Mesotherapy for Hair Loss?

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

Greetings,
I have heard of a treatment called Mesohair which is basically mesotherapy for hair loss by injecting the scalp with a solution (probably minoxidil in the solution). My doctor in Canada also has a cosmetic clinic and uses mesotherapy for it’s more common purpose such as skin care and weight loss. He is willing to provide the Mesohair treatment for me, but we need to investigate the procedure such as equipment, solution, ect. Can you help us please? Thank you.

We should not volunteer to become experimental subjects without good science proving value for such experiments. I do not believe that there is good science in this treatment, so I would caution you and ask why you’d want to do this and how would you judge the risks vs the benefits in advance of seeing them? This just does not make sense to me.

Tags: mesotherapy, mesohair, hairloss, hair loss, experiment

I Have to Shave My Head for a Movie — Will It Grow Back the Same?

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

Hi,
I’m a 32 year old Filipino male. I have thick black hair that’s shoulder length and both parents still have hair. My question for you is, does shaving your head affect the regrowth of your
hair in any way? I am cast in a film set to shoot this summer BUT I have to shave my head WITH A RAZOR. I’ve heard from friends (through their friends…of course) that shaving your head with a razor may make the hair to grow back very rough and course…and in some cases, it grows back like “pubic hair” by being kinked. I guess the worst case scenario is that some parts of my head don’t even grow back hair. Please let me know as I’m so nervous about the whole thing and losing some sleep over it. Thank you very very much in advance!

Simply shaving your head will not cause you to lose hair or change the character of the hair. Good luck with the movie!

Tags: shave, shaving, hairloss, hair loss, hair character

Relief for Sunburn?

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

My husband sunburned the top of his head he is bald there could you tell me how to relieve sunburn pain there he says Aloe makes it hurt more is there something else he can do?

You can try over-the-counter pain relief medications for sunburns. There are also topical pain relief medications available at your local pharmacy. In the future, he should protect his bald skin with a good sun blocker. I suppose being bald can also be painful — literally! Many men who have had a hair transplantation procedure find that the transplants give them the cover they need to prevent sunburns.

Tags: sunburn, sun burn, bald, medication, hairloss, hair loss

Is DHT Essential For Genital Function?

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

Is DHT essential for proper genital tissue structure/function?

(more detailed: could lack of DHT lead to decreased AR expression in penile tissues & nitric oxide production… leading to tissue changes, ie fibrosis/collagen deposition which cause such shortening/lack of bloodflow?)

I know there is relevant posts to this issue where you dismissed finasteride in relation to a change in penis + testicle size but i thought it was important to bring forward my case to show that there is definately some relation with finasteride and penis size *in a flacid state*, aswell as testicle size. I am a 20 and a half yr old male who has been on propecia since about 19.

id like to point out im not saying that my penis has actually reduced in physical size due to finasteride, but in its flacid state it now resides alot different to how it use to – doesnt hang as much, looks like ive come out of a cold shower – which in turn gives the apperance of a smaller penis.

what ive experienced:
– testicle/scrotum shrinkage. they are no longer hanging as low as they use to, they are now tight and pulled very close to the body. scrotum could almost be described as empty and wrinkly
– reduction of how penis resides in flacid state. In the flacid state my penis is ALOT smaller then usual. penis doesnt “hang” nice and soft and move around loosely as it once did when to flacid. penis is now retreated /retracted as if in cold water, its almost withdrawn and seems it is lacking circulation/blood flow. penis once hung lower than the bottom of my testicles but is now actually pushed up and forward by how tight the testicles now are, and how reduced the size of flacid state is.

i found another person who experienced similar side effects to me. he stated he experienced:
– penile/scrotum shrinkage, loss of length/girth
– loss of morning/spontaneous/nocturnal erections
– empty/wrinkly scrotum
– penis constantly retreating as if in a cold pool
– loss of sensation/numbness to both penis shaft and scrotum, both feel lifeless/not pleasureable
– penile tissue changes: narrowing, curvature, darkening, emergence of numerous varicose veins along shaft

now i have not experienced the severity of his symptons, or his loss of size during erections, but it is quite alarming there are others out there who have experienced this issue and there isnt any warnings out there regarding this alarming side effect

after reading through several links below, one must question – is it possible that lack of DHT leads to decreased AR expression in penile tissues & nitric oxide production… leading to tissue changes, ie fibrosis/collagen deposition which cause such shortening/lack of bloodflow???

the links:
https://finasteride.jconserv.net/viewtopic.php?t=146
https://www.asiaandro.com/1008-682X/5/33.htm
https://finasteride.jconserv.net/viewtopic.php?t=346

thanks for any input you can share on this topic!

DHT is very important in the first trimester of pregnancy when the testicles and penis form. If DHT is not present (mother on finasteride or born with a defect where the fetus does not make DHT), then a hermaphrodite will probably develop. For more on hermaphrodites, see:

It is true that being exposed to DHT blockers before puberty can negatively affect the development of the male external genital system and other secondary male sex characteristics (beard and body hair even after puberty). DHT is essential for development and growth of the male genital system before they are completely mature and reach their final size. Our current understanding is that the use of finasteride after puberty when the amount of testosterone is very high with corresponding high DHT levels, should not impact these secondary sex characteristics and will still allow the penis and testicles to reach their maximum size. There is not much information on the use of this drug in young teenagers and I suspect that prior to the age of 16 when balding may start in a select number of boys, the decision to use finasteride is easier the further into the teens the person is.

You have referred to a study done on 3 groups of young rats. This study has shown that a lack of either testosterone or DHT can affect the growth and development of the external genital system negatively.

In the studies done on humans, there was no report of similar or any other negative changes on the external genitalia in adult men or boys in their late teens. I have been recommending and prescribing Propecia to a good portion of my patients, and as of yet have not heard any such complaints with regard to impact on penis size once the penis has grown to its final adult size. You have to remember that this medication has passed all clinical phases and was proven effective and safe for treatment of male pattern baldness (in adult males). If you are still concerned with the changes in your genitalia, you can see a urologist to make sure you don’t have any other medical problems that have been causing this issue.

Tags: propecia, finasteride, hairloss, hair loss, genital, development, dht, testosterone, penis, testes

Does Shaving the Head Cause Hair to Regrow Stronger?

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

Does one’s hair grow thicker and stronger by shaving the head, especially if some hair is left after chemotherapy is it better to shave it all off so stronger hair grows?

No. Shaving your hair off will not help it regrow thicker. It is an old wives’ tale and it simply ain’t true.

Tags: shave, shaving, hairloss, hair loss, hair growth

Do Spicy Foods Really Put Hair on Your Chest?

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

This might sound like a joke, but something I’ve always been curious about. Does eating spicy foods really put hair on your chest? If not, I’m curious as to where a phrase like that would come from. You can laugh if you’d like. I feel foolish for even asking.

Spicy foodI did a Google search for the phrase “put hair on your chest” and found that this idiom is use in many situations and many cultures. I really do not know the answer about where the phrase came from, but I did enjoy the threads as I searched for an answer. I hope you know that if anything really put hair on the chest, then it would be marketed as a cure for hair loss in some circles.

Somewhat related, here’s a list of other “hair” related idioms, from TheFreeDictionary.com.

Tags: spicy food, spice, hair growth, chest, hair, idiom

DHT and High Cholesterol

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

I am a 36-year-old male noticing some hair loss. I thought it was related to having taken prohormones, but the slow hair loss has continued after more than a year off the prohormones. I am considering taking Avodart/dutasteride, but not just for the cosmetic hair loss. A concern I have is the relation between MPB to increased risk of heart disease. Thus, my two questions:

  1. Do you know of any connection between DHT and high cholesterol/heart disease? And if there is a connection, would DHT suppression also contribute a health benefit above and beyond the cosmetic issue of MPB?
  2. Do you have any suggestions for any OTC or prescription drugs/remedies that would work to help curb the aromatization of the increased testosterone from taking a DHT inhibitor?

  1. I do not believe that using DHT blockers like Propecia will have any effect on your cholesterol. We know that Propecia will reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
  2. With regard to your second question, I am not an expert on OTC medications that curb aromatization from increased testosterone.
Tags: cholesterol, hairloss, hair loss, dht, propecia, finasteride

Subcapsular Orchiectomy (Removing the Testicles) to Prevent Hair Loss

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

Hello Doctor,
I am soon to be 25 yrs old. My hair line is beginning to recede at my temples. I am extremely concerned with this. For many years I have considered having a subcapsular orchidectomy procedure to prevent any further hair loss. I have researched the side effects of this procedure and am willing to accept them. Can you recommend a doctor who will perform this outpatient operation? Thank you for your time.

Any urologist should be able to help you, but I doubt they would do so. There is likely more to your story than you are telling me here. Taking out your testicles is an extremely radical way to prevent further hair loss… though it will work.

Tags: testicles, hairloss, hair loss, subcapsular orchiectomy

How Long for Hair Fungus to Go Away?

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

how long does it takes for an hair fungus to go away because the fungus took up my whole front of my head also my whole forhead. im fourteen years old and its painfull

You need to see a doctor for hair fungus and be on a medical regime. It often takes weeks.

Tags: hair fungus, fungus

Why Does Society Put Such Emphasis on Hair?

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

I am 24 years old and I have somewhat serious hairloss. I have a receding hairline and thinning on top. My hair is so weak, that if I were to pull at it and brush my hand through my hair, there would be a large number of follicles in my hand. I took Propecia from the age of 21-23, but stopped when I turned 24. Going bald seemed inevitable, and at 24, I couldn’t stand the thought of taking Propecia the rest of my life. Every hair transplant I have ever seen always looks “unsightly” and often worse when compared to them bald. Why does society put such an emphasis on hair and is there any data that shows financial success with copious amounts of hair?

LionYou could come to one of our free Open House events and see if your comment, “Every hair transplant I have ever seen always looks ‘unsightly’ and often worse when compared to them bald”, still holds true. I would challenge you to spot a hair transplant in many of my patients from what a normal non-balding man has.

You sound angry with your situation. Upon finding out what I did for a living, a woman at a dinner engagement last week said, “What is the problem with being bald anyway? I think that bald men are sexy.” I responded simply by saying, “If you take the lion’s mane away from the lion, you have a lioness.” You see, it is really a matter of perception. If a man feels less manly because of his balding, then hair is important to him. In particular, young men hang their image on anything that differentiates them from others. Balding at 23 years old certainly makes them different and that is not what they want. Generally speaking, women (particularly young women) don’t want a man to look older, and balding men tend to look older so that the discrimination is significant. I have found many wives bring their husbands for a hair transplant, because they do not want to have an older-looking man for a husband, particularly when they appear young or have had some plastic surgery to make them appear young.

I personally think that many men look great bald, particularly when the balding is in its final stages, but as they get there, some look scruffy and that becomes the motivator for hair transplant surgery. Clearly, a good hair transplant should not be visible and very few of my patients comment that their transplants were recognized as such. Examples of our fine work can be found at NHI Patient Photos.

Tags: society, hairloss, hair loss, hairtransplant, hair transplant

Dr Rassman, You Are So Negative!

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

I just want to say Dr.Rassman that I’ve noticed that you’re a big negative energy to this ongoing development for hairloss. For the past couple of months that I’ve done some research I’ve noticed that every comment made by you was a negative one. It is really annoying to see a Dr whom others look up to has nothing worthwhile to say other than shitting all over all these other doctors that are trying to make breakthroughs. Why don’t you go make yourself useful and try to make a difference instead of being that negative voice saying, “I told you so”. I know that if any of these breakthroughs surface you’ll no longer have a job. There are two kinds of people: people that are trying to construct and better everything, and others that just trying to destroy what others build. You’re the latter!

My, what a negative person you are! I relish the opportunity to respond to your blog-bashing. It is unfortunate that there is so much fraud in the field of potions and lotions for hair growth, so I call a spade a spade when that is the case. I really wish I could be positive when someone identifies a new treatment, but these types of products have been going on throughout modern history. Just look at the supposed “Hair Growing Hat” from 1924. That ‘hat’ idea has been cyclical over the years, coming out in many forms, the newest is the promise of a hair laser comb that magically grows hair in 90 days. I could be positive about it, but my audience of worried hair loss sufferers do not have to be ‘fooled’ by me. I would love to believe that things like that hat or any of the modern iterations of it, or magical potions and lotions, are really a cure for hair loss, but alas, that is just not the case. So many people just don’t know where to turn and the result of that lack of direction for hair loss sufferers reflect a multi-billion annual business worldwide. The good news is that magical potions and lotions and hair hats or laser combs that claim to grow hair, probably do little harm other than deplete the pocketbook and build false expectations. By taking my stab at such products, maybe I am helping the ‘not well educated’ person sort through the minefield of solutions for hair loss. If it’s true that there’s a sucker born every minute — well, I am just doing my part to educate the public.

If you think about what is in it for me… well, I don’t make money by giving out reviews, opinions, etc — and I have no secondary agenda other than a community service focus. I can assure you that I am not worried about my job security and I show my colors many times a day. What have you done to bring something positive?

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, rassman, review, opinion, negative, hat

Special Razor For Shaving Scalp?

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

Hi their, I have alopecia areata. I first noticed my hair loss on my 48th birthday, within weeks I had lost 99% of my head hair and my eyebrows.

That was six months ago and in that time my hair has regrowen twice or three times in patches of white fluff. (my hair was quite dark before)only to fall out again. What I would like to
know is their a razor or something special I can get that will help me to shave my head without cutting my scalp. I am sick of the little tuffs that regrow only to later fall out and have been shaving my head with a razor and shaving cream that nicks it at the back where I can’t see. Thanks

I don’t shave my head, so I can’t give any personal recommendation — but I have heard good things about the HeadBlade. It costs $15 at Drugstore.com, but you can probably find it locally (check the HeadBlade site for a list of stores).

Tags: headblade, head blade, razor, scalp, bald, shaving

What Questions Should I Ask When I Get My Miniaturization Test?

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

Doc,

Thanks for this gem of a site! I’m scheduling my first miniaturization with the Hair Club for Men. Two questions:

  1. What questions should I ask the physician when we meet?
  2. Have you heard anything from your colleagues in the hair transplant world re: Hair Club for Men’s experience and success in restoring hair?

Thanks for your time!

  1. First and foremost, you should educate yourself on hair transplant surgery and hair loss. Just as you have found this site, you can find tons of information on the rest of the web. Just double check sources and make sure the information is credible. You can also use NewHair.com for extensive medical information on hair transplantation and hair loss.
  2. With respect to the reputation / success of other medical groups, it would be unprofessional of me to comment (positive or negative) on the matter since it would obviously be a conflict of interest. We have many suggestions in this blog on how to qualify doctors and you should follow that advice.

You need to know what the mapping of your miniaturization shows and you should ask the doctor what he/she might predict will be the eventual loss of hair (distribution/pattern) and the rate at which you might bald. If you are using medications like Propecia, you should be able to compare the progress or reversal of the miniaturization over a time period of months.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, miniaturization, test, doctor

Can Hair Be Transplanted Into Grafted Skin After Burn?

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

Ten years ago my leg caught on fire and i got graft skin over the burn. know i got bald leg and hairy leg i wanna know if you can grow hair over the graft skin and get rid of the brownish color on it. thnk u

Yes, but it depends on the skin. I would need to see the quality of the skin below the grafted area to determine if transplanted hair would grow.

Tags: hairtransplant, hair transplant, burn, skin