Balding Blog – Page 1533

December 17, 2007

If Foods Treat Prostate, Can’t Foods Treat Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I have read in medical magazines that certain foods and supplements help stop prostate enlargement and cancer. If propecia and dutasteride are used to treat prostate enlargement which in turn helps stop hair loss, would anything from foods to supplements which help stop prostate enlargement in a sense help stop hair loss.

The association between certain food and disease is being made more frequently as medical science probes the connections. Unfortunately, we are ignorant of the one-to-one connection between health, disease, and foods. Much of what we do know is highly subjective and tied to undocumented opinions. The good news is that medical science is probing the adage that we are (probably) what we eat and until we know which foods support which organ systems or what foods suppress what disease, I really can not focus upon the reciprocity you are asking about.

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December 17, 2007

I Love My Beard, But I Have Two Spots Without Hair! – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Good Day:
I’ve recently grown a beard and I LOVE IT! I have a full beard except for two bald spots which are located (i would say) right where my dimples would be. Are they any over the counter products I can purchase to help fill these in? I apologize if this question was already addressed. I looked to see if it was, but I did not see anything. Thank you!

Congratulations on your new beard! Unless these areas of no-beard-hair are unnaturally large, what you describe is relatively common and reflects genetic differences in the beard hair. I do not know of products that can conceal them successfully without looking “fake”. The definitive treatment is a small hair transplant to the area, which we have done with great success.

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December 17, 2007

How Does Stress Kick Start Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

In one of your responses, you state that stress can precipitate genetic balding. Can you explain your understanding for how that could happen? I’m a 32 yr old male who had great hair and no recession last year, and after some severe stress, my hair has thinned and receded. How does stress “kick it off?”

Stress I cannot say if anyone really knows why stress can “kick start” genetic hair loss. If your body is predisposed to genetic male pattern baldness you will have male pattern baldness. The exact timing of when that will occur is variable and reflects how your genes are expressed, but a stressful event, like an emotional or physical stress (illness) can trigger the process. Usually, male pattern baldness starts with puberty (another stressful period from an emotional and physical point of view as your hormones are revved up).

Keep in mind that hair loss from stress can be diffuse and not necessarily associated with the genetic male pattern baldness. In this type of hair loss your hair should generally grow back in about a year. However, if you have genetic male pattern baldness, you will lose hair in a specific pattern, as the term implies “male pattern baldness”, and this is irreversible. You seem to be talking about a genetic male pattern baldness as you mentioned receding, but without an examination including a miniaturization study, I cannot give you a definite answer.

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December 17, 2007

Custom Hair Loss Treatment Combos – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am a compounding pharmacist and I have had an interest in hair loss. I just started using a combo of Adodart/Lumigan/Minoxidil. If you have any combo’s you would like to try let me know

Generally, I do not approve of the use of Avodart (dutasteride) for hair loss due to the sexual side effects, which include decreased sperm counts. I gather that you would like to formulate drugs for me, but I stick to standard approved drugs only and use them in combination when that is indicated.

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December 17, 2007

3 Year Old Has Scaly Bald Spot – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

My 3 year old grandson developed a bald spot on the top of his head about the size of a half dollar. He is not scratching it and says it does not hurt. It’s slightly pinker than the rest of his scalp, and it is white and somewhat scaley, but not peeling. It’s slightly textured. He also has dry similar places on both elbows. What do you suggest?

He should be taken to see a pediatrician. Ringworm (a fungus) is the most common cause of this problem in young children and needs the attention of a doctor. I cannot diagnose your grandson’s condition with just descriptions, though. He need a good physical examination and history by a physician.

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December 14, 2007

Seeking My Advice to Manage Surgical Complications By Other Physicians – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. William Rassman At least a few times each week I get emails asking what to do after a surgical procedure was done (not by me), many times with complications. People contemplating surgery should have doctor/patient communication on the top of the list for doctor’s qualities. Having a doctor who is technically competent, but can not support you emotionally, intellectually, or practically, is really of no value.

Sometimes the questions asked of me reflect simple post-operative questions which should be in the written post-operative instructions giving to patients after any surgery. Sometimes the questions reflect simple every day things like washing ones hair immediately after transplantation, or more complex questions like shock loss or hair thinning after surgery. Sometime there are symptoms reflecting possible infection, circulation of the skin, bleeding or vascular problems after surgery. It is becoming clear to me that too many doctors are failing to really connect with their patients. Doing surgery may command the $$$, but good medical care reflects not only competent surgery, but also good support of the patient before the surgery (good education and informed consent issues) and after the surgery, when the patient is clearly off balance while things are healing. Communications start before the surgery, when plans are made such as where the grafts are to be placed and most important in establishing the expectations on what to expect.

The reason for writing this post isn’t to say that I necessarily dislike these types of emails. After all, I’m here to help. You shouldn’t have to seek out post-surgical advice from a doctor that is different from the doctor that performed the surgery. My point is that you’ll want to be sure that the doctor you select has good communication skills during the post-operative period by probing some of his/her patient’s experiences. This is a very key element that it seems many people overlook when choosing their doctor.

December 14, 2007

12 Days After Hair Transplant (with Photos) – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I wanted to show some 12 day post-operative photos of a very early Norwood Class 5 patient after one procedure of 1588 grafts. I get a lot of emails from people ask me what they can look like with good post-operative washing, and this is a good example of one such patient that kept the recipient sites clean. While there is still some slightly visible redness, he is less than 2 weeks out of surgery and this should subside soon enough.

Click the photos to enlarge.

After

Before

December 14, 2007

White Tips on the End of Hairs — Is This the Root? – Balding Blog

I’m 19 years old and I know that everybody loses about 50 to 100 strands a day. But I’ve been noticing for a while that most of the strands I lose have the white tips at the end.

Is this natural? If not what would be the cause of most of my hair falling out from the roots?

Under 5% of the actual hair in a hair pull will come out. It should be substantially less than that. A white bulb tip in the hair that comes out is normal.

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December 14, 2007

Prescription for Avodart by Phone – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Doctor,

I have been on Propecia for 1 year with little results and have recently (3 months ago) ordered Avodart from an online pharmacy (I know it is risky but my Doc will not prescribe it) and am now running out. My question is will you via telephone provide a prescription for me? If so how would I go about this. Thank you for your valuable time.

Avodart I do not prescribe this medication for most patients that I know intimately. There are potential side effects of the drug, which include decreased fertility by dropping the sperm count. I don’t know if this reverses. Sexual side effects are also common. Unfortunately, I can not help you.

December 14, 2007

Extreme Weather Change and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am 24yrs old female and last night my husband spotted a bald spot on back left of my head. Its about a quarter size n pink in colour and it still has 3-4 hair in that area. Now i am worried about this as this was not their long ago. I had been living around in different environment like extreme hot and cold as i was an air hostess. And i am an indian. Reason for telling you all this is my husband asked one of his friend and she told him that one of the reason can be the weather initially in hot weather and now in cold areas. Please suggest me something. Can this be rectified. i want my hair to grow fast. Please suggest me something.

Weather does not cause hair loss. We have something called asynchronous hair growth, which means that hair does not shed, but grows throughout the year. Animals will shed in the summer and grow hair in the winter. If you have lost hair in a spot on your scalp, the two most common causes are alopecia areata and ringworm. You will need a good doctor to evaluate it.

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