Category: Uncategorized

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I’ve Seen 2 Doctors About My Hair and Think Both Are Wrong

I’m a 25 year old male and my frontal hairline began receding rapidly about 9 months ago. From reading your blog and my own observations I assumed it was male pattern baldness kicking in earlier than I would have liked.

I have now seen two doctors (One family doctor and one dermatologist) who have both told me that It would grow back by itself as they both said it was due to stress (About a year ago my dad passed away right after I moved to a new city and I had to start a new job the day after the service). The family doctor briefly looked over my hair and the dermatologist asked me my family history (No balding on my mom’s side, and my dad started balding in his early 40s) and did a pull test (No miniturization test)

The problem I’m having is that from reading your blog it seems like they’re both incorrect. There is obviously miniturization at my hairlines which to my understanding means there its is MPB which could have been triggered by the event.

Does my hair growing back by itself like they both said sound at all realistic? Should I try yet another doctor?

Thanks for your time.

I agree with you that a mapping of your scalp for miniaturization will make the diagnosis for you. The pull test that your dermatologist did will check out conditions like telogen effluvium (see article at eMedicine), which if positive might indicate that the process will reverse, but people with genetic hair loss will not have a positive hair pull test. See another doctor who can make the correct diagnosis for you.

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A Special Letter from an NHI Patient

I just received this email from a patient of mine and thought I’d share it with you, as it brought a smile to my face. Periodically, I want to share the joys of this uniquely wonderful medical practice with my blog audience as I am getting terrific feedback for many of you.

Good afternoon, Dr. Rassman. I thought this might be of help to your new transplant patients and those considering a procedure. I have been a happy client of NHI since 1999. Your organization actually turned me away prior to that until you thought I would receive sufficient benefit.

In September of 2004 you yourself did a whopping 1400 or so in the crown area (your organization did 1200 grafts prior) . Now this is the reason I am writing to you (in addition to just finding this blog business on your website): your prospective patients, especially the younger guys, need to know that balding is a long process. Although they may awake to the process all at once with the “bell in the brain” event, it is likely that the process has been in place for sometime and will likely continue. In my case technology and my finances came together and I was able to get ahead so that I never had a bald spot period in my life and managed to keep the “shine through” months to a minimum. To this day it is a hoot to tell new friends or business aqaintances that I’ve had transplants and would have a spectacular bald spot had I not chosen NHI. None, and I repeat none, believe me. Even when I show them evidence of the donor scar most assume I am pulling their leg. Now, for the second reason for writing after reading a number of your blogs. Last week one and a half years after I started the process, I was lolling in the tub and discovered a veritable thicket of new stumps in the thinest area of my swirl. I made a mental genuflection to LA and hollered to the wife: blog the good doctor and tell him that, as in the previous two sessions, his theory of waves of hair growth continues to be proven.

Sorry about the length of email but continue to reassure your younger patients with confidence that it takes time to grow. My only regret continues to be that in never having gone bald I never got to qualify for your “before and after” photos. However, my dream may yet come true. At the advanced age of 57 my front hairline is going. You may see me back in LA or San Jose for splotch in the front. Please let me know if you are running any “forelock specials” and be prepared to guarantee me a minimum half-page pic in your next updated booklet and I’m there. Remember, there are many other hair docs who would benefit greatly from claiming your good work and artistry for their own were I to rent out to them my forehead and crown as an advert. Perhaps I should hold out for a 3/4 page or maybe an inside back cover. Thank you again for your time and attention to my skull. My wife sends her regards and hints that she needs another free shopping day so she’s hoping the front falls out. I’ll remind you that it was an inappropriate comment you made during my last session that all the other wives who drive their husbands get five free hours at the mall with the husband’s credit card. Through sessions one and two I had had her convinced her it was sufficient reward for her to share my salad at mid-surgery point.


2006-02-20 17:48:21A Special Letter from an NHI Patient

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Joe Biden’s Hair Transplant

Doctor Rassman,

What is your opinion on Joe Biden’s HT? This was the most read article in Politico during the weekend!

Biden’s helmet

Joe Biden - After
Joseph Biden’s hairline, 2008
[larger version]

 

Joe Biden - Before
Joseph Biden’s plugs, 1987

It was only a matter of time until US Senator and Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden‘s hair transplant became part of the discussion of the man. I am old enough to remember when he first had it done. It was done in the old style of transplants (the “pluggy” look) and he clearly has had more transplants since then to soften the hairline presentation to be more consistent with the newer technologies being done today. Having white hair solves most of the refinement problems as well.

I remember a very prominent litigating lawyer who came in for a hair transplant when the BBC asked to interview a patient. Under the provision that it not be shown in the United States, the lawyer agreed. A caustic British lady interviewer asked him (while on camera) why he felt so “inadequate” that he had to have a hair transplant to face the world. He responded that he had no problem with who he was. He was happily married with two children and he had a very successful law practice, but the man in the mirror no longer reflected what he felt he should look like. If he had a broken nose, he said, he would of course fix it. So with good technology available, he decided to have a hair transplant and bring back the man in the mirror that he thought he was. Why not? He combed his hair in the morning, put on a tie and a nice suit, wore nice shoes, and created an image of who he was to the world about him. He did it because it made him feel good, not particularly to impress anyone. Hair was just part of his image.

Having vanity surgery (hair transplants, eyes done, face lift, liposuction) or just working out does not mean that people who do this have feelings of inadequacy. People who take charge of their lives should be admired — certainly, I admire them. For the readers of this site, they might like to know that I have had transplants, my eyes done, and a face lift some years ago. I also work out regularly to create who I want to be and to be healthier, but I am no Joe Biden. His hair transplant is just a tiny, tiny footnote in his 35+ year career in the public eye, but I won’t wish him luck in the Presidential election, because men of his stature make their destiny happen.

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Actor Charlie Sheen’s Hair Loss

Any comments on Charlie Sheen? These shaved down pics would indicate he probably wears a hairpiece. I am more interested, however, in if that frontal patch seems to be a thick transplant to enhance a natural look from the hair system?

Photos: without and with

thanks

Charlie Sheen

The shaved photos of his head show that he has a strong frontal forelock (just like talk show host David Letterman) and shows a classic Norwood 3 balding pattern. When the forelock is strong, it may last into his old age. I would also have to assume that he wears a hairpiece, which is what we are looking at in the second picture.


2010-04-27 15:30:59Actor Charlie Sheen’s Hair Loss

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Kidney Disorder, Propecia and Rogaine?

Hi Doc
Can a person with Kidney disorder take Propecia or can he apply Rogaine.

Thanks

Finasteride (Propecia) is metabolized in the liver so the presence of kidney disease is usually not a problem for taking this medication. For liver disease, finasteride could be a problem and you must check that out with your doctor.

In the case of minoxidil, the presence of kidney disease will cause more retention of the drug in your body, so there could be a greater impact if you take regular doses of minoxidil as the blood levels may rise.


2010-04-20 12:17:33Kidney Disorder, Propecia and Rogaine?

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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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African American Female with Bald Crown

I am an african American female 35 years old. My entire crown is bald. What do I do now? I’ve been using 2% minoxidil and it continues to fall out.

You need to be seen for close examination of your hair and scalp. A diagnosis should be made. You could have a variety of non-genetic hair conditions causing it. You might have genetic female balding limited to the crown as well. I need to know the miniaturization mapping results of your scalp and the pattern of your hair loss before making any diagnosis and treatment plan. You need a good doctor to take charge of your hair loss.


2007-03-09 10:32:36African American Female with Bald Crown