In the News – Scientists Find Hair Growth Molecule in Mice

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

Snippet from the article:


The study identifies a key signaling molecule that tells hair follicles to start the hair-growing cycle.

“These are very complex molecular signals, and the authors have very nicely shown that there is one molecule, laminins 511, that is a very important signal to tell the hair molecule to move through the process. It’s part of a basic biological understanding,” said Dr. Ronald Crystal, chairman of genetic medicine at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City.

The researchers, reporting in the Aug. 1 issue of Genes & Development, feel the findings may one day hold the key to treating male-pattern baldness, as well as hair loss from chemotherapy or even to restore hair on burn victims.

But, as so often happens, the study was conducted in mice and, as Crystal pointed out, “Mice are not just little men and women. They are different than us and also different in their hair.”

Read the full article at US News & World Report — Mouse Study Finds Molecule That Tells Hair to Grow

This is a terrific story which shows an important step to the process of hair growth. Could it explain why some men of one race have no body hair and others get much? Following that thread of thinking can be fun. Could it be that genetic balding is caused by a mutation on that particular gene?

Tags: mice, mouse, laminins, hair growth, molecule, science, scientist, genes

Hepatitis B Vaccine and Hair Loss?

/by William Rassman, M.D./3 /

Doc,
Is there a possibility that a Hepatitis B vaccine may cause hairloss? I am due this jab very soon (actually it will be 3 shots over 6 months) and i’m worried as i’ve read about some people who have started balding after having this vaccine. Any thoughts? Thank you.

Yes, though it is very rare. The Center for Disease Control says, “For example, recent studies suggest that alopecia (hair loss) may rarely occur in persons who have received hepatitis B vaccine. While the mechanisms responsible for alopecia following vaccination are not certain, it could be immune-mediated.”

The most common cause in men is genes, and I don’t think you should be worried about losing hair from the vaccine.

Tags: hepatitis, hairloss, hair loss, vaccine

Propecia to Halt the Hair Loss, Rogaine to Regrow the Hairs?

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

I been to a dermatologist and Dr. Bernstein and both advised me to use Rogaine in addition to Propecia at least once a day. They told me that Propecia will most likely halt the hairloss but Rogaine can help stimulate hair follices and help regrow. I been reading around online and that seems to be true. I know you been saying you should try Propecia first and later add Rogaine if you ain’t satisfied, but what are the chances Propecia can also give me regrowth?

I’m 21 and with early frontal hair loss something I noticed about 4 months ago.

In my experience, regrowth with Propecia is fairly common at your age. I have seen reversal in most young men, but not necessarily on the hairline if it is receded. The advice you have been given is also reasonable, but I generally like to go at it in a step wise manner, because if the Propecia works alone, then why use minoxidil and get hooked on it also?

Tags: propecia, finasteride, rogaine, minoxidil, hairloss, hair loss

Transplanting Hair into Skin Grafts?

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

Hi there

My problem is when I was 5yrs old I got burnt on the right side of my head just above the ear 6cm by 6cm. I had a skin graft done and no hair grew in that area. I was wondering if it’s possible to have fue treatment done to that area, and what the chances of susses are. Even if it is just to reduce the area in question.

Thanks

We routinely perform hair transplants on scars, but it would have to be a full thickness scar or one with a good underlying blood supply to it. Usually above the ear should be OK for a hair transplant, but first I would have to examine you. Hair transplantation is particularly a great way to disguise scars or if you are not a candidate for hair transplants, other surgical options may be a better choice.

Tags: hairtransplant, hair transplant, skin, graft, burn, hairloss hair loss

I Got Drunk and Waxed My Eyebrows Off. When Will They Regrow?

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

Eyebrowhi
i was at a party recently and got drunk. i then thought it would be a good idea to wax my eyebrows however it didnt work so well when i sobered up as there was still clumps of hair still attached. i then shaved the rest of my remaining hair off my eyebrows. i was just wonderin how long will it take to grow back?

Yes, your eyebrows should grow back, though it may take several months (possibly up to a year). Drinking and waxing is obviously not a good idea. See a good hair transplant doctor if it does not grow back in a year.

Tags: eyebrow, eyebrows, wax, drinking, alcohol, hairloss, hair loss

Will Propecia Work for Years to Come?

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

I’m almost 23 and been on Propecia for about a year now. I started to have early frontal hair loss. And also a year ago I had a miniturzation study done and I was on a NW 2A-3A pattern. Like the first inch into my hairline the hair was lighter. Now I’m filled up again and am on a solid NW2 so Propecia was a success.

Is there a possibility Propecia might work for me many years to come? I’m afraid it will not since I know guys who start to have MPB in the early 20s have usually aggressive hair loss, so I know Propecia can’t hang in for too long. And it’s funny how nobody in my family had MPB except my father but not till his mid 30s.

I couldn’t say for sure how long you’ll see lasting benefits from Propecia. I’ve had patients on it for 10+ years and it still shows the same benefits it did in year 1. As I’ve said many times before, each person is different and will react differently to various medications. Here are some facts — Results with Propecia.

Tags: propecia, finasteride, hairloss, hair loss

Official Word from Merck Regarding Propecia’s Effect on Sperm and Pregnancy

/by William Rassman, M.D./2 /

Dr. Bill
I know that you’ve stated n previous blogs that you don’t think Propecia (finasteride) would be harmful or adversive to a man trying to conceive, but i recently came across an article on WebMD WebMD – Boosting Male Fertility where the doctor said just the opposite. I don’t mean to pit you against another doctor, but i felt like the conclusion may derive from the conflicting views. Thanks

PropeciaI’ve received a great number of emails about pregnancy and Propecia over the years since starting this site, and I’ve recently received a written response from Merck (the drug company that makes Propecia) on the matter which I would like to share with you. There is no doubt that Propecia, if it reached the baby, particularly in the first trimester, would have an impact on the baby and its sexual development. The main issue for young men who want to start a family may be simply: Can finasteride be transferred from the sperm of a man taking Propecia to the pregnant woman from sexual intercourse? Other issues reflect the impact on libido, erectile performance, and sperm count/motility/fertility in the young man taking Propecia. I wrote to Merck to get a better handle on these issue and here is what they wrote back to me —

—

Dear Doctor Rassman:

This is in response to your recent inquiry regarding PROPECIA (finasteride) and PROSCAR (finasteride). Your inquiry concerned the effect of PROPECIA on the morphology of sperm and on offspring born to partners of men receiving PROPECIA.

Available data indicate that the level of PROPECIA in the semen of a man taking PROPECIA does not pose a risk to an unborn child. Accordingly, a man can take PROPECIA while conceiving a child with his partner, or have sexual intercourse with his partner if she is already pregnant.

There is no evidence of influence on the gender of a child conceived while the male is taking PROPECIA. Finasteride 5 mg (PROSCAR) was first approved for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) in 1992, and to date, is marketed in over 100 countries. Finasteride 1 mg (PROPECIA) is approved in over 60 countries, and has been marketed in the U.S. since January 1998. There are over 16 million patient-treatment years of post-marketing experience exist for finasteride 5 mg and over 4 million patient-treatment years of post-marketing data for finasteride 1 mg.

Based on this extensive experience, no significant mechanism-based or non-mechanism-based teratologic effects have been observed in infants bom to women exposed to finasteride via semen during pregnancy.

Read more

Using an Estrogen Reducer with Propecia to Avoid Possible Gynecomastia?

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

There are some reports of users developing gyno while on propecia. I can only assume this has to do with the fact that DHT is an anti-estrogen, and Propecia inhibits DHT production resulting in more estrogen.

My question is, can I successfully use a SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators) like Nolvadex to reduce the amount of estrogen in the body while I take Propecia? These drugs are used by bodybuilders after their steroid cycles to ensure they do not develop gyno either. I know you’re probably going to tell me to check with my doctor (which I don’t have and can’t afford), but I’m just asking for your opinion mainly… from a medical standpoint.

Thank you!

Developing breast tenderness, nodules, or even gynecomastia can be a side effect of Propecia, but this is a rare occurrence. You are correct that Propecia blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which causes an increase in testosterone in the blood that can be aromatized (converted) to estrogen, thereby causing the side effects. You can always decrease the dose of Propecia under the advice of your physician if you develop any unwanted side effects. In my experience, however, those who developed gynecomastia did not get a benefit of halving the dose.

The use of other drugs must be decisions between you and your doctor, remembering that this is just a website which can not make recommendations in your treatment.

Tags: propecia, finasteride, testosterone, estrogen, hairloss, hairloss, breast, gynecomastia

Yaz Birth Control Pill and Hair Loss?

/by William Rassman, M.D./3 /,

This site is a great resource! I see that you have answered questions before about Ortho Evra and hair loss, and depression and hair loss. I wanted to know if Yaz (another birth control pill, but with a lower dose of estrogen) can also cause hair loss – and depression/mood swings? My doctor already ruled out thyroid or other conditions as a possible cause. I´m trying to figure out what is causing what.

Thank you!

YazI would suspect that regardless of the dose of the oral contraceptive, if a woman has a genetic predisposition for hair loss, then the medication would serve to increase the loss. Some medications may have more of an effect than others. On the other hand, Yaz claims to help with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), thus decreasing the chance of emotional and/or physical stress which can exacerbate hair loss. As with many medications, there needs to be a balancing act with regards to intended use and benefits versus side effects. With that being said, Yaz (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) is known to cause scalp hair loss as a rare side effect — see Drugs.com.

Tags: yaz, yasmin, hairloss, hair loss, pmdd, bcp, birth control, pill, drospirenone, estradiol, female, women, woman

Body Hair from Treating High Blood Pressure with Minoxidil

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

The following comes from Dr. Michael Beehner, reflecting back to the days when minoxidil was used in the treatment of high blood pressure (1970s). He writes…

I’ll never forget this one older lady in her 80’s when I was in family practice, who had one of the highest blood pressure readings I had ever seen. After trying a variety of other drugs and combinations, I found that the only thing that would bring her blood pressure down into the normal range was Minoxidil, along with a Thiazide (water pill). I followed her for a few years on this and always marveled at how hairy her arms, the back of her hands, and virtually all of her body was. It was like evolution going backwards, in the days when mankind had body hair. In hindsight it didn’t take too many brain cells for the person who figured out that there was a connection between the Minoxidil and hair growth!

Tags: minoxidil, blood pressure, thiazide, women, woman, female, hair growth

Diet and Hair Loss — I Need Real Information!!!

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

Okay, I am hoping this is going to be my last post for a long while (maybe ever!). There is all this contradictory information as to whether exogenous factors can contribute to, accelerate, and/or possibly cause male pattern balding. These include hair gel, dairy, smoking, pot, alcohol, natural increases and dietary sources of growth hormone, injected HGH, shampoo, shower water, pollution, red meat, hormones in meat, weightlifting, l arginine, high saturated fat diets, etc. There are also exogenous factors that supposedly help fight hair loss — green tea, soy, caffeine (in vitro), saw palmetto, pygeum, pumpkin seed extract, omega 3 fatty acids, l arginine, staying away from high saturated fat diets, etc. Finasteride is apparently found in tubers in C. America so apparently diet does do something for hair loss, right? Then we have all these stories about how Native Americans and Inuits have no hair loss and are lactose intolerant, and stories of how Asians have high soy diets and allegedly no hair loss until their diets became Westernized.

I need some answers, man. I can’t believe with all the science and surveys we have we haven’t ascertained how diet affects us, if at all. Should I be drinking soy (which I’ve also heard has phytoestrogens which can stump bone growth) on a daily basis or should I be drinking milk!? It’s so confusing. So I need some definite answers as to whether diet can affect either positively or negatively male pattern hairloss!!

You clearly did a lot of research. When you get your answers and you are clear as a bell on what it all means as you mix and match them, please feel free to share them with me. I do not have all the answers and whenever there are reports of things in the diet that can help hair growth, it can not be scientifically substantiated. Likewise, diets heavy in meat have been reported to have negative impact on hair growth while rice has just the reverse, yet all of this has no science behind it.

Tags: diet, meat, rice, hairloss, hair loss, soy

Can I Put Minoxidil On My Face to Grow a Beard

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

Hello,

I’m 23 years old and have lot of spots with no facial hairs. It’s really embarassing because if it’s not shaved, it looks awfull. Can Minoxidil can be used for that case ?

Thanks a lot.

Rogaine (minoxidil) can cause facial hair growth if it is applied to the face, but the hair that grows may not look like beard hair. I’m not suggesting you do this, as you should follow the instructions outlined on the packaging. It is an over the counter medication though, so you’ll have to use your own judgment.

Tags: rogaine, minoxidil, face, beard, facial hair, growth

Johnny Depp’s Hairline

/by William Rassman, M.D./3 /

Johnny DeppI have pretty much a receded hairline like Johnny Depp in the picture links below. I’m almost 22 and from that pic it looks more then a Norwood 2 scale. But if Johnny’s temples were so receded since like almost 20 years ago how come he can still have such great hair and no balding? Is it normal to have temples like him in those pics?

Photo 1  –  Photo 2  –  Photo 3

Based on all the photos I’ve seen, actor Johnny Depp is not suffering from genetic hair loss. This is his mature hairline and is normal. Some have speculated that he might’ve even had hair transplants, but I don’t think that is true. I’ve written about Johnny Depp before — here and here.

Tags: johnny depp, depp, actor, celebrity, hollywood, hairloss, hair loss, hairline