Category: Uncategorized

If most of the hair that falls out is noticeably thinner at the base than it is on the end, does this most likely mean that many of my follicles are miniaturizing or is this just the natural hair process and likely nothing to be too concerned about?

Yes, as hairs become more and more miniaturized, as they grow they become thinner and thinner so if and when they fall out, the base will be the thinnest part of the hair shaft

Going out of the country for an FUE is not a great idea. The results may not be predictable, there is no accountability for the doctor and the risks of anesthesia may be significant in the wrong hands. Deaths have even happened, even in the US. We have been doing FUE longer than anyone in the world, having invented the FUE procedure and the hair transplant robot. Experience counts. Would you to to the cheapest heart surgeon or brain surgery to save a buck? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sisfX3XBmOw

No, the donor area that was taken extended above and below your permanent zone. I marked the area on the back of the head that is about 2.5 – 3 inches high which is the permanent zone, viewed from the back of the head. This same 2.5 inch high area extends around the head above the ears to the temple points. If your balding pattern extends down to the area where it was harvested outside the permanent zone, these hairs will fall out and die. Also, if you should lose neck hair as you get older (frequently seen in men) then these hairs will also fall out and die when this happens with your neck hairs. The purpose of a hair transplant is to move permanent hairs to the areas of balding so that they will live as long as you live.

For those in the US — Happy Thanksgiving! For those elsewhere — hello!

We’re off for a long weekend, but we’ll be back first thing Monday, December 1st! Feel free to check out our new forum, BaldingForum.com, in the meantime (and don’t forget to create an account and post)!

Doctor Rassman/Pak

I recently contacted Glaxosmithkline regarding avodart and hair loss, and this is what they said.

“Thank you for contacting GlaxoSmithKline about AVODART® (dutasteride).

GSK will not be pursuing further studies on the use of dutasteride for AGA (alopecia – male pattern hair loss). This decision is based on market research analyses and not for any safety or efficacy reasons.

A copy of the prescribing information for this product is available at https://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_avodart.pdf for review and discussion with an appropriate healthcare provider.

We appreciate the opportunity to serve you. If you have further questions concerning GlaxoSmithKline or our products, please contact our Response Center at 1-888-825-5249 during our normal business hours, Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. (Eastern Time).

This is a send only email address. Please do not reply to this email.”

–

what does it mean that they won’t pursue further studies because of market research analysis?

Some doctors in the know have told me for some time that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) had no real intention to get into the hair business with Avodart, but their recent study may have reflected their playing the options for the future. According to the ClinicalTrials.gov site, GSK is still recruiting participants in a study of Korean patients to be concluded in July 2013… so I really don’t know what they’re doing.

As I am not an insider, I really can only speculate like everyone else.

Side effects include lightheadedness, headache, allergy are most common. Rare heart effects such a cardiac tamponade (life threatening) are found with doses above 2.5mgs but is rare.

Other side effects (taken from Mayo Clinic) for topical applications include:

• Acne at site of application
• burning of scalp
• facial hair growth
• increased hair loss
• inflammation or soreness at root of hair
• reddened skin
• swelling of face

Particularly with systemic absorption either orally or too high a topical dose these side effects include:

• Blurred vision or other changes in vision
• chest pain
• dizziness
• fainting
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• flushing
• headache
• lightheadedness
• numbness or tingling of hands, feet, or face
• swelling of face, hands, feet, or lower legs
• weight gain (rapid)
• Cardiac tamponade

I had a patient stand on his head for two hours a day for 6 months to get more circulation to his scalp. He did 1 hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. He still developed progressive balding and did not grow any hair. I ended up transplanting him and he was quite happy.