Category: African American Hair

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Hair Loss from Braids? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I washed my hair one day after pulling out braids. I went to my personal hairdresser to get my hair redone only to be told “Honey you know you have a bald patch” then she proceeded to rub it with her finger. It was as smooth as could be. It now has a few strains of hair and i have bought things specifically described for hair loss near to the neck. It itches a the bottom of the spot. Just tell me what exactly to do please cause it really bugs me out.

You describe a condition known as traction alopecia, where hair follicles are permanently damaged with constant traction (in your case braids). That area may never grow hair back. You need to see a hair specialist (a good hair transplant surgeon may help), but you should wait for 6 months to see if it does grows back.

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Hair Loss InformationWoman Taking Propecia Is Experiencing Accelerated Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am a 42-yr old African American woman. I had hair restoration surgery in March 2006 for androgenic alopecia in the crown. For the last year and a half, I’ve been taking Propecia in pill form 2.5mg/day as well as topically. I’ve noticed since taking the meds, I’m experiencing diffuse thinning all over my head now. Have you heard of Propecia causing accelerated hair loss? Is this a temporary side effect? If I stop now, will my density return?

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Propecia (finasteride 1mg) is an oral medication for the treatment of androgenic hair loss approved only for use in men. It blocks a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is responsible for hair loss in men. Propecia is not approved for women, because female hair loss is not necessarily caused by DHT and it may cause birth defects when women take the medication. Finally, only 1mg of finasteride is recommended for the treatment of androgenic hair loss. Taking 2 mg or 2.5 mg is not necessarily twice as better or effective. It will however increase the potential for more unwanted side effects. I would recommend that you see your doctor and address these concerns to him/her and or see another physician for a second opinion. This website is NOT a second opinion.

The question should be: Will taking Propecia harm me if I am not going to get pregnant? We really don’t know the answer to that, as the appropriate clinical studies were not done on women so safety and effectiveness are still up in the air. I couldn’t possible know the cause of your hair loss without an examination and a detailed medical history.

Also worth noting, Propecia is not available in a topical form or available in 2.5 mg strength.

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Search Results for “procede” – WRassman,M.D. BaldingBlog

I am not a chemist, and I really cannot comment on if those ingredients will grow hair. I’m not seeing anything proven to grow hair in there, though. I can tell you there is no cure for hair loss. Even the best medications we have (Propecia and Rogaine) still have limitations. As the ingredients you […]
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Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am a 54 year old Africia American Female that has Central Centrifugal Cicatrical Alopecia, is there hope? and if so what can I do.

Also called “hot comb alopecia” in the past, central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a rare condition that presents with cicatricial alopecia in the central scalp. This lesion grows larger around its center and tends to destroy the hair follicles and causes permanent balding.

It was thought that this condition has to do with combing or use of oil for hair styling in African-American women. The cause of this type of hair loss is still not known and its treatment is difficult, as seen with this and other similar scarring alopecias. This condition that is usually seen in African women presents as an unusual sensation (pins and needles) on the top of the scalp followed by tenderness in those areas. There is no visible sign of inflammation in the area. Skin color may change to become fleshy and eventually hyper-pigmented (darker). Hair loss in this condition is usually permanent.

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I Want a Hair Transplant, But I Am Concerned About Keloids – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

i am seriously considering a hair transplant on the sides of my hairline. i am a african american women who have had traction alopecia for quite some time now. i have a small keloid on my ear, and my dermatologist has been giving me injections to clear this up. he also told me that if i get any plastic surgery, there is a chance that i will develop keloid scarring. i do want my hair transplant, are there things that they can do to remove the keloid from the donor site?

Keloids are very rare on the scalp. Many people have stretched (flat) or hypertrophic (raised) scars, but actual keloids (they look like tumors growing out of a wound) are so rare that they are worth reporting in medical literature. You can test the donor and recipient areas with a punch wound and/or a needle and then wait it out to see if it forms keloids. That may be the best way to know for sure.

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Hair Loss InformationBlack Woman with High Hairline – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am a 20 year old black woman. I have an extended forehead that seems different form what other women have. Most women’s hair line is close to their face whereas mine is so back onto my head. It has never grown since childhood and i have a sister who has the same thing. I am thinking that maybe its hereditary but how can you be of any help to me? Would i be a good candidate for this procedure? and are there any tablets that i could take that might change it or foster the growth of hair there? Please help!!!!!

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Women can have a hairline lowering procedure, which advances the hairline downward. If you are not a keloid former, you might be a good candidate for this. You need to be evaluated. There are no magic pills to fix this.

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Lowering African Female Hairline – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Dr. Rassman,

I’m a 24 year old female with African origin. I would like to lower my hairline through transplant. Would there be a problem for someone like myself with afro hair to get a hair transplant done? How much would it cost?

Women with African hair should not be a problem for hairline lowering procedures, providing there is no tendency to scarring. Costs of hair transplants will be about $6,000 (rough estimate) with possibly two procedures to accomplish the goals provided that the hair supply is adequate. The hairline lowering procedure costs can be found here and if any scar should show up, then transplants may be needed to address any widened scar.

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Using a Ceramic Ionic Blow Dryer and Flat Iron Daily – Balding Blog

I am a 46yr old african american fenale. I have thining hair and I am letting my hair go natural. The hair salon I attend uses a process where you sit under a steamer with the conditioner to build moisture and blows drys and flat irons your hair with a ceramic ionic blow dryer and flat iron. Since I am an active person I sweat and my hair converts back. The stylist says it is ok to use these items on a daily basis because it seals in moisture unlike the regular blow dryers and flat irons. Does this make sense? I don’t want to do any more damage. If this process is ok, do I need to wash my hair each time since it is sweaty? I’ve searched your site and can’t find anything addresee ceramic ionic tools. Thank you for considering my problem.

Heat treating your hair the way you do will cause damage to it. Is it permanent damage? Well, it could be. I would think that a good stylist learned how to balance the damaging elements for hair straightening. This is where the ‘art’ comes into play in what your stylist does. I can not comment on her explanation, but if what she is doing is working, then continue with her approach with caution.


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