Month: December 2012

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Transplanting Patients with Vitiligo? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

As far as I know vitiligo patients are at increased risk of developing alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis. Obviously if a vitiligo patient who has male pattern baldness goes on to develop alopecia totalis or universalis then they would lose all scalp hair and any scarring from a hair transplant would be visible.

I appreciate that any hair transplant candidate could go on to develop alopecia totalis or universalis but in most cases the risk seems to be too small to be a serious factor. I am however wondering whether the increased risk associated with vitiligo patients is something that should be considered particularly where young men with male pattern baldness are concerned. It would be good to have your expert opinion on this matter.

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The appearance of a secondary skin problem (alopecia areata) in patients with vitiligo, although possibly linked and possibly at increased risk, has not been a problem in my experience. The decision to transplant should not be a concern in patients with vitiligo (as we at New Hair Institute have had successful hair transplants on patients with vitiligo) .

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In the News – Grandma Tattoos Entire Scalp Instead of Dealing with Wigs to Cover Her Alopecia – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Snippet from the article:

GrandmaA grandmother left completely bald by alopecia has ditched her wig in favour of something a little more permanent – a tattoo covering her entire head.

Ann McDonald, 60, suffers from alopecia and also has a thyroid problem which resulted in all of her hair falling out three years ago.

The grandmother-of-three was inspired to get the overlapping floral design which cost a £720 after becoming fed up with having to wear wigs and hats.

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Read the rest — Grandmother-of-three faces up to her hair loss in an unusual way

Wow! That is some dedication. Click the link above to see more photos.

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I’ve Taken Finasteride for a Year, So Is it Too Late to Map for Miniaturization? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Doc,

Within the next days, I’ll map my own scalp for miniaturization for the first time. However, I have been taking finasteride for one year. (It kept most of my hairline but didnt regrow anything.) So without having done the test before, how accurate can the results be after such a long time?

Besides, currently only my left corner is receding (between NW 1 and 2) and the whole side is more see-through than other, where my hairline has already receded 3 years ago and then stopped at a Norwood 2. Is it common to see one side go up because of maturation, while 2 years later the other catches up by MPB? Or do hair characteristics (such as curliness or color) vary in diff areas, create the see through appearance, and will these hairs thus look differently under a microscope? Thanks again

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A miniaturization study is an attempt to objectively quantify the degree of thinning and place a metric to different areas on the scalp so that you can compare one spot to another, as well as compare the measurements over a period of time. It is better than just looking in the mirror or running your fingers over your hair to judge the degree of thinning.

Ideally, one should get a baseline miniaturization measurement and even a photograph before starting on any hair loss treatment. If you have been on finasteride for about a year, I would at least get one objective measurement to record for comparison at another date.

If you are categorizing yourself as a Norwood 1 or 2 and the degree of thinning is on the front corner hairlines, I would point out that finasteride is taken mainly for men with thinning on the top / crown areas. Any hairline asymmetry will likely even out eventually. I generally like to get bulk measurements in people like you to establish a baseline from which future comparisons can be made.

I seem to repeat this theme over and over, but you need to follow up with the doctor who is prescribing you the medication and understand your treatment goal and Master Plan.

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Acne in the Recipient Area After a Hair Transplant – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Would getting acne in the recipient area in the days and weeks post-op have any effect on the grafts? If so, for how long after? Thanks.

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Sometimes hair transplant patients may experience folliculitis weeks to months after surgery, which looks like acne. It is generally advised to follow up with the surgeon and use warm towel compresses to address the area. Some doctors prescribe a short term oral antibiotic for it as well.

The cysts that form reflect the sebum production of the transplanted hair that can not exit the skin, because there is no pore present. It generally does not affect the grafts.

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I Clipped Some Hairs for a Homemade Miniaturization Test – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Would alternating between different shampoos help stop hair loss?

Also, I recently did a homemade minaturization test. I clipped some hairs from my donor zone, and they were thicker than the hairs I clipped from just above my crown. Is that a sign of MPB?

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Clipping your hair in different areas will tell you just how much miniaturization you have. The donor area should have the thickest hair, but if you do not have male pattern baldness, the same hair thickness should be every other place (front, top and crown).

As hairs miniaturize, the thickness in some of the hair shafts is finer. This creates a see-through appearance if there is enough miniaturization present.

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Is Itchy Scalp a Symptom of MPB? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have an itching scalp in the area where I experience hair thinning. Could this be a symptom of MPB, or could it be a symptom of something that is unrelated to MPB but causes hair thinning?

I also have dandruff, if that matters. Although I use Head and Shoulders, there are still flakes when I itch my head.

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Some people have reported an itchy scalp when they are balding. I often wonder if what these people are complaining about a scalp that gets more sun, more air movement, and gets exposed to more drying.

Perhaps in your case it’s just the dandruff causing the itch and the location of the loss is coincidental.

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Do Thin Eyebrows Mean a Thyroid Condition? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi doctor, I see that you mention that a thyroid condition may cause balding. I’ve read that one of the symptoms of a thyroid conditions is thin eyebrows. If I’ve always had thin eyebrows since I was a kid (especially on the outer edge), does that mean I have a thyroid condition – or that I just had naturally thin eyebrows?

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Thin eyebrows just means you have thin eyebrows, especially since you report having this as a child. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have a thyroid issue. If you think you have a thyroid condition, then you should see your primary care doctor. It is a simple blood test.

If you want thicker eyebrows, you can always consider an eyebrow transplant, which takes hair from the back of the scalp. We’ve successfully transplanted eyebrows for many patients with great results, but the patient has to remember to trim their new eyebrows regularly since the hairs will continue to grow like it would on the scalp.

There’s some examples of eyebrow transplants here, here, and here.

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Massive Hair Loss After Eustachian Tube Inflammation – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Dr,

Im 31 years old, went ill with an eustachian tube inflammation and had 1 month off work, with severe pain and insomnia. A couple of weeks later, I had a massive shedding with incredibly rapid and notorious miniaturization of all my hair. I even clogged the drain, losing approx 40% of all my hair. The remaining hair changed its architecture, looked curly (my whole life have had straight hair). I assume this is hair degeneration. I started dutasteride 0.5mg/day immediately.

Is it possible for DUPA to behave like a massive TE? It looks like DUPA were stress triggered, and acted on onsets rather than progressive. Thank you.

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This does sound like telogen effluvium, since the shedding started after your stress from the inflammation, pain, and subsequent insomnia. I would hope that if you started dutasteride, you’re already under the care of a doctor that prescribed it to you… but if not, you need to see your doctor for an examination.

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I’m 45 and Just Saw My Hair Started Thinning So I’m Taking Everything I Can Find – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

i am a 45 yr old male in good health but take blood thinner. i noticed that i was thinning so started a vitamin regimen and rogaine plus Nuhair for men. Im not seeing great results but it hasnt been that long. im still shedding not real bad but 20+ hair when i style. is this normal? and i thought propecia had bad side affect?

P.S. just started a new relationship i want it too go rite plus been kinda stressed too :( help

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You really should see a good doctor and find out what is happening. Stress can cause hair loss, but shedding 20 hairs is within the range of the 100 or so hairs anyone might lose per day as new hair grows in (the regular cycling of hair).