Category: Hair Products

Hi Dr. Rassman,

First of all I want to congratulate for the beautiful book you have written (Hair Loss & Replacement for Dummies). I am a practicing dermatologist and am also working with a well known hair transplant surgeon in Hyderabad, India. I have a query regarding the benefits of mesotherapy. Where in the drugs include minoxidil, biotin, dexpanthenol and bilobine, since the drug is injected into the mesoderm where as the follicle is in mid dermis, are we justified in giving this treatment to the needy in the hope of achieving results? Since you are a pioneer in hair restoration i would be greatful to have you throw some light in this regard and clear my doubt.

Thanking you in anticipation.

I’ve speculated about mesotherapy before, and I still don’t know much about possible benefits, if any, to give you an opinion. On random occasions, I have seen patients who have had these treatments, and Dr. Jae Pak has also visited the NHI office in Korea where it seems to be popular adjunct (as a culture).

That being said, there are no definitive or enthusiastic findings about mesotherapy as a hair loss treatment that I am aware of.

Hello Dr Rassman,
Just some curious questions about yourself… what brand name shampoo do you use and how often do you wash your hair? Do you take propecia? Gel for styling? Have you ever had a hair transplant? Just wanted to know how the “Master of Hair” keeps its hair.

Thanks

I think “Master of Hair” sounds more like someone that can make hair grow by shooting lightning from his hands, but I appreciate the compliment nonetheless. As for my hair history:

Shampoo: I use a series of shampoos, but I don’t focus on any brand in particular.

Propecia: I don’t take it anymore, but I explain that in this post.

Gel: Recently, when I had my hair cut a little shorter than normal I found it was more difficult to manage, so I occasionally used styling gels.

Hair transplant: My entire crown was bald and I received 1600 grafts to fill it in (see this post for a photo and more complete description).

Dear Dr Rassman,

I have been reading your posts for sometime. Thank you for your informative answers to many questions that I myself have had in the past but have never asked.

I am a 38 year old male who noticed diffuse thinning approximately 2 years ago. This was accompanied by a greasy scalp and some itching as well, particularly in the evening when the greasiness was at it’s worse. I had NEVER had a greasy scalp prior to this. My wife cuts my hair so she noticed my hair was definitely thinning for the past 2 years. I started propecia 8 months ago, nizoral 1% daily as well as polysorbate 80+tsal(3% salicylic acid shampoo) daily. I started to notice results after approximately 4 or 5 months. My wife has noticed that my hair has definitely thickened up and is no longer showing the “see through” that it used to in the past. She estimates that my hair has improved by 50% in terms of thickness and texture.

My question is…is it only the propecia which is causing this stabilization/regrowth or is the nizoral+polysorbate having some effect. I have DEFINITELY noticed that after approximately a month of using the 2 shampoos, my hair was no longer greasy as it used to be. I have read articles on the internet on polysorbate 80 and was wondering what the general consensus is on the material. Thanks!

I am not a fortune teller. You started 3 separate hair treatments and now you are stuck not knowing if one, two, or even all three were the reason you saw improvement. Still another possibility is that none of the treatments worked and it was just a matter of being patient while the hair regrew, because maybe you didn’t have genetic male pattern baldness to begin with. Maybe you had telogen effluvium and it was self-limiting and the hairs grew back on their own (as it typically takes 6 to 12 months).

In other words, I really do not know… and this is why I generally recommend only using one treatment at a time, or you’ll end up “addicted” to all of them, too worried that if you stop one you’ll lose the benefits. This is also the reason why I tell readers to start with a good diagnosis. See a doctor before starting medications. Scientifically document before and after with a miniaturization study. I suppose if you are brave, stop one of the three and see what happens.

As for polysorbate 80, I’ve commented on that before here.

Dear doc, i have been using Propecia since one month. I have not experienced any sides yet. I would appreciate if you could clarify my following doubts.

1. If a person has acidity, does it make Propecia ineffective?
2. During my first week of Propecia use, my hair loss completely stopped, but on my third week, i started noticing a mild hair fall. Is it common?
3. Is there any particular diet i should follow on Propecia use?
4. I take egg whites and whey protein (optimum nutrition 100% whey protein) as i heard that these foods could raise testosterone levels, should i discontinue taking these foods?

Please reply me.

1. I will assume your meaning of “acidity” is referring to acid reflux, because a normal live human being is not acidic. In any case, it has nothing to do with Propecia.
2. While you might be enthusiastic about Propecia stopping hair loss in one week, I highly doubt the medication worked that fast. It takes a few months before you see any results.
3. There is no particular diet you should follow with Propecia. Just stick with a healthy, balanced diet as you should have regardless of the hair medication you take.
4. I assume you’re taking these because you’re trying to gain muscle mass, as these aren’t usual food items. That said, I do not believe egg whites or whey protein has anything to do with testosterone. There’s one study I can find that suggests whey protein could raise testosterone levels, but I don’t believe this is conclusive. I haven’t found anything about egg whites raising testosterone levels, but they are eaten by bodybuilders for the protein. I’d say you’re fine continuing with that regimen.

I am always very surprised at the diversity of questions I receive and answer about just ONE drug (Propecia)… a drug that is considered very safe. I mean in the grand scheme of things, millions of people take thousands of other drugs for hundreds of ailments which have far more severe and even life threatening consequence and side effects. I wonder where those people go for their questions.