientific findings and have published the pathbreaking papers in this field, do you feel that these young men are being sold a false bill of goods? Can any clinic in good conscience be promising to be able to harvest twice as many grafts as we previously believed available? Has there been some breakthrough in graft harvesting capabilities that the laymen has yet to hear about? And should hope about the availability of future technology being able to benefit patients ever be part of a Master Plan?

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You raise a very good point and concern. A typical hair transplant procedure of an average male with good scalp laxity will yield 3000 to 3500 grafts in Caucasians (who often have higher densities than Asians). The most that we were able to yield in one single surgery was about 5800 grafts from a patient with a very high donor hair density and good scalp laxity. This was the exception to the rule, of course. Some doctors split the ‘follicular units’ into smaller units and then charge the value of the ‘split’ number. So if a doctor got 3000 grafts, by dividing the grafts into smaller units, he/she may be able to charge for 5000 grafts and give the patient a feeling that he got more than he really did.

Thus, I very highly doubt that any clinic can yield 10,000 to 15,000 grafts in one procedure. They may be cutting all these grafts (which contain one, two, three, or four hairs) into single hair grafts. See my recent post titled How Do I Know I Am Getting the Number of Grafts I Am Paying For?. I feel strongly that splitting grafts to make money from patients is highly unethical and desperate patients are ultimately paying a price -– not only in financial terms, but in a lifetime of potential disfigurement from a depleted donor supply.

August 3, 2007

Late 50s, Noticing Acceleration in Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am 57 years old and have maintained a good head of hair (albeit grey these days) throughout my adult life. I did notice in my late teens and early 20’s some recession at the temples, but overall I have what is considered to be good “coverage” when compared to others in my age group.

I have been on Flomax for a urinary flow issue (high bladder neck) and Androgel for hormone replacement for 5 years now. Recently, I added Plavix, Enalapril, 81mg aspirin and Vytorin to the regimen because of an angioplasty and to lower my lipids.

In addition, I take Fish Oil, Folic Acid (5mg) Saw Palmetto and CoQ10 (200mg) although these are not prescribed, only suggested.

Recently, I have noticed some acceleration in hair loss at the crown and frontal area, although it’s progressing slowly and mildly.

I am wondering if the new combination of drugs might be the reason, or if this is simply the natural progression of MBP. I imagine at this point a minaturization study would be a good idea instead of speculating on the impact of my drug cocktail.

Please advise, and thanks for your excellent site as well as your candid, well-researched and scientific approach to this problem.

Yes, I believe a miniaturization study may be of benefit. Genetic male pattern balding (MPB) may be a cause of your hair loss, but is rare (although not unheard of) to occur so late in life. Of note, taking Androgel may contribute to the MPB due to its androgenic properties. However, you should always consult with your physician before starting or stopping any medication. It is unusual that hair loss starts in a person of your age, so I would look to the medications that you use as a possible cause.

If your hair loss is related to MPB, there are medications (such a Propecia) that MAY offset it.

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August 3, 2007

Mesotherapy for Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Greetings,
I have heard of a treatment called Mesohair which is basically mesotherapy for hair loss by injecting the scalp with a solution (probably minoxidil in the solution). My doctor in Canada also has a cosmetic clinic and uses mesotherapy for it’s more common purpose such as skin care and weight loss. He is willing to provide the Mesohair treatment for me, but we need to investigate the procedure such as equipment, solution, ect. Can you help us please? Thank you.

We should not volunteer to become experimental subjects without good science proving value for such experiments. I do not believe that there is good science in this treatment, so I would caution you and ask why you’d want to do this and how would you judge the risks vs the benefits in advance of seeing them? This just does not make sense to me.

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August 3, 2007

One Session of 4085 Grafts 8 Months Ago (with Photos) – Balding Blog

This Norwood Class 6 patient had one procedure of 4085 grafts just over 8 months ago. He went through the following routine immediately after surgery:

For the first few weeks, he let his beard grow out to a good length.
Then he shaved off his beard and left a longer mustache, which he maintained for a few more weeks.
Nobody noticed his hair transplant, but they did comment on his new facial look. The laughing ended when he finally shaved off his mustache.
Then he was his normal bald self, but slowly over the next months, the hair came in. It was so subtle that no one ever noticed it.

Before photo on the left; After photo on the right. Click the photos to enlarge.

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