Category: Hair Loss Causes

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Testosterone and Balding – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi doctor.

I recently asked you a question regarding if testosterone rise from propecia can cause hair loss, you said that testosterone doesn’t cause hair loss but DHT does. Someone else asked you if receiving testosterone shots can cause hair loss you replied:

“First of all I do not know why you are receiving testosterone shots. I would discuss all its negative side effects (including hair loss, liver damage, etc) with your doctor.

If you have the gene for androgenic balding, testosterone will increase the balding rate and possibly even continue on if you stop the testosterone therapy. If you do not have the balding gene, your hair should be safe with increasing amounts of testosterone, but your body may decay.”

Now here you clearly state testosterone does cause hairloss: “testosterone will increase the balding rate “

if someone takes propecia it means they have the balding gene, so then propecia will decrease DHT and in return increase testosterone that will lead to more hairloss. Please clarify this if you can because it is really confusing. I would really appreciate it. Thank you! you have an awesome blog! keep up the good work

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Testosterone is metabolized by the body into DHT. If you increase your testosterone, your body will metabolize the testosterone and make more DHT as a byproduct of the metabolic process. It is the DHT that causes hair loss (if you have the genes for it).

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Can I Predict How Fast I’ll Lose Hair Even If I’m Already Taking Finasteride? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am 25 (almost 26) and I am starting to notice some hair loss. I have been using generic finasteride…5 mg…and I cut it into 4 pieces to take once a day. I’ve been using it for a couple years now. I also use Rogaine (the foam), though sometimes I forget to put the rogaine on.

I have noticed on this board that you mention finasteride will “eventually stop working” and there is really nothing I can do about it. Is there any way to further slow the growth down? I was thinking of upping my dosage to 2-3 mg a day of finasteride. Will this work? Am I doing myself a disservice by using the generic brand instead of Proscar?

Also, is there any way to predict exactly how much hair I will lose, and how fast?

Thanks!

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Finasteride does not stop working, but your hair loss can continue while you are taking it. Some people report a noticeable decline in the benefits they saw from Propecia after the 5 year mark or so, but that just means your body is winning the tug of war over genetic balding. If you stop the medication at that point, you will see even further, faster loss (which is what I refer to as “catch-up” hair loss). Finasteride slows hair loss in men, but does not necessarily stop it. I wouldn’t up the dosage without first consulting your prescribing physician. The higher the dose, the greater the side effect risk.

To my knowledge, there should be no difference between the generic finasteride 5mg pills cut into quarters from the 1mg Propecia pill. It’s the same drug, afterall… just different dosages.

There is no way to predict exactly what your hair loss pattern will be or when you’ll get to it. You can get a good idea by mapping your scalp for miniaturization, and then mapping it again in 6-12 months to see the progression (if any). An educated guess could give you some clues at that point, but it’s not an exact science.

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Starting with 0.5mg of Finasteride, Then Increasing to 1mg in a Few Months – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I just began taking 0.5mg Propecia this week. It was a decision of mine because I was a bit paranoid of the side effects and figured I would start halfway and at least save my hair. My plan is to increase to 1mg at 4-5 months. Is there any danger to this transition, like increased likeliness of a shed after going to 1 mg?

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There is no problem with this approach, but I can not understand your doing it. I would understand if you got negative sexual side effects, which is 1 in a hundred chance. The full dose is the way to go for best results.

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Hair Spray and Alcohol-Based Hair Products – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I recently noticed that one of the first ingredients in pretty much all the hairsprays out there is some form of alcohol. I understand that the chemicals in gels, mousses, foams, waxes and sprays don’t directly cause hair loss, but it is also widely agreed that alcohol-based hair products are not good for the scalp and therefore are not good for hair either.

I know that in your book you give a warning that hairsprays can aggravate hair loss if one is not careful due to excessive strain/traction of the hair, but would the alcohol in hairsprays also contribute to hair loss by doing bad things to the scalp like overdrying? I think your book is great including the section on hair shaping products, but one thing I am still wondering is your general stance on hair shaping products and their effect on hair loss (more hairspray than anything else). Thanks.

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Hair Loss and Replacement for DummiesAlcohol based hair products will not cause hair loss. The body has sebum which coats the hair as it exits the scalp and that process protects the hair most of the time. Alcohol based products can dry the scalp, so the use of good conditioners for dry hair is a good way to manage your scalp and hair.

If you liked the book Hair Loss and Replacement For Dummies, why not submit a review to Amazon? I could use the boost, since there’s only been one review thus far. I’m excited to see that the book is now #1 for all books on hair loss, though. And for those that don’t know about the book, buy it here!

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Scalp Psoriasis and Hair Loss – Is It MPB or TE? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Doctor,

I’ve searched the forums and I wasn’t able to find any questions regarding this issue that I have. I was diagnosed with scalp psoriasis about 3 months ago. I noticed it about 4-5 months ago but just assumed that it was nothing as it wasn’t that much of an issue. Than about 3 months ago my hair began shedding rapidly. I would just gently touch my hair and hairs would fall out with the bulb at the end. I’m still losing hair rapidly, and I think it’s only gotten worse. If I just gently pull about 20 hairs or so more than 2-3 hairs usually come out all with the bulb. Do you think this is telogen effluvium or just male pattern baldness? Also when you lose hair due to MPB do they have a white bulb at the end? Thanks for your time.

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First, psoriasis does not cause hair loss. If you have hair loss, you need to be examined by a doctor who knows how to differentiate the different causes of hair loss. I can not tell you what is happening and even based upon what you write, I am hesitant to guess. See a good dermatologist for an examination.

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I’m 15 Years Old and Losing My Crown! – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi, I’m 15 years old and for a long time now I have noticed a bald spot in my crown and from what people have told me it is getting worse. At the moment I have quite long hair but for some reason the crown is balding. This is making me very self conscious and I’m only 15! .. What should I do??

You should get help from a dermatologist in your area. I’m not sure what you’re seeing (is it actual hair loss or just the way your hair parts at the crown?), but a doctor should be able to tell you once and for all. Your options are limited at 15 years old, as you’re likely still growing. Minoxidil (Rogaine/Regaine) may work for you if you are losing hair, but most teens your age wouldn’t be too keen on applying medication twice daily to their scalp. Again, seek out a doctor for an in-person exam.

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I Can’t See My Scalp Unless It’s Under Direct Light – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi William, Jae –
First off I’d like to say thanks for hosting such a great blog; I’ve found myriad answers to my questions on here over the past year. The reason I’m writing is because I’m concerned that my Rogaine regimen isn’t working as well as I thought it would. I’m 26, and of Southern Italian descent (with a bit of Brasilian thrown in), so my hair is rather coarse. I keep it very short, and have it cut every four weeks or so. I first began using Rogaine about 1 1/2 years ago when I noticed some thinning around my crown. While I still have a full head of hair, I’ve noticed as of late that it’s gotten a bit thinner in that region, even though I’m still using the product on a daily basis. I’ve read that people tend to lose more hair in the Spring/Autumn, so I’m wondering if that could be the case. Likewise, you can’t see any hair loss unless I’m seated directly under a bright light – that’s the only time you can see my scalp. Since my hair is on the tight and curly side, I’ve noticed that it’s always clumped together in spots, but I don’t think that’s entirely it. My question is – since you can’t really see my scalp unless I’m under a light, does that mean it’s a harbinger of what’s to come?

Thanks.

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It seems like you’re looking for some sort of endorsement from me that you are not balding. Seeing your scalp under direct light could be a styling issue, it could be an issue with the character of your hair changing (any chemicals/products used?), etc. Generally if you can’t see through the scalp, one might conclude that there is no balding… but to be sure, you should have a physician microscopically examine your scalp (which is what I call miniaturization mapping). Perhaps you are losing your hair in the crown and the Rogaine isn’t doing much for you, but I’d just be guessing at this point.

By the way, when the hair is not coarse, some people see their scalp even without being under a direct light… and they are not balding.

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Hyperinsulin Anemia and Hair Loss – Balding Blog

Thank you Doctor in advance for taking my question.
I have been in poor health as well as shedding hair for over 6 months. I have finally been diagnosed with Hyperinsulinanemia, a form of pre-diabetes. My new Endo. believes this is what’s causing my hair loss and that with diet change and Meds not only will the shedding stop but the lost hair will return. As much as I want to believe him I have been on google for days but have not been unable to find much info to help me validate the doctors claims. If you have any advice for this particular situation and could please help me with these 2 questions I would greatly appreciate it.

Is hairloss (overall thinning) caused by Hyperinsulinanemia always reversible? ( I”m a 43 yo male,never been overweight, with only very slight thinning and receding before this) If so, how long after the meds take effect (about 1 month) and my overall health improves could I expect to see regrowth? My other question involves my total testosterone jumping from 340 to 550 (untreated) in less than a month and my thyroid being slightly hyper, though not enough to need treatment. Could that be any insight to reversible hair loss? My new Endo. disagrees with my first Endo’s. diagnosis as the beginnings of Hashimoto’s and feels HIA is what is causing all of my health problems as well as the hair loss.

Thank you.

Here’s where I can see a test like HairDX being quite worthwhile. HairDX is a test to show if you have the markers for genetic hair loss. That should rule out whether it is disease or genetics. If you don’t have the genes for balding, it seems likely that the hair should regrow. You should have your scalp mapped for miniaturization to keep track of the progression of the loss or regrowth. Otherwise, you’re already under the care of two different endocrinologists and I don’t have nearly as much information as they would about your condition and treatments.


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My Hair Is Thinned from Traction Alopecia – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

(female) I hope you can give me the answer to a very easy question. I have traction alopecia. My hair has thinned on the top and sides. I don’t have bald spots –it’s just thin. I’m wondering if my hair will continue to thin if I do nothing, or will it just remain thin on top as it is today.

It might be easy to ask, but it’s not that easy to answer. I don’t know what your traction alopecia was caused by or how long you’ve seen the thinning going on for. Without an examination, I couldn’t tell you if the hair loss will progress or not. Sorry.

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