August 2010 – Page 8 – Balding Blog

August 4, 2010

Over a Month After My Transplant, Grafts Came Out! – Balding Blog

Hi there! I was wondering if there is a possibility for hair grafts to fall out a month and a half after the procedure. I was gently rubbing my head when I noticed one of the tiny hairs fall off. That tiny hair had a piece of the root that came off with it (not just the bulb but a piece of the root that has dried up and is normally seen with a harvested hair graft prior to the transplant). Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I would hope you were given post-operative instructions, and that somebody at the surgical clinic explained to you what was involved and what to expect following a hair transplant.

About a month following the procedure most of the transplanted hairs fall out, at times appearing to be the full graft. This should not be the graft at 6 weeks though, as the “root” of the graft remains even if the hair and the surrounding tissue comes out with scabs. For more on this, see Graft Anchoring in Hair Transplantation (PDF file).

It takes anywhere from 3 to 8 months to start noticing significant growth, provided that your surgery was successful.

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August 3, 2010

Doesn’t a Class 5 Hair Loss Pattern Initially Start as Class 2 First? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

This is a comment we received to a post from last week — Settling In to a Hair Loss Pattern:

“and even the balding patients who start as a class 5 may not go much further”

I am a little confused about this comment, does not everyone who start balding start at a class 2 which progresses towards a 3, then 4 and so on. how can a person start at class 5 if they already have a considerable amount of hair loss as class 5?

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Norwood 5 Sorry about that. I thought it was pretty clear. In the post you’re referencing, I said the “Norwood chart is not to be seen as a progression of hair loss chart, but rather the final patterns seen in a large male population.” Here’s what I meant…

When you bald, a pattern will develop and at times it may look like those patterns on the Norwood chart. If it isn’t visibly evident, the loss may show with a microscopic exam of your hair at various areas on your scalp. This is what we call the miniaturization study.

A patient can just start thinning all over the scalp like a class 5 or a 6 from the beginning of his hair loss process. It doesn’t have to go Norwood 2, then 3, then 4, and so on. A microscopic assessment of your hair (miniaturization study) will show much more than what your naked eye sees in the early stages of hair loss.

August 3, 2010

Normal Daily Scalp Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I’ve always read that we lose 50-100 hairs a day but how much of that hair comes from the scalp or do we really lose 50-100 hair from the scalp? It would certainly explain the 30+ strands of hair that gets caught on my comb whenever I brush my hair.

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Windy We typically lose 100 scalp hairs each day… and most of that loss may occur when you are outside with the wind blowing through your hair doing your everyday activities. We are born with approximately 100,000 hairs on our scalp. While you may be losing 100 scalp hairs a day, your body is also growing 100 scalp hairs that you cannot see to keep things on a balance.

If you’re seeing 30+ hairs each time you comb your hair, I have to wonder if you’re wearing a hat or using gel/wax that could trap the hair that would normally fall out during the course of your day. Or perhaps you’ve got some sort of hair loss.

August 3, 2010

Hair Loss InformationYour Hunch Was Right – I Have Alopecia Areata – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,
Some time back I made the following posting and your hunch turns out to be right! I went to see a hair loss specialist (on my own as my physician tends to be dismissive). She did a biopsy and the results came back indicating alopecia areata. She recommended that I see a dermatologist. When I had the results in hand, only then did I tell my physician. My physician said he would refer me to dermatologist but the problem is there so few in our city that it takes months to get an appointment. Even then, preference is given to patients with more severe conditions.

I am wondering what I can do in the meantime. It seems my hairloss area is growing. The funny thing is that it looks somewhat like mpb. Initially the hairloss was visible only on the front right side just behind the hairline and then progressed towards the hairline and further back. The left sides is also catching up.

I’m really stressed out about this as my head does look good with short hair.

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Treatment options are limited for alopecia areata, but a great starting point is the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. I wish I could offer more, but at this time you should see the dermatologist… and if it takes too long for an appointment, ask your doctor for another referral to someone that can get you in sooner.

Good luck to you!

August 3, 2010

Brown Spots on My Scalp – Balding Blog

Hello,
I’ve noticed that many bald heads and im 42 and well on my way have lots of brown discolouration spots/blotches on the scalp. Indeed i have them as well near the front hairline where hair has totally gone. This i guess is just part of the whole balding process but what is going on here? Its as if i am watching it advance as hair recedes! Is it an inflammatory response.? Does science know for sure??

Many thanks for your blog and your time.!!

Sun You are very observant. These color changes in the scalp reflect sun damage, and one way to protect your skin is by using a good SPF sunscreen when you’re outdoors. It is unrelated to hair loss, but it makes sense that you’d notice these spots in an area of the scalp where there isn’t hair (like your frontal hairline).

These brown splotches may be precursors to skin cancers if left unchecked by a good doctor yearly, so be sure to get them looked at.

August 2, 2010

My Doctor Just Told Me to Use Rogaine If I Was Concerned – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I went to my Dermatologist because i was concerned about my recent hair loss. He told me i didnt look too bad and to use rogaine if I was concerned. I have been using it for a month and I know thats too soon to tell but from everything i have read it does not work on the hairline above the temples and that is where the hairloss is visible. i may have so slight thinning at the crown but it is not visible.

i am a 27 year old male and began to notice visible hair loss above the temples about 5-6 months ago. Should I consider using propecia? Do you need pictures?

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Doctor Propecia (finasteride) might be a possibility, but without seeing you I can’t make that recommendation. It’s a prescription medication and one of the two hair loss medications approved by the FDA. You’re not guaranteed to regrow your hairline with Propecia, but hopefully it could slow the loss. The earlier you start the medication into your hair loss process, the better.

Rogaine (minoxidil) is the other FDA approved hair loss medication, but regrowth at the hairline/temples isn’t a sure thing with that one either. It is available over-the-counter without a prescription, so perhaps your doctor didn’t want to prescribe you any medication (so he just told you to use Rogaine)… or maybe he just doesn’t know much about treating hair loss. In any case, if you feel that your doctor was dismissive and didn’t give you full consideration, you might consider seeing another doctor.

Hair transplant doctors are a good source for hair loss info since they specialize in the field, as opposed to general dermatologists. Just don’t get pressured into having a surgery. You can find a transplant doctor in your area using the physician search at ISHRS.org. Or if you’d like to send us photos and setup a phone consultation, our email address is on the contact page.

August 2, 2010

My Daughter Is Missing Half Her Hair After Radiation Treatment Years Ago – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Dr,

I have a 12 year old daughter who suffers from partial alopecia due to radiation cancer treatment to her brain at the age of 4. On the lower half of her head she has absolutely no hair, her hair follicles were burnt out by the treatment and on the upper half, her hair is very thin. Is there anything to re-activate the hair follicles? We are desperate for something mostly now that she is approaching her teens. Please let me know. your help is greatly appreciated

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There really is no perfect solution in a case like this. If the hair follicles that were damaged from the radiation treatment haven’t regrown by this point, they likely never will. Wigs are one option, hair transplantation may be an option as well, or even various surgical options that move sections of the scalp after stretching it (balloon expanders). I couldn’t say at this point though, as each and every individual is different.

You can come in and let us take a look at your daughter’s hair loss. As you indicated you are in Los Angeles, such a visit may have value. The consultation is free, so please call my office at 310-553-9113 if you’d like to set up an appointment.

August 2, 2010

Using Rogaine with a Heart Arrhythmia? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Doctor. I am a 58 year old male with a-fib. I have been taking Tambocor twice a day for 3 years and I would like to start using Rogaine. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks

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My thoughts are… you really need to ask your doctor.

Rogaine can cause a decrease in your blood pressure as a side effect. I do not know the state or severity of your atrial fibrillation or how well it is controlled or if you would have side effects with other medications. Only your doctor can give you specific information with respect to your treatment.

August 2, 2010

Accutane for Acne, Propecia for Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Im 22 years old and my hair has been thinning really really bad for like the last year or so.

I just started on my second month of propecia and I know its too early to see any changes, but my problem is that I also have an acne problem and my dermatologist is going to put me on Accutane. I know accutane contributes to hair loss also so i just wanted to know if I could be taking both at the same time? or just any advice you can give me.

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I doubt that Propecia (finasteride) will protect against possible hair loss from Accutane (isotretinoin). There aren’t known interactions between the two medications, but this subject needs to be discussed with the treating doctor, not with us over the web.