Month: May 2013

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Hair Loss InformationTED Talk: The Great Porn Experiment (with Video) – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I watched a TED Talk recently that gave rise to many questions as to the actual percentage of sexual dysfunction/erectile dysfunction attributed to medications for hair regrowth. According to these scientific studies, hyper stimulation brought about by our internet lifestyle and in particular by pornographic images plays a major role in sexual desensitization that profoundly affects the intimate relationships with our partners.

I noted that the age group of men that had the most significant issues regarding sexual dysfunction aligned with the age group of men that sought solutions to hair loss and thinning with medications to prevent the fallout of hair.

I am not saying that the viewing of porn is to blame for all sexual dysfunction, only that there are co-factors that appear to significantly compound the problem. We wrote about a study that linked porn and ED a couple years ago here.

I have posted the video below and welcome your comments.

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Temperament Change from Taking Propecia Reminds Me of Taking Antidepressants – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am now about five weeks into taking Propecia and think that it has affected my temperament. (It reminds me a bit of taking SSRI anti-depressants some time ago.) I little wish to lose my hair and will in a little while decide whether or not I continue with this medication which I gather takes about three months to have a noticeable effect.

What interests me is knowing whether or not this sex hormone pharmaceutical is more or less severe in its side-effects than the female contraceptive pill which it reminds me of (I am a medical layman) in its operation?

Hope that you do not mind a question from outside the United States!

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There are mental side effects reported in a small group of individuals, much as you described. I’ve written about this many times before, including here, here, and here.

In one study, finasteride has been found to inhibit hippocampal neurogenesis in mice, which is related to emotional behavior. There are reports in humans with the higher dose (5mg) used to treat the prostate, and Wikipedia lists a few very tiny studies from at least 6-10 years ago that might point to a link between depression and finasteride in humans. This preliminary study from nearly 7 years ago suggests that patients with a high risk of depression should be prescribed finasteride with caution.

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In the News – Do Redheads Have a Higher Skin Cancer Risk? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Snippet from the article:

The red in redheads’ hair is thought to put them at increased risk of the dangerous skin cancer melanoma, even if they don’t spend a lot of time in the sun, according to a new study.

Study co-author Dr. David Fisher and his research team first uncovered the apparent link between red hair pigment and melanoma last fall. That study used genetically altered mice that had been given a mutant gene that increased their risk of contracting the skin cancer.

Now the researchers are taking the next step: asking why the body’s creation of the red hair pigment — called pheomelanin — might prompt that risk.

Their new paper, published May 9 in the journal BioEssays, speculates that pheomelanin could increase skin cancer risk by leaving skin cells more vulnerable to DNA damage.

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Read the rest — Red Hair Pigment Might Raise Melanoma Risk: Study

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A Few Hairs Are Weak and Wavy in My Otherwise Straight Hair – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi,

I’ve noticed that a few of the hairs at my hairline have become ‘wavy’ where as most of my hairs stand straight. Is it the case that these hairs are miniaturising?

They don’t appear to be thinner in diameter than the hairs next to them…but also don’t seem to grow as strong (i.e. they ‘fall down’ rather than grow straight up).

Thanks in advance.

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The weaker hairs you’re seeing could be miniaturizing, or it could just be that you’re seeing hairs in different parts of the hair cycle. Without seeing you, I have no way to know.

If you want to know if you have started the balding process, looking at one hair at a time is not the way to go. See a doctor who will measure your hair bulk in different parts of the scalp. Balding people (even in the early part of the process where you can not see any thinning) will always show a reduction in hair bulk.

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Hair Loss InformationShould I Use Vaseline On My Eyebrow Transplants? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

VaselineDoctor, compare about eyebrow transplant and hair transplant. Which has higher success rate and why?

3-4 days after eyebrow transplant I have a very little crust and scabs. Is it a good sign? Do I have to use vaseline petroleum to my eyebrow right away after procedure?

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Hair transplant results are the same for eyebrow or scalp. The eyebrows tend to crust less, but the key to keeping crusting down is to use a good washing technique daily after the transplant. I have never recommended Vaseline petroleum after a hair transplant.

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Is It Genetic Hair Loss or a Mature Hairline? (with Photos) – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I know my hairline has receded in the last few years, but I’m not sure if I’m showing signs of genetic hairloss or if it is a mature hairline. I’ve been to a dermatologist and a thricologist and neither seemed to take a serious look and just said it didn’t look to bad, but I wasn’t really convinced.

I am a 25 year old male. My dad is bald and probably started balding in his 20’s, my older half brother is bald and my two uncles on my mother’s side are bald. My mother’s father never went bald but had a high hairline, and my dad’s father started balding probably in his 50’s. I’ve realised that I’ve always had a fairly high hairline, and it has always been a bit higher on my right side. I can remember I used to part my fringe a certain way when I used to gel my hair when I was in my mid teens.

In terms of just measurements, my hairline corner (right side) is 1 inch above my wrinkled brow, and 2.5 inches above my eye brow. The middle of my hairline is 1 inch lower than that. The hairs in the corners of my hairline seem finer and less dense I think so I don’t know if that means it’s going to move up higher up.

Thanks again and thanks for the site, it’s very helpful. I wish I could stop by in person but unfortunately I’m on the other side of the Atlantic.

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Click the photos to enlarge:

 

You sent a lot of photos, but I chose the above three that tend to show the best angles. Thanks for sending them.

It appears that you have a Norwood class 3V balding pattern (not a maturing hairline) and the frontal area appears to be thinning where you have hair. The crown is early in the balding process. The photos aren’t the crispest or in the best light, so it is difficult to really make any specific determination. You need to see a good dermatologist or hair transplant doctor to be evaluated. Medications like Propecia (finasteride) are the only way you may halt the progression of the hair loss.

Since you’re on the other side of the Atlantic, you can visit Dr. Bessam Farjo in London or Manchester. Or if you happen to be planning a trip out to Los Angeles, we’d be happy to see you.

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I Have Seborrhoeic Dermatitis, Chronic Telogen Effluvium, and Possibly MPB! – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello,

I am 25 and have been gradually losing my hair for a couple for years now. In addition to what I would confidently call MPB, I also suffer from seborrhoeic dermatitis and chronic telogen effluvium.

1. Is the chronic TE linked to MPB or seb derm? I’ve suffered from TE for over a year and a half now and always assumed that losing hairs in this way was part of MPB. It constantly gets me down as I am constantly shedding hairs. A small pinch from anywhere from the top of my scalp can produce up to 20 plus hairs. It’s as if 50% of my hair isn’t even attached to my scalp. Several websites state that chronic TE is due to illness, whilst others say that it is the early stages of MPB.

2. Will the seb derm cause any hair loss if left untreated? Even though the seb derm is quite bad (thick yellow, oily scales all over my scalp), the condition is not yet visible to others and causes me no discomfort. I am worried about washing my hair every day with the recommended treatments because I lose so many hairs due to the TE.

Please help me! I’ve seen two doctors regarding my MPB and both told me that nothing could be done. I only discovered propecia etc. through google. I have been taking it for nearly 4 months now.

Many thanks for an enlightening website

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We are not, I suspect, one of the two doctors you have seen. I have no real experience in doing transplants on someone who has a pull test like you reported as evidence of chronic telogen effluvium. I am actually surprised that this has not come before me at an earlier time.

The seborrhea will not produce hair loss as long as you do not scratch or pick in involved areas. Transplants may be contra-indicated with a chronic telogen effluvium.

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In the News – L’Oreal Invents Liquid To Reawaken Dormant Hair Cells – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Snippet from the article:

Scientists at cosmetic company L’Oreal claim to have invented the first product which can actually “reawaken” dormant hair cells and allow them to grow back. It could offer hope to millions affected by male pattern baldness or just the thinning of hair through old age or for medical reasons.

Already demand for the new treatment has seen salons taking thousands of pre-orders even though the recommended three month treatment costs nearly £300.

After 90 days researchers claim that the liquid “Kérastase Densifique”, when applied to the roots, can promote the growth of more than 1500 new hairs.

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Read the rest — Breakthrough hair loss product works on stem cells

The real question is whether I should buy stock in L’Oreal. The study they cite saw 101 people over 3 months with some regrowth, but I have no idea how many people were actually in the study or why it lasted only 3 months. As more news becomes available we’ll look into it further.

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In the News – Small PRP Study Showed Significant Regrowth in Alopecia Areata Patients – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Snippet from the article:

In the latest research by scientists at the International Hair Research Foundation, the University of Brescia in Italy and the Hebrew University Medical Centre in Israel, used 45 sufferers with alopecia areata, affecting two per cent of the population.

The patients had injections on one half of their head. Some were given the PRP, some traditional steroid cream, while others received a placebo. Three treatments were given every month. Hair growth was checked by measuring the area where new hairs grew on the bald scalp. Results showed the plasma injections led to significant hair regrowth in the bald patches, compared with the placebo and the steroid treatment.

Following the publication of the study in the British Journal of Dermatology, the scientists are hoping to develop a cream, so needles won’t need to be used.

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Read the rest — The vampire ‘cure’ for baldness: Scientists inject patient’s own blood into head to stimulate hair growth’

It is important that the readers do not confuse the alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss) with the genetic male pattern balding condition called androgenic alopecia. Applying platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to androgenic alopecia has been tried over and over again, and despite many attempts to use this treatment for androgenic alopecia, hair growth has never been shown in a clinically valid, controlled study.

Although Dr Fabio Rinaldi told the Telegraph that the new treatment could also help those suffering more common hair problems like male-pattern baldness, I think he has gone overboard when he stated, “We think it can help to regrow hair on people with androgenic alopecia“. I strongly suggest that those people with classic male patterned baldness (androgenic alopecia) to not get suckered into the many doctors who have been selling this treatment for years.

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In Around 5 Months, My Bald Spot at the Back of My Head Has Grown (with Photo) – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am 25 years of age and i am concerned about my bald spot. I noticed it about 4 or 5 months ago. At first it was the size of a dime and now its bigger than a half a dollar coin. I am worried about my bald spot and i don’t know what to do. I also do not have any family history of balding.

Is there any treatment for my balding spot? Help me

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Click the photo to enlarge:

 

An examination by a good doctor is critical. The bald spot looks bare and I wonder about whether this could be alopecia areata, as part of the differential diagnosis to genetic balding. It could also be an infection of some sort. Get to a good dermatologist as the first step in your travel through this process.