Category: Uncategorized

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Saw Palmetto’s Effect on BPH

I’ve read that there haven’t been many (if any) conclusive studies about saw palmetto’s effect on hair loss. But what about saw palmetto’s effect on BPH? Do you know how effective it is for that? The Mayo Clinic grades saw palmetto as an A (on a scale of A to F) in terms of effectiveness for BPH.

If saw palmetto has weak DHT blocking ability, and it’s just a berry, why not take like 10 pills a day (instead of the usual 2)?

The impact of saw palmetto on prostate problems has a lot of history that goes back hundreds of years. The product has been studied, but although there is no doubt an effect on BPH (benign prostate hypertrophy or swollen prostate) at reducing symptoms with difficulty in urination, it does not seem to work on DHT. It has been suggested that its mechanism of action is something other than DHT effects and that is why it may not help in hair loss.


2008-07-15 15:35:31Saw Palmetto’s Effect on BPH

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Dr Rassman, You Are So Negative!

I just want to say Dr.Rassman that I’ve noticed that you’re a big negative energy to this ongoing development for hairloss. For the past couple of months that I’ve done some research I’ve noticed that every comment made by you was a negative one. It is really annoying to see a Dr whom others look up to has nothing worthwhile to say other than shitting all over all these other doctors that are trying to make breakthroughs. Why don’t you go make yourself useful and try to make a difference instead of being that negative voice saying, “I told you so”. I know that if any of these breakthroughs surface you’ll no longer have a job. There are two kinds of people: people that are trying to construct and better everything, and others that just trying to destroy what others build. You’re the latter!

My, what a negative person you are! I relish the opportunity to respond to your blog-bashing. It is unfortunate that there is so much fraud in the field of potions and lotions for hair growth, so I call a spade a spade when that is the case. I really wish I could be positive when someone identifies a new treatment, but these types of products have been going on throughout modern history. Just look at the supposed “Hair Growing Hat” from 1924. That ‘hat’ idea has been cyclical over the years, coming out in many forms, the newest is the promise of a hair laser comb that magically grows hair in 90 days. I could be positive about it, but my audience of worried hair loss sufferers do not have to be ‘fooled’ by me. I would love to believe that things like that hat or any of the modern iterations of it, or magical potions and lotions, are really a cure for hair loss, but alas, that is just not the case. So many people just don’t know where to turn and the result of that lack of direction for hair loss sufferers reflect a multi-billion annual business worldwide. The good news is that magical potions and lotions and hair hats or laser combs that claim to grow hair, probably do little harm other than deplete the pocketbook and build false expectations. By taking my stab at such products, maybe I am helping the ‘not well educated’ person sort through the minefield of solutions for hair loss. If it’s true that there’s a sucker born every minute — well, I am just doing my part to educate the public.

If you think about what is in it for me… well, I don’t make money by giving out reviews, opinions, etc — and I have no secondary agenda other than a community service focus. I can assure you that I am not worried about my job security and I show my colors many times a day. What have you done to bring something positive?


2007-07-19 15:33:42Dr Rassman, You Are So Negative!

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Scalp Flap Experience

I am a patient of yours and I read a previous blog question and response from you the other day where you worked the problem out with the patient. I came to you 13 years ago with a problem that others could not help me with. After I explained the problem to you (which you listened carefully) I went into my solution. Although I prefer you not to use my name, you might want to tell your audience my story. I have been forever in your debt and grateful.

I remember you very well. You came to me after having done two flap procedures where sections of your scalp were moved from the back and sides of your head to cover the front (like a banana peel). This was an operation invented by a man from Argentina (Jury Flap) that was popular amongst certain surgeons in the late 1980s. This left the patient with an unnatural hair line, hair lying in the wrong direction and a hair line that (on my particular patient in question) was located far too high. You had gaps in many areas of your frontal hairline and there was no hair behind the flaps, leaving you bald in the mid-head. The donor area was depleted of substantial amounts of good movable hair so the supply was very limited and you lost much of your native neck hair as a result of the stress of the procedure.

I remember our first conversation and what you told me. You said (out of context): “I have been thinking about this problem for a few years now. I have met with doctor after doctor and when I finally figured out a way to manage the problem, none of the doctors who I visited would do what I asked them to do.” You went on to explain that your hair had a very strong wave and character to it (Italian hair of medium weight) and that if some hair was placed in front of these flaps, far in front of the flaps, then you could style your hair with a comb-back and a pompadour (like Elvis but much more subtle) and an angled combing style would hide your problem. You told me that you used gels and blow drying to achieve your looks; and you were convinced that this solution could solve your problem if I could find enough hair to transplant. After the first surgery (which was experimental on my part) and the ensuing 12 months it took for the hair to grow out to a good styling length, the results were fantastic. Your creative styling did wonders for the 600 grafts we put into your frontal hairline area. The good news was that we performed four surgeries over the 8 years we worked on you and you got enough hair to address, not only the frontal defects, but also the balding in your neck hair, which was a complication of the flap procedure. Today, you still must spend a few minutes every morning styling your hair, but even my eye can not pick out any defect on you- you looked great when last we met for dinner at one of your restaurants! Thanks for allowing me to share your experience.

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Drs Rassman and Pak Take Propecia

I just have a quick question,

I know that both you, and Dr. Pak have used, respectively, several of the treatment options that you recommend. Why don’t you use before and after pictures of yourselves to disarm the pessimists, while at the same time making a very compelling case as to why you feel so strongly that finasteride is the strongest treatment option available at this time?

The only oral medication that has been FDA approved for treating genetic balding in men (androgenic alopecia) is Propecia. So as the default, I guess it is the “strongest” medical treatment option at this time. This does not mean it will reverse or cure balding. In fact there is no cure! We are physicians. We prescribe medications based on scientific evidence as well as clinical evidence we see day to day. In the end the consumer (the patient) has the choice to take this medication, but he should consult with the prescribing doctor instead of strictly reading Internet postings that may (or may not) be true!

As you mentioned both Dr. Pak and I have personally taken Propecia daily (as well as our family members and friends) without any of side effects. Neither of us has seen dramatic hair growth, but we haven’t seen dramatic hair loss either. In the end, you are looking at the after pictures (on the right). Ultimately though, we cannot satisfy everyone. If you think something bad will happen, then it just may. The power of suggestion can be quite powerful. If you think the medication will not work, then its your choice to simply not take it. We’re talking about hair loss here, and as important as hair is to many men, it isn’t a death sentence if left untreated. We’re educating and informing about a proven treatment and I’ll leave disarming pessimists up to the drug manufacturers.


2009-03-10 10:53:37Drs Rassman and Pak Take Propecia

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Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) Review with Depleted Donor Area, Scarring & Thinning – Before & After Photos

This patient had almost everything that could go wrong with hair transplantation including: Scalp reductions, multiple hair transplants and depletion of his donor area from the multiple surgeries in the past. More hair transplants were not an option. His results showed thinning but on the brighter side of things, he felt that he did not look bald when he kept his hair longer and styled it appropriately. He was still not satisfied with his hair and the coverage of his hair restoration procedures. He did not like the large multiple white scars on he back of his head which showed up on windy days or with swimming. He decided he would try Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) to enhance his appearance, address the scars and have SMP under the thin hair on the top to make it look a bit thicker. He still has thinning hair but SMP helped hide the scar and gave him the illusion of more fullness on the top of his head.

Scalp MicroPigmentation to scar

Scalp MicroPigmentation to scar

nhi_smp_143a

nhi_smp_143b


2014-09-17 12:49:33Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) Review with Depleted Donor Area, Scarring & Thinning – Before & After Photos

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Dutasteride INCREASED my DHT serum levels

2 months ago, I tested my DHT levels and got this value: 747.67 pg/ml.

I have been taking Dutasteride for a month now, but saw no improvement in my hair: the bald spot on my crown continued to grow. I tested my DHT again 2 days ago: 1110.8 pg/ml.

Of course. Increasing the DHT levels has nothing to do with the effectiveness of either finasteride or dutasteride and that is why I never get DHT levels when I prescribe finasteride.

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Scalp Psoriasis in Women

I have been diagnosed with scalp psoriasis. I use a variety of topical ointments to keep it under control and it seems to be doing much better. However, I have lost a lot of hair because of this condition and now have a very thin area on the side of my head near my part. My question is, will using a hair growth product like rogain for women help “jump start” new growth in this area? And I also wonder about what I have read that once you start using Rogain, you have to use it forever or the hair will just fall out agian? Thank you so much for any advice you can give me

First, a doctor should determine if you have other causes of hair loss since psoriasis, by itself, rarely causes it. Most people with hair loss and psoriasis either scratch the skin constantly, pulling out hair and that can cause traction alopecia or they may have another condition that may be the cause of hair loss.

For women, you need an accurate run down on your hormones to rule out other diseases such as thyroid disease, etc. Make sure that you are not on a bizarre diet, as weight loss is a cause of hair loss. Both men and women need to have their scalp and hair checked out for miniaturization, looking for genetic hair loss causes. Other autoimmune and inherited conditions can contribute to this as well. Never assume the obvious, for the price is too costly in non-reversible hair loss.

For information about using Rogaine with psoriasis, please see: Psoriasis and Rogaine.


2006-01-20 11:50:54Scalp Psoriasis in Women

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Early crown loss, what should I do?

Could you give your opinion on how i can treat my thinning thinning? I’ve always had thin hair but the crown is noticeably thinning i think. I’ve always had a widows peak even from an early age but i’d expect it may be very slowly increasing in size over time also but it’s hard to say. It may be worth noting but i currently only use Nizoral anti dandruff shampoo in my hair every 3/4 days and that is what has provided the best results for my scalp which used to get dry and itchy. I very rarely apply any product into my hair because of the same dryness/itchiness also.

Your hair loss, if significant, is very early. I wonder if you should do anything about it. Maybe minoxidil liquid applied to the crown is the most benign approach and finasteride for the frontal hairline. The enlarging Widow’s peak suggests that your hairline is moving upwards, maybe just maturing but that is the reason to see a specialist in this area.


2019-04-08 12:46:14Early crown loss, what should I do?

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Scar On Head Received Immediate Medical Attention — Will Hair Grow Back?

I had a gash on my head about an inch and a half that required 7 stitches. I received immediate medical attention and I now have a scar on that spot. It is close to my hairline, will hair eventually grow back?

If the ‘gash’ repair produced a scar, then the scar will not grow hair back. If the scalp repair was done scalp to scalp, it may grow hair back. The direction of the scar has a lot to do with what it may look like. Front to back scars near the hairline tend to do worse than side to side scars at the hairline. As you are in Los Angeles, pay me a visit in my LA office and I can tell you that answer after examining your scalp and scar.

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Elan Musk has the look of success

Hair definitely makes a difference in the way his image is projected. A good hair transplant is what he must have had.


2020-09-30 08:20:39Elan Musk has the look of success