Month: December 2012

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Hair Loss InformationTaking Aspirin Before a Hair Transplant? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi,
I am having a hair transplant surgery by the FUE method and I am aware that I should not take aspirin 7 days prior to my transplant, but I completely forgot the 7 day rule and by the time my surgery comes up it will be only 5 days since stopping my baby (low dose) aspirin use. Is this going to affect the outcome of my surgery or during surgery due to bleeding? Is 5 days time for stopping my aspirin use enough time to have my surgery without worrying about it? I am a little concerned and blame myself for not stopping it a little sooner.

Please let me know if OK. Thank you kindly.

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Excessive bleeding is always a risk in surgery when the patient is on a medication that can cause major bleeding (such as aspirin). Your surgeon should be made aware and you should discuss your risks with him/her.

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Hair Loss InformationOne Side of My Hairline is Receding More Than the Other! (with Photos) – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

hey doctor. I’m just wondering if I have a mature hairline or is it more? my hairline has certainly changed from when I was 18. also I cannot understand why one side seems to be receding more than the other and has been for years! I have naturally thin hair.

I have attached a picture that tracks my right side for over 2 years. a recent picture with my hair wet and also with a styling product in and then the left side which does not seem to change. you can use this for you site if you like.

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Thanks for allowing us to publish your photos. I didn’t use all of them, but I think our readers will get the idea. Click them to enlarge.

 

Some men do not bald symmetrically, and in your case, that seems to be what is happening. The left side appears to be a mature hairline and the right side appears to be beyond just the mature stage. Propecia is a good drug to help slow down the process, though I wouldn’t expect regrowth there necessarily.

Since you indicated that you’re in the UK, I would suggest visiting a specialist like Dr. Bessam Farjo with offices in London and Manchester, so you can get an expert opinion on your hair loss situation.

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Hair Loss InformationI Drink a Lot of Alcohol and I Take Propecia – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I’ve been taking Propecia for almost a year now and don’t think I’ve seen any more loss but I’m curious about taking Propecia whilst drinking heavily. I drink every night due to a stressful job and also entertain clients. I am looking into cutting down but due to the nature of my work, it’s not always possible.

If I am taking Propecia whilst drinking a lot, is there a better time of the day for me to take it? If I take it in the morning before work after a night of drinking, will my body process it like normal?

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You know this already, but you should cut down or stop your excessive drinking. Taking Propecia is not related nor interferes with alcohol intake.

However, if you develop liver disease from the excessive alcohol, this could negatively impact the metabolism of Propecia. But if it got that far, hair loss shouldn’t be your number one priority anyway.

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Hair Loss InformationAre Certain Hair Colors More Likely to Go Grey? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Are people with certain hair colours more likely to go grey as they age? I notice a lot of people with salt and pepper coloured hair but I can’t think of anyone I’ve seen with that level of brown and grey hair, or red and grey hair etc.

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All hair colors would generally grey as the person ages. The degree of greying and how fast the person goes grey is dependent on their genetic predisposition. I am not aware if there is a correlation with hair color and going greying.

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I’ve Had Diffuse Shedding Since Starting SSRI? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Had a slight thinning of hairline and a diffuse shed since starting an ssri. i have heard this is due to high prolactin caused by the ssri medication. could the thinning/receding hairline be the result of the medication?

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While some medications can cause hair loss, medication is generally the last consideration among the list of other causes of hair loss. You may just have genetic hair loss that can cause thinning in the hairline. There is a reason why we call it male pattern baldness. Genetic balding has a pattern to it — like a receding hairline.

It’s even possible that you have a combination of things going on, with your genetics causing your hairline recession and the SSRI causing a diffuse shed elsewhere on your scalp. Many SSRIs are known to have hair loss as a rare side effect, but you really need to speak to your prescribing doctor about the medication and any issues you may be having because of it. I’ve written about this before here.

I simply don’t know enough about your case history, including your age, how long you’ve been taking the SSRI, family history of hair loss, etc.

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Hair Loss InformationCan Half of My Hairline Be Juvenile and Half Be Mature? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

First I’ll like to say, I really enjoy your blog. I found your blog about a year ago and love it.

I have a question about hairlines. I have an asymmetrical hairline. I think its mature on the right and juvenile on the left. So could it be that my right side is juvenile and my left side is normal? I know you said they eventually even out, but are there any cases you know of where they DON’T even out?

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You can have both the appearance of a juvenile hairline and genetic male pattern balding occurring at the same time. Unless you have an examination and also followed over a course of a year, it is likely difficult to tell. Other factors, such as your age, family history, degree/pattern of miniaturization, and even bulk measurements can aid in a more objective diagnosis.

Unfortunately, I don’t know enough about your case to give you a decent idea of what is happening to your hairline. Having an asymmetrical hairline isn’t impossible, but I wouldn’t be surprised if in time you see the other side catch up.

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Hair Loss InformationI’ve Had Significant Diffuse Hair Loss On My Entire Scalp and Face – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I’ve experienced significant diffuse hair thinning/hair loss over my entire scalp and facial hair about 8 months ago.

Could this be anything else besides Androgenic Alopecia? I’m 41 and was slowly losing hair only on top since I was 20. Been on finasteride for 7 years. Should I see a dermatologist first?

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You should just see your primary doctor to make sure you do not have any other medical causes of hair loss.

Androgenic alopecia is also known as male pattern baldness (MPB). As the name implies, there is usually a “pattern” to the balding. Diffuse hair thinning all over your scalp, including in the donor area, would not be MPB… but could point to something like alopecia areata.

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Hair Loss InformationCan Rogaine Cause Impotence and ED? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have a question about taking Rogaine. I read a lot of people saying that when they took topical Rogaine that they noticed soft erections and impotence. Is this possible and do you hear a lot of people reporting this? thanks

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I personally never heard of this from any of my patients. Moreover, I do not believe erectile dysfunction or impotence is a side effect of Rogaine (minoxidil).

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Hair Loss InformationYou Say Norwood 2 is Just a Mature Hairline, But Can It Be Treated Surgically? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Docs, thanks for the great site, it really helped me figure out my options. I finally got a check on what I thought was a receding hairline after seeing my brothers lose their hair and after a couple of checks with a hair specialist in the UK I was told I have a matured hairline but no apparent signs of real balding, recession or minituarisation. I was told that there was no apparent need for me to use Propecia or Minoxidil. I am aged 32 now and my hairline looked to have matured by around 21 and hasn’t moved noticeably since then.

My question is that you tend to mention on this blog that a Norwood 2 is approximately a mature hairline and you don’t consider this male pattern balding from a surgical standpoint – but on your New Hair Institute site you show Norwood Class II patients and count that as hairloss that could be treated surgically? Would this be strictly for a cosmetic adjustment of the hairline? (I realise it’s all cosmetic surgery but as in there’s no balding to cover, just a hairline change). Although I’m happy with my hair more or less, I’d still prefer a slightly straighter (closer to juvenile) hairline as I have quite a high, thin forehead and I’d be interested in surgery simply as a cosmetic adjustment.

Thanks for any clarification.

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Norwood 2Hair loss is not a medical illness. Hair transplant surgery is considered cosmetic surgery. If you want to enhance your appearance, it is your choice. So for those with a Norwood class 2 or a mature hairline which is more like an early Class 3 pattern, we can certainly treat it.

The point I generally make in my medical practice and here on BaldingBlog is to have open communication between the patient and doctor. We give our opinions on what may be too low of a hairline and how it may not be age appropriate, but in the end each and every patient has a right to choose their own “look” and hairline.

There is nothing wrong with, as you put it, a cosmetic adjustment.

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Hair Loss InformationI’m Seeing Baby Hairs Growing at My Hairline After Taking Propecia for 8 Months! – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello doctor,

I’ve been on propecia for about 8 months and its going well my hair is stronger and the crown is looking better every day..

I’ve noticed some long thin white ‘baby’ hairs on the front of my head where my hair recedes that were never there before. Could I be one of the lucky ones and get hair growth on my front too?!

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Perhaps you are one of those rare lucky patients that sees some regrowth at the hairline from Propecia (finasteride). It would be nice to see your before and after pictures.

What you are calling ‘baby’ hair is not the strong hair that you need to consider it regrowing, but give it a full two years to see what emerges.