In the News – A Drug for White Hair?

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

A new alternative to hair dye is said to be in the very early research stage. From the article:

These pigments restored the hair to its original colour, from the white or grey it had become. This took place no matter what the hair colour was to begin with.

The drug, known only as K(D)PT, increased pigmentation when it was applied to hairs gleaned from women undergoing facelifts. However, it was effective only when the strands had been pre-treated to mimic the damage found in conditions that cause hair loss, including some forms of alopecia. In such conditions, hair that grows back is often white.

Full article at UK’s Daily Mail: No, it’s not a pigment of your imagination: Breakthrough drug can restore white hair to its original colour

This is an interesting news release. If you’re coloring your hair, you’re not going to be able to put the dye away just yet, but we’ll see what comes of this in the future.

Tags: white hair, pigment, hair dye, coloring, dye, grey, white hair

Can You Die from Minoxidil?

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

Has there been any documented cases of adverse reactions OR death from minoxidil?

Seriously… minoxidil can cause hypertension / irregular heartbeat / chestpain and all that… I’m sure someone with a bad heart could have some adverse reactions to topical Minoxidil seeing as a little gets absorbed systematically. Cardiac Arrest a possibility?

And I don’t have a doctor or medical insurance so please don’t ask me to see him, I’m just asking if there are any known cases or for your educated opinion, thank you!!

Minoxidil does not cause hypertension (it was originally an oral anti-hypertension drug), but it can cause the other symptoms you discussed. I guess you can die from things like an arrhythmia if you dropped your blood pressure precipitously, or if you have an anaphylactic type reaction to the drug, though usually there are warnings.

Tags: minoxidil, death, hairloss, hair loss, heart, cardiac

In the News – The Origin of Hair?

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

Snippet from the article at Wired.com —

ReptileThe leading theory on the origin of hair has been challenged by findings suggesting that mammalian locks originated in reptilian claws.

A genetic analysis of lizards and chickens — those feathery descendants of reptiles — uncovered genes that code for keratin, a hard protein whose derivatives form hair.

Interesting theory! Read the full article here: Origin of Hair Theory Gets Roots Retouched.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, hair, origin, history, reptile, wired, lizard

Is HairDX Accurate?

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

Thank you for your website.

What do you think about the genetic test for the male pattern baldness? Do you think it is accurate?

It will identify the genes that it is looking for, nothing more. Genetic tests are accurate assuming that they are done properly and the genes have been isolated for the test. I’d expect it to be accurate, yes, though I haven’t run any independent tests.

Tags: hairdx, genetic, gene, test, hairloss, hair loss, mpb

Goodbye Wig! A Hair Transplant Repair Case (with Photos)

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

This patient came in last week, a few years after having 709 grafts taken from a very depleted donor area. Half of the grafts contained just one hair. Getting those 709 grafts was a challenge, as his scalp was tight and the donor area heavily scarred. Because of the anticipated poor yield, I elected to spread the grafts over an inch from the plugs (forward) creating a loosely built thin hairline. When he allows his hair to stand up rather than pull it back as shown here, the results are even more spectacular. This patient gave up his wig and is thrilled with his result. We will try to do another procedure with up to 700 grafts in the recipient area to thicken it, but that will be even more of a challenge because the scarring is very bad and the density of the donor area is very low and he knows it.

Many of what I will call the “normal transplant patients” we perform surgery on today who have not had the old type of plugs, may look at pictures like those shown here and get very frightened. I understand the fear that gets invoked by these patients, but some of my most satisfied patients are those who walked around for years and found that people never looked into their eyes, only to their hairline. This man is an example of a patient where just a small change had a major impact on his life, allowing him freedom from a wig he despised to cover a pluggy look he hated.

Click the photos below to enlarge.

Before:

 

After:

 

Tags: hairtransplant, hair transplant, hairline, repair, photos, hairloss, hair loss

Soy and Propecia

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

I came across this web site that says soy and saw palmetto can interact with finasteride. I am wondering if they can potentially exacerbate side effects, as I experienced side effects b/c of Propecia and I was on both of those (and still am on soy).

Also, I’ve heard quercetin, which is found in citrus fruits, broccoli, green tea, red onions, red grapes, etc. utilizes the same enzyme that metabolizes Propecia, thereby increasing serum levels of the drug and leading to potentially more side effects. I also started green tea when I started Propecia. What do you make of this?

Much of what you are talking about reflects unsubstantiated claims. There have been mentions about soy isoflavones interfering with some medications, but I don’t believe that the connections you referenced are one to one with regard to the side effects. The mechanism of action of saw palmetto is not clearly defined but there is probably an impact on reducing some of the effects of DHT according to at least one reference I read. You can experiment on your own by stopping the soy and seeing if there is any difference (I am assuming that you are experiencing side effects).

Your logic may be flawed with regard to quercetin competing with 5AR. The human body knows how to regulate the byproducts of metabolism and can increase the amount of 5AR if it’s feedback suggested a shortage of it. I am afraid that you are oversimplifying the biochemistry here.

Tags: soy, green tea, tea, hairloss, hair loss, quercetin, finasteride, propecia

Schwarzkopf ACTIV M

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

My hair is falling out and I’m only 16, my mam and my cousins tell me I’m just getting paranoid and I’m not loosing my hair but the sides of my forehead have thinned A LOT and it’s moving back, I dye my hair about every 3 to 4 months I think that may be why I think I’m going to stop dying it. Every time I seem to scratch my head hair comes out. I was thinking of using some products but I’m scared if I use them my hair will fall out even more!! I was wondering if I can go to my normal doctor to ask about hair products?

And while I’m at it I’d just like to ask if you would know if this product looks as if it would work or just make it worse: “Schwarzkopf Active M Hair Retention Care System Tonic For Men”

A good doctor should be able to help you understand what it is that is happening on your head. There are so, so, so many products out there that claim to be beneficial for your hair loss treatment, so don’t be shocked if some doctors don’t know of the products you ask about. For example, I wasn’t aware of that Schwarzkopf product you mentioned, but I used Google to find the list of ingredients here. However, I’m not seeing anything in that list that would help retain your hair, so I’m not sure what it is that they’re selling you. Each doctor should at least know of the FDA approved hair loss medications — minoxidil and finasteride.

I think that it is best to find out if you have a problem at all before putting tonics on your head without a diagnosis.

Tags: schwarzkopf, activ m, hairloss, hair loss, tonic, doctor

Difference Between Telogen Effluvium and Diffuse Alopecia?

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

(female) I am very interested to read about a woman on here who had been diagnosed with diffuse alopecia from taking the yasmin birth control pill-I am experiencing the same sort of situation having lost 30/40% of the bulk of my hair during the two yrs I was acutally on yasmin, now, nearly 6 months after quitting the pill I have lost around 65% of the bulk of my hair, the hair loss worsening since stopping.

I would be so grateful if you could clarify-what is the difference between diffuse alopecia and TE? It has been nearly 6 months since the hair on the top of my head has fallen, leaving my scalp very visible under any sort of light-is there frequently this sort of delay in hair regrowth if the problem is TE? I notice in the reply that you comment if all other things have been tested and considered (for me, they have) then you ‘may’ see regrowth within 2-6 months…

Thanks in advance for your response.

Diffuse alopecia means a “uniform hair loss”. The term does not point to a cause. Telogen effluvium refers to a temporary loss of hair that is uniformly lost as it goes into the telogen phase of its hair cycle. Please read the below references, as they discuss the various causes for TE:

Tags: alopecia, hairloss, hair loss, telogen effluvium

Do Doctors Find Out Results of Clinical Studies Before the General Public?

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

hello Doctor,

I would like to know whether doctors like you are informed about phase 3 results in advance to us, ‘normal’ balding guys? For example about this study: Dutasteride Korean study

I dont ask you about results of this study, I realize you would not tell them, but just about your level of information compared to us. Thanks, your site is very informative, regards from Paris!

When the results of the study are released, we all be able to get them at the same time. Occasionally, there are doctors who have some inside track and can get the results before the rest of us, but I am just like you without any unique connection. As soon as I learn about the results, I’ll be sure to post them here!

Tags: fda, clinical trial, hair loss, hairloss, dutasteride

Propecia Contains Lactose

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

Hello Doctor, I am lactose intolerant and was about to start taking Propecia when I noticed that it has lactase as an inactive ingredient. And that Merck cant recommend it if you are allergic to “anything” in the drug.

From my understanding, a lot of drugs seem to use lactose monohydrate as a “filler”…but I am trying to evaluate how big a deal it could be. I obviously still eat dairy in every day life (I just take Lactaid with it)…if I dont it gives me stomach aches, but its not like a gluton alergy where you cannot have any period.

In either case, I have not found to many articles about people having serious problems with this, and with the very high numbers of people that are lactose intolerant, it seems like it wouldnt be an issue (especially since it is just an enzyme deficiency). Its easy to say “your alergic to something” so we cant recommend it…but this is basically my only option, and I dont want to just write it off…what do you suggest?

I would (under a doctor’s guidance) give the drug a reasonable course and see if you have GI problems caused by the medication. I’ve got plenty of patients with lactose issues that haven’t reported any problems from the daily Propecia, but I suppose it can depend on how sensitive you are to it.

Tags: lactose, lactase, hairloss, hair loss, finasteride, propecia

Can Propecia Help My Temples?

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

I’m 23 years old now and been on Propecia for 1 year. I been a NW2 since 17 but a year ago I started to have mild thinning around the hairline like an inch in. It took about this whole year but now I’m back on a solid NW2 and it seems to be getting thicker. I know Propecia can work for many years heck there is men on it for 10 years and still fine but my question is…since the temples are very dht sensitive, can Propecica help those too for many years? I wish to remain on a solid NW2 for years to come but I’m afraid that won’t be the case Also I have a weak MPB family history btw so I guess that can help me.

Finasteride will help slow down hair loss throughout the scalp. I do not believe that it works any less in the temples when it is taken before the hair loss is evident. You need to see a doctor and get your problem managed professionally.

Tags: finasteride, propecia, temples, hairloss, hair loss

Kaminomoto Hair Tonic

/by William Rassman, M.D./5 /,

i have been using kaminomoto hair tonic. i want to know if this is rite product for my hair and i want to use proscar finasteride 5mg. will there be some side affects or not because i hear that there is serious side affects by using proscar finasteride 5mg. pls i want good advice

KaminomotoI hadn’t heard of this tonic in some time (the name sounds like something I saw for sale decades ago), but I did some quick research and found the ingredients are listed as, “alcohol denat, water, rosemary extract, capsicum frutescens, glycerine, menthol, sophora radix (kujin extract), allantoin, panthenol, pyridoxine HCl, isodonis japonicus (enmeiso extract), glycyrrhetinic acid (kanzo extract), hinokitiol (hinoki extract), neo-takanal, fragrances”.

So in other words, it contains nothing that will help with treating your hair loss. Is it the right product for you? Well, if you’re using it to regrow your hair or halt your hair loss, then no, I think it is not the right product. If you’re using it to line the pockets of the vendors and makers of this tonic, then yes, you’re on the right track.

I’ve written many, many times about potential side effects from finasteride. You shouldn’t be taking 5mg for hair loss anyway — the 1mg will do just fine. You do run a greater risk of side effects with the higher 5mg dosage anyway. My advice is to see a physician rather than treating yourself with hocus pocus tonics that will likely not help.

Tags: kaminomoto, hair tonic, tonic, hairloss, hair loss, finasteride, proscar

Is Actor Brendan Fraser Balding?

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

Hi Doc. Got a quick celebrity question. I’ve heard that brendan fraser is loosing his hair. I’ve seen a lot of photos and to me it does look like his hair line is thinning. Here is a link to some recent photos at the premier for the new mummy.

Photos at Brendan Fraser Film Consortium

Brendan FraserThere does appear to be considerable thinning behind the frontal hairline from these pictures. The change shown here could be do to the use of concealers, or a treatment period on Propecia or minoxidil (it would be a great result from the medications and I have seen this on occasion, although rare). It could even be a hair weave which has the fullness of body, or it could be a series of hair transplants doing this.

I absolutely think that the after picture with good hair shows his handsome facial characteristics which are blunted by the thinning look of the before photo, making him look almost sickly in appearance. The after picture shows the “sex appeal”, while the before picture probably will not be driving the girls crazy.

Tags: brendan fraser, balding, hairloss, hair loss, actor, celebrity

Can Just One Accutane Pill Cause Hair Loss?

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

I was prescribed Accutane for my acne, but I only took one pill before deciding that it wasn’t the course I wanted to take after all. I’m scared that that one pill could have led to my thinning hair. I’ve read stuff that even one dose of finasteride binds to 5AR2 enzymes and the half life to unbind is 30 days! So I’m thinking there’s some similar mechanism in Accutane i.e. just one pill can affect more than just one day…

Simply put — the answer to your question is “no”. While the mechanism of action for Accutane (isotretinoin) is not known, it is thought to reduce the secretion of sebum. I highly doubt it has any association with the mechanism of action of Propecia (finasteride). Plus, I would doubt that it would cause damage to your hair after taking just one pill (it is not cyanide).

Discuss your concerns with the doctor who prescribed you the medication. Your hair loss is most likely independent of Accutane and you may even benefit from that medication if it was prescribed to you be your physician. It isn’t a guarantee that everyone taking Accutane will see hair loss. Each person reacts to medication differently.

Tags: accutane, isotretinoin, acne, hairloss, hair loss

Negative Impacts on Hair Growth?

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

Do the following NEGATIVELY impact hair growth?

  1. alcohol use – In excess, yes.
  2. marijuana use – Possibly.
  3. tobacco use – Possibly.
  4. high salt diet – I would doubt it.
  5. diet high in preservatives – I don’t know.
  6. high fat diets, red meat – I doubt it, but there are unsubstantiated claims that blame red meat.
  7. use of dietary supplements like multivitamins – No.
  8. over intake of certain vitamins – Yes.
Tags: hairloss, hair loss, diet, tobacco, alcohol, negative, vitamin