Dr. William Rassman – Page 1807

May 16, 2006

My Hair Suddenly Got Curly in the Back – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am a 64 year old women, suddenly my hair is getting curly in the back of my head. What is causing this? I do have a small pea size cyst on my brain stem. Dr. is not concerned unless it grows. Could this cause the problem?

I don’t know the cause of the sudden change in the character of your hair, but most people would love to be in your situation. As we age, the hair often gets finer with less character, rather than more character. Change in diet could be responsible, but this is pure conjecture on my part. It is possible that a gene for curly hair may not express until later in life due to certain environmental factors. I would doubt that the pea-sized cyst on your brain stem has anything to with it.

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May 16, 2006

Propecia Shedding vs Regular Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I read alot of posts from medical experts and bloggers about shedding on Propecia and how it is a good sign that the drug is working. My question really is what is the difference between shedding on a drug like propecia and actual hairloss? How can you tell which one is occuring and at what point in your treatment do you accept your shedding as hairloss. Hope this is clear. I just don’t understand the difference. If 17% of males that use Propecia get no benefit did they experience hairloss that they believed was just shedding?

There is no way to distinguish shedding from Propecia (rare) vs normal shedding from continuation of male genetic hair loss. Hair loss shedding will be continuing at the same rate that you saw it prior to starting the drug if the drug is not working. Any shedding caused by Propecia should pass within 3-4 months so that by the 8th month, the benefits should be clear one way or the other.

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May 15, 2006

African Hair and Noses – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am an African American man and I want my frontal hair loss fixed and a nose job. I do notice that more white people get these types of surgery than black people. Why is that?

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The kinky hair of African individuals makes it slightly more difficult for hair transplants if the surgical team is not able to manage the hair grafts that are not straight below the skin. Hair transplantation is a peg in a hole skill (like fine needle work), but when the grafts are not straight, it is more difficult to put them into a straight hole. With the right skills, the team can coax the hair into the needle holes created in the recipient area.

I’ve asked Beverly Hills based plastic surgeon and UCLA Medical Center’s Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery, Jon Perlman, MD, to answer the nose question. Here’s his response:

Black people’s noses are more difficult due to a general lack of cartilage available from the septum to build up the height of the missing bridge. Some doctors (not myself) prefer to use silicone grafts however though not unreasonable, it is associated with a much higher risk of future extrusion from within the nose. The advantage is that it comes in a package and can be relatively easily placed on the bridge of the nose to build it up.

May 15, 2006

Can I Use Minoxidil To Keep Hair Saved By Propecia? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Dr. Rassman,
You are true credit to the Medical Community, and your blog, and expertise are greatly appreciated by many.

Two quick questions…If after using Propecia for 2 years, and going off of it at that point (the point of diminshing returns) would continued use of Minoxidil support the hair that was produced by the Propecia?? I’m 53, have been using Minoxidil for 8 years, and Propecia for 4 months, and the Propecia is already working well on my thinning crown area. I thought after the propecia loses its effectiveness, I would just stay with the Minoxidil, & let the Minoxidil take over. Please advise

Also, are FOX grafts more expensive, than the more established FUT grafts, since this procedure is more difficult for the Surgeon?

If you are getting a benefit from Propecia and then maximize it, whatever benefit you received will be lost when you stop taking it and minoxidil will not save that benefit for you. I assume that you are trying to save money. That would make your investment to date valueless as you go backward.

FOX/FUE grafts are more expensive than standard FUT harvested through the strip method. In my opinion, they are not better, just different.

May 15, 2006

Chemical Burn Caused Chunk Of Hair To Fall Out – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I burned my scalp from chemical dying of my hair. I had patches where it burned and scabbed pretty good. A few weeks ago, a chunk of my hair fell out with the the scab, and now there is a smooth surface where that hair was. What can I do? If feels like a crater on my head.

Chemicals may cause temporary hair loss and the chunk of hair that came off with the ’scab’ is what I would expect. You should allow your scalp to heal and the hair should start growing back within 6 months of the initial injury, hopefully earlier. Sometimes, the hair may not return. In any case, wait a few months to see if hair grows out of your scalp. If you prefer not to see a doctor now for the best advice, expect hair growth after 6-8 months and then see a good doctor if there is no return of the hair.

May 15, 2006

Fungus on Eyebrows – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

i’ve been having my right eyebrow loss since a month ago. i dont know what is the real cause. both my parents had some fungal infections on their head and moustage but with treatment and applying lime juice the area affected had recovered. i’ve tried to apply the same technique but it didn’t work. i’ve met my clinician and he prescribed me with some antifungal tablets and some vitamins and still it is in bad condition. i do have some occasional itch on the eyebrow affected. i’m very worried as my right eyebrows also started to fall off . both my eyebrows appear oily and i don’t use any special cleansing foams please help me what should i do

How long have you been taking the antifungal medication? Do you truly have a fungal infection on your eyebrows? Do you have any other type of skin problem such as eczema, psoriasis, or another inflammatory disease? Have you done any blood work to rule out hypothyroidism, anemia, and other chemical inbalances which can effect your eyebrows? You may want to see a dermatologist for this problem and have some blood worked up. If there is no regrowth of your eyebrows after you have seen the dermatologist and you continue with your treatment plan as prescribed for around 6 to 8 months, then look at a transplant as a possible option.

May 15, 2006

Is Triangular Alopecia Genetic? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dr. RASSMAN

I am 24 years old, female, and I have triangular alopecia, two questions that I have for you are will transplant stay in or continue to fall out and will I pass this on to my children. My hair loss began when I was 15. Thank you for being concerned about a disease which may not be terminal and to some people not that big of a deal. To me sir it has destroyed my self esteem,and in so many ways left feeling all alone.

Triangular alopecia is an inherited genetic defect in the area near where the temple prominences are located. Sometimes it is on just one side and sometimes it is on both sides. It tends to run in families, but not always and it does not often ‘express’ itself in the first generation of those who have it. It may skip many generations so those that have it can not find the family link to it. It might be spontaneous, but there is no way to be sure that it is not somewhere in the family line. This condition is easy to diagnose because of its characteristic appearance and can be transplanted quite effectively. There is no need to have your self esteem destroyed, just get a hair transplant by a good physician who knows how to work with the temple prominences.

May 15, 2006

Livon for Dry Hair – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

i have been losing hair from either side of my forehead.now im using minoxidil 5%.i was using other oil and wash it was before using minoxidil.but i came to know that if we use other oil it wont allow minoxidil to penetrate into scalp.so i stopped using it.but now my hair has become dry and is difficult to comb.there is a hair fluid called livon which instantly smoothens and softens dry hair.it is usually used on towel-dried hair.so i wanted to know whether i can use it and if i use will it stop minoxidil to enter into scalp or should i use the hair fluid after applying minoxidil.please advise.

There is no way to be sure. I would think using minoxidil at least 30 minutes prior to using the softening product would be the best compromise.

May 15, 2006

Lyme Disease, Female Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am female, 46 years old. I do have many lyme disease symptoms from neurological to joint and cartilage problems to nervousness…too many to list. I was previously on intravenous twice for months at a time. I was diagnosed at least 6 years too late. I have alot of raciness inside of me and I am always thinking of too many things ata time. I am so miserable about my hair. All my hormones are great and my blood tests are fine. Now what? My hair falls out all over, short and long. How do I know if it is Lyme? Can stress cause a diffuse hair loss all the timne for years? What can I do? Is there a world famous hair Dr.? I am so frustrated and unhappy. Please help, thanks!

It is not clear if Lyme Disease is associated with your hair loss, but it may have triggered a stress response that may have set off a cascade that may not be reversible. Stress in itself can be a cause of hair loss. It seems to be a vicious cycle, and unfortunately there is no “cure” for hair loss in women about 80% of the time. If you are this concerned you may want to see a good dermatologist or possibly even a hair transplant surgeon who will map your scalp for miniaturization to make a diagnosis. Be wary of eager doctors who want to sell you a hair transplant surgery.

May 15, 2006

Propecia Prescription Questions – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I want to start taking propecia. I just need to know how to get it. Do I make a appointment with a regular doctor and he’ll give me a prescription or do I need to see a dermatologist? and how long can the prescriptions be? finally about how much does a 30 day prescription cost? Thank you

Propecia is a prescription item and requires a doctor to write it in the United States and Canada. Any doctor can write it. I always tell a patient that wants to take it to get his hair mapped out for miniaturization in order to be sure that (1) he is really balding and (2) what is his baseline miniaturization from which we can measure improvement or worsening of his situation and (3) what pattern of hair loss can he expect in the future. Measurements are at the foundation of clinical science and you need to know what you are treating and where you are going. A prescription written by a doctor should be good for a year or so, depending upon laws that can vary from state to state. Propecia costs range from $60/month to as high as $120/month in some pharmacies, so shop carefully.