WRassman,M.D. BaldingBlog
    • Menu

    A Remarkable Change Made from SMP on a Thinning Scalp (with Photos)

    Jun 28, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./5 /Photos, Pigments

    This patient came to see us after having a hair transplant (from another clinic) that still left him not a full as he would like. We offered Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) as an alternative option to having further transplant surgeries. He took this alternative option and the transformation was very exciting.

    It would have taken between 3500-6000 grafts had he gone the hair transplant route and the results would have taken possibly 16 months for two procedures. The results you see here were instantaneous — no waiting period — although he had some touch-ups after the initial session.

    Click the photos to enlarge:

    After:

     

    Before:

     

    Tags: smp, scalp micropigmentation, hairloss, hair loss

    Can Pulling Hair Out Once Cause Permanent Hair Loss?

    Jun 28, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /Hair Loss Causes

    I’m a 25-year-old male with short hair. About ten months ago I was unhappy with how my hairline looked, so I pulled out a large chunk of hair at once using a knife rather aggressively. I have noticed that my hairline has moved back since then and it has become thinner. No bald spots but an overall thinning. My question is: can pulling your hair once cause traction alopecia and is this reversible? Will my hairline return to normal if I never do it again? Thanks in advance.

    I am not sure that what you are describing makes sense. If I was to pull out a hair on your head, it would most likely regrow if it was not subject to genetic balding; however, what you describe does not sound that way since you mentioned using a KNIFE? I really can’t answer whether it’ll regrow in your case, as I do not understand what you did.

    Generally though, hair loss from pulling only becomes permanent after it is done repeatedly over time.

    Tags: hairloss, hair loss, trich, hair pulling

    Not Hair Loss News – Heart Failure and Cancer Risk

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

    Snippet from the article:

    People with heart failure are also more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, according to a new study that followed older adults with and without heart problems.

    The findings don’t prove that heart failure, when the heart can’t pump enough blood to the rest of the body, causes cancer. Researchers said more studies are needed to determine what might explain the link.

    “People have not really considered any association of heart failure and cancer together, at least not developing cancer after diagnosis,” said Dr. Adrian Hernandez, a cardiologist at the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.

    Read the rest — Heart failure tied to higher cancer risk: study

    The study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The article points out that some heart drugs may increase cancer risks, or that people with heart failure are getting more tests done and seeing their doctors more often.

    Tags: cancer, heart failure, cardiac, medical

    Is SMP Basically a Permanent DermMatch?

    Jun 27, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /Hair Products, Pigments

    Hello dr Rassman
    Am thinking about having SMP but am not sure if i will get the same result as dermmatch. i had HT about 8000 grafts, and now when i use dermmatch with a little of toppic fiber my hair looks perfect but i want something permanent. so please i need help to decide.

    DermMatch is a kind of powdered paint (albeit a crude description) — it is not permanent and while it is not detectable up close when applied correctly, you can feel it and it does come off on your pillow and hands if you rub your scalp. Toppik is a similar temporary camouflaging product, but it adds little fibers to existing hairs to provide a visual bulk.

    On the other hand, Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) is permanent, you can not feel it by touch, and if it is done by someone that knows what they are doing it should not be detectable up-close. Everyone is different and whether this is what you want to do is a something you’ll need to decide on.

    What I would suggest is that you attend one of our Open House events in Los Angeles. We hold them every month in our office and we show off actual patients who have had SMP done so you can see it being done, feel it (with the permission of the patient) and look at it up-close to judge the answer to your questions yourself. Seeing and touching is believing.

    Tags: dermmatch, toppik, hairloss, hair loss, scalp micropigmentation, smp, pigment

    In the News – Alopecia Totalis Sufferer Called Names By Coward on the Street

    Jun 27, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./2 /Diseases, Female Hair Loss

    Snippet from the article:

    TV presenter Gail Porter has tweeted her shock after a man accosted her on a London street, calling her “baldy.”

    The Scottish personality has alopecia which has left her suffering from severe hair loss and she has spent years campaigning to increase awareness of the condition.

    Porter tweeted to describe the incident which she said left her in tears near her London home

    Read the rest — Man calls Gail Porter ‘baldy’ in alopecia abuse incident

    Most of us in the US are probably not familiar with Ms. Porter, but she is a former pin-up model and currently a television presenter in the UK that has campaigned for alopecia awareness since her hair began falling out after discovering she had alopecia totalis in 2005. I suppose the silver lining of this incident is that it brought her story back into the news, thus hopefully raising further awareness.

    Tags: gail porter, alopecia totalis, areata, hairloss, hair loss

    I Hate My Cowlick So Much That I Don’t Want to Live Anymore

    Jun 27, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /Other

    i don’t keep my hair long and when i have it short i have this horrible cow lick in the front of my head. it starts in the middle of my head and swings around to the side. it’s quite horrendous. i need to know if it can be reset to look like the rest of my hair. if not i don’t want to live. i am at my whits end and it has hindered my confidence to the point i don’t have a life. please help.

    If you are thinking about ending your life over a perfectly normal hairline with a cowlick, you need to see a psychiatrist or seek some other type of help immediately. Your email is distinctly a cry for help. Making a cowlick disappear is easy, but does not appear to be the real issue here.

    Tags: suicide, cowlick, hair style

    In the News – Are We Taking Too Many Vitamins?

    Jun 26, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./4 /Other

    Snippet from the article:

    Dr. Paul Offit doesn’t take any vitamins. In fact, while you might think that vitamins are great in any quantity, Offit urges you to take a step back and think before swallowing the equivalent of eight cantaloupes in a single dose.

    “I think that alternative medicine is often given a free pass,” he told CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. “I think we should hold alternative medicine to the same standard that we hold conventional medicine. It lives under this sort of untouchable halo. I think we should be a little more skeptical.”

    Offit, chief of the division of infectious diseases at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, is no stranger to controversy — previously he has taken on the anti-vaccine movement. His book “Do You Believe in Magic? The Sense and Nonsense of Alternative Medicine,” came out Tuesday.

    Read the rest — Vitamins: Too much of a not-so-good thing?

    Vitamins and supplements are a multi-billion dollar industry, and this doctor warns that many of us are taking them in excess, ignoring or perhaps not knowing the possible health risks they may pose. These supplements are unregulated by the FDA, and as we see with the countless bogus herbal “cures” for hair loss, most of what people are buying into is marketing hype.

    Tags: vitamins, supplements, opinion

    Is Avodart Off-Limits for Treating Hair Loss Until it is FDA Approved for Such Use?

    Jun 26, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /Drugs

    Hi Dr. Rassman,

    I’ve been on Propecia and Rogaine for 3 years and have been delighted with the results……up until now. Propecia and Rogaine thickened the hair all over my scalp and slowed the regression of my hairline. Unfortunately, it’s becoming apparent that my crown is now thinning, an area that had been strong prior to treatment.

    I’m 28 now, and, if possible, I’d like to keep my crown hair for another few years, what are my options?

    1) Would upping propecia dosage ever be advisable for a 28 year old?
    2) Should I consider Avodart off-limits until it is FDA approved for hair loss?
    3) What would you do if you were in this situation?

    I’ve a check up with the doctor (who I’m very happy with) that originally prescribed the treatment in a couple of weeks, and will pose the same questions to him. However, your opinion is really important to me, and will help inform any decisions I may have to make. All the best

    Upping the dose of Propecia (finasteride) usually does not work in your situation. Rogaine (minoxidil) is fairly effective in the crown and worth trying. Avodart (dutasteride) is an option and some doctors will prescribe it, however, the long term risks of sterility are there (probably remote), and the side effects are more frequent than on Propecia.

    Try the minoxidil and give it at least 6 months. Then reassess your situation.

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

    Baking Soda in Shampoo to Increase Hair Thickness?

    Jun 26, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /Hair Products

    Hello Doctor

    Many internet sources claim that adding baking soda to your shampoo increases hair thickness. Would you say it worth a try? Could be any dangerous?

    I don’t like the idea of using baking soda on your hair and scalp to make your hair appear thicker, but I don’t think it will hurt. There are volumizing shampoos and conditioners that are safe and proven effective, and that’s what I would personally stick with.

    Tags: baking soda, shampoo

    My Doctor Prescribed Me Avodart and I Don’t Care About Side Effects

    Jun 25, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./10 /Drugs

    Good afternoon Doctor. To make a long story short just want to say I am a 28 year old male with early hair loss, and my derma gave me an rx for the drug avodart to stop hair loss. He didn’t give finasteride as he said its weak, and avodart is better. he told me about all the side affects of both drugs such as erection problems, gyno, low sperm count with avodart, etc. and basically said its my decision to pick which one, propecia or avodart so I choose the more effective one. I honestly do not care about the side affects, I’m single and I could care less if I have erection problems from avodart. My hair is more important than sex lol.

    But anyways my question is that does avodart from clinical experience and studies does it work on hair loss better, or its about the same as propecia? The reason I’m asking is because avodart is more expensive, so if it the same as propecia might as well take the cheaper one. My dermatologist said it blocks type 2 5AR way better than propecia, and that the type 1 blocking ability of it will do nothing for hair loss as type is negligible and not proven to cause hair loss. From your practice, are the patients that take this drug doing better than the ones on propecia?

    My first choice for a drug treatment is always finasteride (Propecia) and in the generic form it costs about $3/month. So yes, while Propecia is probably the cheaper option, it is also the only oral drug approved at this time by the FDA for the treating genetic hair loss (the other is topical minoxidil).

    There haven’t been a ton of studies comparing the two for treating hair loss, but the one study that stands out in my mind is from late 2006, where 416 men were studied over 24 weeks. The results showed dutasteride was more potent and resulted in a superior hair growth count based on photos. But that is just one study over six months time, published nearly seven years ago.

    One does not have to give up their sex life, nor does one have to take crazy risks with this decision. The incidence of sexual side effects from finasteride is 1 to 2%. Avodart (dutasteride) might work better in some men, but the side effect risk is much higher. I would criticize your doctor’s view on these two drug choices, and will point out that you are welcome to get another doctor’s opinion. Some doctors who do not specialize in these areas may not have all the information.

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

    3 Months After My FUE Procedure, I Still Have Hairs That Didn’t Shed but Refuse to Grow

    Jun 25, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /FUE

    Dr. Rassman,

    I am almost 3 months post surgery (FUE) having had about 2300 grafts with a skilled and well respected surgeon.

    I have a number of transplanted hairs in the front of my scalp that have not shed nor have they grown. I scrub them, and nothing. They remain. I have a few rogue hairs that did start to grow (very few, maybe 5-10) without having fallen out post op, but moreso, a couple hundred perhaps, that are just like beard stubble, and wont fall out nor are they growing.

    Can you shed (no pun intended) some light as to what may be going on, what the effect of this may be, either negative or positive, and contribute any other thoughts to this as I am not panicking, but as the weeks roll by, I am growing more and more concerned.

    As an aside, at nearly 11 weeks, there is no other new growth yet beginning, which I understand is not abnormal.

    Thanks again

    This can be all normal for the course. Hairs that remain are leftover from the old grafts and they can be identified by a slight pull with tweezers. They will come out or you can just leave them alone. I see this on occasion after a hair transplant.

    With regard to the growth, wait it out. Don’t panic — if a good surgeon did it, then the results will be apparent starting at 5-6 months.

    Tags: hair transplant, hairloss, hair loss, grafts

    I’m Still Losing Hair Even Though I’ve Had Good Results from Propecia

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

    Doctor, how are you. I have been on propecia for 2 years, with fairly good results. hair is about the same, but my question is why do I still shed alot of hairs. I just want your opinion on this from your experiences with propecia and hair restoration field. I mean I know your suppose to shed up to 150 hairs a day, but I feel like I shed more. The hair still looks the same, but why is the shedding so much?

    The amount of hair I shed I should be slick bald now, but still have a full head of hair with a bit of thinning like it was 2 years ago when I started propecia. when I wake up theres like 20 hairs on pillow, when I shower I shed so much, when I comb I shed so much, and its been like this even before starting propecia, but still have hair.

    are there people that shed more and its still normal? I shed thin weak hairs, to thick hairs, and hair still looks same. As I said with the amount I shed I should be slick bald

    We still cycle hair and the thin, weak hairs will eventually be lost. Propecia delays the long term hair loss, but it does not stop it completely. If you have not had your hair bulk analyzed, you should have it done. A baseline of hair bulk will tell you over time what is really happening to you.

    Tags: hairloss, hair loss, propecia, finasteride

    I Hate My Widow’s Peak and Want to Straighten My Hairline

    Jun 24, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /Hairlines

    My hair is not falling out, it is just straight across with a very prominent widow’s peak like Andy Garcia (the actor) had when he was younger. I hate this hairline and it’s been like that since I was younger. I would like filled in, to make it look better in the front.

    The widow’s peak is desired by many people and generally thought of as a sexy hairline. Many great actors have had them and their appearance has propelled them in show business. Andy Garcia’s widow’s peak is a look that some transplant patients have specifically requested when having their hairline restored.

    Your desire to do this depends upon your age because you must be sure that what you do is what you really want. Hair transplants are for life and hair transplants in the very front are absolutely permanent (as they are everywhere).

    Men at 18 years old do not know if they may bald as they get older, so you might look very abnormal with these holes filled in as the hair around it goes through genetic balding. If you are 45 years old and without balding, then this may be a reasonable request. If you are under 30 years old, we need to meet and I need to examine you for changes that indicate future balding possibilities ( miniaturization mapping).

    Tags: hairline, widows peak, hair transplant

    What Can I Do About Poor Hair Growth of My 7 Month Old Son?

    Jun 24, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /Age

    I want to ask about the baby’s hair. I had a baby boy, his hair slightly at birth, even in the crown of the region virtually no hair or bald. But I put aloe vera on a regular basis to grow hair on the crown. But overall not too much hair.

    My baby boy is now seven months old and has never cut his hair. I want to ask is, whether the baby’s hair will grow thicker if shaved off? And what if the hair was shaved off, whether the hair would grow up to be more violent?

    Shaving the head does not make hair grow faster, so do not do that. Also, aloe vera isn’t going to grow his hair.

    The hair will change over the next year or so. I would not worry about it, as some babies look bald and some are very hairy. By 18 months, you should see a full head of hair on your son. Baby hair is very fine and will not develop its normal thickness for some years.

    Tags: hair growth, baby, infant, child

    Can a Younger Patient Have SMP First, Then Have a Hair Transplant Years Later If Hair Loss Progresses?

    Jun 24, 2013/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /Hair Transplantation, Pigments

    Hey Doc,

    Regarding the order of SMP and a HT (either FUE or Strip) – is an order of procedures preferred or needed? Specifically, if a younger candidate with the beginnings of thinning hair wanted to get SMP first to “fill in” some thin spots while anticipating the need of a HT procedure down the road, would the ink from the SMP hurt the recipient area? Thanks so much!

    There is no real anatomical risk to the Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP); however, there is something that we call the Master Plan that you need to discuss with your doctor, which includes planning for SMP and hair transplants.

    If you want us to be your doctor, please contact my office at 800-NEW-HAIR and send me some good photos. I will be happy to offer you a free consultation and keep your photos confidential.

    Tags: smp, pigment, hairloss, hair loss, hair transplant
    1234
    Page 1 of 4

    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