WRassman,M.D. BaldingBlog
    • Menu

    I Had Multiple Hair Transplants and the Hair Fell Out After 5 Years

    Jan 31, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /Hair Transplantation

    Had my first transplant (flap rotation) at age 19 in 1985 (big mistake). Continued to bald behind flap and put up with stares from strangers until 2005 when had 3000 fue put in front and behind flap. Grew out well, no stares, felt pretty normal, life was great.

    Problem April 2010, nearly all 3000 fue fell out after 5 years of growing, all in about a 6 month period. Back to being stared at. September 2010 had another 3000 fue (2000 scalp 1000 beard) put in front and behind flap by same reputable FUE surgeon. Grew out well again, but now starting to fall out and started getting stared at again.

    Had blood work done but all clear for thyroid, lupus, iron etc. Have used 2.5mg Proscar for many years and not changed regime. Not on any medications known to cause hair loss. Getting very desperate as no donor left for more transplants. Any ideas on what could be going on ? Any advice much appreciated. Thanks.

    There is clearly something going on and you need to address your issues with your surgeon.

    I sound like I’m a broken record, but body hair / beard hair does not follow the same growth cycle as scalp hair and it is not considered the standard in hair transplant surgery. I have seen many failures of body hair transplant patients performed by doctors all over the world.

    Some surgeons use grafts from outside of the donor area, and FUE grafts taken from the non-permanent areas can fall out, as this may be genetically triggered and accelerated. For clarity, the permanent zone is 2 1/2 inches high and can be measured above the notch on the back of the skull and around the sides of the head.

    Tags: hair transplant, fue, failure, hairloss, hair loss

    How Bald Should Someone Be Before Stopping Toppik?

    Jan 31, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /Hair Products

    Hi Doc,

    Just wanted to know at what norwood class one should stop using a product like Toppik. I am a class 6 and have noticed that I need to put quite a lot of toppik on my head and it really just looks like a coating of coal dust! Does my hair have to be longer for it to look better? Or do you think I’m putting on too much!

    I don’t know if you’re using too much or too little Toppik. I think the answer is really simple — just look at yourself in the mirror or ask someone if it looks too fake or if it looks normal. I really don’t know what to tell you beyond that, as there’s no way for me to tell based on an email if it looks like a “coating of coal dust” or if it blends well enough to be an effective camouflaging product.

    Many early Norwood class 6 and 7 use Toppik with great results. The length of hair and hair loss matters, but it is on case by case basis.

    Tags: toppik, hairloss, hair loss

    Could Stress Cause a Bald Spot on the Side of My Head?

    Jan 31, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /Hair Loss Causes

    I am a 45 year old male and have had a bald spot on the right hand side of my head for about 4 weeks. There is no itching or discomfort, and its about the size of a 50p piece. I am a smoker and probably drink more than I should, my job is also quite stressful.

    could you give me any advice please? thanks.

    I cannot diagnose a bald spot without seeing you. In addition to stress, there could be many causes, such as a fungal infection, alopecia areata, etc…

    I recommend that you see a dermatologist to diagnose the scalp condition you have.

    Tags: hairloss, hair loss, bald spot

    Dutasteride Has Been an Approved Hair Loss Treatment in Australia Since 2011?

    Jan 30, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./2 /Drugs

    Results of dutasteride trials have been nothing less than impressive, particulary the study conducted by Olsen et al (2006) indicating that dutasteride at both 0.5mg and 2.5 mg/day generated a superior hair count to finasteride 5mg at 12 and 24 weeks. Anecdotal evidence has also suggested that dutasteride is an optimal hair loss treatment; www.twinhairloss.com is exemplary of its efficacy, in addition, the many thousands that are using it for hair loss purposes. I have also been in correspondence with one of the twins in this study. He has been on a daily dutasteride dose of 0.5mg since day one and the results are astounding.

    Additionally, dutasteride has now been approved in Australia as a hair loss treatment since mid 2011. Despite not being FDA approved, is the current literature and anecdotal evidence still not enough to substantiate that dutasteride is a superior treatment to finasteride?

    Thank you.

    I haven’t heard of such dutasteride approval in Australia as a hair loss treatment. I can only find a public assessment report from Australia’s drug regulatory agency (Therapeutic Goods Administration) dating to January 2011 about the drug being approved for treating BPH, which is what the US FDA also has approved it for. Do you have a link handy so I can read more about the approval since mid 2011?

    There is evidence that dutasteride is superior to finasteride for treating hair loss, but there are probably more complications, such as loss of libido, with dutasteride. And more importantly, the subject of sterility is still an open issue as far as I am concerned.

    I generally prefer my patients to try finasteride first, and if it fails to achieve the desired goals and the patient is aware of the risks discussed above, then I have written prescriptions for dutasteride after I’ve developed a relationship with my patient. It is on a case by case basis, though.

    Tags: dutasteride, finasteride, avodart, propecia, hairloss, hair loss

    My Trichologist Said My Greasy Scalp, Itchiness, and MPB Are Connected

    Jan 30, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /Hair Loss Causes

    Greasy scalp/itch and MPB. Are these all connected?

    I went to see a trichologist recently who told me that she could see plenty of miniaturised hairs at my crown. She also commented on how greasy my scalp was and said that this was linked with my hair thinning and the itchiness which i’d reported was probably also to do with this grease.

    Can you confirm if this is true? My hair is itching/greasier again this week and I notice that I do have more hair fall when it gets like this.

    Male pattern balding is a genetic trait. Greasy scalp is just a greasy scalp (unless there is a genetic cause of excess sebum production from the hair follicles of the scalp). People who have a full head of hair can have a greasy scalp. Same goes for an itchy scalp. There can be numerous reasons for this, such as dryness, dandruff, hair products, lice, poor hygiene, etc.

    I do not believe genetic hair loss, greasy scalp, and itchy scalp are connected. In my opinion, it is a old wives’ tale. If you’re scratching your head and pulling your hair out because of it, that might explain the thinning. Otherwise, I don’t know of a proven correlation.

    Tags: hairloss, hair loss, greasy scalp, itch

    In the News – Men Who Bald by 40 Years Old Are More Likely To Get Prostate Cancer

    Jan 30, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /Diseases

    Snippet from the article:

    Men who go bald by the time they reach 40 may be at increased of getting prostate cancer at an early age, according to new research.

    Scientists who studied hair loss patterns in nearly 10,000 men found those who experienced receding hair lines early in life were more likely to suffer a tumour later on. The findings, by a team of researchers in Australia, support earlier studies suggesting baldness could be linked with prostate cancer.

    The reasons why are not clear but previous studies indicate it may be due to higher levels of testosterone, the hormone which can trigger the development of cancerous cells but also inhibit hair growth. In baldness, it’s thought high testosterone levels have an adverse affect on the hair follicles, acting on a hormone receptor to slow down hair production.

    Read the rest — Men who go bald by the age of 40 are more likely to get prostate cancer

    There are relationships between crown balding and coronary artery disease that have been reported as well.

    Tags: hair loss, hairloss, balding, prostate cancer

    My Hair Transplant Looked Great at 5 Months, Not As Great at 8 Months Post-Operative

    Jan 29, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /Hair Transplantation, Post-Operative

    My question is regarding post operative transplant shedding. For a little background, I’m a 26 year old male on Propecia for 2 years and exactly 8 months out of a 2000 graft hair transplant all in the frontal part of the scalp. At 5 months, my results were excellent, a very dense, even result with a natural looking appearance and texture. Since that time, however, I have noticed an increased thinning in my hairline; leaving a more see-through appearance. This has been coupled with a more “pluggy” texture. Furthermore, at 6 months, I noticed an increase in shedding but it has slowed down in the last 6 weeks.

    My 8 month result is still great but there’s a visible difference in the last three months. Is this merely a part of the natural process for some patients and can’t be judge too quickly in my first year growth? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Also, let me know if you need extra information to answer my question.

    Why don’t you follow up with your doctor with these issues? A pluggy texture is not good. Thinning may be related to continued (normal) genetic hair loss that may have happened without surgery. Shock loss is generally seen in the first month or two after the surgery.

    In general, results of a hair transplant surgery can be seen in as early as the 2nd month all the way up to 12 months. Most see results in about 6-8 months. I couldn’t tell you why your results looked better at 5 months than they do at 8 months, though.

    Tags: hair transplant, post-operative, hairloss, hair loss

    What Would Be Suggested Treatment for a 58 Year Old Man with Crown Loss?

    Jan 29, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /Age, Hair Loss Causes

    I am a 58 year old male who is generally in good health. I do have controlled blood pressure, on 5 mg of Bystolic, and type 2 diabetes, controlled on metformin, and I also take 10 mg of Crestor for lipid control.

    My hair loss problem started around 20 years ago but now it is at the point where the hair loss is just past the crown on the top of my head. I have a thick head of hair on the sides and back but just scraggly hairs on top. What treatment options would you suggest to try and either grown some hair on top of my head or keep what I have now. I have looked at Minoxidil, Rogaine to name a couple but never actually used anything. I asked my personal doctor but since he is bald as well did not have any suggestions.

    I would appreciate any help you could offer.

    Thanks.

    There is not much I can suggest based on a few lines of description alone. Many men have hair transplants for crown loss with good results, but each patient is different. You need an examination, discussion with a doctor addressing your goals, and a meeting of the minds addressing expectations and limitations.

    Rogaine and minoxidil are the same medication, available over the counter. I don’t know of any interactions between minoxidil and the medications you listed, but talk to your doctor before adding any medication to your routine. Bald or not, your doctor should be able to tell you more since he knows your medical history.

    Tags: hairloss, hair loss, crown

    Protein Shakes and Hair Loss

    Jan 29, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./2 /Other

    With all of the questions being asked about protein shakes, are there any that you would recommend? Is there any kind of “regular” whey out there. I try to take protein shakes everyday, but I don’t want them is they have steroids in them. I don’t want them if they are similar to steroids. Regular protein is supposed to by good for the hair not hell on the hair.

    While I don’t endorse any particular protein shake, I don’t know that they’ve been proven to make hair fall out. Your genetic predisposition makes your hair fall out. Protein shakes are not anabolic steroids.

    Tags: protein shakes, hairloss, hair loss

    I’m 25 Years Old and Wondering If My Hairline Matured? (with Photos)

    Jan 28, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /Hairlines, Photos

    Hello,

    I’m 25 years old. Writing to determine if this appears to be MPB or a maturing hairline. Pictures with green walls are current.

    I have also attached an image from April 2012, 2009 (black button down shirt) & 2005 (light blue shirt) in an attempt to show if there is or is not any progression since juvenile hair line.

    My haircut is now more razor edged, not sure if this is contributing to my concerns. I believe I’m in pretty good shape hair line wise at 25, but will further pursue this if you feel MPB could be the case.

    If you would like me to take clearer pictures for the use on the website let me know. I realize it is hard to tell without properly examining, any advice is appreciated.

    Thank you

    Click the photos to enlarge:

     

    The photos are a little blurry, but it appears that your hairline is just maturing. I didn’t post the photos from 2005 or 2009, because they were way too small for the site… but from 2005 to 2009, there did appear to be some hairline maturation. And now in 2013, your hairline appears to have continued to mature. If it is just maturation, that is normal.

    There’s no way for me to know just by the photos if your hair is miniaturizing elsewhere on your scalp, though. You would need to have an in-person examination to determine that. But overall, your hairline appears strong and based on the photos (see above), I don’t see a concern.

    Tags: hairline, hairloss, hair loss

    Besides Telogen Effluvium and MPB, What Else Can Cause Miniaturization of Hair?

    Jan 28, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /Hair Loss Causes

    I know what mpb and TE and CTE is but can there be other involvement with miniaturization of a follicle? Like toxins, emotional stress for a long period, extreme lack of nutrition etc.

    Add to your list: aging (senile alopecia), a deficiency of various vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, beta-carotene, biotin, vitamin C, calcium, vitamin D, inositol, iodine, iron, magnesium, niacin, pantothenic acid, selenium, zinc), and a series of many autoimmune diseases.

    The list goes on and on.

    Tags: hairloss, hair loss, vitamins, aging, disease

    Not Hair Loss News – Science Working to Build Body Organs

    Jan 28, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /Other

    Snippet from the article:

    Andemariam Beyene sat by the hospital window, the low Arctic sun on his face, and talked about the time he thought he would die.

    Two and a half years ago doctors in Iceland, where Mr. Beyene was studying to be an engineer, discovered a golf-ball-size tumor growing into his windpipe. Despite surgery and radiation, it kept growing. In the spring of 2011, when Mr. Beyene came to Sweden to see another doctor, he was practically out of options. “I was almost dead,” he said. “There was suffering. A lot of suffering.”

    But the doctor, Paolo Macchiarini, at the Karolinska Institute here, had a radical idea. He wanted to make Mr. Beyene a new windpipe, out of plastic and his own cells.

    Read the rest — A First: Organs Tailor-Made With Body’s Own Cells

    I found this article and was blown away with excitement, so my first instinct was to share this with our readers. Imagine building organs with the help of the body’s own tools. That was done here and saved a life. One day, this will become common, for this I have little doubt.

    Tags: cells, science, organs

    My Doctor Did a Pull Test and Said I Didn’t Have TE or MPB, But I Can See My Crown Shedding!

    Jan 25, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /Hair Loss Causes

    Hello,
    I am wondering if I am beginning to undergo male pattern baldness. I am 29 years old and have never noticed any hair loss until recently. I have been shedding like crazy, and can see my scalp, mainly around the top of my head where the hair “swirls” around my part.

    I saw a dermatologist and he said he didn’t think it was male pattern baldness (there is no significant recession around the front of my hairline…I have been looking at old pictures and feel like there has maybe been a minimal amount in the past year…hard to really say for sure). He did a pull test and said it was not telogen effluvium, unless it was the earliest stages. The increased shedding started a little over a week ago. I’m kind of depressed over this.

    I have noticed that some of the hair that has come out is of the finer variety and I feel like my head as a whole has finer hair than it did say a year ago, but once again since I don’t have any hair samples from then to compare it to, I can’t say for sure. The hair around the swirl has taken on a more light colored tone than that on the rest of my head. I can send pictures if you would like.

    A photo alone is not likely going to help me determine what your hair loss is, especially after a doctor you saw in person stated you likely do not have genetic balding. You are more than welcome to send us a photo for all the readers to comment, or visit our BaldingForum.com site and post photos there. You could also just get a second opinion from another local doctor.

    Otherwise you can make an appointment to see me at my office in Los Angeles for an in-person, private consultation. At that consultation, I will look for miniaturization on your scalp hair and I will perform bulk analysis of your hair in various parts of your scalp.

    When the thinning that precedes balding occurs, the bulk of the hair in the impacted area has hairs that are thinner than the hair from the back and sides of the head. The pattern of this thinning hair is measurable and that will point to the diagnosis of male pattern baldness. You need to have these tests, and have them done in the hands of an expert hair doctor.

    Tags: balding, hairloss, hair loss, crown

    Patients That Opt for a Transplant That Still Shows Hairline Recession?

    Jan 25, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./5 /Hair Transplantation

    Hey doc, I noticed your blog here presents us with numerous demonstrations of surgeries, where a receding hair line is being restored to a full-blown NW1. However, the impact of surgery on donor area (whether FUT or FUE) has drawn me to weigh the benefits of smaller improvements.

    But I don’t remember seeing here any pictures of patients who could easily (graft-wise) afford a Norwood 1 transformation, but have chosen a minimalistic path (for example, going from a Norwood 3 to a 2 or simply increasing the width of the forelock a bit to eliminate the steepness of its shape). Such visual representations will surely educate us about our options with surgery.

    I’m sure we’ve posted examples of patients that didn’t want a fully restored hairline on this site in the past, and I know there have been plenty of men who have had surgery for a “minimalistic” path. A patient must give us permission before publishing their pictures, so we’re only able to post those that have given their consent. Not every patient wants their photos shown to others.

    There are comprehensive before / after pictures in our NHI photo galleries that will show various examples of hairline restoration.

    Tags: hair transplant, hairloss, hair loss, photos

    Age Limit for Using Rogaine?

    Jan 25, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /Age, Drugs

    After using regaine foam extra strength for few years, am now told at over 49 years old i cant anymore. Any problems if carry on?

    I do not know of any age limit for using Rogaine (minoxidil). The packaging may include information about studies being done on people aged 18-49, which just means that it wasn’t studied as a hair loss treatment for those 50+ (not that you necessarily have to stop at that age).

    Tags: rogaine, regaine, minoxidil, age, hairloss, hair loss
    12345
    Page 1 of 5

    Videos

    Podcasts

    Ask Dr. Rassman

    * Your questions may be published (without your contact information).

    [contact-form-7 id=”27935″ title=”Sidebar Contact”]

    Over 21 million women and 35 million men in America suffer from hair loss. For many of these people, the psychological impact on their life is debilitating.

    Dr. Rassman is a world leading expert in hair loss with over 25 years of experience and over 50,000 satisfied clients.

    About

    This site exists to educate about hair loss and hair restoration.

    William R. Rassman, M.D.

    Categories

    • ACell
    • African American
    • Age
    • April Fools
    • Density
    • Diseases
    • Drugs
    • Drugs (Cause Hair Loss)
    • Favorites
    • Female Hair Loss
    • FUE
    • Hair Cloning
    • Hair Loss Causes
    • Hair Pieces / Systems
    • Hair Products
    • Hair Transplantation
    • Hairlines
    • Megasession
    • Other
    • Other Surgical Procedures
    • Personal Stories
    • Photos
    • Pigments
    • Podcasts
    • Post-Operative
    • Repair
    • Repost
    • Scalp MicroPigmentation
    • Scarring
    • Thinning
    • Tidbits
    • Training
    • Videos

    Archives

    • February 2023
    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • January 2015
    • December 2014
    • November 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • March 2013
    • February 2013
    • January 2013
    • December 2012
    • November 2012
    • October 2012
    • September 2012
    • August 2012
    • July 2012
    • June 2012
    • May 2012
    • April 2012
    • March 2012
    • February 2012
    • January 2012
    • December 2011
    • November 2011
    • October 2011
    • September 2011
    • August 2011
    • July 2011
    • June 2011
    • May 2011
    • April 2011
    • March 2011
    • February 2011
    • January 2011
    • December 2010
    • November 2010
    • October 2010
    • September 2010
    • August 2010
    • July 2010
    • June 2010
    • May 2010
    • April 2010
    • March 2010
    • February 2010
    • January 2010
    • December 2009
    • November 2009
    • October 2009
    • September 2009
    • August 2009
    • July 2009
    • June 2009
    • May 2009
    • April 2009
    • March 2009
    • February 2009
    • January 2009
    • December 2008
    • November 2008
    • October 2008
    • September 2008
    • August 2008
    • July 2008
    • June 2008
    • May 2008
    • April 2008
    • March 2008
    • February 2008
    • January 2008
    • December 2007
    • November 2007
    • October 2007
    • September 2007
    • August 2007
    • July 2007
    • June 2007
    • May 2007
    • April 2007
    • March 2007
    • February 2007
    • January 2007
    • December 2006
    • November 2006
    • October 2006
    • September 2006
    • August 2006
    • July 2006
    • June 2006
    • May 2006
    • April 2006
    • March 2006
    • February 2006
    • January 2006
    • December 2005
    • November 2005
    • October 2005
    • September 2005
    • August 2005
    • July 2005
    • June 2005
    • May 2005
    • April 2005
    • June 202
    • May 202

    Links

    Disclaimer

    This site is intended to educate the public on hair loss topics based on personal experience and opinions from Dr. William Rassman and contributing physician editors. Information provided on BaldingBlog.com should not be used for the purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment.

    Scroll to top