Propecia is Thinning My Arm Hair

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

Dear Dr. Rassman,

Just a quick note. I’ve been an avid reader of your site for some time now, so, firstly, I’d like to congratulate you on your blog, to thank you for taking the subject of male pattern baldness so seriously and for answering the questions readers have posed over the years so professionally.

I’m 30 years old, I’ve been taking Propecia for 16 months now and while my hairline has continued to mature (which can only be expected), I have found that with the help of Propecia my hair loss has stabilised. However, one side effect that I wasn’t expecting is the thinning of my arm hair! Can I take this as proof that Propecia is indeed blocking DHT (and therefore working)!?

Many thanks in advance

Yes, loss of body hair is a known rare side effect with finasteride. Hair on various parts of the body does seem to be dependent upon the presence of DHT (more in some individuals than others). I wish it had that impact on my body hair also.

I’d say that if your hair loss stabilized that the Propecia is indeed working.

Tags: body hair, propecia, finasteride, dht, hairloss, hair loss

Ear Infection from Minoxidil?

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

Doctor Rassman,

I have used minioxil and got ear infection, so I have stopped using it. Presently, I am only taking finasteride for the last 1 year and my hair loss has stopped. I was thinking of hair growth so could you please suggest any alternative to minioxil. Also, I have contacted a surgeon for hair transplant and he thinks that I do not need it right now as I have sufficient hairs. Please suggest.

I have reported on an association between ear infections and minoxidil in the past — see here. The use of Propecia alone may be enough without minoxidil (I am assuming that you did not use minoxidil very long). With regard to a hair transplant, I would need to see you to determine your candidacy.

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

HairDX and DUPA?

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

Can a hair dx test point out causes for balding in DUPA diffuse unpatterned alopecia patients?

I don’t believe that the HairDX genetic tests can explain the causes for DUPA.

Tags: dupa, diffuse, alopecia, hairdx, hair dx, genetic, hairloss, hair loss

Dr. Farjo Answers More Intercytex Questions

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

Thank you very much for answering our questions and for having this site. Thank you Dr. Farjo for joining. These questions are for Dr. Farjo re: hair multiplication/intercytex study:

  1. Is Intercytex going to phase 3 trials with the procedure they currently have?
  2. Is the current product marketable given the current results, if it does go into phase 3? (It sounds like it is not, but that it created an enterance into another idea that may be marketable)
  3. How long do you think it will be before a marketable product exists?
  4. You mention that further studies are planned. When do you think this new Photo-hair technology will be tested on humans?
  5. Will Intercytex be doing these studies? It sounds like they are waiting for someone else to buy them out. If not Intercytex, who will be doing these studies?
  6. Intercytex has mentioned they have given Bosley the option of purchasing them or parterning. Bosley has their own theory on how to make this work, so why would Bosley buy them? (Speculating of course)
  7. Who else besides Intercytex and Bosley/Aderans seems to be doing hair multiplication testing/research?

Thank you for any or all all answers to the above questions.

The following response is by UK-based physician Dr. Bessam Farjo:


Response by:
Dr Bessam Farjo, United Kingdom
Dr Bessam Farjo
United Kingdom

  1. A decision has not been made yet on timing. One reason is that we are still waiting on the analysis of the global photos concerning the larger of the injected areas. A second reason is the more promising finding of growing hairs out of the multiplied cells in the lab in the mouse, which will hopefully lead to a new clinical trial. Finally there are financial restrictions at the moment due to the global economic situation that is affecting most biotech companies.
  2. See Q1. A product goes into market only after successful phase III.
  3. Due to all what I mentioned it would be foolish of me to predict that with any accuracy.
  4. A clinical trial should take place once the lab studies on human hair produce results reliably and predictably. We’re not at that point yet.
  5. No, that is not the case. They said they are looking for funding from outside the company for this project. Given the funds, Intercytex will continue with these studies.
  6. Bosley has an option to market Intercytex’s product should they succeed ahead of Bosley (or more accurately Aderans). I take this opportunity to confirm that I am neither a director nor a shareholder with Intercytex plc.
  7. I am not aware of anyone else.

You’re very welcome.

—

Learn more about the author of this article, Dr. Bessam Farjo, on his BaldingBlog profile or at his website.

Tags: intercytex, hair cloning, hair multiplication, hairloss, hair loss, farjo

I Think I Had Shock Loss Even Though I’ve Been Taking Finasteride

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

Hello Dr,

Thanks for providing all the information you are providing to hair loss sufferers. I have a question. I had a Transplant a 7 weeks ago(Strip method) on my crown area. I was on (and still on) Finasteride prior to my Transplant. Lately I lost my native hair and I am seeing that I have less hair on my top now compared to hair that I had before the transplant. I learnt that this is because of the shock loss. But I was on finasteride before the HT. So, do you think this is temporary and can expect m native hair back. If so how much time does it take?

ShockI try to educate my patients and readers everyday… and this must be one of the top ten things I want the public to understand.

Taking Propecia (finasteride) does not protect you 100% from experiencing shock loss — it only lowers the risk. If you have shock loss, there’s not much you can do (actually, nothing you can do)… and if it is in miniaturized hairs, it may very well be permanent! Statistics do not matter to those who have shock loss even while on Propecia. This is one of the risks of a hair transplant and you must always balance the benefits of surgery with the risks of surgery.

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

How Much Donor Hair I Have Left After 2 Hair Transplants?

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

Hello Doctor. I’m 30 years old and have had two HT procedures. Approximately 1200 grafts each, to the frontal 3rd hairline/middle front. I’m taking proscar daily and though still noticing some thinning in the middle of my head, I feel I’ve “bought myself some time” until further work is needed. I can’t really tell if the proscar is working great for me, since I can’t tell what I’d look like if I hadn’t used it for the last 5+ years. Realizing that this is a progressive condition, I’m assuming (unless one of the many possible breakthroughs we hear about becomes a reality) I’ll need another procedure at some point. How many grafts can I expect to have remaining in my donor area? In 5-10 years, maybe cloning or another regeneration technique could be available, but for now, I’m wondering how much I’ll have left to give myself. Thank you.

Without examining your donor hair under a microscope and assessing how elastic your scalp is or what your hair density is, it is difficult to tell. This is a question you should ask your doctor. If your hair is not that dense and you have a tight scalp, you may have depleted your donor hair. Or if your hair is dense and you have a very loose scalp, then you may have thousands more grafts that can be moved. It varies from person to person, so it’s not something I can just guess on without an exam. Get the point?

Tags: hair transplant, donor, hairloss, hair loss, density

Can an Infant Have Alopecia?

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

Can a 20 month old child have Alopecia?

This is unlikely. Most children without much hair are just delayed growing their hair. Assuming the the hair is patchy, one would look to your pediatrician for the diagnosis of ringworm, alopecia areata (rare). Complete absence of hair on the head and eyebrows could reflect other types of alopecias, but I do not want to write a book on the subject without knowing more about what your concerns are.

Tags: child, infant, toddler, youth, hairloss, hair loss, alopecia

Scraping Off Minoxidil Residue

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

Hi,

I recently started minoxidil topical (3 months ago) and have considerable dry residue on my scalp. I’ve been using a comb to scrap the residue off before washing with Nizoral. Am I doing any damage to my hair by scraping my scalp with the comb?

I’ve considered trying the foam, but changed my mind because of the bad feedback Ive been reading on the internet.

Thankyou for your help.

A good set of washes should remove all residue from your hair. The foam has alcohol in it and may not leave residue, but I do not have any other suggestions other than trying the foam. I am not sure what bad feedback you are getting over the internet, but if you try it and don’t like it, let it go.

Tags: minoxidil, rogaine, foam, hairloss, hair loss

The Pros and Cons of Hairpieces?

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

Can you tell me some of the pro’s and con’s of hairpieces and weaves?

I’m sorry if this sounds like a cop-out, but I wrote a couple of chapters about this very topic in my new book, Hair Loss and Replacement for Dummies, and really can’t rewrite those chapters here. If you come and visit me, I will give you a copy of the book as I do all visitors to my office… or you can order it online.

Tags: hairpieces, wig, pro, con, hairloss, hair loss

Lowering a Woman’s Hairline by Using Hair Transplants (with Photos)

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

This woman was born with a high hairline, which appears more common in women than in men. These women see it in their early teens and they have few alternatives to surgery. There are two approaches to the surgery:

  1. A hair transplant, which is performed like a typical man’s hair transplant when his hairline rises either by a high maturing hairline or just genetic balding (which almost always starts in the front).
  2. A surgical hairline lowering procedure (like a reverse brow lift) commonly done by plastic surgeons. The advantage of the hairline lowering procedure is that the results are instantaneous and once the swelling has gone away, the hairline is located in its new position. On occasion, a scar forms at the leading edge requiring a limited hair transplant to hide it.

The patient shown below opted for the 1st method (transplant) and had 1432 grafts about 18 months ago. She is quite pleased with the results of a single transplant session (performed by Dr. Jae Pak). Sometimes when a person has very fine dark hair and white skin, a second session is required to obtain the desired results. Click the photos below to enlarge.

After hair transplant of 1432 grafts

 

Before

 

Tags: hair loss, hairloss, hair transplant, surgery, hairline lowering, female hair transplant

Why Isn’t Dr Rassman in the IAHRS?

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

why arent you (Dr Rassman) a member of https://www.iahrs.org/

Is this alliance/organisation credible? The reason i ask is because i am thinking of a Hair transplant and want to find the best surgeon for that. thanks for your time.

I look at IAHRS as a marketing organization for some of the best doctors in the industry. One of the requirements of the IAHRS is that the represented doctors perform only follicular unit transplantation, which I strongly agree with. I had been a member for years and my decision to withdraw was a business decision alone. I fully respect the IAHRS in that they play no industry politics and react with integrity as a consumer advocacy group.

I am fortunate in that I publish BaldingBlog daily, which has become my main means of educating the consumer public. With the many thousands of unique visitors per day, I have achieved my own marketing presence with a substantial educational backbone. In addition, I am able to use my name recognition (at least within the industry) to not necessarily need to pay to be included in every hair organization that will allow me. Most of the original work on follicular unit transplantation and follicular unit extraction (FUE) was pioneered by the New Hair Institute, and you can review my contributions on my CV.

Also, I should point out that some people confuse the IAHRS with the ISHRS, but they are unrelated.

Tags: ishrs, rassman, physician, hair transplant, hairloss, hair loss

In the News – Hair Loss Sufferers Need Emotional Help

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

Snippet from the article:

Experts have called for more understanding of the psychological problems faced by men and women affected by hair loss.

A report commissioned by hair loss supplement company Viscera found that almost a third of people in the UK suffered from hair loss or had experienced it in the past.

While the majority of people were affected by male pattern baldness or hair thinning, around 2% of people suffered from alopecia.

Many of those with hair loss reported no emotional problems, but a “significant minority” of people were found to be at risk of serious psychosocial consequences, including depression, anxiety, lower self-esteem and identity change, according to the report’s author, health psychologist Dr Nigel Hunt.

Read the rest of the article — More support urged over hair loss

Some people take it in stride, and others are genuinely distraught about losing their hair. There’s no right or wrong way to be when you are watching yourself get balder and balder. Emotions can run wild when your self-esteem is feeling low… and that is why I always keep a box of tissue in my office.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, sufferers, study, psychological, emotional

Violent Beating Left Me Missing a Chunk of Hair!

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

I was the victim of a gang beating last week and during the struggle a fist full of hair was ripped from the top of my head! I have thin but very long hair and I’m 30 years old with no history of family baldness but the patch ripped off me is quite bald and very damaged shorter hairs surround the area as well,will my hair regrow on its own? and is there anything that I can do to help the process along any faster? any advice please!!!

BeatingTrauma such as what you describe is unfortunate. Most of the hair should grow back, but it will take time (possibly up to a year), though much of the regrowth should occur in the first 6 months. Unfortunately, there is no process to speed this along.

Tags: beating, hairloss, hair loss, violence, fight, struggle

Do Asians Lose Less Hair Than Caucasians Each Day?

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

I’ve read that Asian hair has less hair loss daily than Caucasians. Is this true and if so how much is lost daily? I’m a 22-year-old Asian adoptee and I’ve always lost high amounts of hair daily for as long as I can remember, sometimes up to a 100-150 on some days. Is this an indication that I’m going bald?

Asians do have less hair than Caucasians, but in general people lose about 100 hairs a day. You are in the normal range. As an Asian, you probably have 80% of the hairs on your head as a Caucasian, so you might draw the conclusion that you would lose 20% less hair each day. If you are worried, the key is to get your hair mapped out for miniaturization and determine if you are in the early stages of genetic male hair loss.

Tags: asian, caucasian, hairloss, hair loss

Using the LaserComb After a Hair Transplant

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

I used the Hairmax Lasercomb for 6 months or so. I expected major new growth but saw nothing to that extent. The only thing the product really did was make my remaining hair appear healthier. Overall i don’t know what to think of the Lasercomb. From what i’ve read it doesnt seem to target DHT or regrow the long lost hair lost due to DHT. “It is only to be believed to promote healthy anagen hair growth” (From hair follicles that have not been damages from DHT im guessing?). So wouldn’t the LaserComb be great for newly transplanted patients?

I’m two weeks post op. My grafts are securely anchored and the transplanted hairs are shedding, would it be safe for me to use the lasercomb and how effective would it be?

I don’t think that the LaserComb would produce any harm to transplanted hairs. I doubt it’ll be “great” for them, but if you’re happy with your hair health on non-transplanted hairs, by all means…

Tags: lasercomb, laser comb, lllt, hair transplant, hairloss, hair loss