December 2007 – Page 3

December 26, 2007

Hair Loss InformationZiac and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi,

Im 24 years old and I took a medication known as Ziac a few years back. I have reason to believe that ziac causes hair loss for a few reasons. When I started taking the medication I noticed an increase in body hair and my temples starting thinning a bit. I took the lowest dose possible for right over a year until I got my blood pressure controlled naturally.

Now I wanted to ask you if the properties of ziac can trigger male pattern baldness if I already have the balding gene. My dad is bald but my moms dad had hair till he died. The body hair increase for me was strange because before the meds I literally had like no body hair at the age of 21. Now I have some chest hair and even back hair popping up.

I know beta blockers can cause balding, but is ziac one of them that can trigger balding? Ive tried to look up how they effect androgen levels but I find confusing results, do you have any idea if this would be like all the other beta blockers and trigger MPB? I have really thick hair right now at 24, but I feel my temples are slowly receding. Please if you can help I would be thankful, my mom thinks im crazy that I think im going bald. I know though beta blockers can cause balding and I noticed the temple areas got thinner when I took the med, im just hoping if it did trigger MPB it stopped progressing after I stopped the meds 3 years ago.

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Ziac is a combination blood pressure medication. The two medications are bisoprolol (beta blocker type) and hydrochlorothiazide (fluid pill). Ziac, along with many other anti-hypertensive medications are known to cause hair loss. You need to discuss this with your doctor as this is a medical problem that you must have if you are taking this medication.

However, you most likely have male pattern baldness (MPB) or genetic hair loss, given that you have been off of the medication for several years and still have noted hair loss. You need to have a miniaturization study to determine if you are losing hair in a genetic pattern, and if so, discuss treatment options with your doctor.

December 26, 2007

Why Do I Have Gray Pubic Hair? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have noticed 2-3 grey pubic hair, why is it happening? will all my pubic hair turn grey. My age is 24 and i am a female. will cutting grey pubils hair be safe?

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In general, women start developing gray hair at around age 35, though this is dependent on your genes. Melanin produced by each hair follicle is what gives hair its color, and this is affected by genetics. I would not stress too much about this. Gray hair anywhere on your body is a genetic process and there is nothing to do to change the color — other than to dye it, cut it, or pluck it.

December 24, 2007

Happy Holidays from BaldingBlog! – Balding Blog

It’s the holiday season, so we’re off today and tomorrow to be with family and friends!

While there may be no new posts for 2 weekdays, there’s still plenty of posts I’m sure you’ve missed over the years. Please use the search box at the top right to find a topic that interests you!

Happy Holidays!

December 21, 2007

Hair Loss InformationThe Hair Loss Consultation – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi, I believe I asked a question some months back but you only responded by asking me to come in for a consultation. So, let me try to get into specifics before considering coming in. I have been undergoing some stress lately and noticed thinning of my vertex. My hairline is completely unchanged… same as it has been since high school. I am also underweight for my height. Male, 28 years old 6’2″ 160-165 lbs. I have been underweight for the last 4-5 years. My average weight was 180 lbs in the past but have been eating less due to shortage of time and decreased appetite from work, plus I exercise 5-6 days a week. Also, my protein intake has fallen drastically.

I am contemplating whether I am experiencing MPB or Telogen Effluvium. Few months back I noticed a lot more shedding from the vertex area, mostly in the shower. I would pull at my hair and more than 4-5 strands would come out at a time and would not stop until I have pulled out an average of 10-15 strands. This happened every morning in the shower. It has somewhat slowed down, but now I am seeing some hairs come out that underwent miniaturization. Maybe I am experiencing a combo of both Telogen Effluvium and MPB. But has there been cases where men only experience balding in the vertex only?

My father is balding at the age of 59 (typical horseshoe). My mother’s side shows no signs of hairloss from anyone. He informed me that he experienced loss in the front first. If I inherited his baldness, would I follow his pattern?

Detailed feedback would be appreciated. Is consultation by appt only?

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Yes, consultations are by appointment only. Your case, like many, are not as cut-and-dry as you’d like it to be, so it would be difficult to just make random assumptions about your hair loss without an exam. I’m not trying to “rope” you into coming in, but I’m also not trying to steer you in the wrong direction. This does require an exam, which can and should be done locally. When I see a patient for the first time (let’s say you, for example), I would plan on spending an hour with you, which gives me time to:

Get to know you
Listen to the problem you will be defining
Examine your scalp and hair in detail
Discuss a ‘plan of attack’ based upon a Master Plan we would setup to manage your hair loss problem

MPB can be limited to only the vertex (crown), or it may start in the front and progress backward. Genetic hair loss generally occurs in patterns (see Norwood Chart). Telogen effluvium, on the other hand, would be diffuse and not only limited to a patterned area.

If you’d like to setup a free consultation, you can either call my office at 800-NEW-HAIR or fill out the form on my site to Request Additional Info and someone from my staff will get in contact with you.

December 21, 2007

Testosterone Booster vs Propecia – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have been taking Propecia for 22 months. It worked wonders for me. After 2 months my hair loss stopped. After 10 months I would estimate 40% of my hair grew back. After 20 months my estimate would be that close to 60% grew back. I had a small bald spot on my crown less a 1/2 inch in diameter that completely grew back. The front of my head was receding rapidly and looking thin. The receding stopped and I actually got regrowth mostly only on one side and overall my hair looked drastically thicker. I swore by the stuff based on the results that I saw.

About two weeks ago I got a very short hair cut, not a buzz cut but real short and about three weeks ago I started taking a training supplement that is a testosterone booster. (I purchased at GNC) In the last 4 or 5 days I have suddenly noticed shedding in the bath tub and my hair is looking much thinner in the front than it has in a long time. I am 35 and never miss taking a 1mg pill first thing in the morning.

My guess is that taking the testosterone booster has messed with my system and is dulling the effectiveness of the propecia. Can you comment?

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My guess is that you are right. I do not know of a testosterone booster natural supplement, but if it indeed increases testosterone, then you will likely have more DHT production as a result and this may tip the balancing scale over to more hair loss. It seems that your Propecia (DHT blocker) regimen was working well. I would stop taking the testosterone supplement if you are noticing a direct correlation to hair loss.

I cannot comment on whether your hair will grow back; it may or it may not. If I was a betting man, I’d say that your chances of growing more hair back is slim, but stopping the offending formulaes you are taking would be wise. This is just my opinion though and I am not your doctor.

December 21, 2007

Each Transplanted Graft Is Slightly Raised – What Can I Do? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I had a hair transplant about a 2 years ago, mostly around my temperal area and a minimal amount in the very front of my hairline.

I have a question about scarring. My donor scar is fine and doesn’t bother me, but where each hair was transplanted the skin is raised just slightly so it’s like i have very tiny little bumps all over my temples and the front of my hairline. They are tiny enough that i assume most people never notice, but if I look in bright lighting I feel that it’s very obvious, at least to me.

I figured they would become less raised over time, but they are still there. I have become self conscious about being under bright overhead lights and even about being outside when the sun is bright without a hat. It’s really messing with my head, no pun intended. But seriously, it’s taking quite a toll on my self esteem.

Is there anything I can do that would just smooth the little tiny bumps, like laser therapy? or would that just make things worse and remove hair?

Any advice would be very greatly appreciated.

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This problem was common in the old days, when doctors placed larger grafts in the transplant area. Your doctor may have left too much skin on the graft surface and had them elevated at the time of the transplant surgery.

Lasers to the skin might kill off the hair. Dermabrasion will probably discolor the skin in the area that it is abraded. I have seen many examples of people who had scalp skin abrasion. I would think that careful ‘shaving’ of the bump would reduce or eliminate the bumps, but this would have to be done by an expert in the field and it would be a tedious procedure under local anesthesia. You would likely have to have your head hair brought down to skin level (shaved close) to get the bumps addressed.

December 21, 2007

Atopic Dermatitis in Baby – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

My 9mos.baby has Atopic Dermatitis, Doctor prescribed use of Cetaphil Lotion as shampoo. Now her hair is falling and she has itchy scalp.If it is allergy to the lotion how can i treat it to return to normal condition?

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It seems that you are asking for a second medical opinion. This is not a place for such advice. If it is an allergy, it is very important for you need to go back to the doctor who prescribed the medication and ask him/her about your concerns. Your baby’s relationship with the doctor did not end with a prescription and the doctor needs to be kept in the loop if something is not going well.

I am not evading your question, but you should know that my practice is basically hair loss in adults with a leaning to surgery as a solution (when necessary). Clearly, the area of a 9 month old with atopic dermatitis is outside my relm of expertise.

December 21, 2007

Will Propecia Offset Steroid’s Negative Effects on Hair? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

What if you are taking propecia. Can that offset the negative effects of the steriods and let you keep your hair if you have mpb genes???? Please let me know you answer…

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Steroids may accelerate the time it takes for your body to move to its final hair loss pattern. For example, if you are destined to become a Norwood Class 5A by the age of 40, the steroids may induce this pattern to develop earlier (age 25+). You will not become balder than your destined pattern. Propecia may slow down the impact of the steroids, but it will not completely stop it from occurring.

December 21, 2007

In the News – Obesity and Cancer Linked? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

From time to time, I like to pass on some important health information (not hair-related) and insights that I come across. In the November 3rd issue of New Scientist magazine, the editorial “What’s for dinner?” was about the issue of linking cancer to obesity. The article suggests that there is a clear connection between obesity and cancer and gives ways to reduce this risk with good exercises, reduced weight, proper diet (not junk food), reduced meat intake and staying away from salt above 5gms per day.

I realize this article is over a month old now, but I was trying to get clearance to publish or link to the full article here. Unfortunately, I can’t link to the full article for legal reasons, but New Scientist does allow you to read it if you pay for a membership to their site. The link to the article preview is here.

December 21, 2007

Sweaty Scalp and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

my scalp has been ictching and feels burning for about 1 1/2 years.i also get spots on my scalp which are really sore.my hair is thining quite bad.i have the same symtoms all over my body. i sweat a lot on my scalp,underarms and groin.when i sqeeze a spot on my face i get a white sticky discarge which smells like vomit please help as i am a single dad of 2 and also have a bad deformed head an do,nt what to lost my hair.

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“White sticky discharge which smells like vomit”…? I think losing hair should be the last of your worries. Please see a doctor for an examination of your problems.