Author: Dr. William Rassman

Blog comment from reader:

Dairy causes hair loss. Inuit and Native Americans have no MPB at all, and dairy is not a part of their diets. Only when they start eating dairy and become westernized can they become susceptible to hair loss. Same with Asians. If you don’t believe this check this out. My mom’s dad had hair until he was 85 when he died, and was lactose intolerant. My uncle (mom’s brother) also has all his hair at age 60, and grew up in the same household as my grandfather. I’m 1/8 Native American from my dad’s side (he is 64 and is 1/4 Native American and has slight hair loss) and my hair is slightly thinning (but my hairline is the same). I have a feelign the dermatoligist could’ve made an erroneous opinion, but nevertheless, it could be right. And I am a big time natural gym rat, and I drink milk products like it’s my job. Everyday. You name it. Milk, cheese, pizza, whey protein, yogurt, etc. And I have 3 older brothers, two of which have no hair loss and hardly take in dairy, and one of which has slight thinning (according to me) and drinks milk like it’s his job. I am on minoxidil and omega 3 fatty acids, and am starting saw palmetto and also I stopped dairy products as of yesterday. And if you still don’t believe me check this out. My mom has a twin sister, and that sister has a son, who is 34 (I’m 24). He has no hair loss at all, and guess what, that’s right, he’s lactose intolerant. How do ya like them apples now?

Email from same reader:

Let’s say there is a risk of hair loss directly associated with dairy consumption. If this is theoretically true, does this mean that if we stop dairy consumption the dormant hair follicles may grow more hair? Also, is the hormone problem in milk the same as the hormone problem in chicken and beef? In canada they banned growth hormone almost 10 years ago and, assuming most people there eat either chicken or steak, I haevn’t heard of a significant decrease in male pattern baldness.

You raise some interesting connections with dairy products and diets in general that might be worth investigating. So while there may be some connection with dairy or diet and hair loss, I am afraid I can not tell that from your family history alone. In fact, your family history isn’t exactly proof — I’ve had lactose intolerant patients that are still obviously balding. Your cousin likely doesn’t have the hair loss gene expressing itself, meaning he dodged the genetic bullet on that. Or his hair loss may just show up late in life, although that is rare.

Thanks for the stimulating comments. I loved your questions and enthusiasm, but I won’t go so far as to say that dairy and hair loss are linked — just that it needs to be investigated in a scientific way.

i start loosing hair when i was of eighteen years. my skin is oily. i have dandruff problem. Now on THE NORWOOD/HAMILTON SCALE I am at 3V position

father = bald at 30
mother = normal
siblings = normal
paternal uncle = bald at 30
maternal uncle = bald at 50
grandfathers = bald at 50

Honestly, there isn’t much I can tell you just based on what you’ve given me. I’m not even really sure what your question is. Your dandruff isn’t your cause for hair loss.

See a doctor, get your hair mapped for miniaturization, and if you have male pattern baldness (which is what it probably will be based on your family history), Propecia (finasteride 1mg) is the best medication to use.

Dr. Rassman, read this please:

The Sun — Weight training makes you bald

It says that men who lift weights are more likely to go bald. To the best of your knowledge, do you know if there is any truth to this article?

Also, will taking propecia perhaps help to offset these alleged effects of weight lifting on hair? Its starting to bug me because I recently started lifting again but have been having success with propecia for around a year now. I dont want to lose benefits that propecia has given me so far. I’d appreciate a response, thank you.

Many men who lift weights also take anabolic steroids, which cause a man to accelerate hair loss. I doubt the truth in what I read here and remain skeptical. Just keep doing what you like and continue taking Propecia (finasteride 1mg). If your hair loss gets worse, then see the doctor who prescribed it to you and discuss your Master Plan with him/her.