Propecia and Dialysis?

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

I am a dialysis patient and I have genetic hair loss, could I take propecia spite of my medical condition?

I am not your doctor, so I can not advise you about which prescription drugs you can take with your condition, but I can tell you what the literature says about this, via Drugs.com:

“No dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with renal insufficiency. In patients with chronic renal impairment, with creatinine clearances ranging from 9.0 to 55 mL/min, AUC, maximum plasma concentration, half-life, and protein binding after a single dose of 14C-Finasteride were similar to values obtained in healthy volunteers. Urinary excretion of metabolites was decreased in patients with renal impairment.”

Finasteride is metabolized by the liver and excreted in the feces normally. Nevertheless, your doctor is the best one to ask.

Tags: dialysis, finasteride, propecia, hairloss, hair loss, renal, kidney

Removing SMP with a Laser?

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

A while back you mentioned a new SMP pigment that might be reversible with one laser treatment. Sorry if I missed your follow up on that. How did that turn out?

The pigment we use for Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) is reversible with laser pigment removal; however, it may require more than one treatment. There is also a risk for hair loss with the laser pigment removal.

A while back, we were made aware of an ink that was reportedly able to be removed with one laser treatment, but the company that produced the product apparently was sold and the ink hasn’t been made available.

Tags: smp, pigment, hairloss, hair loss, laser removal

In the News – VH1 Looks at Bald Celebrities

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

Snippet from the article:

William, the Duke of Cambridge, is about to be a dad any day now, so maybe some of his family members aren’t treating his 31st birthday as the specialest of days. But don’t worry, we didn’t forget your gift, Will!

Read the rest — Happy Birthday, Prince William! Here Are 31 Balding Stars For You To Look Up To

How sweet of VH1 to wish Prince William a happy birthday by presenting a slideshow of bald or balding celebrities. I am sure it was at the top of the his favorite birthday gifts. Click the link above to see the slideshow, which includes notables like Patrick Stewart, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Jude Law.

Tags: celebrities, balding, hairloss, hair loss

Hair Loss After a Miscarriage

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

I had a miscarriage 4 months ago and my doctor prescribed Duphaston. After that I’ve also taken contraceptive pills. After two months, I went for a check up again, and she give me Primolut N. Are these medications causing my hair loss, because I noticed that my hair is thinner now and keeps on falling out. I’ve also been taking Pantogar for four months now. Thank you so much for your time.

A miscarriage can cause hair loss, either from the drop in estrogen following the end of a pregnancy, or possibly even from the emotional stress that you must’ve endured. Either reason should only result in temporary hair loss, though.

As for the medications and supplements you’re taking — Duphaston (dydrogesterone) isn’t noted to cause hair loss in the literature that I can find, though Primolut N (norethisterone) does list hair loss as a potential side effect. Birth control pills can also cause hair loss in some women, though I’m not sure which contraceptive you’re taking. Pantogar is a vitamin supplement that makes big claims, but I don’t know of any actual peer-reviewed research that backs them up.

If your loss is temporary, the hair will regrow on its own within the next 6-12 months. If your loss is from medications, you should speak to your prescribing doctor. It is more likely that the emotional stress or change in hormones caused a temporary hair loss (telogen effluvium), though.

Tags: miscarriage, hairloss, hair loss, primolut, norethisterone, duphaston, stress, female hair loss

In the News – Hair Loss from Earthquakes?

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

Snippet from the article:

Sarah van Dijk was putting her curly hair up for a night out when she first noticed a bald spot by her left ear. The 32-year-old had just moved to Christchurch and, four weeks earlier, experienced major earthquakes for the first time – the December 2011 magnitude 5.8 and 6.0 aftershocks.

Inspecting the rest of her scalp, she found about half a dozen bald patches developing. “I had no idea what was going on. I was hoping it was something like ringworm because I’m an early childhood teacher.”

However, the next day a doctor told her she had alopecia areata. Van Dijk, now 33, is among a growing number of Cantabrians suffering from the stress-related hair loss condition, which may be attributable to the quakes.

Read the rest — Hair loss linked to Chch quakes

The earthquakes and aftershocks in New Zealand’s 2nd largest city were obviously quite stressful to the residents. This is an interesting article, but earthquakes themselves do not cause alopecia areata. The stress associated with the earthquakes surely can bring upon alopecia areata in those that carry the genes. For others, stress can bring about a temporary loss called telogen effluvium.

Tags: earthquake, alopecia areata, hairloss, hair loss, stress

Actors That Embrace Their Hair Loss

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

Terrence StampDoctors….

Love your site…..have asked a couple of questions over the years, which you have graciously answered.

Not asking a question, per se, just your take on Terence Stamp. I just love the fact that he’s pushing 75 and he’s well embraced his hair (and lack thereof). The pic I attached was from the Limey (1999) and you can clearly see he is who he is.

Other actors that seem to embrace their look are Bruce Willis, John Malkovich (who grows his hair out on a whim) and Bill Murray (who has the forelock that will never die) to name but a few.

Personally, I’m 43, have been on Propecia and Rogaine for years and have been doing well with them……but nothing is permanent in this life…..and so, I look to others in the limelight for perhaps a bit of inspiration.

Thank you again for all the good work you do….

Many actors who have hair loss become character actors, embracing their balding or bald look and incorporating it into their persona. Other actors that have embraced the look include Jason Statham, Ed Harris, Woody Harrelson, and Patrick Stewart.

Thanks for the comments!

Tags: actors, celebrity, hollywood, balding actors

Does Hair Dye Cause Hair Loss?

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

Doc,

Confused about hair dye contributing to hair loss. Most reliable sources on the internet say no. Though others say yes. I checked your archives but still not clear on the answer. Obviously an outright allergic reaction would be a concern. I’m just talking regular use with otc products. I assume some chemicals are going to be absorbed by the scalp. But I don’t if that’s true or if it is what that means. I know you have transplant clients who dye their hair.

Thanks..

Short answer — no, hair dye does not cause hair loss when used properly.

If you use standard over-the-counter dyes, read the labels carefully. Most are generally safe and whatever risks there might be are listed in the insert packaging. Discounting that allergic reaction and chemical burn are possibilities, as long as the dye stays only on the hair and does not go into the root of the hair below the skin, the standard commercial dyes are considered safe and will not cause hair loss.

Tags: hair dye, dye, allergy, hairloss, hair loss

When Is a Good Time to Switch to Avodart?

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

Amazing website. I have been on finasteride for the past 12 yrs or so. It has held on to my hair quite well but I have noticed my temple areas and front part of my hairline thinning out recently. The crown is still slightly thick.

I want to know when is a good time to switch to avodart since I have noticed the front part of my scalp thinning out. Should I switch ASAP? I know its not approved for MPB and the risk could be slightly higher etc etc but I know a few of the people who comment on here have switched and are having excellent success even in the temple and hairline which is not very common.

Avodart must be prescribed off label (unless you have prostate issues), so it’s up to your doctor if he is willing to prescribe it to you.

The decision to switch from finasteride to dutasteride (Avodart) is one that you must reach with your prescribing doctor. Some people report better response with Avodart, but you must realize that the risks may be greater for sexual side effects and the possibility of sterility. Unfortunately, the information on this is not clinically available in younger men for treating hair loss, so it is a gamble.

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

Press Release – Haptenex, a New Alopecia Areata Treatment?

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

Snippet from the press announcement:


A66, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, has introduced a compound named Haptenex. This compound is expected to revolutionize treatment for Alopecia Areata. The complex array of patented dermatological and systemically reactant compounds have the ability to cause the skin and other cells to react and distract the problem immune responses from damaging vulnerable follicular and other cells afflicted by immune system diseases.

Read the rest — A66, Inc. Introduces Alopecia Areata Immune Response Treatment

What I read in this news release does not impress me. The language is unclear and the press release doesn’t say anything in particular, so that is an alert for me. Be suspicious.

Tags: haptenex, alopecia areata, hair loss, hairloss

Happy Independence Day!

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

Our office is closed today and tomorrow for a long weekend to celebrate Independence Day. We hope everyone has a happy and safe July 4th!

Happy birthday, USA! We’ll be back here on Monday.

Fireworks

Does Estrogen Protect Women from Developing Male Pattern Hair Loss?

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

Doctor, I was thinking of something today. Females lose hair genetically too like female pattern baldness, but how come its not as common like men to lose hair? I mean there are females with bald fathers, grandfathers, uncles and brothers, but they never lose hair genetically?

If a man has so many bald relatives, there is a strong chance he will lose hair too, but the women tend to still keep their hair when the men in their family are all bald. Is it the estrogen that protects the hair?

There is no evidence that estrogen protects women from developing hair loss in the standard male patterns. The reason for female pattern baldness is not well understood.

Male pattern baldness is just what it says — it is a male problem and it occurs in patterns that can be visually seen, as graded on the Norwood scale. Women with genetic hair loss do not generally develop patterned balding, or if they do, the patterns do not usually follow the Norwood scale for men. Genetic hair loss in women, also called female androgenic alopecia, can at times be seen in a pattern that is graded on the Ludwig scale. Other times, the hair loss is diffuse.

Fortunately for men, finasteride is a good medication… but for women, the only decent medication is topical minoxidil.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, estrogen, hormones, female hair loss

14 Year Old Wonders Why His Hair is Falling Out

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

I’m a male. I just turned fourteen a week ago. I stay up late about to 4 in the morning and wake up at about 12 or 1 in the afternoon. I sometimes eat lunch, and eat dinner. Have a habit of eating things found in the kitchen at random times. I exercise about everyday for the past month (going outside and start punching the boxing bag for about an hour). I take long 1 hour showers in warm/hot water. I play with my hair for about 5 minutes and then stop for about 3 minutes and play with it again. I wash my hair on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

I also have these kind of bumps on my head, I couldn’t see most of them, but the ones I did see were dark brown/black. So here is my question, why is my hair falling out and what do i need to do to make my hair stop falling out?

Get a parent involved, see a good doctor for an examination and a hair bulk measurement, and then listen to what the doctor tells you. I have no way to know what your hair loss is (genetic? stress? allergy?) and so I can’t tell you what it would take to treat it.

Your trips to the kitchen and odd sleeping hours don’t sound too different from many teens. I would have your doctor look at those scalp bumps, though.

Tags: teenager, hairloss, hair loss, teen hair loss

In the News – Chemotherapy Hair Loss Transformed Into Diamonds

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

Snippet from the article:

People have been turning human and pet remains, including hair, into diamonds for 11 years now, but one new company aims to appeal to the living who have lost their hair in the fight against cancer.

The company is called SKY and LIVI, and allows women who’re undergoing radiation to turn their fallen hair into a lab-grown diamond, which is then set into a pendant necklace. Finished pieces, available in five different styles in 18k white and yellow gold (though custom designs are available), serve as “symbols of her endurance to beat this dreaded disease,” according to company founder and CEO—and industry veteran—Anjanette Sinesio.

Read the rest — Chemotherapy Hair Loss Transformed Into Diamonds

Never a day passes that I am not just a little bit more aware of the world around me.

Tags: chemo, chemotherapy, diamonds, hairloss, hair loss

Not Hair Loss News – Colon Cancer Screening Reduces Risk of Death

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

Snippet from the article:


People who are diagnosed with colon cancer after routine colonoscopies tend to have better outcomes and less advanced cancers than people diagnosed based on symptoms, says a new study. Those who were diagnosed with colon cancer as a result of symptoms were three times more likely to die during the study than the patients diagnosed after colonoscopy screenings, researchers found.

“It’s in line with its current use. It shows that colonoscopy appears to be beneficial in reducing deaths in those diagnosed with colorectal cancer,” said Dr. Chyke Doubeni, who studies colonoscopy use but wasn’t involved in the new research.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., according to the government-backed U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which recommends that people between ages 50 and 75 get screened by colonoscopy every ten years.

Read the rest — Colon cancer screening tied to better outcomes

The good news is that colonoscopy screenings need to be only done every ten years, as these cancers grow very slowly. The bad news is that if the cancer has spread beyond the colon, it is potentially much more difficult to treat.

The study points out that in addition to being more likely to die, 75% of patients that were diagnosed based on symptoms had advanced disease, versus 38% of patients that were diagnosed after colonoscopies. The study’s limitations are also mentioned, in that the data came from a hospital that has more cases of severe colon cancer than other hospitals, which possibly exaggerated the differences found between the two groups.

Tags: colon cancer, colonoscopy, disease, cancer

Not Hair Loss News – Melanoma Tumors of the Skin Are More Lethal in Young Men Than Women

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

Snippet from the article:

The rates of mortality from melanoma are higher in males in their teenage and young adult years than in females of similar ages, according to a study published online today in JAMA Dermatology.

This difference in mortality between the sexes could mean that there is a fundamental biologic difference in male and female melanoma, the authors of an accompanying editorial suggest.

In a population-based cohort study that analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) network of cancer registries for melanomas diagnosed from January 1, 1989 to December 31, 2009, researchers found that young men were 55% more likely to die of melanoma than age-matched women.

Read the rest — Melanoma More Deadly in Young Males Than Females

Young men comprise only 40% of all melanoma cases, but more than 60% of all melanoma-related deaths. Awareness about melanoma and early diagnosis should be promoted in young men.

If you have dark or black moles on your body, particularly if they change in size, shape or color, you should see your doctor to be sure it is not one of the deadly tumors.

Tags: cancer, melanoma, skin cancer, mortality, health