Author: Dr. William Rassman

Hello Dr. Rassman and thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

I am a 16 (almost 17) year old male and I am experiencing hair loss on the temple of my head. My father is near bald and has just surpassed 50 years of age. I read on the internet that uncontrolled diabetes can also affect hair loss and because my mother has diabetes I have wondered whether I also have diabetes, hence the reason for my hair loss. None of my grandparents were bald, although they had a receding hairline. I also recognize that I am at Norwood II. I am wondering if my hair loss is permanent or not?

Diabetes is not a cause of hair loss, but genetics certainly are and if the genetics are there, the stress of diabetes may accelerate the genetic patterned hair loss. If the diabetes is out of control, then clearly it can cause hair loss as well. You should confirm if you have diabetes, easily done through your family doctor.

If a diagnosis of male pattern balding is confirmed, then finasteride (brand name Propecia) is the best approach to preventing or slowing down any genetic hair loss process. Even a Class II patient in their 20s may be thinning from genetic causes. Early, aggressive treatment is the best prevention at any age.

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i have long hair. does that mean that my roots are weaker and can cause me to lose more hair

Not unless you are pulling on it when brushing.

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Hi, Im a 29 year old male. In the last few months I have started shedding more hair than Ive noticed before. Im finding about 10 – 20 hairs on my pillow and a similar amount coming out in the shower. Also if I run my hand through my hair one or two hairs falls out each time. At this stage though there is no visible thinning/receding. I have a high forehead but as far as I can remember this has always been the case, there has been no substantial change throughout my 20’s.

I have started a new stressful job recently. Also my father started thinning in his mid 30’s. He is 60 now and has a type III/V Vertex on the Norwood scale. There is no baldness on my mothers side. I guess my question is, is moderate shedding enough to justify getting concerned? I have heard that people can get overly caught up with counting hairs and worry themselves silly, something which I can be prone to. I don’t want to begin taking Propecia prematurely.

If you get your hair mapped out for miniaturization and there is none present, it would be reasonable to assume that you are not currently balding and need not worry. Most men who begin balding start to see miniaturizing of the hair before the hair loss occurs. That is why mapping out the head for miniaturization is so important. It takes the guess work out of the process and therefore should control your fears. Then, considering your family history, you should get your hair mapped out yearly for some advanced warning of impending hair loss. Most men at 29 years old should show miniaturization if they are losing hair.

i have an area next to my goatee that is a smooth solid area. the area doesnt really look like the pigmentation is gone, just there is no hair. the areas that its spreading to will lose the hair that was once there. what is this? i have sent a picture of this with this blog, i hope you get it, and can tell me what this is. its worrying me.

It had spread very quickly for about 2 weeks, but has just stopped. I have been to a dermatologist yesterday, and he said he “thinks” it is alopecia areata, and gave me samples of a cream, pendazol or something. it’s a steroid, which im sure you know, and after one day of using this cream, I already notice I have white hair growing back. Hopefully this works.

Do you believe this is alopecia areata?

thank you for your help in advance.

It is behaving like alopecia areata. A biopsy will confirm the diagnosis. The area may widen even further, may pop up elsewhere on the face or scalp, and may last for weeks, months, or years.