Aderans Research Institute’s Presentation from Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa

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

hello dr
what do you think about this video: YouTube

This is Aderans Research Institute’s presentation from Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa (a stem cell conference) about a method of cellular hair regeneration that they’re calling Ji Gami. It was posted a few days ago, but the audio is extremely low and it is difficult to hear, so I’m not going to be able to comment on the actual content of the video. I’m just posting this for those that might have better speakers and some interest in their research.

I’ve embedded the video here:

Tags: aderans, stem cell, ji gami, hairloss, hair loss

I’m Glad I Stayed on Propecia, But I Almost Gave Up on It

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

I just want to say that im approaching 18 months on propecia and I just recently got a hair cut and took some new pictures, and compared to to the old ones, my hair def looks better. it looks thicker and seems to be getting better. I just want to say thanks for all the info you gave me, and give me the advice to stick with it and not discontinue it (which at one point I wanted to give up). Thanks doc, really appreciate all the help.

doctor can some stress cause hair loss? I experienced a stressful week a couple of weeks ago (not an extreme, but just some worrying and anxiety), and kinda worried if it can make hair loss worse, or not. I mean I have experience worse stress before and my hair stayed the same, just want to know want kind of stress really causes hair loss

thanks again doctor. you are the best

I’m glad to hear you’re seeing positive results from the Propecia. Some men want to give up after a few months because it’s not an instant result, but you stuck with it and it paid off for you. And since you’re an actual patient of mine, you should make plans to come see me for a re-evaluation.

Some stress can cause temporary hair loss, but do not judge it on a week or a month basis. I wouldn’t be too concerned about a stressful week. That happens to most of us from time to time.

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

In the News – Mustache Transplants Are Big in the Middle East

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

Snippet from the article:

Thick, handsome mustaches have long been prized by men throughout the Middle East as symbols of masculine virility, wisdom and maturity.

But not all mustaches are created equal, and in recent years, increasing numbers of Middle Eastern men have been going under the knife to attain the perfect specimen.

Turkish plastic surgeon Selahattin Tulunay says the number of mustache implants he performs has boomed in the last few years. He now performs 50-60 of the procedures a month, on patients who hail mostly from the Middle East and travel to Turkey as medical tourists.

He said his patients generally want thick mustaches as they felt they would make them look mature and dignified.

Read the rest at CNN — Mideast men go under knife for manly mustaches

The article was published just in time for Movember.

Tags: mustache, moustache, hair transplant, middle east, facial hair

I’m a Woman Considering a Hair Transplant

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

I am a female in my early twenties and I am considering having a hair transplantation surgery. However, I am not sure which method to choose or if I should even have the surgery done.

When I was young, I had a bad habit of pulling my hair. I also used to tie my hair very tightly, which resulted in receding hairline, very thin or almost bald spots at the front of my head.The increased size of my forehead and the presence of almost bald spots made me insecure and uncomfortable with my looks.

I have a somewhat thick hair even after losing so much hair last year due to stress. I also had very low levels of vitamin D which could have attributed to my recent hair loss. A few months ago, I started taking multi vitamins and high doses of vitamin D. I also started some oil treatments and I noticed some thin hair growing in the front.

Since I was able to detect some natural improvements, I felt like I should continue and see if I can regrow my hair naturally. It would be safer, scar-free, and much cheaper to do it this way. I have seen some encouraging before and after photos on the internet and I know a relative who managed to regrow front hair without surgery.

On the other hand, surgery provides more guaranteed results and allows me to choose the shape of my hairline. I contacted some doctors and I have been told that I should make an appointment before the new year or the prices will rise. I will probably need around 1500 grafts.

In case you think that I should have HT, do you recommend FUT or FUE?

The method of harvesting is not an issue in women who keep reasonably long hair. The cost differential might make a difference if you go the transplant route (FUT/strip will cost less per graft than FUE). Each technique has various pros and cons that we’ve written about before.

People who pull at their hair and see permanent hair loss from it (trichotillomania) must make sure that the problem is stopped before transplanting the area. Most women who pull their hair, will continue to pull their hair, and that causes failure of the transplant process. Are you sure, absolutely sure, that the pulling is over?

Encouraging photos on the internet are one thing, but I really doubt there’s any medication or vitamins that will get hair to regrow at the hairline. If it works for you, that’s a great thing…. but I wouldn’t expect too much.

Tags: hair transplant, hairloss, hair loss, trichotillomania, hairline, female hair loss

I’m 19 and Worried I’ve Got a Mature Hairline (with Photos)

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

Hello.

I am 19 years old and i send this message because i am very afraid that i am really fast balding. But i heard about a mature hairline, and it can be normal for man/boys around my age to get this kind of hairline. Can you please check out the pictures i send and also uploaded and posted in this message. Because i really want to know what you think… A mature hairline or just balding? If it is a mature hairline im reassured because i dont care if i go bald in 10/20 years but not just in my 20’s..

I hope you understood this message because my English is not that great. ( Im Dutch )

Here are the photos (click to enlarge):

 

Your English is just fine, but your photos are unfortunately pretty bad for me to be able to evaluate (the lighting is poor and the images aren’t sharp). From what I can gather from the pictures, your hairline appears to be fine and it is touching the upper crease of your furrowed brow. This would suggest that you have retained your juvenile hairline (better pictures would be needed to confirm this). Mature hairlines do occur at 19 years old, but that would be unusual. There’s no way for me to tell if it’ll go beyond the mature hairline or just stop right there, though.

Tags: hairline, mature hairline, photos

Is There a Way Doctors Can Diagnose If Hair Loss is Permanent or Temporary?

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

I really need your help. I am a 23 year old male before three months noticed hair shedding and falling .before three month face burn ,and appendix treatment. It’s all I can focus on now. two month I noticed the left part of my hair line and crown is now thinner when seen under bright light. I would like to find out if there is a way to diagnose whether or not this is permanent or temporary hair loss. I’ve been to 1 dermatologists who have done nothing but suggest Propecia. I would almost consider flying out for you to take a look. My question is, is there a definite way for you to say whether its permanent or temporary hair loss?

The shed hairs all appear to be very healthy with a white dot on the end. Is there a way to confirm if this is from telogen effluvium or MPB?

There are many tests that will confirm the cause of the hair loss. Generally they would include miniaturization analysis, bulk measurements, pattern identification, and most of all the skill and experience of the physician. This is not rocket science.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss

In the News – Pilot Study on Finasteride Side Effects for Right Handed vs Left Handed Men

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

Snippet from the study abstract:

HandOBJECTIVE:
To investigate the relationships between pharmacologically induced deprivation of dihydrotestosterone, sexual arousal, libido and hand preference, by comparing the self-reported sexual response prior to and during reception of the anti-androgen finasteride in men undergoing treatment for male pattern baldness.

PATIENTS AND METHOD:
In total, 33 sexually healthy Romanian men participated in this study. Patients prospectively provided information regarding their sexual functioning (over 4 weeks), as measured by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) prior to and after commencing treatment with 1 mg finasteride for male pattern baldness.

Read the full abstract — A pilot study on the sexual side effects of finasteride as related to hand preference for men undergoing treatment of male pattern baldness.

The results of this pilot study indicate that there may be a connection between sexual side effects due to a reduction in DHT and handedness.

Tags: finasteride, dht, side effects, hands, hairloss, hair loss

My Hair Loss Starts When I’m Stressed and Reverses When My Stress is Controlled

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

I saw Dr. Bessam Farjo in the UK, and I was told i had stress related hair loss. A test was done and lactic acid damage identified. The hair loss reversed completely when my situation improved, and started again when the stress/paranoia got worse. No med helps long term. I have chronic tinnitus, and associated problems as a result.. so thats the reason for it all.

BTW took finasteride 5 mg/day, and now I have penile fibrosis/curvature. Any Ideas? hair on last legs. Thanks.

I’m not sure what you’re asking me, exactly. You saw a good doctor in your area that told you how your loss was related to stress. So you’ve already identified that stress causes your hair loss, and controlling the stress causes the hair to regrow.

As for you taking 5mg of finasteride per day, I don’t know why you’d be taking that much unless you have prostate issues. That’s 5 times the dose for treating hair loss — and if your loss is indeed from stress, you probably didn’t need finasteride at all. Did you talk to your prescribing doctor about this? Did you diagnose this penile fibrosis yourself?

There’s so much I don’t know about your case. For example, I don’t know how long you took the medication, why you took the medication, your age, your medical history, any possible disease (example – Peyronie’s disease), etc, etc. So no… unfortunately, I don’t have any ideas I can offer.

Tags: finasteride, penile fibrosis, stress, hairloss, hair loss

How Fast Do Transplanted Hairs Shed?

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

I am 2.5 weeks post-op, and already seem to be shedding transplanted hairs in the recipient area. This seems quick to me. Are transplanted hairs shed quicker if there is no or minimal crusting post-op ?

Transplanted hairs shed in 19 out of 20 patients and they usually start shedding at 10 days or so, unless the crusts remain (which will hold onto the hair inside the crusting). I prefer having no crusts, as these grafts are more secure in their recipient sites.

One patient out of 20 will grow out their hair without shedding the transplant hair (no dormant phase), and these remarkable patients have 2 inch long hairs at 4 months post-procedure… and great joy from beating the odds

Tags: hair transplant, hairloss, hair loss, shedding

Can You Control the Transplanted Hair Rotation?

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

Hi and thanks for your website. My question is pretty straight forward. When transplanting hair, I can see how you can control the direction, but can you control the rotation? If your hair has a slight curve, it is possible the hair will curve in the opposite direction to the existing hair.

Yes, hair rotation can be controlled and it should be controlled in most experienced hands. It is particularly important for the eyebrow, for example, where you want the hair to lie down against the forehead, not stick up all pointy. All of my staff have been trained to place the rotation in a consistent manner that strategically fits with the plan.

Tags: hair rotation, hair transplant

Does Meat and Milk Accelerate Hair Loss Because of the Added Hormones?

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

Does eating red meat, chicken, pork, and milk accelerate hair loss? The reason I ask this, so many hormones are added into these products now-a-days and I wanted to know if it would increase testosterone levels and cause hair loss.

Thanks

There is no evidence that hormones from meat and milk will impact your hair loss.

Tags: hormones, meat, chicken, pork, beef, milk, hairloss, hair loss

Could PRP Be Used for Hair Loss Prevention?

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

What is the evidence for PRP and hair loss prevention and/or hair regrowth? Is there any evidence that it works along the frontal hairline? What are the biggest risks associated with this procedure? For those that couldn’t tolerate Propecia, is this a viable option? Thank you in advance for your assistance.

PRP means platelet rich plasma, and this is obtained by putting some of your blood in a tube, then spinning it down so that the plasma segment from the mix allows the red blood cells to fall to the bottom of the blood tube. The plasma is on the top of the tube and it is drawn off and then used by doctors to re-inject into your body. Some doctors use this plasma injection during the transplant process. Some doctors use it without transplants, as you suggested here, which is then injected into the balding area.

Some doctors claim that the injection of plasma into the bald skin will reverse balding or slow it down, but there is absolutely no proof that there is any benefit of the process. There is one benefit to the surgeon, though — the professional fee he pockets from performing this technique.

My advice to you is to stick to treatments that work and do not volunteer your body to unproven experimentation. If you can’t tolerate finasteride (Propecia), work this out with your doctor.

Tags: prp, platelet rich plasma, plasma, hairloss, hair loss

Living Proof Shampoo?

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

Have you heard of a shampoo, condtioner, cream and spray system called “Living Proof?”. There was an article in the NY Times which mentioned a scientist at MIT who was involved in its development.

It claims to work very well in increasing hair volume.

I did find an article in the Wall Street Journal about the company signing on actress Jennifer Aniston as their spokesperson (and as an investor), but I’m not otherwise familiar with their product line.

The MIT credentials sound nice, and perhaps their products may work for conditioning or volumizing hair. The hair styling products market is huge, so I can understand the need for a celebrity endorsement to stand out from the rest. I wouldn’t suggest this is the answer to thinning hair, though (nor does it seem that they’re claiming these products are hair loss treatments).

Tags: living proof, shampoo, conditioner, hair products

Propecia Before, During, and After a Hair Transplant?

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

Can you take propecia before, during, and after a hair transplant?

Thanks

Short answer — yes.

Many men take Propecia (finasteride 1mg) before a hair transplant to limit the shock loss potential that can otherwise be seen following the procedure, then continue the medication afterwards to maintain their non-transplanted hair.

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

Could Flixotide for My Asthma Accelerate Hair Loss?

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

Hello,

I’m using flixotide 100mcg 2 times a day. Flixotide contains corticosteroid that works against inflammation for my asthma. Because it is a steroid, could it accelerate androgenetica alopecia? I can’t find good answers about this subject.

Hopefully you can help me. Cheers.

Chronic use of steroids can negatively impact hair loss, but I don’t see anything in the literature that shows hair loss as a side effect of Flixotide (fluticasone). There is little I can offer here.

Tags: flixotide, fluticasone, hairloss, hair loss, asthma