Dr. William Rassman – Page 1719

October 31, 2006

Procapil, Nizoral, and DHT Blockers – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dear Dr:

First, I would like to say thanks for this web site of yours. you’re one of the few sources of hair loss info that i trust. keep up the good work.

my question: what, if anything, do you know about Procapil (www.procapil.com/index/html)? there is a brand of hair care products on the market called MiN New York (www.min.com) and they all contain several DHT-blocking ingredients — copper peptides, saw palmeto, etc. — and Procapil. any thoughts on this company and their products? also, i have read some info re: Nizoral and how it may help regrow hair as well as Rogaine. is this true?

Nizoral contains a drug used to treat a variety of fungal infections of the scalp. So many people think that it is the magic shampoo for hair loss. If it is, there is far more fungal infections than I ever thought amongst the population. Many ingredients like copper peptides and saw palmetto claim DHT blocking capability, but they are poorly documented at doing just that. If saw palmetto is a DHT blocker, it is a weak one. Copper peptides are not DHT blockers.

Procapil reports that it is a patented plant complex that repairs, nourishes and prolongs the hair cycles of the telogen phase of hair growth. There are claims as well that it is a DHT blocker. In my opinion, none of this is scientific or can be substantiated to meet my standards. Again, I warn every reader that this is a ‘Buyer Beware’ business and many people make good money on promotions that may not have good scientific data presented.

October 31, 2006

Propecia and Diabetes – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I appreciate all the information you provide. I am a 30 year old male. It is my understanding from the blog that you believe Propecia to be the most effective pharmaceutical treatment option for hair loss. What advice would you give to a patient who has islet-cell antibodies present in their system? In other words, how would you characterize the risk that taking Propecia would prompt an auto-immune response by the body, thus causing an attack on the pancreas leading to Type I diabetes?

Finasteride (Propecia/Proscar) is a DHT type 2 receptor blocker which does not have any association with the pancreas, therefore I would expect that it should not lead to Type I diabetes. The drug company (Merck) would have recognized any such association if it would have been detected and considering the number of diabetics in the general population, I would expect that such an association (if it existed) would have been reported. Finasteride was originally developed for benign prostatic hypertrophy (which affects the prostate). If you are experiencing genetic androgenic hair loss (male pattern hair loss) Propecia may be a consideration. Propecia, as you probably know, is a prescription medication, so discuss these concerns with your prescribing doctor before taking it.

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October 31, 2006

Teen Daughter Has 2nd Degree Chemical Burn on Scalp – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

My daughter is 17 yrs. old. She has a 2nd degree burn to her scalp from a chemical. She had highlights done at a local beauty salon and she was burned. She now has a hypertrophic scar. Will cortisone shots to the scalp help? Her hair follicles are completely burned.

If it is a 2nd degree chemical burn, I doubt the hair will grow back normally (if at all) and the cortisone shots will probably not help the hypertrophic scar at this stage. It is very difficult to give an opinion without seeing her. Fortunately, there are many options to treat her, including scar reduction surgery or even hair transplants, which work quite well in many cases. Consider sending us photographs — in the photos include a ruler so that the size of the defect is clear.

In the last two weeks, I have seen three patients with similar problems. We have offices in San Jose, Los Angeles, and Newport Beach, California. You can always schedule a free consultation for an evaluation by calling 800-NEW-HAIR.

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October 30, 2006

Hair Loss InformationIf Intercytex Is In Phase II Trials, Why Is Hair Multiplication So Many Years Away? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Dr. Rassman,

Intercytex has completed phase I human trials of their hair multiplication product ICX-TRC. The founder of the company, Dr. Paul Kemp, was one of the phase I trials volunteers. Phase II trials have recently begun in the U.K. and may be expanded to the U.S. sometime during 2007. Although there are always roadblocks that can slow progress, they are working towards phase III trials in late 2007/2008 in both the U.K. and U.S. and then the final FDA review for the 12-18 months following. This timeline would bring us to around 2010.

If they have already completed phase I and have started phase II, why do many in the hair transplant community still think it’s many, many years away until hair multiplication is a reality?

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I was at the ISHRS conference in San Diego a week ago and more importantly to your question, I was in attendance for the Intercytex presentation at this event. It was stated that the phase II trials will end in 2008. Intercytex’s presentation, while enthusiastic, did not include any human volunteer examples or mention a specific (near future) time line. Anyone can assume and put a guess to a when and if hair multiplication would be a reality. But, considering that the completion of phase II trials is still two years away, it is virtually impossible to state when/if it would become a reality. There are still many obstacles ahead.

October 30, 2006

Hair Loss InformationI’m Taking Propecia, But I Want to Try Out Rogaine Foam – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

For time and financial reasons, how effective is it to start and stop minoxidil within propecia treatment? In other words, can I retain whatever I gain from Minoxidil as long as I’m still taking propecia.

I’m on propecia right now and would like to try the Rogaine foam, but don’t necessarily want to be committed to taking it for life without it being a waste.

Thanks for your help.

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Stay on the Propecia and add minoxidil foam, but use the minoxidil foam for at least 8 months prior to concluding if it works. If there is benefit beyond what you got from Propecia, then you should stay on both, probably for life. The two drugs work differently and they can have added value to each other.

October 30, 2006

Hair Loss InformationPropecia and the Crooked Penis – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Ok, I just have to ask. I have been searching around for information regarding pros/cons of starting propecia. I came to a web forum in which several people were discussing the fact that propecia made their penis crooked. I have not read this anywhere in the side effects category listed with Merck. Is this a real possibility?

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I highly doubt your penis will grow crooked after taking Propecia (finasteride 1mg). Many men are born with a penis that leans to one side or the other (example, Wikipedia – Chordee). What you read on that web forum just goes to show how the internet can be misleading and you must take all the information available with a grain of salt.

October 30, 2006

Hair Loss InformationHigh Side Hairline (Above Ears) – Can It Be Lowered? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

hi there,
i’ve been reading some of these articles about high hairlines, and most of them talk about the hairline at the forehead. however, with me, my hairline at my forehead is fine, its the hairline at the side of my head (near my ears) thats high. its been a real issue with me ever since i was a kid and i’d always need long hair to cover it up so that it wouldn’t seem as if i’m balding (which i’m not). my doctor says that i am not vulnerable to balding when i get older. i am an 18 yr old filipino male. and i was wondering if there are any treatments to this surgically/nonsurgically. i’d prefer nonsurgical more than surgical. but if there is anything at all, pls tell me. thx

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Some people have a genetic high temple hairline (above ears) which can be treated with hair transplants very effectively. There are no other treatments for this that I know of.

October 30, 2006

Hair Loss InformationAny Solutions for Severe Dandruff? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,

For the past 3 to 4 years, i am suffering from severe dandruff. I have also been diagnosed with PCOS last year which is now under control. Mine is long hair and this dandruff is also cyclic. Some times it is perfectly clean and sometimes at its worse. I have used topical products like diprovate with minimal improvement and the shampoos are also not giving the desired result. The dandruff is primarily flaky which is very embarrassing to me. Please suggest me if there is any solution to it. My hair is thinning day by day.

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Dandruff may be the sign of a skin disorder like seborrhea, psoriasis, etc. You need to see a good dermatologist and find out if you have some scalp disorder causing what you are seeing and calling dandruff.

October 30, 2006

Hair Loss InformationGoing to Bed with Wet Hair Causes Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello I’ve been told that going to bed with wet hair, after coming out of the shower without drying it first, can cause hair loss because of the humidity it builds up or something like that? Is this an old wives tale or is there some truth to it?

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If you go to bed with wet hair, I do not believe that it will cause you to lose hair — but it will get your pillow all wet. Be sure that the wet hair does not get pulled when you move around. Generally, it’s probably best to dry it first.

October 30, 2006

Hair Loss InformationI Had an Iron Deficiency, When Will My Hair Regrow? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

(female) I lost a lot of my hair due to an iron deficiency, after 2 months on iron pills it stopped falling. Now 5 months after it stopped falling I still have no noticeable regrowth. When do I start to worry. Do I need more Iron to get it started. I am at 31 which is in the normal range 20-160 thanks

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If you corrected the problem, you will have to wait a full year to find out if the hair loss will reverse. It may not, but in a year with good nutrition, you will probably know.