Is Isopropyl Alcohol Bad for the Skin?

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

Hello Dr Rassman
Do you think if I use Ketoconazole 2% lotion ( 60% isopropyl alcohol , 38% water ) it can have bad effect on my skin (not hair loss)?!?!! I mean is isopropyl alcohol bad for your skin? I want to use .5ml per day or every other day on my vertex area! Thank you

Ketoconazole 2% is an antifungal medication that is prescription for those in the United State, although some countries allow it to be sold over-the-counter. Are you treating a fungus on your scalp? Otherwise, why would you want to use a antifungal medication on your scalp? I hope you do not think it may grow hair, because it will not. I would discuss your desires with your physician, particularly if the medication was prescribed to you.

I do not believe isopropyl alcohol (also known as rubbing alcohol) is necessarily bad for your skin when used in a medication like that, but unnecessary use of a medication would be more harmful and it may dry the skin. Many topical products use alcohol as an additive, like Rogaine. You can read the health hazard information here.

Tags: ketoconazole, rubbing alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, hair loss, hairloss

Hyperhidrosis and Lactic Acid Causing Hair Loss?

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

I recently went to the trichological clinic in Costa Mesa, CA and had microscopic hair analysis. After examining my hair bulbs and shafts, the trichology specialist, said that I have hyperhidrosis and excessive lactic acid cause the hair to fall out. I have noticed my hair loss since the beginning of this year and lost agressively for last three months. I have receding hairline but I don’t have much thinning on crown or vertex though I can see my scalp due to excessive hair loss. The specialist showed me the hair affected by DHT to compare with my hair affected by lactic acid. The hairs affected by DHT are encapsulated by DHT and my hairs don’t look like them. She said my hair bulbs are healthy but the acid is eating away the hair. I have never heard of this condition and before I start any kind of treatment I like to have second opinion from you.

SweatHyperhidrosis implies increased sweating and the suggestion that the sweat contains lactic acid which damages the hair makes no sense whatsoever. DHT encapsulating the hair is beyond the science I know, but the storyline might be believable with a good salesman or saleswoman presenting it. Why look to other causes of hair loss if you have genetic hair loss? Not only have you not heard of it, but neither have I… though the Internet does contain references to the concept, so I guess some people are believers. I don’t know that I would trust anyone with that type of sales pitch.

Tags: hyperhidrosis, sweat, hairloss, hair loss, lactic acid

We’re Expanding! Announcing BaldingForum.com

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /
BaldingForum
Announcing our new site, BaldingForum.com

I’m extremely pleased to announce the launch of our new message board — BaldingForum.com! I wrote an introduction message on the new forum, and here’s a slightly edited, abbreviated version of that…

This new forum is an opportunity for BaldingBlog.com visitors to become more involved in the questions and answer process, creating unique insight and a dynamic community. The volume of questions we have been getting each day at the blog has risen tremendously, and it is quite honestly a bit overwhelming at times. Now I’m not complaining about success, but I do genuinely feel bad for not being able to get to every question or even having some people wait for weeks to get a response. This forum should help to alleviate some of those problems, as members can now ask more general questions that other members can answer based on personal experience or even by finding the answer in an existing post on BaldingBlog.

BaldingBlog will continue daily as it has been, and the new forum is just an extension of our brand. There will be some tweaks to the blog here and there, but we’re very open to your critiques and criticisms. Please let us know your thoughts by participating over at BaldingForum.com!

Tags: baldingblog, baldingforum, hairloss, hair loss, forum, message board, hair transplant

Pregnancy and Stress Hair Loss

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

Hi,
I am 4 1/2 months pregnant and just recently noticed a bald spot on the back of my head. I have very thick and curly hair, so it’s not noticeable and I have no idea how long it’s been going on and whether or not it is even related to my pregnancy. I am just concerned because it’s rather large and I am not sure if it will get worse. I know it can be caused by stress as well. I didn’t realize I was this stressed out! If you could help lead me in the right direction as to what the cause may be, I’d greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

Although pregnancy can impact hair growth as more hair goes into the resting phase of hair cycling, the presence of a bald spot probably indicates a cause other than pregnancy related hair loss. I suggest that you see a dermatologist. There is little I can do here through the internet.

Tags: pregnancy, pregnant, hairloss, hair loss, stress, female hair loss

Dog is Losing Hair and Now I’m Itching Like Crazy!

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

I recently fostered a dog from our local animal shelter. The dog had hair loss on its front shoulder, elbow, and belly. I was told that the dog was loosing hair due to stress. After 7 days of being at my home with me and my cat- both of us began itching. The cat was having the same symptoms as the dog- lots of chewing, liking and biting.

My head is itching like crazy – I have tried lice shampoos and scalpacin and a scabbies cream Permethrin from head to toe. After a month and a half my hair has started falling out in large amounts. My cat was taken to a specialist in pet dermatology – she does not have ringworm, scabies, or fleas. she has gone on a special medication – which has lessened her symptoms but not gotten rid of them-and they had no definitive answers. Maybe we are passing something back and forth? But I cant imagine what this could be?

You need to take both of your animals to a vet and yourself to a doctor. Why would you try lice shampoos or scabies medicine without knowing you have lice or scabies? Those shampoos can do more damage than good if you don’t have lice or scabies. You need a good diagnosis before trying something blindly.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, veterinarian, dermatology, lice, scabies

Took Propecia for 9 Years, Stopped for 3 Months

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

I have been on propecia for about 9 years now, and just recently stopped for 3 1/2 months….the question is this….in those 3 1/2 months is it possible that i have lost much of the gain or hair loss stoppage that occured during the 9 years i took it religiously…I plan on getting back on it asap….just want to know if i am being paronoid….how many months would normally be the time to see significant change….and if i’ve lost any in that 3 1/2 months of being off what is the likelihood of getting that hair back…..

Whatever hair you lost in the 3 1/2 months that you stopped Propecia will likely not regrow if you restart the medication. If you start taking Propecia again only time will really tell you. At the least you will slow down further hair loss.

Tags: propecia, finasteride, hair loss, hairloss

Armpit Hair Transplant?

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

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I am almost 30 years old and have NEVER NEVER EVER grown a thick patch of hair under my underarms. I am really insecure about this and would love to know more information about my options for any type of procedure. This is very serious because me over anyalzing it everyday is affecting me. I am married and my wife does not care, but I do. I do not grow facial hair that much either but I am ok with that. I just would love to have a full patch of hair under both my underarms. It would be a dream of mine. Thanks again for reading.

ArmpitAlthough not a procedure we would usually do, hair can absolutely be transplanted to your underarm (armpit) area. If we would use scalp hair for this type of procedure, it will have the characteristics of scalp hair. The good news is that the glands that come with it should not put out much perspiration so lack of deodorant shouldn’t be an issue. Pubic hair would work, but again it is different than scalp hair. I would want to assess your hair characteristics if we meet (as you indicated you are local to my Los Angeles office, this would be good use of your time).

The underarms normally have apocrine glands (producing the odor that drives women crazy). From Wikipedia — “These glands produce sweat that contain organic molecules (lipids and proteins) and pheromones. Mainly present on the face, in the armpits, and around the genital area, their activity is the main cause of sweat odor, due to the bacteria that break down the organic compounds in the sweat.”

You can call 800-NEW-HAIR or fill out our form to be contacted and we’ll setup a free consultation with myself or Dr Pak so the issue you’re having can be examined and a plan for getting your underarms hairier can be made.

Tags: bht, hair transplant, underarm, armpit, axilla, oxter, hair loss, hairloss, hairtransplant, body hair

Making Hairs Resistant to DHT?

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

Hi Doctor,

I’ve read that the hairs on the sides and back are resistant to DHT and that is why they stay on while top and front hairs go. Is there a drug company that is looking into turning those top follicles to behave like the back and side follicles? Also is there an aromatase cream or something where you can locally inhibit DHT?

Thanks.

MPB is not something that you will cause hair loss on the sides and back of your head. For reasons not fully understood the hair around the head is not susceptible to hair loss. I don’t know what various companies are working on at any given time, but I’ll be sure to report on any hair medications as they’re announced.

In my quick research, I found oral aromatase inhibitors like Cytadren, but nothing topical. I do not prescribe aromatase inhibitors, but be careful if you start experimenting, as higher doses of aromatase inhibitors caused hair loss in around 10% of those women studied (se Aromatase Inhibitors for Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women). The study was on women because aromatase inhibitors are anti-estrogen medications, and used to treat breast cancer (although commonly abused by bodybuilders).

Tags: hair loss, hairloss, cancer, dht, aromatase, cytadren

Hair Loss and Vitamin H (Biotin)

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

Note: The following post is courtesy of Dr. Russell Knudsen from Sydney, Australia. It was sent to doctors in an email group I belong to, and reposted here with his permission.

—

ArcticBiotin deficiency (Vit H) was noted to be associated with alopecia in Eskimos who fed entirely on seal livers that were Biotin deficient.

If any of your patients are –

  1. Native Eskimos who live in remote arctic communities
  2. Dieting mostly or entirely on seal livers
  3. Suffering diffuse hair loss associated with both of the above

Then by all means recommend its use (together with silica, Zinc etc). If, however, your patients suffer androgenetic alopecia, and you recommend or supply this, you will have inadvertently become a trichologist…

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, biotin, vitamin h, eskimo, seal, liver, arctic

Minoxidil and DUPA

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

Does a guy with diffuse unpatterned alopecia have the same chance of responding to minoxidil than a guy with male pattern baldness? thank you for your time sir

Since topical minoxidil is not specifically for treating male pattern baldness (it can potentially grow hair anywhere on your body), there is a chance it could work for diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA). There are no firm studies to prove or disprove this theory, though. It is worth a try, but you need to stay on it for a full year of two applications a day to know if it is working.

Tags: dupa, alopecia, minoxidil, hair loss, hairloss. mpb

Removing the Testicles to Manage Hair Loss?

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

I understand that a orchiectomy is an effective, though drastic, way of preventing baldness. I am thinking of having it done. Will the reduction of testosterone result in the loss of facial hair, i.e.- a beard?

Someone asked me a similar question a little over a year ago — here. It is an obviously extreme method of hair loss prevention, but I don’t think that you will find an ethical surgeon to remove your testicles just so you can manage your hair loss and lose your beard. Don’t take what I say here as gospel word for word.

Tags: orchiectomy, testicle, hairloss, hair loss

Is Xandrox 15% Making My Face and Eyes Red?

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

I was wanting to know if Xandrox 15 is causing my side effects. I use it at night. When i wake up I feel fine. My eyes are red however. Within 30 min, after i apply hair gel and wash my face, i get flushed in the face. I use extra gently face wash. I dont know if the high concentration of XANDROX mixes with hair gel and face wash and causes skin flushing most of the day. My face is hot and very senstitive to sunlight. Also have red eyes. Please help

Xandrox 15% contains minoxidil, azelaic acid, ethyl alcohol, glycerin, and phosphoric acid, so perhaps there is an allergy to one of the components in the product. Or it could be the minoxidil itself, since that is known in rare cases to have these types of side effects.

Tags: xandrox, minoxidil, azelaic acid, alchol, glycerin, hairloss, hair loss, side effect

Cement Pollution from Working in Construction Caused My Hair Loss?

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

Hi,

Previously I worked in the cement industry. Due to this I lossed very most of hair, after joining the cement factory due to heavy cement pollution my hair growth was stopped and now it was very less and more scalp. Can u please give me the suggestions, by which i can improve my hair growth more better. Give me what are the medications to be follow for the scalp also.

Thanks in advance

There are many toxins in cement, some of they may cause hair loss. You need to be evaluated by a good doctor to address your questions and concerns. Ask that doctor about the toxins in your system from the previous job.

Tags: cement, hairloss, hair loss, toxin

What Should I Do Once Propecia Stops Retaining My Hair?

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

Hello..i have been on propecia for 7 yrs now and its losing its effectiveness…my hair is shedding more from 10 hairs a day to more than 25+…i have added saw Palmetto to the regime but no success.. my hair line is thinning out badly….should i increase my propecia dosage from 1mg to 1.5mg..will that help the problem..PLEASE HELP!!

Losing 10 hairs a day is normal, and in fact, up to 100 hairs fall out a day normally. I do not believe that saw palmetto grows hair (as you’ve seen first hand) and there are no studies I’m aware of to prove me wrong. Taking more Propecia (finasteride) will not help either (aside from possibly having a negative side effect).

Drugs such as Propecia and Rogaine work, but there will always be limitations. There is no magic cure. If you are continuing to lose hair you may consider a hair transplant procedure for thickening it up, but even that has limitations. Basically, if Propecia isn’t retaining hair as it once did, you’ve got 3 options: hair transplant, minoxidil, and prayer.

The best thing to do is to see a doctor to find out about your options. As you are indicated you’re in Los Angeles, you might pay me a visit (no charge for the consultation) or come to one of our Open House events — the next one is this Saturday (November 1) from noon – 2PM, where I also can evaluate you.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, propecia, finasteride, saw palmetto, minoxidil

Questions About Applying Minoxidil

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

Please tell me a few things about minoxidil.

  1. I realize that minoxidil requires twice daily use to be effective. I am wondering what the minimum amount of time that basic 5% minoxidil must be left on the scalp to be effective? I have no problems with application at night, but it’s too greasy to apply during the day and then go to work. I figure I can apply it, wait “x” amount of time and then shower. Can I do this without losing inoeffectiveness? How long do I need to wait before showering?
  2. Please tell me what percentage of users typically experience the “puffy face” side effect? If I am one of the unfortunates to experience this, will the puffiness go away during the day or is it gonna be there as long as I am on minoxidil? If it goes away during the day, how long does it typically take? Also, please tell me, in either case, will a person eventually become “acclimated” to the product and stop getting this side effect totally – with time?

And last question…if one were to get this side, how bad does/can the puffiness get?

Rogaine

  1. It is best to use minoxidil twice a day. The 5% is stronger than the 2% mixture, with the 5% usually referred to as “extra strength”. The application instructions will be listed on the packaging. If you can not or will not use the oil based minoxidil, use the foam (with its alcohol base it will not be greasy). I’d say to wait around an hour or so after applying it before you shower.
  2. A puffy face may indicate an allergy to the medication and this may be a contraindication. I would try the Rogaine Foam, as the allergy may be some of the other ingredients in the mixture, but if it continues to produce that side effect then I’d stop it, of course. I don’t know what percentage experience facial swelling as a side effect, but I wouldn’t think it is a common occurrence. If the side effect does occur, the degree of swelling is likely different for each person.
Tags: minoxidil, rogaine, hairloss, hair loss, allergy, foam