Category: Hair Loss Causes

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Does FUE Change Donor Area Planning? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Russell Knudsen (from Australia) wrote in informative article in this months “Hair Transplant Forum International”. Clearly, the ability to harvest the donor area with FUE will be more restrictive in individuals who have more extensive balding patterns (Class 5, 6 and 7 patterns of balding). The donor area around the sides and back of the head reflect 25% of the original total hair count on the head (I call it my 25% rule). If one targets somewhere between half or 2/3rds of the follicular units found in the donor area, as the maximum safe yield for FUE over time, then for Caucasians with average hair density (100,000 hairs on their head or 50,000 follicular units in the permanent zone) might be able to safely harvest as much as between 6,250 (half) or 8,250 (2/3rds) from the 12,500 follicular units in the permanent zone (25% rule).

In those individuals with higher densities than 100,000 hairs on their head, the harvestable follicular unit numbers may safely go higher, while in the typical Asian, for example with lower hair densities (80,000 hairs on their head or 40,000 follicular units), the donor area would contain only 10,000 follicular units. With half of the Asian’s 10,000 follicular units harvested, that leaves 5,000 follicular units behind (this reflects a calculation of 25% of the birth hair follicular unit numbers which are permanent). I believe that extracting between one out of every two follicular units from the permanent zone may be pushing the limit on people with low density hair.

There may be reasonable limits for a typical Asian based upon hair density (we calculate hair density on every patient undergoing hair transplant surgery). To complicate matters, Asian follicular unit hair counts average less than two hairs per follicular unit, so to get out an average of two hair FUE grafts, it takes more follicular units to yield an average of two hair FUE grafts. Asians (or Caucasians with low hair density) who have a high number of FUEs will, in my opinion, be thin looking around the back and sides of the head. I have seen some Asians with significant track marks from the punch scars created by FUE, particularly when the harvesting numbers are high and the remaining donor hair is significantly lessened.

Many doctors are taking hair from the non-permanent area to give the patient the benefits of more hair in the transplant; however, this may spell disaster for the patient who develops more extensive balding (suggested by Dr. Knudsen). Hair taken from the non-permanent area will be lost with aging and/or advancement of the balding patterns. Over zealous FUE beyond the permanent zone, has long term consequences for some patients and they must be warned. I have seen some patients who’s balding had accelerated from multiple FUE procedures and have loss hair in areas where FUE grafts were taken while leaving visible scars.

I want to raise blood supply issues here as I have seen one patient already who had received 6700 FUE grafts in two sessions and lost more hair in the permanent zone than was removed by the surgeon during the FUE. I actually counted the grafts and the hairs on the head and had done density studies on him before another surgeon did surgery on him. When FUE numbers are pushed, this patient’s findings suggested vascular compromise may have occurred impacting the remaining hair in the donor area. I have heard, second hand, that at the last ISHRS meeting some cases of necrosis have appeared in the donor area when too many FUEs were done, possibly too close together. I don’t believe we really understanding the complications of large FUE sessions, or that doctors are not reporting their complications out of fear of professional ridicule and/or malpractice risks, all of which may become a factor in the long term future of this surgery. As we do many FUE cases in our practice, we are not anti-FUE; however, aggressive FUE megasessions in the wrong hands could be a problem.

In conclusion, “do FUE surgeries change donor area planning”, the answer is YES. FUE will impact long term planning and may impact strip surgery in future surgeries. Low density donor areas, resulting from FUE, make for less donor hair for a strip surgery, which will only make any scarring more visible as the hair is cut short.

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Around the Web – Does Chemotherapy Always Cause Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Snippet:

Question: I may have to have chemotherapy. Will I go bald?

Answer: Hair loss is not certain with chemotherapy. Whether you lose hair depends upon the medication and dose your doctor prescribes.

Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that uses drugs to kill malignant cells, bacteria, viruses and fungi. Chemotherapy drugs are used to treat cancer, bone marrow diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The drugs can be given by injection or taken orally. There are also topical creams.

Chemotherapy drugs attack rapidly growing cancer cells. They also attack other rapidly growing cells in your body such as those in your hair roots. Each patient reacts differently to these drugs. Some newer chemotherapy drugs may cause fewer side effects.

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Read the rest — Does Chemotherapy Always Cause Hair Loss?

This is a pretty good write-up about chemo and hair loss.

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Hair Loss InformationI Took Pantestone (Testosterone Pills) for ED and Now I Have Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi docs,
Because of an erectile dysfunction, an urologist (seen in early 2008) gave me pantestone (40 mg) orange pills without any blood analysis. I didn’t need these pills!

So, I’ve been taking pantestone pills for a week, once a day since 2008. But one day, i took about 10 or 15 pills at a time because i thought i could get a better result. Since that day, i’m losing my hair on the temples and now, 6 years later, i’m at least at the second stage of Norwood Hamilton. My testosterone level is normal now. i would like to know if is it because of these pills that i’m losing hair and having a similar evolution as my fathers’.

Thank you for reading. Hope you could answer me because i’m getting anxious about these pills and i have got a lot of remorse of having taking it.

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Pantestone is apparently a testosterone pill sold in some European countries. Taking testosterone will cause hair loss in individuals who are carrying the genes for balding.

You mentioned that you are now a Norwood class 2 pattern, which suggests to me that you might have a maturing hairline rather than balding. Some people confuse the evolving maturing male hairline with genetic MPB, and without seeing your photos, I can not tell the difference.

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Hair Loss InformationCan I Inherit Balding or DUPA from My Great Grandfather? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi

I am a 17 old male and I recently realized that my hair is thinning. I believe my hairline has only receded a bit on the right side. The left is still a boxed NW1.

I have very little family history of MPB. My father is 48 with no visible signs of hair loss, my grandfathers both died with maybe slight temporal recession but nothing serious, but I had a great grandfather (paternal, grandmaternal) who lost his hair early (he might have started balding the same age as me as he was slick bald by 30). He only had hair in the back of his head/nape area (he completely lost the sides and there was a small gap between the ears and the hair), but that remained thick (as far as I can tell, there is a picture from the time when he was 40 and it is clearly visible that it’s not see through, but completely fine). Did he have DUPA?

Now I went to a hair specialist and he confirmed that there is early miniaturization (no vellus hairs yet) on the top of my head and also the sides, but the back area/ nape is completely fine, there is a clearly defined area where the hair is not miniaturizing. He put me on minox and told me that we should consider fin when I turn 18/20.

Could I inherit my balding from my great grandfather? Also will the back remain safe for the rest of my life or could it start miniaturizing? Is this DUPA or severe retrograde alopecia?

Thank you for your answers.

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Genetic hair loss in men can be inherited from your father’s side or your mother’s side of the family, which means you could have inherited the gene from either of your grandfathers. It’s possible for the expression of the gene to skip generations.

I can’t tell you (no one can) that you’ll be “safe” with respect to balding. You need to find a doctor and possibly get a good serial measurements (hair bulk and miniaturization) to see if there is a pattern developing. A one time measurement doesn’t really mean much, unless there is an obvious pattern already. Taking a medication such as Propecia is something you need to discuss with your doctor if you indeed have MPB.

As for Diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA), it is less understood than MPB, and the inheritance and expression of this process genetically is presently unknown. I can’t tell you if you have DUPA without an examination and I certainly couldn’t tell you if your great grandfather did.

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I’ve Got Thinning in 2 Spots and Small Bumps Near the Crown – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Im a 21 year old male and my family doesn’t have much history of early balding. However im experiencing thinning on the back of my head in two spots on each side of the spiral. Also sometimes ill have some sensitivity and have small sore bumps in these areas. My hair line is not receding.

If you can help I would be very grateful. Thank you.

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I think you should see a doctor, as I’m not sure how I can help you via the Internet with a simple description.

What you’re describing could be an infection or some type of balding, but I have no way to know. Sensitivity and sore bumps lead me to believe it’s something that a dermatologist should have a look at. You can find a dermatologist in your area here.

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My Hairline is Receding on One Corner – Should I Consider a Transplant at 18 Years Old? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello, im an 18 year old male and was unlucky enough to be born with not a great hairline to begin with. Now however i notice that my hairline has become a lot worse on one side than the other. Is this natural? And also what would you recommend for treatment? i am already on regaine at the moment which seems to have help a bit and stopped hairloss for now. But would you consider a hair transplant?

it wouldn’t take many hairs being transplanted to have a huge effect on my self-esteem, how many do you reckon?

Please help, it can be really depressing at times, thanks!

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You need an evaluation and a Master Plan. At this point, you really don’t know what type of hair loss pattern you have or if you will bald further than the frontal corners. If were to have surgery without a Master Plan with everything under consideration, you could end up with two patchy corner areas of hair and a bald head some years down the line.

You might just be developing a mature hairline or it could be early genetic loss. There’s no way for me to know what you’re seeing or what your treatment options are without an examination. At 18 years old with some hairline corner recession, I wouldn’t anticipate surgery being the recommended path at this time.

Address your depression and self-esteem by educating yourself and seeing a doctor for an examination and a Master Plan of your options.

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I’m 48 Years Old With a Nice Head of Hair – Am I Safe from the Baldness Gene? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Sir, I am a male at 48 years old and still have a fine head of hair. i wash it everyday and eat healthy and take regular exercise. is it possible that i have not inherited the baldness gene? and there is a good chance that i will keep for hair for life?

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If you do not have any signs of balding at 48 years old, you have a way better-than-average chance of not inheriting genetic male pattern baldness. Most people with genetic hair loss see the impact well before the age of 40.

I can’t, of course, guarantee that you’re 100% safe from any hair loss — but it’s not common to develop it at your age.

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Hair Loss InformationIf I Damaged My Follicles, Why Aren’t They Repairing After a Few Years? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

So a few years back i had a scalp problem that involved flaking and i got into the habit of picking the flakes which also led to hair loss because of it. The hair never grew back but when i decided to shave my hair due to having patchy looking hairloss i noticed that in fact the hairs had grown back (well kind of). It was the exact same colour as the other hairs and not the blonde vellus looking hair i would have expected when damaged hair was growing back. But they were much thinner looking than the surrounding normal hairs and they also never grew past 1/2 a millimetre in length.

From what i have read once a hair follicle has been damaged it takes a long time for it too repair and that is why the hair is thinner and not growing like normal hairs ….. But these hairs have been like this for well over a year and have shown no signs of growing back any thicker and longer? but at the same time haven’t disappeared and left the areas bald.

So what is going on? are they gonna grew back or is the damage done and if so why are they still growing to half a millimetre

thanks

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The normal hair cycle is somewhere between 2-4 years, so if your hair can recover, it might take that long to see it in its next hair cycle. Also, it is possible that the damage produced by picking has irreparably damaged these hair follicles (traction alopecia), so what you are seeing are miniaturized hair as a step towards total loss of these follicles.

Hair transplants can work very nicely in these areas if you do not have a massive hair loss, as the grafts would be transplanted from the back of the scalp and not subject to the old damage you caused from the picking. Have you seen a doctor for an examination?

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Hair Loss InformationCan SMP Fix My Eyebrows? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

My eyebrows are very thin and light, but my hair is black so I feel that I would like to darken by eyebrows. Would SMP be able to do this?

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Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) may work well to fill out the eyebrows, provided that there is enough hair in the eyebrows and the hair on your eyebrows is dark. If you darken the skin underneath the eyebrow with SMP and the eyebrow hair is lighter in color than the pigment used below, it will be problematic as the dots will show through it (I am assuming that you want a fuller, darker eyebrow).

You can dye the eyebrow a darker color and see if it is full enough. If there is not enough hair in the eyebrow, an eyebrow transplant is the best solution, not a tattoo. Most of the eyebrow transplants I have done usually put in enough hair to fill it up. We often fix defects in the eyebrow or complete the entire eyebrow if there are missing parts.

See these links below to find out just how important eyebrows are to one’s overall appearance:

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A Study from a Decade Ago Says Green Tea Increases DHT in Mice! – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I’ve started to drink green tea for its many benefits, but now i’m finding out in a lab study, it raised DHT levels in mice by 194%. The report is here.

Please set the record straight. Can green tea cause my hairloss to get worse? I drink about 1 cup a night.

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I’ve been asked about this at least a couple times before (here, here), but I frankly do not know the answer in humans. The mouse story is told in the reference.

Male pattern baldness (MPB) is related to genetics, not green tea. I doubt that it would cause your hair loss to increase. Enjoy your tea.