Some doctors had lawsuits when someone claimed that they lost their sex drive permanently. The risk is far less than 1:1000 but some doctors put their fears in front of patient’s welfare. What I do is inform my patients of all of the risks then prescribe it. It is the patient’s decision to take or not to take the drug. My son took finasteride for 15 years so far, and he told me that his sex drive went up when he went on the medications. I take it with no problems. Of course, internet forums only want the bad news, so you rarely hear about the other side effects. Any doctor can prescribe it, even your family doctor.
Merck’s Vioxx Doctor Hit List
Hey Doc,
I came across a interesting article recently related to Merck, I thought I would pass it your way. It’s about Merck creating a doctor “hit list” for doctors who were against prescribing there medications.
Vioxx maker Merck and Co drew up doctor hit list
I wanted to get your thoughts. Thanks
Clearly, the facts that will be presented at trial will reflect the truth of any claims. I’d like to see the outcome before I render an opinion.
2009-05-13 08:34:152009-05-12 11:42:41Merck’s Vioxx Doctor Hit List
August is Hair Loss Awareness Month
Just learned that this month is Hair Loss Awareness Month, as determined by the American Academy of Dermatology. This is from the press release —
“Hair loss affects 80 million American men and women and while it isn’t life-threatening, it can cause emotional distress,†said Dr. Draelos. “Disease, genetic predisposition and even poor cosmetic grooming practices all cause hair loss. Even simple changes in your hair care routine can result in healthier hair.â€
You can read the entire press release here. So when is Hair Restoration Surgeon Month? 🙂
2005-08-09 15:21:342005-08-09 15:22:59August is Hair Loss Awareness Month
Microneedling alone?
I saw many side effects in fin and minoxidil. I just want to use dermaroller for my hairline. Does this work?
There is good evidence that just microneedling and the wound healing that happens after that will produce hair growth without finasteride and minoxidil. The addition of those two drugs increase the effectiveness but are probably not critical to it.
2020-07-09 02:14:252020-07-09 13:57:44Microneedling alone?
Be Aware of Seven Questionable Clinics That Offer Stem Cell Treatments
In Medscape today, there is an article with the warning of the above title. “There are a number of pitfalls for patients, noted study co-author Douglas Sipp of Keio University School of Medicine in Tokyo.
“It is a problem for patients because there are inevitable risks in any invasive procedure, the vast majority of stem cell treatments being advertised online show exceedingly poor evidence of efficacy, they are costly and not reimbursed by most insurance, and more generally, the waste of time and resources on over-promoted quack remedies diverts these away from investment and use of in scientifically credible medicine,” Sipp said by email.”
In the hair industry, more and more such clinics are appearing almost weekly. There are two important issue: (1) the risks may not be inconsequential to your overall health and the health of your scalp and hair, and (2) they will be fleecing you for the money in your pockets.
Microneedling into hair transplants
I got a HT 2 years ago, wondering if I can dermaroll/stamp in the area hairs we’re transplanted to (temples). I am hoping to thicken up the area some more. I don’t want to damage the hairs. Also planning to roll/stamp my scar to reduce the appearance. I am on both fin and min (oral).
Hair transplants often kick the stem cells for the hair in that area into what I think is a non-recoverable state.
Bald Booth App for Mobile Devices
Hey doctors,
I saw a funny app for the iPhone called Bald Booth that you should check out. I can see how I’ll look when I’m bald, and it’s a scary sight.App — Bald Booth
I guess this could be entertaining for some, or a glimpse to a possible future for others. For those curious folks with an iPhone or iPad, you can find the app in the iTunes Store; and for those with Android devices, you can find it in the Google Play Store.
2012-06-07 08:48:442012-06-06 10:12:21Bald Booth App for Mobile Devices
Microscopes in Hair Transplantation
There is a lot of talk about the need / not the need for microscopes in hair transplantation, but as I visited various groups performing transplants, only a few use the microscope. Is it really important?
We published an article about 7 years ago, (Dissecting Microscope versus Magnifying Loupes) which showed that using microscopes reduces waste, which means that more viable donor hair is available from every square inch of scalp that is harvested. The wastage is not a minor issue; those with white hair may find as much as 40% more hair can be obtained by using a microscope for dissection. The average person gets 20-25% more usable donor hair if a microscope is competently used in the dissection process. For those who are very bald, once hair is lost or damaged through inefficient dissection, that precious hair is never retrievable.
Bald Spot Since Childhood, Now in My 50s
I was born in 1959 with a bald spot on the upper left scalp. It has never changed. My mother checked out a wig when I was a child, but that was no real solution. Never looked into it further. I part it to the right, and usually pull some back to cover it. At times, I do envy those who can just leave their hair without a fuss or worry about the wind separating it and having my bald spot showing, or having trendy haircuts and styles. I wish there was an easy way to have what’s left of my life without it. However, I keep hearing my mother’s words, saying “God made you special for a reason”. My final thought – embrace it… learn how to fix your hair to make you feel more comfortable, and if anyone is that critical, ignorant, or shallow over something you had no control over, they are not worth your time of day, people. Now that I have lost hair as I got older, it is harder to cover that bald spot. Can I get it fixed with a hair transplant?
For those who read this blog, hair transplants are commonly performed to fix these types of bald spots if they bother you very much.
2018-06-14 06:48:362018-06-19 09:10:33Bald Spot Since Childhood, Now in My 50s
Minimum Fees for Transplanting Hair Into a Small Facial Scar
Dear Dr.,
I recently emailed you about adding hair to a scar on my cheek. On your fee’s page I see that there is a minimum 3000$ fee. If I needed a lesser amount of grafts for this smaller procedure, would I still have to pay that 3k minimum?
Thanks
Yes. There is a $3000 minimum per procedure because other factors such as anesthesia, medication, post op medication, nursing staff, operating room, follow-up, and administrative costs must all be factored in. In other words, even if you have a 100 graft surgery or a 1000 graft surgery the set up and logistics and the orchestration of a surgery is still the same. On occasion, a modification of our minimum fee rule is made.
2007-08-13 11:34:022007-08-13 11:34:04Minimum Fees for Transplanting Hair Into a Small Facial Scar