Age – Page 24 – Balding Blog

October 20, 2008

In the News – 12 Year Old Girl Gets Hair Transplant – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

From the article:

When Ashley Stewart was just two years old, a pot of soup fell on her. She was badly burned and lost some of her hair on the front and left side of her head.

On Wednesday, the now 12-year-old Fridley girl is getting a new lease on life and new locks.

I wasn’t able to see any before photos to render an opinion on whether the 3600 grafts that she received will do the trick. The quotes in the article seemed to be a bit misleading (or over-confident, I suppose), but it’s good to read stories of children having their confidence restored.

Read the full article — Girl, 12, Gets Hair Transplant; New Found Freedom

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October 15, 2008

Doctor Recommends Vitamins and Biotin for 21 Year Old with Early Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hey Doctor,
I am a 21 year old starting to experience hair loss. For the last year and a half, my temples have receded and the front of my hair is becoming more and more thin. I recently went to a dermatologist, who confirmed that I am experiencing frontal hair loss. The doctor’s diagnosis was not what I was expecting, though. She stated that I should take a multi-vitamin supplement and biotin for about 6 months, and if by 6 months i am still experiencing hair loss, then i should begin using rogaine for the front of my head, not propecia. I am a little confused by this, mainly because i was under the impression that rogaine was only for the back of the head. I am also skeptical about only taking a multi vitamin for six months, fearing that the longer I wait the worse my hair will get.

What do you think about this regimen? Do you think I should go find a second opinion?

I don’t agree with the regimen your doctor recommended and I’d suggest you see another doctor. You should get your hair mapped out for miniaturization to make the diagnosis of genetic hair loss and then the drug Propecia (which must be prescribed by a doctor) would be the best choice if you have indeed have genetic hair loss. Since you’re a young man with early hair loss (if it is as you describe and the miniaturization mapping shows it), Propecia is the best FDA approved treatment to get your balding to slow down or stop and possibly regrow hair.

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October 14, 2008

Does a Juvenile Hairline at 29 Years Old Indicate That I Won’t Bald? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am a 29 year old male who still has his jeuvenile hairline and low, thick, full hair. I have heard that men who retain their jeuvenile hairlines by 30 years old rarily ever go bald early, if ever. My father kept his jeuvenile hairline and has only lost a very small amount of hair in recent years since he has been in his fifties. I have noticed other older men who have a complete full head of hair sometimes have a jeuvenile hairline. So is there any truth to this? Is a jeuvenile hairline at 29 a good sign?

A juvenile hairline at the age of 29 without evidence of balding says that there is a good possibility that you may never bald (at least not in the front)… but to be sure, get your hair mapped out for miniaturization, which would show any signs of balding at your age.

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October 1, 2008

70 Year Old Man Losing Transplanted Hair – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Sirs: am a 70 yr.old white male- have had many,many,hair transplants over the yrs.; were doing as well as expected until about (2) months ago – lack of volume, & just a general more thinning look -been using a good brand shampoos, Lanza products etc.,plus minoxidil “on occasion” – have started using Nioxin products, (2) wks ago, no results “as yet’- my medications include Xanax (hyptension), Symbicort “has corticosteroid”, (asthma), Lortab (arthritis), Testosterone shots “on occasion”

Question,is it possible one of my medications is the cause, or is there a cleansing “shampoo etc.” that may be of help. Regards

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I can’t say without a more detailed history and examination. In general, testosterone shots can accelerate androgenic alopecia. The medications you listed aren’t generally known to cause hair loss, but each person will react differently to a drug, so it could be a very rare side effect. I understand that you have had hair transplants in the past, but you may also be noticing increased native (non-transplant) hair loss which occurs in men your age (senile alopecia). If you had this, it would show up in the donor area as well. I would need to examine you.

September 24, 2008

Hair Loss InformationCan Propecia Stunt Growth? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Can Propecia taken by mid-teen guys stunt height growth?

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There are some teenagers who take Propecia (finasteride) under the care of their doctors, but it is generally not prescribed to teenagers. The effects of finasteride on developing teens is not clear and should probably not be used in those who are still in growth mode (usually under 17-18 years old). It is theoretically possible that it may stunt growth during the puberty years, as it interferes with testosterone conversion into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is one of the many hormones that is involved with secondary sex characteristics such as beard, chest, and pubic hair.

September 19, 2008

Gray Hair in a 7 Year Old – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi, My son is 7 years old and I noticed a strand of grey hair on his head. Please let me know as to how this is happening and what can I do to prevent it further.

This is a genetic process, so my initial thought was that genetics would be the likely cause. Something has probably triggered the premature graying. Some people feel that this is an errant gene, like a chimerism in your son. There are a series of vitamin deficiencies that could also cause it, including vitamin B-12, although these are found in many foods. Some disease syndromes can be associated with it as well. See DrGreene.com for more information.

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September 10, 2008

I Have a Fivehead! – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello

Im 17 and I have noticed that my temples have recedeed so much that my hairline on the side literally goes straight up towards the top of my head. I am also thinning on the front right side at the top of my head. All my uncles and my grandad on my mothers side went bald and my brother is also quite bald at the age of 21.

I really would not be bothered if I started balding around the age of 30 but to have it happen so soon is worrying. What treatment would you recomend to try and slow down the process? I also have a big forehead, or a fivehead, so any receeding will be much more noticed! Is it normal for someone to start goin bald so young? It got me really depressed when I first noticed but now I am not too bothered, althgough I would still still like to possibly slow the process down

It sounds like you have genetic balding otherwise known as androgenic alopecia (AGA) otherwise known as male pattern baldness (MPB). It can start with puberty with changes in your hormones. There are medications such as Propecia that can slow this process down, but you need to see a doctor for a formal diagnosis and treatment options.

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August 21, 2008

My Dad Was Completely Bald at 35 Years Old, and I’m 39 Now… – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Dr Rassmann,
currently i am a norwood 2 to 3, i am 39 years of age started to notice hairloss around 21 years of age, same as my father.i have been on proscar for 9 years all good with a touch more hairloss in crown area, recently changed to avodart. seems to be going ok. i have also recieved 2300 FUT in the last 10 years or so, with good results.My concern is this,my late father was close to a norwood 7,at 72 years of age, also had senile alopecia (thinning sides and back) mothers side no balding, well norwood 2 maybe her father couple of uncles, same as dads side.As i mentioned before me and dad started balding at same age 21, though dad was completely bald at 35.Dad had thick hair i have very fine hair.Have i made a mistake having hair surgery?

Although you gave me a great deal of information, I can not judge you enough without seeing you to tell you what I think. Generally, at 35 years old, some miniaturization will show up in the future balding area by now. Most Norwood Class 7 patients have their hair loss pattern complete by the age of 35, so I would expect that with regard to your fear of a future Class 7 pattern, it may not occur. With regard to your hair transplants, this should have been covered by you and your doctor when you built your Master Plan for hair loss. I would revisit it again and update it based upon where you are now and the degree of miniaturization found on your scalp. Senile alopecia may be genetic, so that is a real concern, but not for the short term (next 20 years of so). If you are happy with your transplants, then I doubt that you made a mistake (assuming that it corrected what you wanted to correct) and now can enjoy the value of the transplanted hair for the future.

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August 18, 2008

Can My 2 Year Old Son Have Hair Transplanted into Scalp Scars? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

what age is ok to have hair transplant? i have a son who’s 2 years of age and he has two scars on his scalp about 1 centimeter (diameter) each…

thanks..

It might be traumatic to do it now. I would wait until he’s older and if this becomes a social issue, then it is something to consider. I have performed surgery on children, but most don’t care until they approach their teenage years when looks are important to them. I would not suggest this is something you should pursue at this time.

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August 8, 2008

Am I Just Wasting Time with Hair Loss Medications in My 50s? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Doctor

What do you suggest for a man in his 50’s with thinning in the crown, but otherwise a good head of hair? I can cover the thinning with a small amount of toppix. I started propecia a few months ago and noticed less hair in the sink but much increased shedding in the crown in the last month. At my age am I wasting my time with medication and just get a transplant or wait it out and see what happens with propecia?

Though I don’t have a frontal receding problem now I assume I may have one in a few years following my brother and father. Will a crown transplant limit my donor area for future transplants if I need them?

I know hair loss in your 50’s is unusual, but its in the family. I’m just a late bloomer. Thanks

At this point it in order to see the benefits of Propecia you have to be patient and wait at least 8 months to see if it is helping or if it is at least keeping you from losing more hair. I would not stop the medication after only a few months treatment. I would recommend you get a miniaturization study and then before you do stop the medication, follow up to see if there are clinically evident positive results from the finasteride. Remember, everyone has a limited supply of permanent (donor) hair. If you have a transplant to the crown area you will limit any donor hair that you have for future transplants. Although I would suspect if you have not had any frontal hair loss at your age, you maybe a Norwood Class vertex variant.

A good friend of mine (age 77) went on finasteride for his prostate, and his crown area (which was almost completely bald) regrew a good amount of hair. We see late balders as well, so someone of your age could start balding late in life and still get a great benefit from this drug.

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