November 2010 – Page 8

November 2, 2010

Hair Transplant and Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia – Balding Blog

Hi. Yesterday i was diagnosed with Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. I was wondering if you know anything about having this disease and hair transplants. Since I was born with this can insurance cover it? I have spots and places where my hair will not grow. It requires me to wear hair extentions , and im thinking about a wig. Anyway , i was wondering if you knew anything about this.

Thank you

Yes, I do know about ectodermal dysplasia. It is a genetic trait which can affect hair (among other things). I do not know how insurance coverage plays a factor in this, but I doubt that hair transplantation will be an option. With ectodermal dysplasia there are defects in the hair and skin that may make hair transplants not possible.

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November 2, 2010

3 Weeks After Quitting Smoking, I am Seeing a Lot of Hair Loss – Balding Blog

I first noticed I was going bald about 2 years ago (at 22)and I immediately began researching and decided on Minoxidil, starting using it and got a fairly heavy shed. It all grew back plus some and the amount of hair I lost per day dramatically reduced (5 hairs compared to 40). I was sent abroad for a few months and spilled a bottle and could not order any more while there so went 2 months without it.

I changed to a purer brand and got some very impressive results after a couple of weeks with a shed about the same as the first. Now 3 months on I have quit smoking (3 weeks at this stage) and in the last week my hair loss has been huge! Im losing 5X more in the shower, 5x more on the pillow every morning! I know the blood circulation will be improved sending more nutrients etc to the hair so im not surprised the thin hairs are falling out BUT 40% of the hair is thick black hairs! Could this just be a shift to the growing phase or should I get the razors ready?

There’s really no reason for your hair loss to continue because of your quitting smoking. To suggest that smoking cigarettes kept your hair loss at bay doesn’t make any sense. If you’re experiencing accelerated loss, I’d expect it to be likely just a coincidence to when you stopped smoking.

Were the older minoxidil and new “purer” minoxidil both the same strength? I can’t tell you what’s going on, as I haven’t any way to determine that via the web… but visit your doctor to get down to a proper analysis of your problem.

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November 1, 2010

Family Genetics, Measuring the Mature Hairline – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to write this blog. I have two questions. First, how much truth is there in the genetics for hair loss comes from your mother’s father? If not completely, what role do your father’s genetics play?

Secondly, not to be too literal in what you’ve stated regarding measuring the mature hairline, but when you say it should rise about 1.5 to 2 times higher, does that mean from a center point used in measuring the midpoint of the hairline? I’ve included pics (feel free to publish), including one where I’m holding a ruler to show how I’ve been measuring my corners. My hairline is about 5/8″ from the midpoint and about 1 1/8″. What is that, about a Norwood 2?

Thank you for all the work you do.

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Thanks for allowing us to post your photos. Click them to enlarge.

Hair loss genes may be passed on from mother, father, or both. I realize many people believe it follows more from the mother’s side, but that is not an absolute fact. I’d say if anything, it favors the maternal side only 52% of the time, compared to the paternal side in 48% of cases. Statistically it is insignificant.

Your frontal pattern shows early erosion and a movement in the direction of a mature hairline, as the leading edge is thinning and the corners are a good one inch from the frontalis muscle in the corners. I would assume that you are under 29 years old. Everyone’s hairline is different and there is no absolute math or measurement to say precisely where your hairline should be, but for a mature hairline the picture here shows its location well.

And yeah, Norwood class 2 sounds about right. Unless you’re seeing loss on other areas of the scalp, I wouldn’t be concerned about your hair loss at this point.

November 1, 2010

Hydroxyzine Caused My Hair Loss to Stop – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hey Dr. Rassman
I am a 23 year old male, with no family history of MPB, who was diagnosed with MPB in October of 2009 and was immediately prescribed Propecia. However the Propecia didnt really seem to have any effect on my hair loss. That is however until I was prescribed Hydroxyzine for unrelated skin autoimmune condition in May of this year. Immediately upon taking Hydroxyzine I began to notice I wasnt losing any hair when I showered or when I put hair product in.

So my question to you is what type of effect, if any, could the Hyrdoxyzine be having? Also is it possible that my hairloss is actually caused by an autoimmune condition rather than MPB? And if so, how do I get the real cause of my hairloss properly diagnosed? Thank you for your time

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I do not know how hydroxyzine is connected to hair loss issues. Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine, much like diphenhydramine (commonly known as Benadryl). The fact that you notice some association with hair may be a coincidence. I believe what you are experiencing is almost certainly true, but I do not have a medical explanation. Have you discussed this with the doctor that diagnosed you with MPB?

Just to be clear to everyone, hydroxyzine is NOT used for MPB or hair loss issues.

November 1, 2010

Is the White Coating On My Hair Causing Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am a healthy 21 year old female. When my hair falls out, each strand has a white coating *surrounding* the white bulb. This ‘coating’ is usually white, also (sometimes it’s off-yellow). It’s a hard substance. You can scrape it off, and then you’ll see the normal white bulb.

Please help! What is this and what can be done? I am afraid it is causing hairloss.

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The white coating is likely sebum, and this is normal. It isn’t causing hair loss. It is a regular part of hair anatomy that acts as the body’s own conditioner, of sorts.

November 1, 2010

Itchy Scalp from Finasteride? – Balding Blog

hi Dr Rassman, I’ve been taking Finasteride since Apr 09 and would have to say, I haven’t seen any improvement. If anything, its gotten thinner, along with a case of scalp itch (no dandruff) in and around my hairline. Is that a known side affect of the drug? I’ve seen people suggest it could be new hair growing? That would be nice, but i’d rather see it than feel it. I don’t even like being in pictures any more. I’m seeing a dermatologist in a couple of weeks, but would really appreciate your thoughts.

Itchy scalp isn’t a side effect of Propecia (finasteride) as far as I’m aware. Perhaps you’ve got something unrelated going on that your dermatologist should be able to diagnose.

I’m not sure what area of your scalp that you’re looking at or where you’re losing hair, but Propecia does not generally regrow hair in the frontal areas (it can happen, but it’s rare). It might be slowing the loss down, but not stopping it completely. You’ve been taking the medication for over a year and a half, so hopefully your prescribing physician will have some better insight into whether there has been any success for you while taking Propecia.

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