Category: Other

Dear Docs,

is there any way to determine one’s hair shaft thickness (whether coarse or medium etc) without microscopic measurements? Some websites suggest that coarse hair needs more time to dry than normal, others claim that fine hair reflects more light and can’t be felt between thumb and index finger. Are these statements true? Sometimes I realize that even in my donor some hairs vary in colour and thickness, cant remember if this has always been the case. On top of that, whats the difference between medium and medium coarse?

Thanks

I suppose you can use a micrometer and caliper to measure the shaft diameter, but I wonder how this information will be helpful to you? If you have fine, medium, or coarse hair, that is just who you are. Hair can vary in thickness depending on what stage of the growth cycle they are in.

As for defining medium and medium coarse, it sounds pretty self-explanatory to me. Medium hair thickness is the middle of the spectrum, and medium coarse would be just between medium and coarse.

Hey Doctor R,
I was just wondering about growth cycles of hair. In terms of non-scalp hair, or body hair, which tends to have a shorter growth phase – what happens here? Like do the genes which navigate hair growth just shut off after the hair reaches a particular length? Like I began to get curious about this when I trimmed some body hair – but did not shave it completely off. After, it is trimmed the hair begins to grow again and stops at the same length.

How does the hair “know” its been cut? Do the genes controlling hair growth become active again when body hair is trimmed or shaved? I know this is kind of a weird question, but I thought you may be able to provide me with some kind of explanation. Thank you!’

Body hair grows to a certain length and also has a different growth / rest cycle than scalp hair. Scalp hair has a longer growth cycle, which is why you can have your scalp hair grow very long. When it is cut short, the impact of gravity is lessened, and its character is more evident. People with crew cuts have a bristly feel of the scalp, but when the hair is very long, its weight impacts they way it looks. The characteristics of the hair is genetic.

Hair is not sentimental, does not feel pain and holds no grudge when it is cut short.

After my visit to your office today, I was more confused because your miniaturization analysis showed no miniaturization and your bulk analysis seemed to contradict the finding by identifying early balding. I thought that miniaturization was the most important test a doctor could do to determine balding. Please help me understand what appears to be a discrepancy.

I am sorry that I confused you. Before the Haircheck bulk measuring device was invented by a Florida hair transplant surgeon, the only way one could tell if hair loss was occurring was:

1. Seeing excess hair falling out (very early and not conclusive)
2. Seeing a balding pattern developing (maybe too late)
3. Looking for miniaturization (does not always appear, especially when hair loss is slow)
4. Taking photographs and comparing them (often too late)

By doing bulk measurements, it is a very sensitive way of understanding hair loss with a metric that is replicable once the measurements are repeated and compared over time. In your case, the metrics showed early hair loss, but there was no miniaturization present in the area of concern. Based upon this, the drug finasteride was recommended. By repeating this test in a year, you will know if the hair loss is stable or reversing, and if you are progressing in both anatomic areas as well as local measurements to see the state compared to what was done today.

Hi Doctors,

Just wanted to say thank you to your commitment to this website — as a medical student (University of Virginia) I’m impressed daily by your not only your expertise but your willingness to provide honest advice, even when this is not advantageous to you, financially or otherwise. I see too many doctors doing otherwise on a daily basis, unfortunately.

Best

We appreciate your kind words.

We’re off today to pay respect to the men and women who gave their lives for their country… also known as the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day. We’ll be back tomorrow!

Dear Dr Rassman

Hi, Great blog this! I have noticed that the balding areas of the crown and front are very oily/ greasy. If I take a tissue and gently wipe it, the tissue comes off with grease. Could this be blocking the hair follicles and thereby increasing hair loss? I play sports actively so I wash my head twice a day.

Would you suggest wiping the greasy areas with a tissue during the day if it helps the hair in any way?

Thanks.

Greasy areas on your scalp have nothing to do with hair loss. If you want to wipe the grease off or use any products, go ahead, but it will not affect your hair. I don’t have any particular suggestions. Your hair will fall out no matter what you do over time, because you likely have genetic balding. If you are concerned about hair loss, you should see a doctor to see if medication may be an option for you.

Hello,

I hope all is well today. I was curious as to why hair around ones ear and lower hairline (the rim around sideburns/ ears to bottom back part of head / even up to temples) only grows a certain length. I guess I just assumed this hair would keep growing for years and be as long as ones hair on top. I am not experiencing MPB or anything, I was just curious. Seems as though even no matter how long my hair on top and mid sides gets these hairs around the hairline perimeter only grow so long, maybe just a few inches.

Thanks

Hair that grows in different parts of the scalp and neck vary from each other based upon your genetic programming. We are all different, so what applies to one person may not apply to another. For example, neck hair does not grow long like scalp hair in most people and it may even be different in texture.

Why is it that, despite the astounding leaps in cosmetic surgery, and in stem-cell research, we still are nowhere near the ability to give me back a full head of hair? I have recently read that scientists can now change someones eye colour for cosmetic reasons, and re-grow teeth. It seems bizarre considering the amount of money that is put in, and yet almost no treatment exists, yet other fields are advancing brilliantly so.

Are you familiar with the romantic spy movie that came out a few years ago called “Duplicity“, starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen? The plot of the movie included an attempt to steal a secret formula, which is documented step by step. What is the secret formula, you might ask? What does this have to do with baldness research? The secret is — it’s a cure for balding.

I understand your frustration, but the movie does show the value business puts on a cure for baldness. There is a great deal of money to be made by any group that comes up with a successful treatment. Hair loss is not necessarily government backed research, as much of it is carried out or funded because the motivation is strictly for profit. There is a lot of research looking for the cure, and we must be patient and believe in the capitalistic model to see what I hope will be a truly effective treatment for balding sometime in our future.

Just don’t ask me when.