Clobex Spray and Spironolactone to Treat Female Hair Loss?

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

(female)
I recently saw a dermatologist for my thinning hair. I’m not familiar with the medical terms he used, but he has me on clobex spray twice daily and spironolactone twice daily. I so desperately want something to work! I use hairmax lazer comb and rogaine. I am seeing hair growth on the sides near the temples but not much on top.Please guide me in the right direction. Thank you

There is a difference in wanting something to desperately work and something actually working. Sometimes you have to face the fact there really is no treatments for some types of balding.

There is no right direction I can guide a desperate patient who will just about try anything. I realize this sounds very pessimistic but nothing (aside from Rogaine) you are trying has ever been proven to work. Clobex is a steroid with the problems associated with chronic steroid use; I’ve written about spironolactone here; and there’s also no evidence I’ve seen that the LaserComb regrows hair to any visible degree.

Tags: clobex, hairloss, hair loss, lasercomb, lllt, spironolactone, female hair loss

What Could Cause Histogen to Fail?

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

Hi Doc,

i’m sure you heard and saw Histogen’s Pilot Study and the general comment i saw in all the forums were that is really promising. i hope you can answer my question..

what do you see that MAY be a downfall in Histogen HSC plan? and do you think its results are more promising than hair cloning? i know that we have been hearing the quote “3 to 5 years time” BUT i dont think science had ever had such results than now so things are moving i guess..

HistogenI suppose the downfall could be the same for any new company in this space — financial backing. If the trials don’t go as well as expected, it may be harder to secure additional funds to keep making progress. I’m just speaking in generalities though.

I do not follow Histogen’s business or science plans close enough to scrutinize its progress, so I do not really have an opinion on its technology. The last I read about the HSC pilot program, it looked promising but only had a couple dozen participants… and it wasn’t known if the results would last for any significant amount of time.

It may be the hope to most (if not all) readers out there for a cure to balding, and I could only share the same hopes as any other.

Tags: histogen, hairloss, hair loss

LaserComb Cooking DHT?

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

I came across an interesting blog post of a guy stating that by the prolonged use of laser comb (holding it in position for a long period) allows it to neutralize the effect of DHT by making the scalp to secrete it along with some sebum and that it gave him wonderous results in the long run

could you please share us our comments on this, do you think that his claim has any credibility?….

CookingLaserComb does not cook DHT, nor have I seen evidence that any of the hair lasers do anything to DHT. People can believe what they want to believe, but there has yet to be any scientific study that provides a connection. I suppose that maybe what the guy with a blog reported in reversing hair loss had value (possibly circumstantial), but I truly doubt the cooking hypothesis. I’ve yet to see lasers show regrowth benefits in my own patients.

Anyone can post or say anything on the Internet, but it does not mean you have to take it at face value. I suppose that goes for what you read on my blog as well, so see your doctor if you need a second opinion.

Tags: dht, hair loss, hairloss, lllt, laser comb, lasercomb, laser

My Hair Has Been Thinning for 2 Years Since Chemical Straightening

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

I’m 22 years old and so far looks like I have began to thin. Funny thing is about 2 years ago My hair was super thick like horse hair and there was plenty of it. I decided to straighten my hair and I did then I did it a week right after the first straightening myself. I’m curious If that could of caused my hair to thin out over the 2 years cause after the straightening it, like a month in it started to shed, but slowly. Currently it stopped shedding completely and just stays on my head.

Now My 2 older brothers who are 33 and 28 have thick head of hair and I’m 22 I mean I’m hoping that I don’t go bald before they do cause at this rate It looks as though I am. Seriously bugs me need to figure out my problem…

Straight hairChemical straightening is not the cause of hair loss in general unless you burned your scalp. Either way, after two years it is hard to correlate if chemical straightening was the cause. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but I really cannot say! It’s also entirely possible that your older brothers got “lucky” and the hair loss gene didn’t get passed to them, as it can skip generations.

Since the hair loss really bothers you, I suggest you see a physician and get a good examination. You’re not too far from my Los Angeles office if you’d like to make an appointment (the consult is free). You can call my office at 310-553-9113 if you’re interested.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, age, chemical straightening, chemical burn

Can Lasers or Home Remedies Thicken Hairs?

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

Hello Doc,

Thanks a lot for the blog. I’m 22 and I have a full head of hair, but all the hairs are very thin. Moreover, there is distance between my hairs. Also, I have a problem of small acne kind of thing which keeps popping all over my head. However, I have started using betadine scalp and skin cleaner which has resolved the problem but I have tiny round scars all over my scalp. The main problem is my hairs are very thin. When I make them long, it covers my whole head but it gives a see-through look. When I get a buzz cut, no body knows that im balding.

IN YOUR OPINION,

1.Is there a way that each hair of my head can be thickened? Is it possible for thick-hair-promising hair oils and home remedies (egg yolk, etc.) to penetrate the scalp and nourish the hair from the roots? what about lasers, i know they cannot grow new hair, but can they make thin hair thicker (many doctors on tv say they can)?

2. Any update from lexington? They said something like they were going to publish their results in the scientific journal?

LLLTYou can put styling products (pomade) to make your hair “feel” thicker. Medically, you can take Propecia (finasteride) to thicken the shaft size, but it is not a permanent solution. Herbal products and shampoos that claim hair thickening may accomplish this by adding water to the hair shaft. There is no scientific proof that Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT lasers) work in my experience.

There was a study published in Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy last year that an insightful BaldingBlog reader wrote a response to — Reader Checks in with His Thoughts on the Latest LaserComb Study. I can’t seem to find the actual study online anymore though.

Tags: laser, lllt, hairloss, hair loss, thickness, hair oil, hair lasers

Accuracy of MPB Predisposition Testing?

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

Hi Dr, I’m a regular reader of your blog and have honestly found it both reassuring and informative in equal measure, so thanks for the great work.

My question is regarding the new test for determining a patients predisposition to MPB. I know it has been made available by a very reputable British Dr, but it seemed to me that if such a test were accurate and completely reliable it would be absolutely industry standard? Have you any insights on it and it’s reliability?

also as a ps, I wonder if you have any safety pointers to look out for when purchasing generic propecia online?

many thanks again

All tests have flaws with a margin of error. There is no completely perfect, 100% accurate test. The genetic balding test like HairDX gives you a probability score, not a blanket YES or NO answer. It is not an industry standard, because any good physician can diagnose MPB without a blood test.

I don’t have hands-on experience with generic Propecia, as it isn’t legal in the US yet due to patent laws… so what I know about the generic brands has been limited to just learning all the names. As for safety pointers, well, the biggest pointer would be to not order medication from an online pharmacy that you don’t have previous experience with. I am not an advocate of ordering medication online anyway, as many of those pharmacies ignore the law and don’t require a prescription when necessary.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, probability test, propecia, finasteride

Dr Shapiro’s Hair Loss and Whey Protein Supplement Study

/by William Rassman, M.D./6 /

Interesting brand new study on the link between male pattern baldness and whey protein isolate supplements. What do you think?

Links: WPLG Miami News Video and Study [PDF]

Although the results of Dr. Shapiro’s study of 100 patients do look favorably upon using whey protein, I can’t say one way or the other if this dietary supplement works to improve the appearance of hair or not. There is no real double blind test to show value. That is the standard scientific methodology needed to prove something like this.

Tags: protein, whey protein, supplement, hair loss, hairloss, shapiro

New Genetic Hair Loss Test in India

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

I just read this press release about a company in India that developed a baldness prediction test that sounds similar to Hair DX.

Do you know anything about it? It sounds like it is just limited to India right now, but I was curious if its like a generic Hair DX (I dont know if that’s even possible) or if they are testing in an entirely different way. Thanks

Link: Metropolis develops screening test to predict genetic predisposition to baldness

MetropolisThe press release you sent is the first I’ve heard of it (thanks for bringing it to my attention), but I’d assume this newly announced test identifies the same genes as HairDX. It doesn’t appear that the HairDX test is available in India, so Metropolis appears to have the market cornered there.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, metropolis, india, genetic, prediction test

Family History Shows Men Losing Hair Later, So Why Am I Losing Hair at 19?

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

My father start to lose his hair at 45 and my uncle at 35-40, and no grandfather have hairloss problem. I have 21 now and for 2 years i’m fighting to keep my hair with avodart, kirkland and some vitamins named forcapil, but this seems that not work very well for me. Why i begin to lose my hair at 19 if my father start to lose at 45. I can make something else for my hair?

ForcapilFamily patterns do not necessarily follow either by the degree of balding or the onset of balding. Sometimes they can be used as a guideline, but it’s not a guarantee. So why did you start losing hair at 19 years old? I guess you can attribute it to bad luck.

You’re young with early hair loss and you’re using multiple treatments. Let’s break down your regimen:

Avodart (dutasteride) — I assume you don’t have a prescription, as I’d expect most doctors would not prescribe this strong prostate medication to a 19 year old with early hair loss. Avodart is not approved to treat hair loss at this time. Although there is evidence it works to treat genetic hair loss, most doctors would not be comfortable prescribing this until at least dosing and safety data is available. If you do have a prescription, you should be talking to your doctor about this.

Minoxidil (I believe this is what you meant by Kirkland) — This is fine, but I don’t know if you’re following the dosing instructions. Apply it twice a day to the area that you’re losing hair. If you’re losing hair in the frontal hairline, it probably won’t be much help there.

Forcapil (vitamin supplement) — Their site describes it as a “special formula combining vitamin B complex, sulfurated amino acids, zinc and vitamin D3“… which means if you’re taking it with hopes of regrowing your hair this is probably a waste of time and money. I hadn’t heard of Forcapil before, but it appears to be made by a French pharmaceutical company and not sold in the US. I found the dosing instructions are to take 6 pills a day for the first 2 weeks, then 2 pills a day for the next 6 weeks… so I hope you enjoy taking pills.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, dutasteride, avodart, forcapil, vitamins, supplement, minoxidil, age

Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia and Hair Loss

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

I have a condition called Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia and it affects the hair. I was wondering if you know anything about this condition? the hair loss is affecting my confidence. I am 21 and I live in Australia. I have asked the ozed support group and NFED and they weren’t much help. So can you please email me back and if you need any more info just ask.

I know of the condition, but there’s not much that can be done to treat the thin hair associated with it. People with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia often have a low number of hairs on the head and this produces a see-through appearance. This thin look can be helped with the use of concealers like Toppik or DermMatch, as this is a good, inexpensive way to produce the cover you need.

I’ve written more about these camouflaging agents in my book, Hair Loss and Replacement for Dummies (see chapter 8), and there might be more assistance you can find at the Ectodermal Dysplasia Society.

Tags: hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, ectodermal dysplasia, hairloss, hair loss, thin hair

Using Mesotherapy in Treating Hair Loss?

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

Hi Dr. Rassman,

First of all I want to congratulate for the beautiful book you have written (Hair Loss & Replacement for Dummies). I am a practicing dermatologist and am also working with a well known hair transplant surgeon in Hyderabad, India. I have a query regarding the benefits of mesotherapy. Where in the drugs include minoxidil, biotin, dexpanthenol and bilobine, since the drug is injected into the mesoderm where as the follicle is in mid dermis, are we justified in giving this treatment to the needy in the hope of achieving results? Since you are a pioneer in hair restoration i would be greatful to have you throw some light in this regard and clear my doubt.

Thanking you in anticipation.

I’ve speculated about mesotherapy before, and I still don’t know much about possible benefits, if any, to give you an opinion. On random occasions, I have seen patients who have had these treatments, and Dr. Jae Pak has also visited the NHI office in Korea where it seems to be popular adjunct (as a culture).

That being said, there are no definitive or enthusiastic findings about mesotherapy as a hair loss treatment that I am aware of.

Tags: mesotherapy, hairloss, hair loss

Does Dr Rassman Use Styling Gel?

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

Hello Dr Rassman,
Just some curious questions about yourself… what brand name shampoo do you use and how often do you wash your hair? Do you take propecia? Gel for styling? Have you ever had a hair transplant? Just wanted to know how the “Master of Hair” keeps its hair.

Thanks

Lightning handsI think “Master of Hair” sounds more like someone that can make hair grow by shooting lightning from his hands, but I appreciate the compliment nonetheless. As for my hair history:

Shampoo: I use a series of shampoos, but I don’t focus on any brand in particular.

Propecia: I don’t take it anymore, but I explain that in this post.

Gel: Recently, when I had my hair cut a little shorter than normal I found it was more difficult to manage, so I occasionally used styling gels.

Hair transplant: My entire crown was bald and I received 1600 grafts to fill it in (see this post for a photo and more complete description).

Tags: propecia, rassman, gel, styling, hairloss, hair loss, shampoo

I Started 3 Hair Loss Treatments At the Same Time

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

Dear Dr Rassman,

I have been reading your posts for sometime. Thank you for your informative answers to many questions that I myself have had in the past but have never asked.

I am a 38 year old male who noticed diffuse thinning approximately 2 years ago. This was accompanied by a greasy scalp and some itching as well, particularly in the evening when the greasiness was at it’s worse. I had NEVER had a greasy scalp prior to this. My wife cuts my hair so she noticed my hair was definitely thinning for the past 2 years. I started propecia 8 months ago, nizoral 1% daily as well as polysorbate 80+tsal(3% salicylic acid shampoo) daily. I started to notice results after approximately 4 or 5 months. My wife has noticed that my hair has definitely thickened up and is no longer showing the “see through” that it used to in the past. She estimates that my hair has improved by 50% in terms of thickness and texture.

My question is…is it only the propecia which is causing this stabilization/regrowth or is the nizoral+polysorbate having some effect. I have DEFINITELY noticed that after approximately a month of using the 2 shampoos, my hair was no longer greasy as it used to be. I have read articles on the internet on polysorbate 80 and was wondering what the general consensus is on the material. Thanks!

Crystal ballI am not a fortune teller. You started 3 separate hair treatments and now you are stuck not knowing if one, two, or even all three were the reason you saw improvement. Still another possibility is that none of the treatments worked and it was just a matter of being patient while the hair regrew, because maybe you didn’t have genetic male pattern baldness to begin with. Maybe you had telogen effluvium and it was self-limiting and the hairs grew back on their own (as it typically takes 6 to 12 months).

In other words, I really do not know… and this is why I generally recommend only using one treatment at a time, or you’ll end up “addicted” to all of them, too worried that if you stop one you’ll lose the benefits. This is also the reason why I tell readers to start with a good diagnosis. See a doctor before starting medications. Scientifically document before and after with a miniaturization study. I suppose if you are brave, stop one of the three and see what happens.

As for polysorbate 80, I’ve commented on that before here.

Tags: hair loss, hairloss, nizoral, propecia, polysorbate

Using a Hair Relaxer While Alopecia Areata is in Remission

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

Since last year I have been experiencing hair loss. I am a 49 year old african american female who in December 2009 had a noticeable bald spot that began appearing at the left side of my crown. From December until January 2010 the spot began to move from one side to another and then became quite bad. I finally went to see a physician who diagnosed me with autoimmune disease and alopecia. He prescribe a topical steroid (betamethasone dipropiontate lotion) and encouraged to take biotin. The back of the hair has grown back and now between a nickle and a quarter spot still remains at the crown. I am experiencing hair growth and to the roots it is quite coarse.

Would you recommend that I put a kiddie relaxer in it to get some of the thickness straighten out?

Kiddie relaxerIf you are asking whether a hair relaxer will help or make your condition worse, I would guess “no” to both. If you are asking if a hair relaxer will help with your look, that’s a styling question and I would rather leave that up to you.

As far as I know, hair relaxer for kids contains the same chemicals as hair relaxer for adults, but it is just marketed differently. In other words, you still run the risk of causing chemical damage.

Tags: alopecia areata, hairloss, hair loss, hair relaxer, chemical

I’m Rubbing Tomatoes On My Head and Eating Gelatin to Try to Regrow Hair!

/by William Rassman, M.D./3 /

Hey there everyone,

well I have a problem & I’m stressed about it. pardon me if I’m not good at writing, im doing my best at it. I’m turning 16 years old and I notice that I started Thinning hair when was 12 or 13. I really don’t know if my thinning hair problem has been better or worst. oh and by the way my thinning hair is on the top front and on kinda on the top back. i also notice that i have mixed thick & thin hairs. I always wake up in mornings wishing this would be over.

the past 3 weeks i’ve been starting to put tomato on my head (cutting the tomato in half and rubbing it all over my top scalp till it gets very wet), eating gelatin every day, since I heard that it helps to thicken hair which would like know, and also using this shampoo that supposedly gently cleans the blocked follicles to grow thick, which i also wanna know if its true. and lastly spraying aloe vera juice on my head at night.

I wanna know if any of the said helps me to grow back thick hair or what can i do to thicken back my hair? help. thank you.

JelloTomato juice works well to get rid of the stink if a skunk sprays you, something many people might not know. My dog went after a skunk one day and the tomato came to the rescue. As for your scalp and hair, unless your hair stinks, rubbing tomato on your scalp won’t make a difference. While there’s always room for Jello, gelatin also won’t help if you’re experiencing genetic hair loss. Aloe vera juice on your scalp won’t be much use unless you’ve got a sunburned scalp or some kind of wound.

These are all “fun” natural ways to try to make your hair grow, but they don’t work in the way that you want them to. If stopping hair loss was as simple as rubbing tomatoes on your head and eating Jello, there would be no bald men in the world.

Maybe a visit to a doctor is a better option. You’re still 15 years old, so get a parent involved and see a dermatologist to find out if what you’re seeing is indeed genetic hair loss or something else entirely.

Tags: gelatin, tomato, jello, hairloss, hair loss, natural, aloe vera