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I don’t know if you have seen this new test by HairDX, but it caught my eye. It supposedly will predict your response to Finasteride.

HairDX

I also found this interesting news release at Marketwatch.com that discusses the HairDX (RxR) Genetic Test for Finasteride a bit more.

I am trying to understand how I would use the information that this new test would supply. I suppose if the test shows someone is not going to be very responsive to Propecia, then it could open up the possibility for the patient to have a hair transplant earlier, rather than waiting to see results from Propecia that may never occur. It’s not uncommon for me to turn potential surgical patients away if there’s a possibility that a single daily pill could solve their problem (I’d much rather recommend a pill over surgery if it’ll help). I think that I will offer the test to my patients and let them decide how to use it.

Snippet from the interview page:

A recent open house at a popular LA hair transplant clinic was packed with men. But LA Times business columnist David Lazarus told Bill Radke the rise in demand is less for vanity and more to maintain a competitive edge in the job market.

Following up the post I made yesterday about NHI being featured in the Los Angeles Times, I found an interview on APM (public radio) with LA Times columnist David Lazarus about the article he wrote.

• Interview with David Lazarus — here.
• Yesterday’s post about the LA Times article — here

Dr. Rassman,
Thanks for your fine blog and the wonderful service it provides. In your experience, how common is oily skin as a side effect of propecia, when does it present, and does it resolve itself over time under continued treatment. I took my first dose of Propecia this morning and even now (12 hours later) my skin seems much more oily than normal.

30 years old. Thinning in front and just starting to thin in the back.

Thanks

I am unaware of Propecia (finasteride 1mg) producing oily skin, but there is some logic that it could make the skin less oily. Propecia blocks dihydrotestosterone (DHT); oily skin is caused by DHT. Here’s a page that has more info about oily skin — Dermadoctor.com

This may be more of a non-direct hair question and thought you could answer this from your medical background. I’ve been consuming a bit of soy for hair protective measures and a friend of mine said that her roommate developed an allergy to soy because she got sick all the time. I always thought an allergy was manifested by itching, hives, etc. and not being sick. Does this make sense?

Bad reactions to natural substances do happen and it is not necessary to have itching, hives, etc. For example, some people get sick from dairy products and they do not develop itching, hives, etc but will develop ’stomach’ problems like cramps or diarrhea.

Great site. I have always thought that large amounts of fish oil can cause diffuse hair loss. The reason I think this is because of observing Asian woman and men. I have notice a LARGE amount of this population have diffuse hair loss, on the sides and back. I’m actually surprised of how many. I live in a major city and live in the ChinaTown section. I understand they have different hair characteristics ect…like skin color and dark hair but am convinced that this group of the population suffer from more diffuse than any other. I am convinced large amounts of Omega 3 can cause diffuse hair loss. It is interesting that GSK’s new prescription fish oil also list hair loss(Alopecia) as a possible side effect.

Lovaza Product Info PDF

Just thought I would get your view.

I do not think large amounts of fish oil cause diffuse hair loss. Are you implying Asians consume large amount of fish oil because they eat more fish and fish products than non-Asians? If we were to entertain your argument, I would think the Eskimos have a very high Omega 3 fish oil diet. I do know that they have less balding than the general population of Caucasians and American Indians. I can not address any suggestions by some manufacturers of fish oil supplements that hair loss is a known side effect, because I have no personal or professional experience one way or the other. The information PDF you sent (linked above) doesn’t have an actual percentage of those that experienced it. It could’ve been 2 people out of hundreds, but I have no way to know.

Asians (non-balding) generally have less hair than their Caucasian counterpart and also have less balding than their Caucasian counterparts according to studies I have researched in the past. Asians also have straight black hair which contrasts with their light colored skin and may look thinner. These factors can sometimes make non-balding Asians look as if they have thinning hair.

Doctor Rassman
I’m 20 years old and afraid I’m losing my hair, probably a mature hairline but I still fear the worst. I’m in a successful rock band and was wondering what my option are if i start to bald because i can’t just shave my head. I know i can use propecia but that would only last for so long right? Would a wig or weave stay on with all the constant head movement associated with playing rock concerts?

Genetic hair loss is due to genetics (as the name implies)… meaning, if you are going to lose hair you will lose hair and there is nothing you can do to stop it 100%. Drugs such as Propecia or Rogaine can slow it down or sometimes reverse some hair loss, but over the course of your life you will continue to lose hair (if you have the genes for genetic hair loss). Propecia is the best solution for a young man like yourself, if there is early hair loss going on. I would start by seeing a good physician who can diagnose you with genetic hair loss (also know as androgenic alopecia / male pattern baldness). There is no need to start any medication if you are not balding.

Wigs and weaves can stay on if fitted and attached properly, which many performers wear without it falling off while they “rock and roll” all night.

There’s a nice article in today’s Los Angeles Times business section (sprinkled with Dr. Rassman quotes and a plug for the Hair Loss and Replacement for Dummies book) written by a reporter that attended our free Open House event last weekend in our LA office!

Snippet from the article:

The recession has caused patient volume at cosmetic-surgery facilities to fall by a third, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. With money so tight, it’s hard for many people to contemplate spending thousands of dollars on face-lifts or boob jobs.

But when I attended an open house at the New Hair Institute in Century City last weekend, I found a waiting room full of guys who were willing to spend as much as $20,000 apiece to restore what nature was taking away.

In many cases, the motivation is vanity or self-esteem. But increasingly these days, another incentive for men to undergo hair-transplant surgery is a desire to be more competitive in a challenging job market.

The full article can be found at the LA Times website — In a hairy job market, can transplants aid the balding?

Dear doctor,
I have few questions about Proscar.

1. Do you think it is safe to cut proscar to 4-5 pieces?
2. Do you think that it is safer than buying generic finasteride?
3. Do you think that small differences in cutted pieces could have some negative effect?

thanks

And here’s a few answers to your questions about Proscar:

1. Yes, it is safe to cut Proscar into 4-5 pieces. Just cut one pill at a time.
2. I don’t think it is safer or less safe. The generic should be the same, just cheaper.
3. I don’t think the effect would be much, if any. This is why if you’re going to cut a 5mg pill, you should try to cut it into 4 equal pieces — much easier than cutting it into 5.

Hi Doc.

Can the usage of Xolair an expensive asthma injectible cause hair loss. I have read warnings that this is possible. I may be taking this medicine in the near future and wondered if you have any thoughts on this issue with this medicine. It appears that most people take this med for multi years.

Thanks

Yes, Xolair (omalizumab) has been reported to produce hair loss in some patients. I don’t have anything else to add, as I don’t use nor do I prescribe this medication (I do not treat patients for asthma ailments). Sorry.

You can find a list of potential side effects here.

Doctor,

Have you ever heard of Propecia causing TE?

No, I have not.