2019-01-20 05:16:312019-02-14 10:37:27Poster on Reddit Showed What Donald Trump Might Look like Bald and with a Beard
I developed a bald spot over the past 2 weeks, what could this be?
This bald stop, if only 2 weeks old, should be examined by a dermatologist. The dermatologist will look for Exclamation Mark Hairs, which might point to alopecia areata as a diagnosis. Maybe it is possible that you have had this for some time and just noticed it which then could be male pattern balding’s first presentation
2019-04-01 05:45:302019-04-01 10:53:52I developed a bald spot over the past 2 weeks, what could this be?
Press Release – FDA Targets Illegal Online Pharmacies
Snippet from the press release:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in partnership with other federal and international agencies, took action this week against websites that sell potentially dangerous, unapproved prescription drugs to U.S. consumers. The FDA and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also conducted extensive examinations at U.S.-based international mail facilities, where many packages containing prescription drugs enter the U.S., and found that most of the examined packages contained illegal prescription drugs that had been ordered from online sources.
These actions took place in support of the 7th annual International Internet Week of Action (IIWA) — May 13 to May 20, 2014 — sponsored by Interpol, and also known as Operation Pangea VII. During Operation Pangea VII, law enforcement, customs, and regulatory authorities from 111 countries collaborated to identify the makers and distributors of illegal drug products and medical devices that used the Internet to sell their products and remove these products from the supply chain.
Operation Pangea VII‘s coordinated efforts at mail facilities resulted in the detention or seizure of 19,618 packages containing medicines purportedly from Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), New Zealand and Canada. These packages actually contained unapproved or suspected counterfeit drugs from other countries, such as India, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Mexico, Laos, Malaysia, as well as Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
The FDA and the CBP inspected packages at the mail facilities in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, and detained or seized 583 packages. Preliminary findings show that certain drug products from abroad, such as insulin, estrogen, bimatoprost, human chorionic gonadotropin, tramadol, tadalafil and sildenafil citrate were on their way to U.S. consumers. The FDA also notified Internet service providers, domain name registrars and related organizations that 1,975 websites were selling products in violation of U.S. law.
Read the rest — FDA targets illegal online pharmacies in globally coordinated action
DHT expression in the scalp
I have a question regarding the mechanism of action behind androgenetic alopecia. I see some people saying that we lose hair as males with pattern hair loss because the scalp hairs are more sensitive to DHT in the area of balding (pattern). I also read that some people say that the conversion from test to DHT (via. 5AR) is greater in the scalp tissue than in other body parts. This begs the question: why would you ever need to block DHT in the whole body by using oral meds like fin and dut If the “problematic” test conversion happens in the scalp tissue, then topical dut/fin or a topical anti-androgen should be enough ? Anything I am missing something? Thank you!
Hair loss occurs in males because we carry the genes for hair loss, and our DHT hormones trigger hair loss. The genes are programmed to determine when hair loss starts, but most men get it before age 26. I have seen men develop hair loss as late as in their early 50s, but this is an exception to the rule. If we decided to cut off your testicles, I doubt that you would have hair loss, but that is an extreme approach to reduce the impact of DHT. Topical finasteride goes through the skin and into your body as it gets absorbed through the skin/scalp. You might as well take the oral finasteride. There is a type of liposomal topical finasteride where most of it stays in the scalp, but this is expensive and only covers part of the scalp. If you spread it around the scalp, it raises the cost considerably.
Problems from Fincar (Generic Finasteride)
Dr. Rassman: Fincar Caused Bizarre Problems for me-please advise. I have used 1/4 proscar daily for 8 years I decided to try Fincar for a while. Supposedly Fincar is identical to Merck’s proscar. After starting Fincar my left testicle started aching. I had read numerous about such a paid although I had not experienced it.
In 30 days of Fincar use, bare spots appeared in my beard and the hair on my left arm diminished significantly. The outer third of both eyebrows have thinned drastically and my skin has gotten dry and wrinkly. I know this all sounds crazy but it’s scary.
I went to my family doctor and he just blew me off and said Im getting old since I’m 48.
Doctor-What did the Fincar do to me? I’ve been of Fincar 3 weeks. No testicle pain. Will I return to normal? I’ve resumed the Merck proscar daily but am scared. I wish I had never touched Fincar. Please tell people to never touch the non-Merck finasteride.
Thanks
From my understanding finasteride formulations like Propecia and Proscar is still under U.S. Patent protection thereby restricting the manufacturing of this drug in companies which are under patent treaties with the United States. Generic versions of finasteride like Fincar are made by a pharmaceutical company called Cipla in India and is not available in the U.S. (although I suspect internet sales makes this possible). I am not familiar with International Patent laws so I am not qualified to comment on patent issues. I do know that foreign manufacturing of drugs are not governed by US FDA regulations, so I do not know if the formulation meets the same criteria. There is real no way for me to know if your symptoms are a direct result of taking Fincar. I also do not know about the additives and other inactive ingredients in the formulation. I am not aware that the official, U.S. brand of Propecia is associated with aching testicles or thinning eyebrows or dry, wrinkly skin. I am curious to know why you took the medication if you had read “numerous” reports that such drug will cause these problems.
Fincar may have caused your symptoms, but it may also have been coincidental. I suspect you do not want to take another chance. It is always a “buyer beware” market. Seek competent medical advice. I hope you return to “normal”
2006-04-06 10:36:552006-04-06 11:27:23Problems from Fincar (Generic Finasteride)
Did My Using Minoxidil Mess Up Propecia Benefits?
In October I noticed slight thinning on the vertex and purchased 5% minoxidil. I applied this twice daily to the vertex for 2.5 months at most. I did not see any change at this time, but was tired of applying minoxidil twice a day and switched to propecia. I have now been taking propecia for 4.5 months and there is noticeable thinning on the vertex. I am also shedding quite a bit more than I ever have which has been going on for almost 2 months. I know that Propecia can awaken follicles and increase shedding, but how long does this last? Also, even though Minoxidil did not regrow any hair for me, can it have a negative effect on Propecia possibly reversing hair loss on the vertex even though I used it for only a short period of time and it did not produce any hair regrowth and thickening? Basically, did I screw myself by using minoxidil before Propecia?
No.
You may subjectively notice thinning and changes in your hair. However, it is impossible to tell what is working or not working. Consider the fact that you may be just progressing to losing more hair and taking those drugs may be slowing the process down (even if it does not seem to be). In other words it can be worse, but not because of Propecia and minoxidil. You may also consider seeing a doctor who can examine your hair under a hair densitometer to see its miniaturization pattern and quantitavely track the effects of what Propecia is doing.
2006-06-21 10:31:592006-06-20 09:21:10Did My Using Minoxidil Mess Up Propecia Benefits?
Propecia and Cancer
What about propecia’s safety? The cancer study along with altering hormone levels just doesnt sound like a good idea. What do you think about starting propecia in your 20’s and altering hormone levels for say 15 years?
Finasteride (5 mg dose of the same drug as Propecia) was first used to treat prostate enlargement and cancer. There have been many studies through the years about this product which demonstrated its safety in the older male population (over 50). I have not seen any dangerous effect in my practice and the drug is carefully monitored by the drug company (Merck) under FDA guidelines. There is no doubt from recent articles published in the past few years that Finasteride in 5mg doses taken daily, reduces the risk of Prostate cancer. There is no suggestion that the slight rise in testosterone that occurs in many people will increase any particular cancer risk.
Did you have permanent or temporary scalp micro pigmentation done?
I had a small thin spot on my crown that I’d like to darken with smp while I wait for possible results on finasteride. I was considering temporary smp. What do you recommend? I’m 25 with hairloss only in the crown, 6 months on fin. Thank you
We don’t do temporary SMP, but many people who had it grew their hair without it being detectable. We actually offer it for hair transplant patients who may not be as full as they want.
2020-12-03 02:38:492020-12-03 10:29:58Did you have permanent or temporary scalp micro pigmentation done?
Propecia and Minoxidil Made My Hairline Look Eaten!
ive been on propecia and minoxidil for four months and am going through a horrible shed, my whole temple point has thinned out, my hairline looks eaten and my hair feels horrible, from your experiece is this common?
thanks
I am not sure what “eaten” looks like other than some erosion that is asymmetrical. We are all different — and that includes hairlines. It could be accelerated shedding from either of the medications, but you need to see an expert in the field to give you and examination, or at the least send me a photo so I understand what is “eaten” about your hairline.
2009-09-04 08:36:002009-09-03 11:02:37Propecia and Minoxidil Made My Hairline Look Eaten!
Diffuse Hairloss and Sebum Plugs
I’ve have consistent diffuse hairloss universally around my head for about a year and a half, to the point where I believe I’ve lost about 60-70% of my hair. Many of the hairs that fall have large white plugs attached to them (see pictures), which I believe may be sebum.
Is this in fact sebum? Can these plugs cause diffuse hairloss? Any idea what may cause them or what might treat them? So far, I’ve tried zinc, ketoconazole, salicylic acid, coal tar, and other “sebum reducing” shampoos. I have also been on propecia for 6 months, but with no noticeable reduction in the pace of my loss.
Sebum is a waxy substance from the production of oil from your sebaceous glands. It can be seen on ends of hair follicles that fall out but this does not mean you have a hair loss condition or disease process (because of the sebum). There are products that claim better control of sebum and Internet posts that claim the sebum is the cause of hair loss. It generally makes for great marketing campaign to sell a product to those who are looking for a hair loss cure. Sebum does not cause hair loss, if it did, the many men and women on skid-row would be balding as they often do not shampoo their hair and reduce their sebum buildup. If you are experiencing diffuse hair loss, I doubt sebum is the root cause (no pun intended). You need to see a doctor for your hair loss condition to establish a good diagnosis.