Dr. William Rassman – Page 1739

September 22, 2006

1 Week After Transplant, I Accidentally Hit My Head – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

i had 1200 graphs put in one week ago. after reading your blog, i wish i had done them with you. i was planning on another 1500 or so in my next procedure and i will come see you first for sure. so you will be seeing me about 12 weeks from now. unfortunately, today i was getting into my car and hit my head on inside part of my car door. ( again i am one week post op) i hit it relatively hard…when i reached to see if there was bleeding( i hit in the area of my recepient site) it was bleeding. I did not stop bleeding for about 35 minutes. Did i likely dislodge new transplanted graphs as well? The cut is about 2 inches long, not very wide not too deep. After one week am i likely to have dislodged graphs? i did not see any follicles, but you never know? your opinion?

It is difficult to answer your question without examining you in person (you’re in Los Angeles — we’re in Los Angeles). That being said, the hair grafts are generally considered permanent after the first couple of days. It is very, very difficult to dislodge a graft after they get set-up and I have seen people get lacerations of the scalp from accidents at about 1 week and when I examined them, all of the grafts were intact and in place (unless they were inside the laceration itself). If you did not see any grafts, you probably did not do any significant damage. However if you have a cut on your head, you will get an inevitable scar and hair may not grow on the scar.

If you do decide to make an appointment to have your injury looked at, please mention this blog entry to me (or to Dr. Pak, who is a contributing editor to this blog).

September 22, 2006

Removing Chest Hair Permanently – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi, I’m thinking of removing my chest hair permanently. To be frank i’m a bit scared of laser treatment. What i’m thinking of is waxing, will the hair be permanently removed after multiple waxing sessions? Or it would grow thicker and darker???

Thanks

In the movie “The 40 Year Old Virgin“, the main character (played by Steve Carell) has his chest hair waxed to do a little grooming for the ladies. Your question reminded me of this scene — which I read was not movie magic, but was really the actor having his chest waxed for the first time in his life. Can you remember what he was saying as they ripped off the wax from his chest? His facial expression in the picture on the right has a subtle hint.

If waxed regularly for many months or possibly some years, traction alopecia (permanent hair loss from pulling hair) may develop, but the problem with chest hair is the growth cycle, as less than 40% of the hairs are growing at any one time. To get traction alopecia of those hairs you might take more frequent treatment and over an 8 month period, you might get one hair pull per hair. Put that into a formulae and if you have 8 cycles over a five year period, is that enough hair waxing to get traction alopecia? Lots of pain, my friend.

Lasers are still the best way to do it, but you can count on at least 5 sessions. Be sure that the doctor uses the best and most up-to-date laser, as many of the ones being used are older style lasers that just do not work well. Sorry to bring you back to the thing that you did not want to include in your considerations, but it would be the fastest way to come to the solution you’re seeking.

September 22, 2006

Using Sun Tan Lotion on Scalp After Transplant – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

When can someone use sun tan lotion on the recipient area. 2 weeks? a month? What if it is non-comedogenic and won’t block pores? thanks

I usually tell patients that they can use a good sun blocker around 2 weeks from the date of a hair transplant.

September 22, 2006

WHY Does Shedding from Hair Loss Medications Occur? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hey, Doc. I’ve been taking Avodart for the past 3 months and have been experiencing what can only be described as a “shed”. While I’ve seen other posts and answers here regarding shedding, I’ve never seen you delve into why it actually happens. Can you enlighten? Thanks.

I do not know why it happens. It seems to happen more through the reports on this blog site than I have seen in my own practice. As I do not have experience with Avodart (dutasteride), I can only assume that any ideas I might have will be a common thread to Propecia (finasteride). It has been suggested by some doctors that shedding can be explained, because acceleration of a hair cycle occurs. Hairs in the growth phase are pushed into a telogen phase (which means that it will have some shedding). The suggestion then is that the growth phase comes in stronger. This is the idea of others, so I am just passing what I hear, not what I know as fact.

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September 21, 2006

Hair Loss InformationPropecia and Hair Count – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

This is a reader response to my blog posting from way back in May, 2005 — When Will I Go Bald?

My question to you is the following: Per your last line [note: “There is no doubt that the hair loss will still pick up again (even on the drug) but it will be a slower process.“], even if i take Propecia, and stay on it forever, then at some point I’ll begin losing more hair anyway? Is that what you mean by your last line? Thanks.

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Let’s say that you start off with 100 hairs prior to the Propecia (finasteride). Then with the Propecia you go up to 130 hairs after year one. You also have an identical twin brother (100% exactly the same as you), but he decides not to take Propecia. Now let’s see what happens to the hair count for the two of you…

	Hair Count – You (with Propecia)	Hair Count – Twin (without Propecia)
Start	100	100
Year 1	130	98
Year 2	127	95
Year 3	120	89
Year 4	112	85
Year 5	106	82
Year 6	101	78
Year 7	98	74
Year 8	93	70
Year 9	88	68
Year 10	85	64
30 years later	75	62

Note that you may be coming closer together. Maybe not. Obviously, this is just an example to illustrate a point, but I hope that makes things a little more clear. Simply, Propecia does not stop hair loss completely or forever, but it does modify the course of the hair loss over time.

September 21, 2006

Aderans Says Follicle Neogenesis Will Likely Be Available Before 2010 – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I found this quote on the Aderans website. You have probably read this before.

“Follicle neogenesis, a bio engineered hair loss solution, is not many years away; in fact, it is likely that before the end of this decade patients will have access to hair multiplication technology.”

Do you belive that before 2010 we will likely have hair regeneration?

Thank you!!!

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I have not heard much about the progress of Aderans from my sources in the industry in recent months. I imagine I might learn more at the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) meetings next month. A number of years ago, I was told that it would be out in 3-5 years, and now that time has passed. Optimistic views are the way new businesses fund themselves and justify the research. There is a tendency to be aggressive when predicting timelines. I will try to report to the readership on this blog after the meetings next month.

September 21, 2006

Propecia and Testicular Pain – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have had pain in my testicles after I started Propecia. Is there a relationships?

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There have been occasional reports of testicular pain on Propecia (finasteride). I have had thousands of patients using this medication and this has never crossed my path as a patient complaint, but some other doctors in the community have reported this as a suspected rare side effect. One doctor reported that the pain came on with the drug and disappeared when the drug was stopped, suggesting a relationship. It could have been coincidental. Most causes of testicular pain are caused by athletic stresses and for the young men, it may have something to do with puberty.

I would stop Propecia, wait a month and start it up again. If it happens a second time, then assume that this is a side effect of this drug for you.

September 21, 2006

A View of New Rogaine Foam – Balding Blog

A note from a blog reader:

I just tried the Rogaine Foam and found that it dries very fast and helps makes my styling easier. I don’t particularly like the lemon smell that they put to it, but the odor does go away in a few hours. I think that you need more of it than with the recommended dose that is used for regular Rogaine.

I thought this might be interesting for those that have used minoxidil in the past, but do not like the mess of the topical liquid. I have no experience with the foam, but if others out there have used it, please feel free to post your thoughts about this product.

September 21, 2006

Estradex for Androgenic Alopecia? – Balding Blog

I have just been diagnosed with AGA and given some Estradex. This is very costly and i’m wondering if I could get the same effect by using Minoxidil and taking a high oestrogen pill, or a pill that helps inhibit Androgens? Also, do you believe Estradex to be more effective than using Minoxidil alone? My fear is that it may just be an overly priced lotion. Thankyou

I do not understand or appreciate what Estradex is, so I can not comment on it. As you were prescribed this by a doctor, ask that doctor. Androgenic alopecia, also known as AGA (female genetic hair loss), needs to have an extensive evaluation. Have you had it? See previous Female Hair Loss posts for more.

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September 21, 2006

I’m a Dermatologist and I Say Rogaine/Propecia Are Worthless – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Does Dhea cause hair loss? If it does, when it is discontinued can the hair grow back or is it too late. Also can Retin A be used by itself to regenerate hair loss? Also can topical melantonin have any value. As a dermatologuist, i can tell you that rogaine and propecia are close to worthless.

DHEA can cause hair loss. When it happens in men, it often triggers or accelerates the genetic hair loss and in men, this is often not reversible. Retin A can not regenerate hair, nor can topical melatonin.

Your comment about the value of both Propecia (finasteride) and minoxidil does not reflect my thinking nor my clinical experience. I have seen people completely reverse on Propecia — see Propecia Patient Results (with Photos) for one example.

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