Author: Dr. William Rassman

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Hair Loss InformationIf I Lost My Hairline Corners a Few Years Ago, Am I Safe From Further Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Dr,

I am nearly 29 years old and first noticed hairline recession when I was around 25. I have had it confirmed by a good dr that this is indeed balding and not just a mature hairline…but the extent of the recession is not drastic – i.e. when washed/dried, I doubt most people would think i was balding.

The extent of my receded hairline has been more or less the same for at least the last 2-3 years. Therefore my question is, can i breathe a sigh of relief that my balding is not likely to be extensive or is this just the way that hair loss works? i.e. lose the corners of the hairline one year (like me) and then five years later start losing elsewhere? I have been very obsessive about checking my hair..so I am almost certain that the thinning is for now only at the hairline corners and has only been very slow to progress if at all since the original loss.

My father is a NW6 and my maternal grandfather probably around a NW3V.

I would love to get the corners transplanted to have a more defined hairline if it is possible to do so. By the way, I had a hair density test 6 months ago and plan to to go back after a year for a follow up…but the doctor said that he didnt need to check at the corners because the recession was visible and photos would do a better job.

Many Thanks

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NW6Many men have hairline corner recession and that is the extent of their hair loss. Only about 8% of the male population go on to become a Norwood class 6 or 7. If you are concerned about corner recession and do not have further hair loss, a hair transplant may be an option.

If you had a hair bulk analysis performed, it will show (with science behind it) if you have any subtle, non-visible balding going on throughout your scalp. This type of measurement will give you an idea of balding that may progress for you in the years to come. You would need an exam and good Master Plan to address your goals.

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Hair Loss InformationI Waxed My Leg Hair as a Joke and It Hasn’t Grown Back 3 Years Later – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello,

I am 19 year old healthy male and am suffering from a hair loss problem on my lower shins. I thought it would have been a laugh to get my legs waxed knowing that the hair would grow back, however it hasn’t on that part of my leg.

At first I thought the hampered growth was due to the fact that I wore long-socks and the friction caused the roots to rip out. However I have been told that even with hair loss from friction, they would still grow back.

Instead it has been nearly 3 years now and the hair hasn’t grown back. I am really self-conscious of the problem as it makes me feel emasculated and I do not wear shorts, nor expose the legs anymore. I do not think it is a blood circulatory problem as I have hair beneath the bald spots.

I don’t have diabetes, nor have I suffered damage to that part of the leg (burns, scars, lacerations etc…)

I am simply baffled by this problem and will do absolutely anything to stimulate the hair growth in that part of both my shins and can’t wait to jump back in the swimming pool.

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Shaving or waxing your legs should not cause permanent hair loss. Some men and women have permanent hair loss where their socks are constantly rubbing on their legs, but I can’t explain why your hairy legs were waxed one time and failed to ever regrow hair again.

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Hair Loss InformationShedding Transplanted Hairs Years After the Procedure? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Doctor,

A lot of questions on here about initial shedding after a transplant, but my question is regarding transplanted hairs shedding years later, due to the natural hair growth process.

I noticed my transplanted areas have become thinner over the past couple of months. It has been almost 4 years since my surgery. It is well known that the hair growth cycle for hair is between 3-4 years, then they shed to make room for new hair. I was wondering since all transplanted hairs are relatively growing at the same rate or time period, should we expect periods of thinness every 3-4 years when these hairs are ready to shed again? In other words going through a shed similar to your first initial shed before the hairs started growing again. I hope my question makes sense.

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Transplanted hair is permanent for most people. In the recipient area, the surrounding non-transplanted hairs may not be permanent and you will continue to lose those hairs. Years after a hair transplant you may be noticing the non-transplanted hairs falling. This is assuming there was non-transplanted hairs mixed in with the transplanted hairs.

If your hairs were transplanted on a completely bald area of your scalp and you are noticing shedding, this is not considered normal. It may regrow if you are experiencing telogen effluvium, which is a temporary hair loss that can occur at any time… or you could be one of those rare people who lose transplanted hair. I always look at the permanent zone when someone asks me about hair loss in the recipient area, in case they are losing donor area hair. Whatever happens to the donor area will happen to the recipient area. For example — in elderly folks, there is a condition called senile alopecia which reflects thinning of the hair throughout the head, including the donor area.

In a very rare instance, you may actually be experiencing permanent transplanted hair loss which I have seen possibly a dozen times in my 20+ years in practice. I don’t remember a cause of this to ever have been pinpointed in most of those patients and I wonder if I should be biopsying them when I see that problem, looking for diseases like diffuse alopecia areata.

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Masturbating Causes My Hair Loss and Boils on My Head – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr,
I am 26 & experiencing severe dandruff ,itching on skull,hair fall after masturbation.I have small boils on my head after masturbation which automatically go away if I don’t masturbate for few days also is it normal for the skull specially the top part of my skull to remain hot after masturbation(this is where I am having hair loss)?

The above mentioned problem is recurring & is specifically caused due to masturbation, reason: if I don’t masturbate for few days these problems don’t occur.Please help me with you valuable advise.

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We’ve written about this many times. Simply put — masturbation does not cause hair loss. I do not know what other advice I can provide or how much clearer I can be.

If you strongly feel masturbation is causing your hair loss, then stop masturbating. I suppose at that point, it is your choice — you can choose hair versus masturbation. I have no idea how small boils could develop on your head after masturbating, then magically disappear when you’re leaving yourself alone. See a dermatologist about the boils (infections).

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Transplant Specialist for African Hair Type? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi, where in the world would you recommend getting a transplant for an Afro-Carribean? Australia? USA or here in New Zealand ? I am happy to travel to any country..Thanks

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This would be a biased answer since we at NHI routinely perform hair transplants, including curly hairs (African men, etc). I would like to think we are the best in the world, but I generally leave that up to our patients to be the judge.

We also can do follicular unit extraction (FUE) on this hair type, something that few doctors can offer. I realize choosing a doctor or a medical group may be difficult but if you do the research, you will get a good idea. You can also refer to our guide, Selecting a Hair Transplant Doctor.

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Could My Hair Loss Be From Having Diabetic Ketoacidosis? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

(female)
I have lost about 70% of my hair since January and am unsure if it was due to having diabetic ketoacidosis. I do have some regrowth but my hair is very thin, especially around my forehead hairline. Is this from the dka and will it grow back or should I see a dr.? I asked my endocrinologist but they said there could be a lot of reasons. I’m really concerned and don’t know if I should wait it out or seek further medical advice.

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Diabetic ketoacidosis is a potentially life threatening condition. It is a major stress to your body, which could be one of the many possible reasons you are experiencing hair loss (much like what your doctor already told you). The most important point is to get your health back in shape and control the diabetes. If the hair loss is from stress, it should recover within a year.

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After Stopping Propecia, My Libido and Erections Came Back – But I’m Losing Hair! – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I had been on Propecia for years but unfortunately suffered with notable side effects, particularly sexually. I had little libido, suffered with incomplete erections, testicular pain, and limited ejaculate volume. I realized that it was negatively impacted relationships with women since I had little interest in them sexually.

I decided in January to come off Propecia as a trial. I noticed a bump in libido after a few weeks off and improved mood and motivation. My erections did not return however until about four months off Propecia, firm by five months. I am now in a dilemma because the hair loss has been terrific. I went from excellent hair to thinning lifeless hair (made worse by using Rogaine) and noticeable loss of temporal region hairline. My appearance has definitely suffered and I am not in a relationship.

I am contemplating going back on Propecia and wanted to know if you would recommend 0.25 mg starting dose or 0.5 mg? Can I expect some regrowth on top at these doses? What is your experience with these lower doses. Some have recommended 1 mg every two to three days due to the long action of the medication (in an attempt to limit side effects). Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

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My assistance and recommendation for you is to discuss your issues with your doctor who prescribes you the medication. This is a general source of information. I do not and cannot advise you on personal medical issues.

If you have side effects from medications then it is something you inform your doctor. Some patients continue to take the medications after the risks and benefits have been considered. Some patients take a lower dose in hopes that the side effect would be less and the benefits would continue.

There are reports that at even half the dose (0.5mg finasteride daily) can be about 70 to 80 percent effective on the treatment of androgenic alopecia. I’ve prescribed a lower dose to some patients and they’ve had continued benefits from the medication, but that is something you’ll need to discuss with your prescribing doctor.

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Hair Loss InformationMy Senile Alopecia Has Continued Despite Taking Finasteride for 2 Years – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

My diffuse unpatterned hair loss (or senile alopecia, I’m 59) has continued to get worse despite 2 years straight of finasteride. In your experience, have you seen a reason for people to continue finasteride after 2 years, if their hair loss simply continues to progress?

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Finasteride 1mg (Propecia) is for the treatment of androgenic alopecia, not senile alopecia or diffuse unpatterned alopecia. I realize they may co-exist, and some doctors and patients may make the decision the try taking the medication to see if it would help. If you are not seeing any results, speak with your doctor and decide on the course of action.

In my experience, I do not prescribe finasteride for treating diffuse unpatterned hair loss or senile alopecia.

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Taking Propecia for 2 Days Made My Semen Watery! – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hey Doc, I just wanted to share my opinion on Propecia. I was noticing some recession of my hairline & got it checked by mt Derm. He told me it’s just my maturing/adult hairline forming. But I panicked & asked for a 1 month Propecia Prescription. I’ve taken it for only 2 days & have noticed a low volume in sperm when I masturbate; almost liquid/watery. Much less thickness then before. What I’m going to do is get my Hormone Levels check in a week since that might be enough for Propecia to exit my body. Could it be that I might not need Propecia if my DHT levels come back normal. And the low volume could have been a sign saying there’s no need to decrease your DHT levels since you have normal DHT levels. Again I’ll wait and see what happens.

The last thing I would like to state is that I think at least a good 70-80% might notice low volume when it comes to the sperm. Now this could just be a common side effect of your body getting used to Propecia, and will return to normal within a few weeks- hence the only 2% notice sexual side effects of a period of years when it comes to the trials. So basically I think the low volume when it comes to the Semen could be just like Shedding or mild headache from something like Rogaine which a lot of people experience while using Rogaine & then it goes away. So maybe the Low volume in Semen could be the same- first few weeks it could be low & then return to normal after the body gets used to it.

The thing is if this is true and Merk knows it, then they should state it clearly: That most men taking Propecia will notice a low count in the volume of semen in the first few weeks but then it will subside and return to normal. I think this very much is true, but Merk might be scared to state this clearly as it will scare of customers from hearing about low volume in semen in the first few weeks. Again I would love your insight on this, as I believe it is true. I’m not saying Propecia has a long time effect on Semen Volume, but it could have a short time? maybe a few weeks as the body is getting adjusted to the levels. Again Merk should state this as it could also put rest to all the stories of side effects ruining peoples life.

Thank You & I hope you take your time reading this

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One of the side effects of Propecia involves the volume and/or viscosity of the semen, but I would be surprised if it would occur in just 2 days. This has nothing to do with the sperm count per unit volume of semen or one’s erection or libido.

The mature hairline evolution may not be impacted by finasteride, but I really am not sure on this statement.

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Hair Loss InformationCan Whey Supplements Accelerate MPB? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

do supplements such as whey protein powders or glutamine affect or accelerate MPB? i have read protein powders raises testosterone which raises DHT, and glutamine raises GH which raises testosterone and again DHT.

thank you!

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There is no direct evidence of a connection, however, it is possible that it might cause hormone changes. We’ve addressed this before in a guest post by Dr. Richard Shiell.