Age – Page 29 – Balding Blog

March 21, 2008

My Testosterone Boosting Supplement Contains DHT Inhibitors – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

i am a young male and have recently been experiencing thinning hair and a slight receding hair line. recently i started using a testosterone boosting product as I frequently weight train. This product as well as boosting testosterone, claims to lower estrogen, cripple shbg, as well as inhibit DHT. The ingredients are: tribulus, fenugreek, tongkat ali, red clover extract, chrysin, kudzu root, diindolymethane, avena sativa, zinc, pygeum africum, stinging nettle, beta sitosterol, saw palmetto, flaxseed, glycine, l-arginine, magnesium oxide, dipotassium phosphate, malic acid, and l – methionine. while the products mainly used as a testosterone booster, do you think i can continue its use to combat hair loss due to all its dht blockers? after i few months of use i have noticed significantly less hair fall in the shower. I have done some research on the internet and most of the ingredients in a lot of hair loss products are quite similar. What is your take on the use of this product since it claims to (and has) increased testosterone considerably?

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The only FDA approved and proven medication for treating hair loss by combating DHT is Propecia (finasteride). To use saw palmetto as an example, since it is listed in the ingredients list you sent — saw palmetto is claimed to treat hair loss by way of DHT. A big difference between FDA approved medications and these non-FDA approved supplements is that the dosage required for treatment is well defined in the medications, but not in the supplements. For starters, who knows how much saw palmetto is in various supplements? It is most certainly different amounts in different products.

If you’re going to take something specifically to treat hair loss, I’d go with something proven to be effective. If this testosterone booster is something you’re taking and is working for your hair, that’s great news and I hope it continues to work. I couldn’t tell you for sure whether it’s actually working or will continue to do so, however.

March 20, 2008

Transplanting Younger Men – You Do It Too, Dr Rassman! – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Dr:

I visit your website everyday and find it really informative and reassuring….in some instances.

My question is, I see a lot of young people (between the age of 25-30) getting hair transplants. Now, I remember one time you had posted a message saying that people under the age of 35 should not be getting hair transplants because it is hard to tell the “final pattern” of a person’s baldness. So, why do you as well as other doctors elect to do transplants on young patients (even as young as 22 who have minor thinning but will go bald later on in life) when you know in the future the hair behind the transplants will fall out. It doesn’t make sense?

I’m sorry if I targeting you personally, I don’t mean to do that.

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Magic Your question is a good one, but firstly, I’ve never used the age of 35 as a minimum requirement. I will readily transplant any man if:

They have a hair loss pattern that is clear and bald. For example, a 22 year old Norwood Class 3 pattern patient who has lost his corners or his hairline has risen significantly above the mature male hairline (see Maturation of a Hairline — Moving From Juvenile to Mature). I will consider doing a hair transplant even on a younger man once I get to know them well and see the support of their family in the process.
They are mentally mature, understand that the hair loss process is progressive, and have the financial ability to stay the course.
They are on the drug finasteride for at least a month before surgery (to prevent potential shock loss) and agree to continue it for years (to halt the progressive nature of hair loss).
They have donor densities which are adequate for harvesting as well as enough reserves to follow the hair loss to mid-scalp. In this way if they became a Class 6 or Class 7 pattern and were willing to accept a bald crown (the worst case) then they would always be normal looking.
They are healthy and have no contraindications for surgery, such as bleeding disorders, etc.

Once the pattern is clear, the scalp is mapped for miniaturization, and the patient is on Propecia (finasteride 1mg), I don’t see how you could say that I’d “know” the native hair behind the transplants will fall out. That is not necessarily true, and is precisely why it is important to seek out a physician that will microscopically examine your hair rather than just waving their hands around the head like a magician and tell you what you want to hear.

March 20, 2008

Teen Losing Hair On Sides and Back of Head – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am a 17-year old boy and have been losing my hair for a year now. Im losing quite a lot of hair on top but thats not the thing, the thing is that im losing some hair on the sides and the back of my head and its really scary. There is no doubt that i have male pattern baldness but im wondering if lets say one becomes a 5 in the norwood class doesnt that person lose some(lose som density) hair on the sides and the back. Is it just the norwood 7 and beyond that lose their hair their there or what? Please answer there is no one that can answer my question!!

With a traditional balding pattern as outlined in the Norwood chart (see below), the sides and back are spared. All thinning is limited to the front, top, and crown in patients with genetic male pattern baldness (MPB). So if you do have thinning hair on the sides or back of your head, I might think about diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA) — but this is all complete guess work without examining you myself. The questions you asked me via email should be asked of your caring doctor in person following an examination of your hair and scalp. I don’t know what you’re seeing, so I can’t provide much more than that.

You need to establish some measurements with mapping your scalp for miniaturization at a minimum in following your hair loss. You also need to have a good doctor establish a Master Plan for your potential progressive balding.

March 17, 2008

In the News – Stress from Being Bullied Causes Teen Girl to Go Bald – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

From the article:

A teenage girl who was the victim of disgraceful bullying for three years has been left so traumatised that her hair has fallen out.

Faith Hawley, 14, said she was verbally abused, punched and even had her hair set on fire after starting at secondary school.

After three years Faith was diagnosed with alopecia, which doctors say was down to stress.

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Wow. This is a horrible case of stress, and for a 14 year old girl to lose all of her hair, it must’ve been quite extreme. Read the full article at the UK’s Daily Mail — ‘I was so badly bullied my hair fell out’: Girl, 14, reveals ordeal at hands of school yobs

March 17, 2008

If I’m in My 30s And Have Early Hair Loss… – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

In a recent response you wrote: “It is in the 20s (pretty much from age 20-29) that men are most likely to see most of their hair loss.” What does that mean? I am 33 and I started to notice some minor thinning in the last year and a half. My derm has said it may be “very early MPB” or the result of inflammation I had – and he would not prescribe propecia as he said “You’re not there yet”. If most men see most of their hair loss in the 20s, and my dad and older brother (38) have no thinning, should I assume since I am older than 20s and dont have that pattern in my family, that the thinning will be mild or stabilize soon or is caused by something else(though it is on the vertex)? Again, I was not prescribed propecia because “I’m not there yet” – but I thought it was best early. Just wondering about my age, and what it means if most see most loss in the 20s and my family has none.

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The hair loss in the 20s is a statistical thing. Some men start balding in their 30s, less in their 40s, and some even in their 50s and 60s. There is no hard rule, but whenever you start balding, the drug finasteride is effective at slowing and/or stopping it. I do not agree with your dermatologist, as once you know you have genetic balding, the earlier you start the drug the better it is.

March 17, 2008

Hair Spray and Female Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

(female) I am getting bald on top. Does cheap hair spray cause this cause I do use a lot of it? I am only on medicine liptor and zetia . Can this medicine cause hair loss. It is getting worse. What can I do? I am 67 years old

Although not a known side effect, the medication you are on may cause hair loss — or you may be experiencing genetic female hair loss, which is present in half of post menopausal women. You need to be examined by a good doctor and tested for a variety of medical conditions which can cause hair loss.

I highly doubt that it is caused by your hair spray.

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February 27, 2008

13 Year Old Girl Found a Bald Spot After a Haircut – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi, I am a 13-year old female girl. A few months ago in December 2007, I got a haircut and noticed a bald spot about the size of a dime on top of my head a few days later. I was really worried, and told my parents about it. They said me that it was due to stress in school etc., but I wasn’t completely sure.

It is now February. I’ve noticed a few days ago that there was a small part above my forehead that had very little hair (I have bangs). I have a feeling that I’ve been losing more hair, but I could be overreacting. I think that the previous bald spot had expanded.

My parents have made an appointment with the doctor, I will probably be going to see her in a week or so. Since I was a baby, I’ve had eczema, a skin condition, and I don’t know if it has any links to it. I don’t really remember, but my dad told me that around 5 years ago I’ve had this hair problem. The doctor gave me some medicine to put on my hair, and it seemed to work.

After looking on the internet for information, I’m really worried about any conditions I might have. I’m scared I’ll lose all my hair in the next few months or so. Any info will be greatly appreciated, thank you so much.

The right thing to do would be to see a doctor. There are many causes of bald spots appearing, some of which have been discussed on this site before (ringworm, alopecia areata, etc.). A doctor should give you a diagnosis after an in-person exam. Via the internet and based on just an email, I would just be blindly guessing.

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February 21, 2008

I Used Both Finasteride and Minoxidil with Great Results, But I Want to Stop One – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi! About 1 year ago I noticed a bald spot on the crown of my head, typical for Male Pattern Baldness. After reading up on the issue I decided to try the double approach of finisteride tablets (Proscar) and Minoxidil spray. My doctor told me that it was unecessary to use both, but I read a few postings on chat groups about success stories taking this double approach, so I decided on that route. Now, a year later, the results are absolutely fantastic! The untrained eye would probably not notice anything. So now I am considering stopping either the minoxidil or the finisteride tablets. If I did stop either of these, and notice a regression, would resuming the treatment again bring back my now great hair? Which of the two would you recommend stopping as a test? Thanks for your help!

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I don’t know your age or the degree of balding you had. That would make my impression inadequate to help you, based on the scant information you supplied me. If you are young (under 29 years old), then Propecia should be more important than minoxidil. I would get miniaturization studies and map out your scalp accordingly so that if and when you stop minoxidil first, you can follow the results with scientific measurements.

February 20, 2008

Does Dying Gray Hair Lead to Faster Graying? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

How true is it that when you color your grey hair, you will grow more grey hair faster than not coloring. I have been getting different answers from the web. I need your opinion. Thank you.

It’s not true at all.

Hair color is the result of pigmentation due to naturally occurring chemicals (primarily melanin). These chemicals are present at different levels, thus giving hair its distinctive color. The more melanin present, the darker the hair; the less melanin, the lighter the hair. Hair color changes as we age, going from their natural color to gray and then white. The color change occurs when melanin is no longer produced in the hair root and new hair grows without pigment. Coloring the hair has no effect on the rate of graying and on the deposition of melanin in the hair shaft — it just affects the hair above the skin.

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February 19, 2008

How Do So Many Older Rock Stars Still Have Such Great Hair? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I always find it amazing how rock and roll stars in their 50’s and 60’s still have hair like 20 year olds. Could there be something they are doing or is it just the lack of stress of being a rock star has enabled them to keep their youthful look. Just some examples would be Sammy Hagar,Mick Jagger, Robert Plant and Steven Tyler.

Thanks

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Rock and roll I can not comment specifically on any of these men, but I am personally aware of a few musicians that use either hair extensions or hair systems to give the appearance of a full head of hair. Long hair seems to be for musicians like hair was to Samson and I have been told over and over again, that without the appearance of hair, they can not perform well. Perhaps it is a confidence issue, perhaps it is something else entirely.