Category: Female Hair Loss

Hello, Dr. Rassman, I am a 41 year old African-American female with extreme hair loss. My doctor said it was alopecia but I think it is male pattern baldness. All the hair on top of my head is completely gone. I started losing my hair in 1998 and now the hairs are completely gone. I do have hair on the sides and back of my head. It is very frustrating trying to hide this devasting secret. At times I am very depressed about my hair loss. I cannot go swimming, exercise in public and I have to wear wigs all the time. My question is with such extreme hair loss, is it possible that I could get my hair back. Is there any thing you could do to help me. I watched the episode of jon & kate + 8 and noticed his transplant was done free of charge. I am a full-time non-traditional student and at this point, I am not financially able to afford this procedure, however, I am willing to share my devastating story if you could help me. Thank you

I would have to examine you to understand what is happening. Genetic hair loss in women does take on a male pattern in about 15% of cases. If you have been using a wig, is it possible that the wig has caused more hair loss than you would have had if you never used it?

With regard to hair transplant work we do, we sometimes will do it for publicity (as in the case of the Jon & Kate Plus 8 show), or in special cases where children have lost their hair, or in people who have deformities with special needs and there is a financial problem for them. Each case is individually evaluated and although we do subsidize hair transplant work in some patients, it is more the exception than the rule.

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January 2008 my daughter and I went on a diet. By June 2008, I lost 40 lbs and she lost 30 Lbs. We went off our diets for the summer. Enjoyed the sun and baseball games, but both got minor sun burns on our heads. By July we noticed too much hair coming out in our brushes. Our heads are itchy and dry and it is now October and our hair continues to come out too fast. In the shower and on our combs and brushes we get balls of hair. We had blood work done, we are fine. We are going to see a dermatologist but they are booked up untill the spring. By that time, we could be bald. We were using pantene shampoe, and recently we are trying Infusium shampoe. I am 42 and she is 15. My husband and 12 year old son are fine. They also aren’t itchy and dry. We tried extra virgin olive oil more in our diet. We are taking salmon oil pills. We rubbed aloe vera on our heads and wash our hair every two days. I dont know what else to do. What could this be and what can we do, why are our heads dry and itchy and what can we use. We dont have dandruff or any other problems. Anything you can tell me would be really appreciated. Thank You.

Diet can cause hair loss and if you lost too much weight too fast, then that could be a problem. Caloric restriction in conjunction with a balanced diet is the way to losing weight and not losing your hair (assuming that you have this connection). Without examining you in detail, I can not offer you other advice here.

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Hi,
I am 4 1/2 months pregnant and just recently noticed a bald spot on the back of my head. I have very thick and curly hair, so it’s not noticeable and I have no idea how long it’s been going on and whether or not it is even related to my pregnancy. I am just concerned because it’s rather large and I am not sure if it will get worse. I know it can be caused by stress as well. I didn’t realize I was this stressed out! If you could help lead me in the right direction as to what the cause may be, I’d greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

Although pregnancy can impact hair growth as more hair goes into the resting phase of hair cycling, the presence of a bald spot probably indicates a cause other than pregnancy related hair loss. I suggest that you see a dermatologist. There is little I can do here through the internet.

Hi. I am a 36 yr old female. I have lost approx 60-70% of my hair in the past month. Scary. I had a kidney/liver and thryroid blood test done which came back normal. I am just so worried. Could this be a sign of cancer or something terrible. New hair is growing in a little, but I think I’ll have to shave my head. I understand the stress related hair fall and am not sure this could apply to me. Is it possible to have this reaction to a new shampoo? I have always used natural shampoos but have lately used a cheaper drugstore shampoo…any ideas?
Thank you in advance.

You need to see a dermatologist or hair doctor to make a diagnosis. Something is wrong and there is no substitute for a good doctor’s examination. Perhaps it is as simple as an allergy to an ingredient in the new shampoo? Perhaps it is something more. I couldn’t possibly determine that via the Internet.

You can learn more about possible causes of female hair loss here.

(female) if my hair loss has been caused by an iron deficiency, how long will it take to see some regrowth now that I have been taking iron supplements?

Nothing happens fast with respect to hair growth. If your hair loss was due to iron deficiency alone, I would give it about one year to see some growth. Unfortunately, more often than not, I find that hair loss is not completely reversible even after correcting the problem.

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What are your thoughts on this out today?

HairDX Announces Clinical Trial Of Genetically Tailored Therapy for Female Baldness.

If one were to preselect women with the genes for hair loss and then treated them with a drug that would impact hair loss in women with the gene, the study would require a large population with good statistics to see the value. The important variable here is the drug that is selected and how it works. They don’t state what the drug is called at this stage, so I can’t research it at all and can’t really make further commentary on it.

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(female)
I have a problem with my hair where all of the hair all over my head will grow…except for the hair in the back of my head. I have let my hair grow down past my eyes and ears in the front of my hair, but the back of my hair barely has grown enough to pinch with your fingers. Why won’t my hair grow in the back? What can I do to get the hair to start growing??

I’m sorry, but I really don’t understand your question and I don’t know enough about your medical history. There is never a substitute for a direct examination and even a photo of you will not show clearly what is going on. Please see a doctor where you can have a one-on-one dialogue, including an examination of your head and scalp.

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