Category: Hair Loss Causes

Hi Dr. Rassman:

Do you have any statistics on the number of hair transplant surgeries that are done each year in the US, and what percentage of men with male pattern baldness that represents?

From just casual observations, it seems the vast majority of men with MPB never treat it and have no interest in treating it. As you know, many either shave their heads, wear their hair short, or just ignore it.

I’ve been told not to bother treating my hair loss, that it looks fine as is, and that if you have a nice face you don’t need hair restoration anyway. Any thoughts?

Thanks for the great site!

The ISHRS released their census with extrapolated figures, showing over 100,000 hair transplant surgeries in the US were performed last year. You can find all their released stats here (PDF file).

Hair restoration is a personal choice. If you don’t want to have surgery and don’t mind your hair loss, then by all means don’t have the procedure. It’s a lifelong commitment, and it certainly isn’t for everyone. It can also be cost prohibitive for many people.

I have decided that I really need to start eating more healthily and working out. Could this change in lifestyle have any effect on my hair for example having an accelerating effect on the balding process?

I don’t know if you are looking for an excuse not to be healthy, but living a healthier lifestyle shouldn’t accelerate hair loss. Eat right, work out, be happy.

Doctor,

In the past year I’ve had hair loss all over my body — including my pubic hair. My pubic hair, which used to be extremely dense and coarse, is now soft and (comparatively) sparse. This I don’t mind very much — what concerns me is that at the same time, my scalp hair starting falling out diffusely at first, then, over about a year, developed to a Norwood 2. I understand that testosterone is responsible for pubic and axillary hair growth. Is it possible all this is happening because more of my testosterone is being converted to DHT? I’m just trying to understand the connection between the two. If it helps, the hair on my chest and belly has remained pretty much the same.

Also, I’m considering Propecia. Does the hair that you lose during the months before Propecia takes effect (including Propecia-induced shedding) come back, or does the drug only maintain the hair you have at the time its benefits kick in?

A little background: I’m 21, my family on both my mother’s and father’s side (including mother, father, uncles, grandfathers well into their nineties, an older brother) has no history of balding. When I first started losing my hair I was introduced to something that caused severe, constant stress and depression that lasted about 6-7 months. In the beginning, like I said, the loss was diffuse. In fact, it fit the bill for telogen effluvium exactly, and I assumed it was this. At this point it’s hard to deny it’s just androgenetic alopecia, unless TE sometimes behaves this way. (?) Also, I’ve smoked for about three years — no other male in my family does.

I know that this is a long question but I’ve been searching for answers for months and have had no success. Your site is the best I’ve stumbled upon! Keep it up.

All the best

Stress could cause hair loss, particularly severe and constant stress with depression. Or there could be MPB (or a combination of stress-induced and genetics). Cases like yours are particularly difficult to diagnose, manage or get involved with over the internet. This is not what we do.

I wish I could provide more comfort or help, but I really don’t have the slightest idea as to what is causing your pubic hair to thin. You really need to see a good dermatologist to assess you and your problem.

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Hi,

Wonder if you can help me?

I have been on propecia for 9days now, and experienced general un-well feeling, dizziness, and quite high temperature. I have a history with anxiety and being a general hypercondriac i have to admit. And ive experienced some of the old issues from that as i was a little worried. So not sure how much is in my head.

I am a generally healthy 29 yo, and never had any trouble taking medicines or antibiotics.

How long will these side affects last? and when would i look to need to stop taking it? hope i dont, as i really wanna keep my hair. Is this worrying or is it normal while the drug gets used to my body.

any help asap would be amazing as its quite concerning.

I say you talk with your doctor who prescribed you the medication. I am not here to assuage your paranoia. The side effects can be REAL or it can just in in your head… but in the end you are still experiencing something, so the best thing to do is talk with your doctor.