I’ve Colored My Hair for Years, But I’m Noticing It Has Less Volume and Thinner At the Ends

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

(female)
After two years of coloring my hair every 3 to 4 months I noticed that my hair is half the volume and is very thin at the ends. Also i have curly hair and now the ends are almost straight. I went to the dermatologist who made the test for hormones and everything is fine. My scalp itches a lot and is kind of oily. My hair is not oily, but if I massage my scalp my fingertips feel oily. The last six months my hair is not looking good, its very thin at the ends. And today is so itchy. Even itches my face and neck. Please, any advice? Thank you

If your scalp is itching and your hair is thin, there is possible allergy or chemical damage from the coloring. But otherwise, hair changes in volume for many reasons, including age, abuse (coloring can be a type of abuse), nutritional causes, hormone changes, various skin problems and diseases. As well, drying or oily conditions may impact the hair quality.

I do not have the expertise in the area of skin conditions, so I am not the one to ask about that. It sounds like a possible allergy, but that’s something your dermatologist should’ve been able to determine. As you have already seen a dermatologist, your next step might be to see a good stylist who knows about programs to maintain your hair bulk better than I do.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, hair volume, hair coloring

Transplanting a Patient with a History of Keloids?

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

If I am prone to forming keloids is it still possible to safely undergo hair transplant surgery w/out forming additional keloids? And have you ever done a hair transplant on someone who has a history of keloids?

Many patients undergo hair transplantation despite a history of keloids, and most of them do well. Keloids can appear on the frontal hairline, but that is relatively rare. Keloid scarring is more likely to form on the donor scar, but the surrounding hairs will cover it so that it’s generally not a problem.

Tags: keloids, scarring, scar, hair transplant, surgery

In the News – Histogen Merging with Stratus Media, Will Be Renamed to Restorgenex Corp

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

Snippet from the press release —

Stratus Media Group, Inc. (OTCQB:SMDI) announced today that it was planning to expand its entrance into the biotechnology industry with the execution of a letter of intent between the Company and Histogen, Inc., a regenerative medicine company developing innovative therapies for conditions including hair loss and cancer.

The non-binding letter of intent outlines the primary terms of a merger of San Diego-based Histogen into Stratus, to be renamed Restorgenex Corporation. The letter of intent has been approved by the board of directors of both companies, and the parties are engaged in completing a formal merger agreement.

Read the rest — Stratus Media Group and Histogen Execute Letter of Intent for Biotechnology Merger

We’ve written about Histogen many times in the past. It appears that Stratus Media is getting into biopharmaceuticals lately by also announcing a merger with Canterbury Laboratories, LLC, and Hygeia Therapeutics, Inc last month.

Tags: histogen, hair cloning, hair multiplication, stratus, restorgenex

Can I Bring the Temple Peaks In with Surgery Without Filling in the Hairline?

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

Dr. Rassman,

I am 26 y/o, I have a very high hairline with uneven and very receded temple points. I do have some thinning on top and a family history of hair loss, but I believe that medication has been very beneficial for me. I take it every three days and have had almost the same benefit as everyday but without the side effects.

My question is regarding the temples (or sides) of my hairline. With a very high AND wide hairline, I feel its making me especially conscious of my hair loss. I’m wary about having anything done to the top of my hairline because I’m sure I don’t want to be stuck coming back for multiple surgeries if/when my hair continues to fall out.

If I were to have something done to bring the sides (temples) of my hairline in to better frame my face and add symmetry to my hairline, would I be right in thinking that this can be done and could achieve a natural looking result without lowering my hairline? and in the case that I do continue to lose hair on the top, it wouldn’t require that I come back for additional surgeries?

This is an individual decision between doctor and patient. What is best for you will depend on many factors — for us, these factors can be analyzed and recommendations given.

Yes, a good hair transplant surgeon can replace the temple peaks. An experienced surgeon is critical for making sure it is done right and for making the proper analysis of what to do. You never want to have a cosmetic surgery with results that look unnatural, so an experienced surgeon with a good eye will be able to tell you what’s achievable for your particular case.

Tags: hair transplant, temples, temple peaks, hairline

Should Stress Management Be the First Step in Treating Hair Loss?

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

I see a lot of people today and on this blog amassing countless posts on what shampoo cures hairloss and especially which diet/food group. How eating broccoli or taking super-duper multivitamins may cause those dormant hairs on your head to flourish! Whatever the magic cure-of-the-day is or which study proves what, there’s still scientific error present.

What people forget is if any of there magic diets/supplements in fact did work they may never know. Why? They forgot to be scientific and take all factors into consideration. Stress levels have a large impact on nutrient absorption, meaning many of these diets/supplements may not be utilized to their full potential. This may be why we see 6 out of 10 people cured in some study as the other 4 may have completely different diet/lifestyles.

Do you agree that the 1st step in anyone’s hairloss agenda is stress management?

No, I do not agree. The first step is to make sure that the diagnosis of genetic hair loss is correct. Stress induced hair loss is different. A doctor’s visit to make the diagnosis early is clearly in your best interest, and whatever the cost, it will be less than the time it takes for you to try every conceivable cure on the internet (of which most of them do not work).

In my office, I can measure your hair bulk, which is as good a diagnostic tool that there is. Then you get my years of experience in managing hair loss.

Tags: stress, hairloss, hair loss

Hair Around My Ears Is Shedding Faster Than the Rest of My Head

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

I am 23 and appear to fit the profile of MPB stage 3 vertex, but the sides of my head particularly around the ears seem to be shedding hair at a faster rate then the rest of my head. Is this in keeping with MPB? It is starting to cause bald patches around my ears and in front of my ears where side burns are. Could there be another cause to this area of hairloss?

Typical MPB does not include loss in the areas you’re describing, which sounds like it could be something like alopecia areata. The appearance of bald patches around your ears should alert you to see a dermatologist.

Tags: alopecia areata, hairloss, hair loss

Not Hair Loss News – Patient Loses Penile Implant Malpractice Lawsuit

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

Snippet from the article:


By now, the words have become a permanent part of the national lexicon: “For erections lasting longer than 4 hours, seek immediate medical assistance,” warn ads for various erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs.

But what of the patient whose ED treatment consists not of a drug but a penile implant — someone whose erection lasts not 4 hours but 8 months? What does this patient do? Well, if he’s 44-year-old Daniel Metzgar, of Newark, Delaware, he sues his doctor for medical malpractice.

Read the rest — Eight-Month Erection Gives Rise to Malpractice Suit

This patient had a prolonged erection from a penile implant, and because of complications of swelling and eventual extrusion of the implant, he sued his doctor for medical malpractice. The patient received a three piece inflatable implant and had it surgically implanted. He developed scrotal swelling but did not report it to his doctor, though did go to the hospital after 4 months.

In 2010, tubing punctured his scrotum, so he had the initial device taken out and a replacement instrument put in by another doctor. He sued his initial doctor for not putting in the device correctly claiming regular embarrassment and told the jury that he could not ride his motorcycle, wear normal cloths or participate in family events. “I could hardly dance, with an erection poking my partner” the patient said, “It’s not something you want to bring out at parties and show to friends”.

When the jury award came in, the patient lost following the defense’s logic that that sometimes “bad outcomes occur”, even when nobody is at fault.

Tags: malpractice, erectile dysfunction, implant, surgery

Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) and Finasteride

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

Hi Dr Rassman, have you seen the latest findings on the prostate cancer prevention trials? The current info seems like good new for finasteride users.

see link — Finasteride Reduces the Risk of Low-Grade Prostate Cancer in Men 55 and Older

Yes, this is a consistent finding by the government sponsored studies.

Here’s the summary:

“Long-term follow-up results from a phase III trial called the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) continue to show that regular use of finasteride (Proscar®) for up to 7 years decreased the risk of low-grade prostate cancer in men age 55 and older compared with that in men who received a placebo. Although high-grade cancers were more common in the finasteride group, the finasteride and placebo groups had similar 15-year overall survival rates.”

Tags: propecia, finasteride, cancer, prevention, pcpt

Telogen Shedding Years After Genetic Hair Loss Was Detected?

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

I have heard that early androgenetic alopecia can present itself as an episodic telogen shedding. Can this happen also at an advanced stage, say, 8-9 years after AA was first detected?

Genetic balding first presents with miniaturization in those that are impacted. The miniaturization usually is progressive with thinning hairs that can be seen by a doctor’s video scope and the hair bulk can be measured with the HairCheck instrument. Continued shedding is common, as the hair loss process is progressive

Tags: telogen, hairloss, hair loss, shedding

Addison’s Disease and Propecia?

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

Hi I’m 30 and suffer from Addison’s disease. I’ve noticed over the past 3 years my hairs been getting thinner and thinner and I want to do something about it. Propecia seems like a good starting point…. only problem is I have this rare endocrine disease and am worried about serious side effects. Should I be worried? Should I try rogaine instead? Many thanks.

You should first see a doctor for an examination and a diagnosis of your hair loss cause. You shouldn’t just jump at trying different medications/products blindly. You can also ask your endocrinologist about your concern with Propecia (finasteride 1mg). First and foremost, make sure your hair loss is due to genetics if you’re even considering Propecia.

I have seen many patients with hormone disorders (though not Addison’s disease specifically) and there is no reason they cannot be on Propecia that I can think of. But even to my own patients, I always advise them to check with their endocrinologist first.

Tags: propecia, finasteride, addisons disease, hairloss, hair loss, hormones

My Hair Looked Better and Scalp Felt Better After Stopping Minoxidil — But I Know I Have to Use It Again

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

Doctor

I recently had scalp sensitivity with itching and decided to take a few days off from minoxidil which i’ve been on for years. After a few days my scalp felt so much better. The surprise was how much better my hair looked. It hadn’t looked that good in years. it combed easier, looked less messed, had a lot more body and actually looked much thicker. Had more scalp coverage.

I’m at a week now and it still looks great. But I’m pretty screwed aren’t I? I know I’ve got to get back on soon. But it’s depressing that I have to use something that I really have no way of knowing how well its working (and not gonna take a chance finding out) that makes my hair look lousy. its probably the PG and alcohol. I had a bad reaction to the foam. Do you hear this complaint often with clients?

I know going off is a bad idea.

Some people see value in growth from minoxidil, but it’s not very common to hear that stopping the medication made your hair look thicker. Most people do not like the textural impact of it on their existing hair, which can dry it out or make it appear brittle.

Are you using the proper dosage? Have you tried any conditioners after using the minoxidil?

Tags: minoxidil, rogaine, hairloss, hair loss

Does Propecia Maintain Regrown Hair At 10 Year Mark?

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

Hi Doctor,

I read in one of your posts, that people continuing on propecia for 10 years have been able to retain most of their hair. So are they also able to retain the regrown hair also or only their baseline hair??

Some men have great success with Propecia after 10 years, as it seems to hold onto the hair in many patients. Some men continue to lose hair progressively, making it appear that the drug slows down. The key is that Propecia, even at the 10+ year mark, is slowing the rate for hair loss.

Tags: propecia, decade, 10 years, finasteride, hairloss, hair loss

My Doctor Said I Don’t Have Gynecomastia, But I Feel a Lump on My Chest

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

Dear Doctor,

Your website has been extremely helpful in dealing with my hair loss. I began losing my hair at 21. By age 22 i began taking propecia, and it has worked great thus far. I regrew almost all the hair i lost. I am now 28, and last year i developed a mild case of gyno (I think). I went to my prescribing doctor and had the lump evaluated. He sent me for a mammogram & ultrasound. Nothing showed up, however i can feel a lump. The doctor said I shouldnt worry about it, because i have several fatty tissues all over my body. I was not diagnosed with gyno because the lump was not under the nipple.

Recently, I have notice another lump in my chest (other side). Does this sound like gyno? Should i continue taking propecia if i am developing breast lumps? I know it sounds silly, but id rather have benign lumps in my chest then baldness. Will reducing my dosage help? I am currently taking 1mg daily. Your feedback will be greatly appreciated!

You had a mammogram and ultrasound, and were told you didn’t have gynecomastia, so I am not sure what more I can contribute. I haven’t examined you, nor am I your prescribing doctor.

From the few cases of gynecomastia I have seen from Propecia, they have been painful, however, there still could be a connection. If you are looking for a second opinion or reassurance, the Internet is not the place. You need to see another doctor for an in-person exam to get a second opinion. I suppose in the most extreme circumstance you can have the lumps removed, but I have no idea if what you’re experiencing is even related to taking Propecia. Reducing the Propecia dose may or may not help, because again, I do not know if it is related to the lumps.

Many men (not on Propecia) still have fatty breast tissue. This is a sensitive subject for them and some men undergo a cosmetic procedure to remove the lumps. My point is that this is a difficult decision that you should talk through with your doctor.

Tags: propecia, finasteride, lump, chest, gynecomastia

We Have Toxic Aspergillus Mold in Our House and We’re Losing Most of Our Hair!

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

(female)
I have lost a ton of hair in the last few years and I know for sure it is due to a long exposure to high levels of toxic Aspergillus mold in my house. My husband has the same problem. I have very little hair left and although we have been out of the house for a month and a half, my hair is STILL falling out quite rapidly. Can you tell me how long after leaving the toxic home before my hair will stop falling out and re-grow? Months? Years? Will we need anti-fungal medication or will hair re-grow just because we are gone from that home? Any info you can give would be greatly appreciated by us.

I doubt your hair loss issues are due to Aspergillus mold in the house, as that would be very rare. If it is (just for the sake of reasoning), the hairs should grow back in about a one year time frame. Please see your doctor for any treatment issues pertaining to mold. Antifungal medications for hair growth do not work.

Tags: aspergillosis, aspergillus, mold, toxin, hairloss, hair loss

In the News – How Hollywod A-Listers Fight Hair Loss

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

Snippet from the article:

In a town obsessed with staying (or at least looking) young to remain on top, more than a few men agonize over going bald. Superficial though it might be, many derive confidence and a perception of power from a full head of hair.

Which is why anyone who’s anyone in the follically challenged Tinseltown set has come to rely on a few good doctors. Armed with the latest technology, these gurus — having moved far beyond yesterday’s telltale hair plugs — know how to help a man sprout hair or at least give the appearance of doing so, using several techniques from shots to transplants to tattoos.

Read the rest — Leg Hair Transplants and Scalp Tattoos: How Hollywood’s A-List Fights Baldness

Dr. Pak is quoted about SMP in the article — “There are a lot of actors who have had bad hair-transplant scars or are covering a bald spot, and this frees them from using makeup,” says Jae Pak of the New Hair Institute on L.A.’s Miracle Mile.

Tags: smp, hair loss, hairloss, hollywood reporter