Category: Hair Loss Causes

Is there a correlation with racial differences in hair loss and the tolerance of lactose in the diferent human races? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance)

Lactose (milk and milk product) intolerance among different races are well known observations in the medical community. There is no correlation with lactose and any hair loss issues in any races. Many races or groups of people have semi-unique genetic differences that reflect diet, for example. Asians generally have a lack of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase which contributes to a ‘quicker’ intoxication when drinking the local brew. On a humorous tone, it has been said that an Asian is a “cheap drunk”, but I personally know plenty of Asians who can easily out-drink me – including one of our editors, Dr. Pak.

Male pattern hair loss is widely considered a genetic trait. However, it does not follow a particular simple Mendelian genetic pattern. In other words, you may be the only bald man in the family. With respect to the male pattern hair loss penetration in different human races or groups it seems to be relatively universal with one exception. There is a small group of North American Indians that are known to not have male pattern hair loss.

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Dr. Rassman
I am 21 years old my grandfather on my father’s side is Bald my father however is not bald his brother is, I got my mother’s side of the hair which is very thick and wavy and alot of hair. My concern is that i shaved my head recently and I noticed that My Left side near my forehead is kinda thin compared to the left side. I can notice it. The left side is thick and strong. My father is not bald he has a receeded hairline but at age 47 I think thats as bald as hell get. I am concerned I may be at risk for balding, even though my grandfather on my mothers side isnt bald nor is anyone on that side of the family. My uncle my father’s brother however is bald. I heard a freind say that everyone naturally has a thin side is this true? or should I start buying rogain right away so that I can stop balding early.

It is not uncommon for one side to bald faster than the other. The other side will catch up, unless you are treating your balding process with Propecia.

My son will be 12 this August, I have been noticing lately on his pillow in the morning, there is some lose hair on it, I would say about 12 strands. I have never noticed this before and I would like to know if this is normal or something I should be concerned about. I was wondering if this could be related to puberty, his voice is starting to change or if it is coincidental? Thanks for your time.

It is normal to lose 100 to even as many as 200 hairs a day. Furthermore hair grows in cycles (see below) and you may notice more hair falling out at different phases and seasons of the month. In other words, hair growth and hair loss can be a cyclical phenomenon. Other factors certainly contribute to hair loss such as hormonal changes, malnutrition, etc. While your son’s hormonal changes of puberty may be coinciding with the hair loss, it is my opinion that 12 strands a day is perfectly normal.

Hair follicle cells have three phases of growth:

1. Growth phase (Anagen phase) which lasts anywhere from 2 to 6 years. This is the phase where your hair is actively growing at approximately 10cm per year. 85% of hair is at this phase at any given time.
2. Transitional phase (Catagen phase) which lasts about 2 weeks. This is the phase where the hair follicle shrinks and prepares to enter the resting phase.
3. Resting phase (Telogen phase) which lasts about 1- 6 months. This is the phase where hair does not grow but stays attached to the follicle. Some hairs are shed at this phase, but at the end the hair follicle re-enters the growth phase to start the cycle over again. 10-15% of hairs are at this phase at any given time.

My husband and I just realize that on the side of his head he has a bald spot. Its not big, its about less than half an inch. We are both worried and we dont know what might have caused it. He does smoke cigarettes about four to five times a day, could that be the cause? if you can help me by maybe telling me what could be happening I would appreciate it. Thank you very much.

He should see a dermatologist. I am assuming that he does not use a wig/hair system. Traction alocecia is a common causes of this with wigs. I am also assuming that he is not a hair picker; trichotillomania is not an uncommon finding and is an easily diagnosis with hair mapping for miniaturization. The diagnosis of trichotillomania appears with stubs of healthy ‘terminal’ hairs indicative of the picking problem. Highest on the list might be conditions like Alopecia Areata.

Hello,
I am a 21 year old male who seems to be having rapid hair loss. My hair has always been very thick and within the last 8 months my hair just began been falling out. My hair is beginning to become very thin and noticeable. I can run my hand through my hair and have 20-30 hairs in my hand. Both sides of my family still have alot of hair. I am just wondering if it is just genetics or maybe because of a desease. What do you think I should ask my doctor???

It is normal to lose up to 100 hairs per day. You can quantify it by collecting the hairs in a bag for 24 hrs and then counting them, but unless you stay home and follow yourself around catching every hair that comes out, you will not get them all. We generally lose hair with the wind and just walking around doing the normal things people do. To better evaluate for your hair loss, you should have your hair mapped out for miniaturization to get a diagnosis in hand. Don’t panic quite yet, but be smart on what you do now.