Female Hair Loss – Page 21

December 6, 2010

Can I Remove Scalp Scars I Got From a Car Accident? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

(female) I have a couple scars on my head from a car accident when I was around 4 years old, and I am now 21 and was wondering if there are any ways to get rid of these scars? One is about three inches in length and the other is about one inch. The hair has never grown back, and I would love to wear my hair down but cannot because the scars are then very visible.

About how much would a procedure cost to fix this problem? Thank you so much for your help, you have no idea how much I appreciate it!

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Langer's lines Hair transplantation works well for scars. I would imagine that a transplant would be in the $3000 range. We would, of course, need to evaluate you first and then a quote can be offered.

Removing the scar may not work well if the scar falls outside of the directions seen in Langer’s lines, which are lines that “correspond to the natural orientation of collagen fibers in the dermis and epidermis” (source).

See if your scalp scars are in line with Langer’s lines. If so, this would imply that they might be removable. The image at right is a quick view, and you can see the larger version here.

December 3, 2010

Female Hair Transplant Shock Loss? – Balding Blog

I am a female who had a hair transplant last week with the FUE method. I have FPB and a very thin donor area. I was told that on the day of operation and too far into the procedure i dont have thick donor hair so the coverage wont be very good. I am concerned now as i wonder will i get shock loss too as i have weak hair then and will i be balder then before.

When will the hair fall out now it is placed and how can i look after what i have to look like a normal lady?

Can i use Regaine as that did work when i used it last time but it irritated my scalp?

Should i take extra vitamins?

Shall i just say a wig and be done with it?

Does FUE not work for FPB then?

Hair loss in women First off, if you are female with a poor donor area, why would you even consider follicular unit extraction (FUE)? That surgical technique is mainly for people who want to cut their hair very short (like a crew cut) and not see any scar or just might want to shave their head, not likely for a female. If you are a woman, a scar (large or small) on the back of your head should be inconsequential and will never be noticeable with long hair covering it. I generally try to convince my females patients against FUE.

I am outraged and you should be furious. How can one have surgery and not understand what to expect?! It seems that you got conned into doing a surgery by an unethical doctor. The doctor should have told you about this before you underwent the surgery. Now the problem you face is waiting for complications of the transplant such as shock loss, accelerated cyclical loss, failure to grow, and on and on. If you were told that the surgery you are having won’t give you good coverage while the surgery was being done, then you might have a malpractice claim against that doctor if you are worse for doing it!

Vitamins will not help with your surgery. The wig is up to you, but it could ultimately make your loss worse from any traction alopecia that could develop. I would not use Rogaine (minoxidil) if it irritates your scalp. Let us hope you have no or minimal shock loss from the surgery itself and you can at least achieve some coverage. Only time will tell.

For the rest of the readers out there — beware of unethical doctors and do your research. Use this guide to help select your hair transplant doctor. We generally believe that 80% of female patients do not make good hair transplant candidates, especially if their donor hair shows diffuse thinning.

November 29, 2010

Hair Loss InformationBald Spots Are Growing After Chemical Relaxer – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

(female)
I received a relaxer almost three months ago and a wk later I washed my hair and noticed I had two bald spots the size of a quarter on the corners of my hairline at the neck. The hair seem to growing in the area where it started coming out, but it seems as if the bald spots are increasing in size and going further up the neckline. What can I do?

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I would not know where to begin. You need an examination and a diagnosis. It’s difficult (if not impossible) to tell what you have going on just based on two sentences. I’m good, but that that good! Go see a doctor — perhaps a dermatologist might be someone to make an appointment with. Otherwise, only time will tell if your hair grows or not.

If the hair loss was from a chemical trauma it may take several months to see some growth if the damage did not go too deep.

November 23, 2010

Hair Loss InformationDiet Coke and Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Does drinking diet coke cause more thinning? one glass a day? I am a 41yr old woman, with thinning scalp/crown especially, and thinning on sides of head.

My diet is very nutritious, but I am wondering exactly HOW diligent I have to be with food…..or will my hair progressively thin by itself….. if you know what I mean….
should I be worrying about a coke, or some chocolate at night etc etc.

thank you

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Many diet or light sodas (like Diet Coke) contain aspartame, which is an artificial sweetener used as a sugar substitute. As far as I know, it does not cause hair loss. There are natural health “experts” that will claim that aspartame and even chocolate are toxic to hair, but I’ve not seen any actual proof of such.

Enjoy life — eat your chocolate and drink your Diet Coke (in moderation of course), as I see no reason why either would cause hair loss. Female hair loss can be caused by a variety of issues, some of which are listed here.

November 22, 2010

Hair Loss InformationDoctor Prescribed Topical Propecia for My Female Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi,

My doctor prescribed the use of topical propecia once a day, and 5% minoxidil that has retin-A in it (to be used twice a week). I’ve been on this treatment for about 3.5 weeks. In the last week my hair has been falling out in droves…pretty freaky. Anyways, is this normal or should I stop this regiment? I’ve also been directed to take Omega-3, biotin, follic acid, and iron. Anyways, I’ve read that minoxidil and increase hair shedding, but at the same time, being that I’m only directed to use it twice a week, should I be experiencing this much increased hair loss?

By the way, I’m a 26 year old Latina female, if that’s of any help.

Thanks

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If there’s a topical finasteride (Propecia), I’d assume it was the doctor’s own formulation. Propecia is an oral pill made by Merck, and they don’t make a topical. Plus, there’s little evidence that topical finasteride works for treating hair loss in men, let alone women. Male hair loss is different from female hair loss (see here).

Finasteride is not recommended or FDA approved to treat hair loss in women, and it can cause serious health risks for those that are pregnant or can become pregnant.

Any hair loss you’re seeing could be from temporary shedding from the minoxidil, but I have no way to know for sure. I’d follow up with your doctor (call him/her to ask about this if you can’t make an appointment).

November 19, 2010

Xanax and Female Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have been taking one mg. of Xanax with my first dose of Xyrem, to put me to sleep since May or June of 2009. I have fibromyalgia due to severe insomnia, and need these drugs to sleep. I have been experiencing hair loss since June of 2009. I started on Xyrem in March or April of 2009. My doctor is now in the process of weaning me off Xyrem, which he routinely does with his patients once they have been on it for a period of time. The hair loss continues unabated, so Xyrem is not the culprit. Could Xanax be?

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Xanax Probably not. While many drugs do have hair loss as associated side effects, Xanax (alprazolam) isn’t one of them. It’s possible in rare cases, I suppose, but generally speaking, medications are usually one of the last things to consider as a cause for your hair loss.

As I mentioned before in an earlier blog post, “We hear from our patients who just got started on Xanax that they lose hair, but it is hard to prove that their hair loss is really associated with Xanax or if it has to do with anxiety itself.”

November 18, 2010

High White Blood Cell Count is Causing My Female Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello, I am a 54 year old woman and I am loosing my hair, this has been ongoing for years I have had many blood tests and I have been to see a dermatologist, tricologist ect. The only relevant result I have had is that I have a very high white blood cell count which can be killing my hair.

I don’t feel ill and the doctors are unsure why I have such a high white cell count. Do you have any suggestions on how I can lower my white blood count? I also use minoxodil and the lazer comb, I have recently started taking a DHT blocker too. Any information would be appreciated.

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I really do not know what you would consider a high white blood cell count, but you also need to understand a high white blood cell count really should have nothing to do with hair (the exception is in cases of alopecia areata). Generally, a high white blood cell count can mean anything from an infection to cancer (leukemia), but please don’t jump to conclusions thinking you have cancer.

It seems like there’s a lack of proper communication, because if your doctor left you with thinking your white blood cell count is causing your hair loss, you need to setup an appointment with him/her so you can discuss this further.

November 8, 2010

Female Hair Loss from Wellbutrin – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I believe Wellbutrin (an antidepressant) has caused my thinning hair. I’ve read that wellbutrin increases testosterone (DHT) in women. What could I use to block the DHT or stop it so I can continue using this medication which works well for me.

Thank you

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Wellbutrin Hair loss in women is a bit more complex than in men, as women tend to have other medical issues such as low-thyroid hormone levels, hormonal changes, and even anemia that can impact hair. We created a partial list of female hair loss causes here.

That being said, Wellbutrin (and many other antidepressants) is known to cause hair loss, though I’m not clear if the reason for this is due to increased DHT production. I did find one site that says, “It is believed that the increased dopamine function due to Wellbutrin may lead to an increase in the testosterone levels. This in turn causes over production of DHT, a metabolite of testosterone, which can be the reason for hair loss.” The problem I’m having is that I can’t seem to find any study backing that up, nor can I find any other sites discussing it. I am not discounting the information completely, but if I can’t find science to corroborate these claims I’m not going to entertain them as true.

You should talk to your doctor about it, who may know more since he/she prescribed the medication. Similarly, if someone out there knows of a study showing a link between Wellbutrin (bupropion) and DHT, please pass it on my way.

November 4, 2010

After Chemo, My Yearly Shedding Has Stopped – Balding Blog

(female)
I have always had yearly autumn hair shedding but since I had chemo 2 years ago this has stopped, do you have any ideas why this might be? Thanks.

Sorry, I’m not familiar with a possible reason for what you’re experiencing.

Just so I’m clear, you’re saying that your hair grew back after chemotherapy, but the seasonal shedding you normally experienced in the past has stopped, right? Have you talked with your oncologist about this?

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November 3, 2010

Can Vitamins Cancel Out Hair Loss from Birth Control? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

So by taking a birth control and side effects such as hair loss do occur, if I took a vitamin that increases hair growth and is known to work pretty well.. Would my hair loss stop and actually regrow or will the vitamins have no effect?

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I have no idea what vitamins you’re taking, but if your birth control is causing hair loss, I’d doubt there’s a vitamin to counteract that. Not all women will experience hair loss from birth control, so if you’re speaking in hypotheticals it might not even be an issue. Talk to your doctor.