Author: Dr. William Rassman

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Acupressure / Rubbing Fingernails Cures Hair Loss?

I can tell that you’re not big into homeopathic treatments (can’t say I blame you), but someone sent me this after I started losing some hair in my crown and I found it to be so completely ridiculous that I wanted to share. Apparently pressure points (Accupressure) under the fingernails will cause your hair to grow. I’d love your comments on this:

Yahoo India – Can rubbing of nails increase hair growth?

Thanks!

I just responded to a similar question regarding acupuncture earlier this week. I realize there are many people that swear by acupuncture or acupressure to relieve everything from headaches to constipation to sleep disorders (of course, I’m not saying I’d recommend it), but regrowing hair by touching your fingernails? That’s a new one to me. It makes no sense, but feel free to rub your fingernails and let me know the results.


2008-05-16 16:34:58Acupressure / Rubbing Fingernails Cures Hair Loss?

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Added dermaroller to finasteride treatment (photo – from Reddit)

After years of using Finasteride + Minoxodil, my thinning got worse in January. So I added a dermaroller 1.5 mm every 7-10 days. Major progress in 6 months!

Nice improvement. There is no doubt that the use of a dermroller induces wound healing which brings on hair growth to those who recently lost the hair. Add that to the finasteride that held on to your hair, and you are a fortunate man.


2020-06-12 23:18:25Added dermaroller to finasteride treatment (photo – from Reddit)

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Adderall and Finasteride Interaction?

Do you think a stimulant like Adderall can interact with finasteride in an undesireable way? I have been on finasteride 1mg a day for 6 months with no problems and great results. I started using Adderall for ADHD and I reacted very severely. I lost a huge amount of hair, broke out with acne, started to sweat, grind my teeth at night, and have testicle aches. From what I’ve read and from people I’ve talked to that isn’t common. Is the fact that finasteride and Adderall both influence what your hormones are doing in your body a reason to believe they were a bad combination?

Thanks.

We get questions like these all the time. What you are describing sounds pretty severe, so I would consult with your doctor and follow up on your symptoms to figure out what is going on. The internet is a great source of information, but be warned that it is also a source of misinformation. Talk to a professional in person — best to talk to a caring and competent doctor.

To answer the first question though… no, these two medications do not interact.


2010-09-23 14:57:53Adderall and Finasteride Interaction?

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Adding Avodart Once a Week to My Daily Propecia?

Doctor Rassman, I am sure you get this questioned asked alot, but in your opinion as a hair restoration expert, do you think by adding 0.5 mg avodart once a week to a every 1 mg propecia regimen can make a difference in loss of hair or even gain?

There was a study of a an individual who took one avodart pill once a week to a propecia everyday regimen and he saw substantial growth. The study was only on one person, but its not a conicidence that it happened when he added the low dose of avodart once a week? or do you think avodart and finasteride at the end of the day still produce the same outcome? I know at the 2.5mg it produces the best results, put more of a high side affect profile, and very expensive.

Both Avodart (dutasteride) and Propecia (finasteride) work in a similar mechanism by blocking the formation of DHT, but I have often stated that treating androgenic alopecia is not only about blocking DHT. I do not believe if you block DHT 100% you will stop or reverse the balding process.

I’m not sure which study you’re referring to, but if it was an anecdotal report on ONE patient, it isn’t something I would put a lot of stock into. Please note that just because there is study results available, it doesn’t necessarily make it the golden truth. Now with that said, many doctors believe Avodart is a better medication for stopping hair loss than Propecia, but I am concerned about sexual side effects and the few reports of sterility that came from Avodart.

A few patients that I treated with Avodart did get a response after Propecia stopped working as well for them. That is as much as I know. I couldn’t tell you if adding a single Avodart dose per week will make a difference, though.

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Aderans Expands Clinical Studies

I´ve found updates from Histogen and Aderans. What can you say about this? Thank you.

Histogen: Hypoxia Induces Stem Cell Gene Expression, Protein Production and Cell Surface Markers

Aderans: Aderans Research Expands Clinical Studies

Thanks for sending these links. Each press release speaks for itself. The Histogen press release isn’t specifically about their hair loss treatment (they have multiple products unrelated to hair loss treatment), but the Aderans Phase 2 clinical trials expansion is for hair regeneration. Once the studies have concluded, they will hopefully be published with the FDA and then we will know better about what is offered.


2010-05-06 14:13:23Aderans Expands Clinical Studies

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Advanced balding reversed (photos)

I’m 25 years old. I was starting to lose my hair when I was 16. It was very rapid process so when I was 20 my situation is almost NW7. 132 days ago I decided to take this regime ( I don’t want to mention about decision phase)

first 120 day, I started with the big 3 + dermaroller 0.5 mm x1week (dut(0.5) once everyday+ minox %5 twice everyday + nizoral 2-3 times per week with no side effects) biotin(10000) + zinc(50) + d3(5000) + collagen peptides(tablet) + omega3(with fish oil) all of them x1 everyday ogx biotin shampoo

Everything was good for me. It was like a miracle you know. My hair like born again. My head was full of baby hair and they were getting stronger day by day (or its just it seemed to me like that) On day 118, I just noticed to shedding, probably it has began before that then I shaved my head to zero guard. In this 14 days I shed like crazy. It’s like the first day when I was start this, I read something about shedding but I’m still worried about that this will be failure for me. So I bought something and added my regime. It’s been 2 days since I started using. Apple cyder vinegar tablets(750mg) x1 everyday, l-cysteine (500mg) x1 everyday, vitamin A (25000iu) x1 everyday, iron (65mg + 325mg fer.) x1 everyday, Ubiquinol (100mg) x1 everyday, Collagen peptides powder 15g with cold water everyday, dermaroller upper to 1.5 mm x1 week, Castor oil x3 days of week with massage 2 hours waiting, hyaluronic acid after dermaroller

I uploaded every angle and lights position of my head with day numbers. https://imgur.com/gallery/E0KiyIz. So I just need your help. What should I do? Should I continue or It was just a good short dream that end with failure? If I will continue, what would you suggest me to add?

Amazing results in just 80 days. It seems to be working. I would love to see better focused photographs. My recommendation is stick to it.


2020-06-12 09:38:03Advanced balding reversed (photos)

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Aderans Says Follicle Neogenesis Will Likely Be Available Before 2010

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!!!

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.


2006-09-21 08:41:21Aderans Says Follicle Neogenesis Will Likely Be Available Before 2010

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Addressing Post Finasteride Syndrome (PFS) from Reddit

You said “The best way to avoid it is if you are taking finasteride and have significant eD, then stop the medications before it goes on too long.” That is not an effective risk management approach to avoiding post finasteride syndrome. Once a patient decides to take the drug, they should be aware that they are taking on a risk that they may permanently develop post finasteride syndrome. Your post creates the impression that they have the ability to minimize their damage once they start taking the drug which is not true.

I can only go by the experience of a small handful of doctors in the field who are honorable which probably represent experience with well over 50,000 patients combined together. We all stop the finasteride if the ED can’t be addressed by reduced dosages. In our experience of 50,000+ patients, we have never seen PFS in our practice.


2019-10-24 10:11:40Addressing Post Finasteride Syndrome (PFS) from Reddit

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Aderans Research Institute’s Presentation from Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa

hello dr
what do you think about this video: YouTube

This is Aderans Research Institute’s presentation from Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa (a stem cell conference) about a method of cellular hair regeneration that they’re calling Ji Gami. It was posted a few days ago, but the audio is extremely low and it is difficult to hear, so I’m not going to be able to comment on the actual content of the video. I’m just posting this for those that might have better speakers and some interest in their research.

I’ve embedded the video here:

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Adrenal Problems and Hair Loss?

Is there a correlation between adrenal fatigue/insufficiency and hair loss (in the form of total head miniaturization, but yet have no balding, no recession.) I have very low DHEA levels and high cortisol levels…. would chronic/high physiologic stress levels induce hair thinning/miniatuzization?

Yes, it is a possibility, as low adrenal function in such conditions as Addison’s disease affects about 1 in 100000 people. Hair loss throughout the body is a reported finding in this condition. I do not have experience with following people with this disease, as they are treated with appropriate hormone supplements. I have never seen a patient with Addison’s disease and studied the existence of miniaturization or a follow-up of this in a treated patient. Sorry that I can not shed more light on your question.


2006-10-26 12:05:04Adrenal Problems and Hair Loss?