Category: Other

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Why Do Older Men Get Bushy Eyebrows? – Balding Blog

Is there a medical answer for why whenever men get older they loose the hair on thier head and thier eyebrows get bushier?

EyebrowsI believe that the explanation of this is related to the effects of DHT. Included are other “benefits” such as:

  1. The appearance of nose hair
  2. The appearance of ear hair
  3. Increase in body hair
  4. A more coarse beard

You can’t just select one of these secondary sex characteristics probably caused by DHT, but I have seen a couple of patients who took finasteride (Propecia) and found that they lost some or all of their chest hair. They did not report the impact on their nose or ear hair, however.




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Balding Forum - Hair Loss Discussion

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Hair Loss InformationWhy Are You Suspicious of the FDA and the LaserComb Now? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Personally, I though the laser comb was just a joke!

I was very suprised to see the FDA’s results. Why are you so suspicous? The FDA is govt’ buracracy that is very conservative. Why would you not honor its results? Aren’t they “independent”?

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I too was surprised to see the level of endorsement for the use of the term ‘hair growth’. I have read a massive number of articles on Low Laser Light Therapy and it is clear that the articles seem to show some benefit in the 10-20% range. Each article, however, was sponsored by people or organizations that may have something to gain. What is needed is a completely independent analysis. I have had a laser in my office for some time, and some of my patients find that it helps. I do not charge for its use and the use is confined to my patients who have had surgery with me in the past. So now, I must confess that the use as a stimulant for hair growth seems to have some merit. I still go by my gut feeling, an application three times a day by a comb going through the hair just does not sit right with me and my intellectual judgment (which dictates a great deal about why I think that way). I wonder if sitting in the sun may have more value? I will try to keep an open mind.

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Hair Loss InformationHairMax LaserComb Receives FDA Approval? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I received two emails recently about the HairMax LaserComb, so I’ll combine my response into one…

EMAIL 1:

I was watching The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch last night, and a representative from the makers of the Hairmax Lasercomb announced point blank that they had received FDA approval to make claims for hair growth. He mentioned something like 19 new hairs per centimeter. This is a big deal. I was expecting a bigger announcement, and now I cannot find any press release or report announcing Hairmax’s FDA approval. If the comb is in fact FDA approved to stop hairloss/regrow hair, it’s something I would consider adding to my regimen. Have you heard anything about Hairmax gaining FDA approval?

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EMAIL 2:

Hello Dr. Rassman,
I recently read that the Hairmax Laser Comb has now been cleared by the FDA as a product which is “clinically proven to promote hair growth in males with androgenetic alopecia (Norwood II A to V with Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV)”. Here is the link: hairmaxforum.com

I’m a bit suprised that I have not heard more media buzz about this. Is this now the 3rd FDA approved method to treat MPB? I have read your prior posts on the subject and am just intrested to know what this new FDA approval actually means. Any thoughts? Thank you

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This came out of the FDA and this is the exact wording in the final page of the FDA letter in January 2007:

Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known): K060 305
Device Name: HairMax LaserComb
Indications for Use:
The LaserComb is indicated to promote hair growth in males with androgenetic alopecia who have Norwood Hamilton Classifications of la to V and Fitzpatrick Skin Types I to IV.

It is important for the readership to note that just because this is cleared by the FDA, it does not mean that it is guaranteed to grow hair. I would like to see an independent scientific study with adequate statistics, done by a third party. If I saw that, I would be comfortable in recommending it depending on the results the study found. I have not seen the company’s submission science, so I can not endorse this and would not recommend that everyone go out and buy one. Frankly, I’m just not convinced, despite FDA clearance.

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Angry Letter to Procede from a Reader – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

This email was sent to me by a reader that wanted to share his letter written to the makers of Procede. I have heard similar stories already about this product. Two patients in the past 6 months developed hair loss that appeared ‘not to reverse’.

I question if this letter should also be sent to the FDA, whose job is to investigate substances that have deleterious side effects, therefore protecting the public.

I’m not sure where the reader got the address that he mailed the letter to. I tried to verify the address and came up with nothing. The makers of Procede, Youth Enhancement Systems, Inc, do not list an address on their website at all, and all of the phone numbers I can find there appear to have a Florida based area code. Nonetheless, I hope your letter reaches its intended destination.

Update: A reader sent this in –
Regarding the letter about Procede, the US Securities and Exchange Commission has the following address and phone:
4770 BISCAYNE BLVD, SUITE 1400, MIAMI FL 33137
305-576-6889 (tel), 305-576-6997 (fax)

Please read the following letter I wrote to PROCEDE. Beware!!!

02/05/2007

Procede
4201 Kellway Circle
Addison, Tx 75001

To whom it may concern:

I ordered your product and received it the beginning of January. I travel often for my work and was unable to use the product until this past weekend, February 2, 2007.

I followed the instructions to the letter. I waited the 48 hours recommended before washing my hair. During the first few minutes in the shower I saw hair circling at my feet and around the drain. By the time I got out of the shower and towel dried my hair I must have lost hundreds of hairs. My towel was covered with hair along with my shower and bathroom floor.

I cannot begin to tell you how disappointed I am in the results. I went from thinning hair to contemplating shaving my head, because I have lost so much additional hair. The texture is that of a bad perm and it has been falling out all day!

I called your customer service number and was told that you would send me Minoxidil to help with the hair loss. Didn’t I buy your product to thicken my hair? I have lost 25% of the hair I had and your solution is to send me minoxidil.

Your product is a farce! It has done more damage to my hair than I can even come to grips with at this point. I expect a refund of my money in full and that’s just for starters.

My wife works for one of the largest Law firms in Philadelphia. You will be hearing from someone there shortly. I have asked her to make sure he is a balding man, so he can appreciate the way I feel.

I will expect a timely refund to the credit card you have on file.

Sincerely,

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Depression from Finasteride? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dr. Rassman,

Thanks for running this blog, it really helps soo many people. My question is concerning finasteride on depression. I am currently in graduate school and losing hair since 6-7 years. The hairloss has been really significant the last 8 months. I started taking proscar, 1.25mg, since a month ago. I stopped once in between because I was feeling down a bit. When I started taking it again 15 days ago with lower dosage, I again felt a little down. I have never imagined that I could get depressing feelings but I am almost positive its the drug.

What do you know on this matter? How many of your patients felt this way? And when I say depressed-its really not that bad but I am not my regular self.

Thanks

I have not seen this side effect and I do prescribe finasteride to a large number of patients. I have received comments from some patients that they do not ‘feel’ the same. I tried to pin that feeling down, but I do not have it surrounded. Clearly, the decision to take the medication must be weighted against the liability of not having it on board. The same recommendation applies to depression, which has been reported in the literature:

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Dr Strick’s Alopecia Treatment – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Dr Rassman, I was diagnosed with alopecia areata and I would like to see the Dr Richard Strick that you wrote about on this blog but I am coming from FL and am wondering is that a specialty that he does or can any dermatologist do that treatment?
Thanks

If you are coming from Florida and want to see him, I would call his office and get the appointment first. His information can be found on the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery site. Maybe he can recommend a local doctor for you at the time of your visit.

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I Want to Sue The Place I Got My Laser Hair Treatments – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dear doctor,

please help!

In [name removed], I payed dear money for laser hair treatment which included laser, serenoa products and minoxidil. Now I’m taking the hair studio to small claims tribunal for refund, because they told me the success comes in 85% cases and that I had great chances…

I’m immigrant in this country but like to invest in myself, so I can’t say goodbye to this money.

Unfortunately, now that I investigated it a little bit, I found the figures are different, but how do I present material on tribunal? Where do I find a person, an expert who can say what is realistic success rate with minoxidil, with laser (if it can be taken into account at all…)?

Please advise me where to seek for expert opinion and facts that can be used at court? Do you have any experience? Please help us protect ourselves from these marketing sharks.

Best regards and thanks in advance

Best go to the consumer protection agency in your government, which often protects people from false advertising, as that is their job. In California, this agency is active, but they generally do not like to take on the quest of individuals unless you can prove false advertising/promotion. I do not know where you could find an expert in your region, however.

Minoxidil does work in some people and the 2% solution can regrow some hair in about 30% of male patients with genetic hair loss (see health-cares.net for more).

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Baldness Trends Through History – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Doc,

Are there any trends in the amount of bald people we see in the population over time. For example, is there a higher percentage of bald people now than say 100 years ago? Just curious.

I have no way to answer your question. Good studies 100 years ago were not done to my knowledge. I would think that the incidence is the same considering that this is a genetic problem.

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Hair Loss InformationRecommending Counseling to Men That Are Anxious About Their Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Dr Rassman,

I’m fairly concerned about losing my hair, to the extent where I’ve been taking Propecia for a couple of months in a bid to slow down the hairloss process.

I’ve noticed a lot of men emailing you who are very, very anxious about losing their hair. While I would much prefer to keep my hair, I draw the line at having grafts etc. If my hair loss became that bad I would simply accept it and shave my hair Bruce Willis style.

My question is this-when would you recommend counseling to men who are profoundly anxious about hair loss? I think there should be a time and place for this. Sometimes, perhaps it’s a case of come to terms with it and age gracefully!

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Mental healthStress contributes to hair loss in those genetically impacted. Finasteride (Propecia) works to block the hair loss and prevent it from happening in most men. Anything that reduces stress is also a good idea, so if counseling work for you, then go for it. The fear of hair transplantation is something that reflects general ignorance. My job is not to convert you or get you to reverse your opinion as to what line you will not cross, but my two hair transplants were the most non-events of my life (in regards to the actual procedure). Most of my patients tell me the same thing, and the benefits certainly deal with the stress directly. One of my patients is a psychologist who had 18 years of psychoanalysis to help him deal with his hair loss. The first of two transplant procedures yielded wonderful results. He said to me that he wasted his money for 18 years, when in one day he solved his problem and the stress went away as the hair grew in.

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Hair Length for Miniaturization Mapping? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

What’s the best hair length for an initial consultation to have my head mapped for miniaturization? I’m 32 and in the last few years, I’ve noticed I have developed a “mature” hairline and there appears to be miniaturization occurring at the front inch of my hairline and at the left and right rear vertex of my head. It’s hard to tell though since I still have all my hair. It just appears thinner. I scheduled an appointment for the beginning of February to have the mapping done so I know if my hunch is correct. Thanks.

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Norwood Class 3VYou are doing it right. The key is to get your hair mapped out for miniaturization to find out if you have a Class 3Vertex pattern developing, something not uncommon in a balding 32 year old. A good doctor should be able to diagnose and map your head with growth that is as short as 2mm length. You should be on Propecia (finasteride), as this will slow down the process and possibly reverse what is happening in the crown (vertex).