Category: Age

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Hair Loss InformationTransplanting Men In Their Early 20s – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,
I am about to turn 23 and recently (though I believe it started a year or two ago) I have noticed more and more that my hairline is thinning and receding. The recession isn’t in the dramatic “m” pattern, more of a general recession all the way across, though when pulled back can definitely see the edges going back further (the furthest on the left, the hairline all the way across has become a bit uneven and can see lone hairs as well as other thinned hairs).

My main question is what your feeling on a hairline transplant would be for someone my age. I think I would be more than happy with a transplanted area about a half inch wide or so across the forehead(i’m not sure how many graphs this would approximate to…essentially lowering my hairline a half inch or so). The rest of my head, both behind the hairline and on the crown seem to all be fine. I know I saw a video on newhair.com which showed the results of someone 24 who had a transplant which prompted me to inquire for myself.

I greatly appreciate your time and information

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I have transplanted hair in men of your age. There is no 100% applicable age rule, but there are some requirements that must be met, including:

  • Maturity
  • Realistic expectation
  • Being on Propecia
  • Enough balding to make a difference
  • Enough donor hair to do the short term and long term job
  • A pattern of hair loss that I can anticipate

It would be best to come to an open house event where you can meet with myself or Dr Pak, meet directly with a dozen patients who had the surgery, and view an ongoing surgery that day. There is no better way to do your research in my opinion.

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My Daughter Had a Bad Chemical Burn on Her Scalp When She Was Hours Old – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have a 11 year old daughter who has a bald spot in her head. She received this chemical burn when she was about a few hours old when she stopped breathing and they had to put an IV in her head. She has really dealt with this situation for the past few years but now she complains because she can only wear her hair one way. I have taken her to a dermatologist and they said that her follicules were dead and that she would have to have a hair transplant. I have been researching about microscopic follicular hair transplants and I think I want to have it done for her this summer. I really want to know if you think she is to young for this surgery.

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Depending upon the size of the area, the treatment should be customized for that size and location. Some children develop very large areas of balding from such events and these may require more than a hair transplant. I would have to see photos of her to tell you what could be done (you can send them here and please reference this post in your email). Photos will remain confidential unless permission is granted to use them.

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18 Year Old Man Wants Options for a Lower Hairline – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hey doc, I’m an 18 year old male with a big forehead for someone my size, and it’s really bugging me. What option would be the best to remedy this for a guy who is my age, who is not balding or has ever had any form of hair loss, whose father did not start balding until his 50s, and who only needs to lower his hairline by 1-2cm?

I know that my two choices are forehead reduction surgery (but I’m kinda wary about the possible visible scar if I start balding), and hair transplantation. Which would the costs generally be for each option for a hairline 1-2cm lower?

At 18 years old, you really won’t know if you will bald, so if you move your hairline down with transplant and should start to recede in the future, you will have a vacant space behind the newly lowered hairline. If you move down your hairline with a hairline lowering procedure and should bald, then the scar from the procedure may show as you continue to recede. Many surgeons will not tackle lowering the hairline on an 18 year old male. For women though, it is generally no problem!

The cost of either procedure (hairline lowering or hair transplants to the hairline) may run about the same.

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Young vs Old — Who Gets More Finasteride Side Effects? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Dr. Rassman,
In your extensive experience, have you noticed if younger men have had more side effects from finasteride than older men? Thanks.

I don’t know the answer to this question. I would expect that the young man with a typical initial high testosterone level would have less side effects (of sexual nature) than older men who are more complex with erectile dysfunction (ED) problems that come with age.

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I Want a Hair Transplant, But I Won’t Take Propecia to Maintain – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi, I have read before that you will only do HTs on men who agree to take propecia, and are hesitant to do it on young people. I am 22 and cannot take Propecia due to side effects, but I now have a prominent bald spot in the front of my head. The thing is, I would be happy to get a HT very soon, and I couldn’t care less if it looks stupid 10 years from now and I have a visible ugly scar. It won’t look as stupid as being 22 with a bald spot at the front. This is the prime of my life, and I’m much more concerned with my physical appearance over the next 8 years than I will be for the rest of the years of my life. So why not do HTs on people like me? Of course I want an ethical doctor, but really your 20’s are when looks matter the most.

PropeciaAt the age of 22 (unless you are already completely bald) you would generally not be a good candidate for a hair transplant surgery, particularly with your attitude, which appears immature to me. Surgery can sometimes accelerate hair loss and you may look worse after a surgery. Hair transplantation is a permanent process. 10 years from now you will be 32 years old and you will definitely care how you look. Three of the contributing editors on this site are in their 30s and I don’t believe any one of them would agree with your comment, “I couldn’t care less if it looks stupid 10 years from now and I have a visible ugly scar“. Even at 64 years old, you will care how you look. Trust me. I have seen plenty of men with your mentality who regret having had a bad surgery in their early twenties and having had accelerated hair loss.

I am not saying you should absolutely not have surgery, because I do not know your specific situation and degree of hair loss, but there has to be some maturity and understanding and realistic expectations with a hair transplant surgery. You should start with a good consultation with a doctor you trust. If it seems that I have been harsh with you, it is because I’m not trying to make a sale, but I am absolutely certain that 90% of the hair transplant doctors out there would love to get your money.

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If Propecia Can’t Stop Progressive Hair Loss, How Can it Regrow Hair? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

If Propecia eventually can’t stop the natural hair loss progression, then how does that explain it growing hair again in people who take it?

Every drug has limitations. Propecia (finasteride 1mg) has its greatest effect in the first two years, but it’s important to note that it still works even after those first two years by slowing the hair loss. The drug may reverse hair loss in younger men, particularly if the loss occurred within the past couple of years.

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Too Young for Stress Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

My little nine year old cousin has a bald spot on the top of her head near the back right side. She has never had this before but a couple of weeks ago she lost her father and I think it might be from stress. Is this possible or is she to young to be stressing? The bald spot is as big as a dime. Is it normal cause she is still little?

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I cannot say what your cousin has or why she is losing hair. She needs to be examined by a doctor. Patchy hair loss can be from other medical conditions and in her age group, ringworm would be at the top of that list.

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Short Hair Syndrome? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I’m writing on behalf of my mother in law, a 59 year old african american woman. Her hair never seems to grow and she hasn’t gotten a haircut in a long, long while. Can I get your thoughts on “Short Hair Syndrome”? This sounds like what my she is dealing with, but I can’t find any further info on it. Is it even real? The site is http://www.lisaakbari.com/SHS.html

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From a medical point of view, or as a physician involved in hair loss for over 15 years, I do not recall ever hearing or reading about “Short Hair Syndrome”… but I can logically give you an explanation for it, assuming the the examination of the hair and scalp is normal and there are no medical problems lingering behind the scene.

First, I will assume that she has no miniaturization going on throughout the scalp. If she does, then short hairs will come about when the hair miniaturizes so that a diagnosis needs to be established. With respect to your mother-in-law whose hair is not growing much, she may have a very short anagen phase (growth phase) of the hair cycle. A short growth phase could produce healthy, but short hairs. Of course, she should see a dermatologist or her primary care physician to see if there are medical issues that are causing such problems.

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Did the Laser Comb Damage My Hair? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Is it possible for a laser comb to do damage to hair or scalp? I’m female – senior citizen. I’ve been using laser comb for a couple months and my hair seems alot thinner, plus it goes in all different directions. I can’t seem to fix it anymore. I am not trying to put blame – a person with hair loss will try anything. I’m just asking for your opinion. If the comb has done damage, it is my own fault. Please answer. Could the comb be too warm for some people.

I have not heard any reports that parallel yours. I personally do not feel that the LaserComb (or similar) does much more than line the pockets of the company’s owners.

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Propecia and Frequent Urination – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

My question concerns an unreported side effect of Propecia that has never been discussed on this website…I really feel alone on this one and am really depressed about my circumstance. I am 17 years old and recently started taking propecia for my hairloss, but had to stop because it causes me to constantly unrinate and gives me a burning sensation down there (which cannot be tolerated). My doctor told me to stop taking the medicine because of this, but now I am at a loss for what to do to stop my hairloss. Have you ever heard of this and what do you suggest I do so that I don’t lose my hair? Thank you so much for your response.

The usual report with some older men on Propecia is that their frequent urination (particularly at night) will decrease. This occurs because the prostate will frequently shrink on Propecia (finasteride 1mg) and in older men, swollen prostates cause urination problems.

From what you are describing, I would think that you have some other problem. First, you can stop taking the Propecia and see if your urination problem goes away. I would be surprised if it did. If I am correct, I would look for Chlamydia and other forms of prostatitis. Go back to your doctor after you stop taking the drug for a week, particularly if the problem persists.

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