Can You Prescribe Dutasteride Over the Phone?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Dr. Rassman,

First off, thank you very much for the time and effort you put into this blog. Also, I’m sorry some people don’t get your sense of sarcasm.

I was wondering what it would take for you to take me on as a distance patient. I am currently in between Norwood Class II and III I believe and my hair has noticable minaturization. I am
a 24 year old male in good health and would like to be on Dutasteride (sp?). Please, when you have a chance, contact me as soon as is convenient.

Thanks Very Much

If you cannot travel to our offices in California, please call my office at 800-NEW-HAIR (800-639-4247) to arrange a private phone consultation with one of our physicians. I do not prescribe dutasteride on a young man who has not given finasteride a chance to work. Some people report that dutasteride knocks down the sperm count, so what else will it do and is it reversible? We don’t know the answers to that yet, so why prescribe something that may not be safe when there is a good, safe, and effective medication (finasteride) out there for young men?

Tags: dutasteride, finasteride, avodart, propecia, hairloss, hair loss, phone

Hair Transplant 6 Months Ago — Now I See Small Bumps Instead of Hairs

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /,

Hello Dr,

I had a 3,000 grafts ht about 6 months ago. I’ve had growth, although hair is still fine in many places. My hairline and scalp, however, are the areas of concern. I can see a slight popping effect of some of the hairs on my hairline, there is also some ridging I think, and a lot of small bumps where hair is growing or supposed to grow. It creates a very unnatural look depending on the lighting.

Is this a result of having packed the grafts too close? Am I still healing? Anything I should do to speed things now? If this is permanent, are there repair options available? Would’nt want to miss an opportunity to fix this while it is still early. Thanks for your answer.

At 6 months, it is difficult to tell what you are talking about. In another 2-3 months, what you have will be evident as the hair should be grown. Ridging is very unusual for FUT (follicular unit transplantation). You should speak with your doctor about your concerns and your doctor should embrace the opportunity to speak with you on any issue, for it insures good doctor/patient bonding. I love the opportunity to speak with my patients almost any time.

Tags: hairtransplant, hair transplant, bumps, ridging, hairloss, hair loss

Problems After Pubic Hair Transplant

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

i had pubic hair transplant. after surgery i bled on and off. after 10 days the doctor looked at the site and prescribed antibiotic for 5 days. next day the skin make a round shape. in that round shape all skin inside come off. very painful. i have a big wound with no skin i want to know what happened. did the doctor puncture me too deep? now it so difficult to get in touch with him. i am so destroy.

It is hard to know what has happened to you, but the way you describe it, you may have had a skin infection or a hematoma that caused your skin problems. You need to have a good relationship with your doctor. Without seeing you, there’s not much more I can offer.

Tags: pubic, hairtransplant, hair transplant, hematoma, infection

Is the FDA In Bed With Drug Companies?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

You keep talking about drugs with FDA approval, but it sounds like the FDA is in the pocket of the big drug companies. What is your thoughts on this?

MSNBC – New FDA drug center raises ethical questions

Interesting reading. I am not sure that I would say that the FDA is in bed with pharmaceutical companies in a conventional way, but hey, there’s conspiracy theories for everything.

Tags: pharmaceutical, drug, fda

16 Year Old Is Losing His Juvenile Hairline and He Wants it Back!

/by William Rassman, M.D./4 /, ,

I’m only 16 but i’ve noticed the corners of my hairline are goin back, and now i can’t do all the cool styles i used to or if i try to it looks wierd, i see people like George Clooney and Ronald Reagan who have low straight hairlines and they look so much better, when i had low hair line corners i used to look soooo much better, please let me know what i can do to get back that low, straight hairline and look that good again, i’d REALLY appreciate it, thank you for your time sir.

I do not know if Propecia (finasteride 1mg) will work in preventing your maturing hairline, because this treatment has not been directly documented — but that is the only thing that may work. The reason I say this is because the maturing process for hair (including balding in those genetically prone) uses DHT as the triggering agent within the body.

Ronald Reagan’s hairline was probably the same one he had when he was 5-10 years old. It occurs in about 4% of Caucasian men (higher in other ethnicities). Age is something that we all learn to face. We can modify it by drugs like Propecia with regard to hairlines, or staying healthy and working out for physical fitness… and of course, a good diet is very helpful. I have no doubt that sooner or later we will better link our diets to the changes in our body and learn to eat better.

For more about the maturing hairline, please see Maturation of a Hairline — Moving From Juvenile to Mature.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, propecia, finasteride, maturing, hairline, juvenile, teen

I’m a Firefighter — How Long Do I Need to Be Off Work After a Transplant?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

I’ve had a consultation at an open house about 2 years ago. I’m a firefighter and need to know how long I would need to be off work? We wear helmets and hats…..thanks

HelmetUsually, most people can go back to work almost immediately, but that might depend upon where the transplants were done and if they are noticeable.

In your particular case, it might conceivably take 3 weeks for the wound to heal so that any rubbing from the helmet will not impact the recovery. For a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) procedure, on the other hand, you can go back to wearing a helmet in 4-5 days.

Tags: hairtransplant, hair transplant, hairloss, hair loss, firefighter, fire, helmet, hat

I Have Female Hair Loss — My Doctor Is Concerned, Too

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Hello,

I’m a 34 year old woman that has always had a full head of naturally curly hair. Unfortunately, my hair has started to shed ALOT. It is noticably thinner and I’m starting to freak out. My doctor is somewhat concerned and has ordered blood work done (waiting for results) In the meantime, I have a few questions:

  1. I lost approximately 30 pounds in 5 months the right way–diet and excersise. Can this be a factor? My body fat has went from 29% to 19%.
  2. I have always had dandruff???? But is seems to be getting worse.
  3. My hair was pulled severely in an accident 3 months ago. Would this start the process?
  4. If my tests come back fine, what avenues should I then look toward?

  1. Malnutrition or poor diets can cause hair loss along with any rapid history of weight loss.
  2. Dandruff does not cause hair loss, but excessive scratching will.
  3. A one time pull of your hair will not cause permanent hair loss.
  4. It seems that you have a good doctor, so ask him/her what the plan is for you after your blood work is back.
Tags: malnutrition, hairloss, hair loss, weight, diet, dandruff, female, women, woman

Preventing Shock Loss By Taking Propecia

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

What is the minimum amount of time that a person should continue taking propecia after hair transplant surgery to prevent shock loss?

Do I have take propecia for months after surgery or just a few weeks, until everything has healed? If the answer is months, why would that be the case? Thank you for your help.

The earlier you start the drug before a hair transplant, the better it works for you. Ideally I might guess 2 months, but 2 weeks might work as well. I really don’t know for sure. I just know it works and for those people who were on it for 2 weeks, I still see the protective effect. I generally tell people to stay on the drug for 8 months minimum, but if there is a reason to stay on the drug permanently, then that is best.

Tags: finasteride, propecia, hairloss, hair loss, shock loss, hairtransplant, hair transplant

Telogen Effluvium Specialist in Los Angeles?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

can you tell me where to find a Telogen Effluvium specialist in my area that wont charge an arm and a leg? i live in Torrance, CA

also, how long does it take for follicle that pushes out a telogen hair to start growing that anagen hair?

Unfortunately, I don’t have a local referral. Dr. Richard Strick, based in Los Angeles, specializes in alopecia, so it is a possibility that he would be a good source for a second opinion.

The telogen phase usually lasts 3-6 months and it varies person to person. TE can be chronic or acute and it may have causes such as trauma, systemic diseases, chemotherapy, drugs, hair transplants, any surgery, etc.

Tags: telogen effluvium, los angeles, strick, hairloss, hair loss

My Hair Has Changed from Red to Blonde — And I Don’t Do Any Outdoor Activities

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /

I am 18 years old. when i was younger i had red hair. now it turned to a more blond, lighter color. i dont go swimming or do any outdoor activities… why is this happening? i also have long hair and it goes down to about a little passed my soldiers, and im starting to see a receding hair line…can this be cause of my long hair? should i cut my hair?

Hair does change color as we age. I have seen redheads turn blonde on occasion. If you are losing hair, you should be examined by an expert. Cutting your hair will have no effect on any hair loss you are experiencing. Long hair does not cause hair loss.

Tags: hair color, blonde, red, redhead, hairloss, hair loss, haircut

Woman Grew Facial Hair After Using Minoxidil for 2 Weeks!

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

Hi,
I’m a 27 yrs. old female experiencing hair loss for quite sometime. I started taking minoxidil 5% about 2 and a half months ago and noticed facial hair growth in 2 weeks. I stopped taking the medicine about a month ago but the facial hair hasn’t reversed yet. Is this side effect reversible and how long does it usually take to reverse the facial hair?

Minoxidil facial hair growth was seen in the days it was used for the treatment of high blood pressure. I am told that it does reverse slowly over time. I don’t have a definitive answer for you, though.

Tags: minoxidil, hair growth, facial hair, female, women, woman, rogaine

Should I Add Dutasteride (Avodart) to Finasteride (Propecia)?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

I’ve been using propecia and rogaine for 9 months and feel like I have only slowed down the hair loss and not halted it. My main goal is to completely stop and maintain my hairline and current hair. I know that I haven’t waited the full 12 months but I am just curious. Would taking propecia 1mg with dutasteride .5 mg daily be the strongest combination with the best chances of maintaining my hair ? I feel great anxiety and fear of my hair loss and want to do everything I possibly can. Thankyou Doctor.

Adding Avodart to the Propecia dose may not benefit you, based on what we current know about Avodart. It is highly possible that you have reached the maximal benefit of the drugs. You must remember that hair loss does go in cycles, so playing with drugs and doses may not cause the changes you are seeing. These medications are not a cure for advancing balding, just a way of slowing the process down.

For Avodart to be really effective, I am told that 2.5mgs/day is the required does, but as the FDA studies are further along, we may learn differently about drug dosages. Doctors that are prescribing this medication off-label are recommending varying dosages to their parents. Meet with your doctor and develop a Master Plan as to what steps you are going to take.

Tags: avodart, dutasteride, propecia, finasteride, hairloss, hair loss

Is “Amazing Herbal Remedies” Really All That Amazing?

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /

An article came out about hair loss treatment by using rare Indian herbs…Any opinion about this?

Press Release – A Revolutionary Hair Loss Herbal Treatment Offers Permanent Results

Amazing Herbal RemediesI have no firsthand experience with this product, but again, this is a buyer beware market. Anyone can put out a press release. This product is actually called “Amazing Herbal Remedies” and the maker claims that it will regrow your hair in a month thanks to the included “rare herbs” from India. I’d love to see some science behind these claims.

A press release and a website that claim their new lotion and potion collection contains rare herbs from a foreign land will not make me believe in this product or think it has even a remote chance of working as claimed.

Tags: indian, herb, hairloss, hair loss, amg, amazing, herbal

6 Months After Stopping Weight Training, I Have Acne and Hair Loss

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Dear Sir,
I am 23, high sex drive male & been working out for past 2 years. No hair loss what so ever, acne, pimples or anything. But for past 6 months I’ve been away from gym due to frequent traveling and now I’ve high acne, excessive hair shedding to an extent that you can see my hair all over the house and family really wants me to stay away from their stuff because it will get “polluted” with my hair. My temple regions are totally bald now but what concerns me more is bald area on left side is roughly double in size to right.

Please devise you opinion on my condition. I have a feeling that sudden acquittal of weight training has cause my hair loss since all that free test. Wasn’t being consumed for muscle building. Also my scalp itches a lot sometimes.

Best Regards

I don’t think stopping weight training can cause hair loss. Many bodybuilders experience hair loss after they use anabolic steroids. It is likely that your hair loss has a genetic source, but there are other factors that can accelerate the speed of losing hair. When people lose hair from genetic causes, it is not unusual for the loss on one side to be further advanced over the other side. Coincidence of increased acne and rapid hair loss makes me suspicious of the possibility of increased androgen in your body. Androgen can have an external or internal source. If you use anabolic androgenic steroids, you need to stop them. If you have not used any of those steroids recently you need to see your doctor for further evaluations.

Tags: acne, steroids, anabolic, hairloss, hair loss, weight training, weightlifting, bodybuilder, exercise

My Girlfriend Is Losing Hair — Is Hair Color Change a Sign of Deficiency?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Howdy Doc!

My girlfriend, 27 years old, losses hair and has done so for some years. It’s mainly the forehead (which has very small in her teenages years) which is receding and her hairline is now very uneven. She also has some thinning “down the middle”. Some of her aunts are also losing hair but they are at least then years older.

She hasn’t been eating any hormonal medications for at least 6 months but we still doesn’t see any improvements. She has been under a lot of stress for several years and I think this affects the hair loss, at least a bit.

She is naturally darkbrown but I have noticed that she have some orange strands! Why? Could this be some kind of deficiency symptom? Doc, any suggestions what to do?

Women lose hair in a different pattern than men. Female hair loss may not be related to DHT or androgenic causes as it is in majority of men who lose their hair. As such, there are many potential medical causes that should be explored. Your girlfriend need to be evaluated by her primary care physician who can address these issues.

I do not know of any deficiency that would cause hair to turn orange other than hair coloring or bleaching.

Tags: orange, hairloss, hair loss, hair color, female, women, woman