Category: Other

Hi Dr Rassman,
Since I like the close cropped look and I am probably a Norwood 4 leaning towards 5, I am considering getting cosmetic hair tattoos to the scalp. What do you think about this place? The results look great in the photos, but I’ll ask to see some patients in person of course (thanks for putting that in my head!). Here’s the place. They are in the UK, but I’ve got family there and have been wanting to visit anyway.

HIS Hair Clinic

I would definitely want to see some real patients up close before deciding on tattoos like this. As I’ve written before, I have seen scalp tattoos that try to mimic hair, but what I’ve seen has been unimpressive and some even seem to have a greenish tint as well (maybe it is the ink or the artist — I have no idea, as I am not a tattoo expert). I understand tattoo technology has evolved, but drawing what looks like hair on the scalp can be tricky.

The photos presented by the clinic you linked to are quite nice, I will admit. I’m sure these results look fine from a distance, but I wonder if you’re sitting across from someone at dinner would it look like someone drew on their scalp with a pen? If the light hits your head wouldn’t it still shine like a bald head? Over time, tattoos with fine lines will blur… so how will that change on the scalp? I know there’s at least one scalp tattoo place that posts comments on this site from time to time, so perhaps they can post below to inform us about that.

I do recall one patient who did draw (non-permanent) individual hairs on his bald head to mimic a close shaved look, but it took many hours, special artistry, and skill. He eventually went on the have a hair transplant procedure.

Hello Dr. Rassman,

First off, thanks for your site- very helpful! Now for my question- I’ve recently encountered photos of Josh Hartnett in which his hair seems like it might be thinning diffusely on top. I am attaching links to those photos:

Photo 1 and Photo 2

I was wondering if you could give your opinion on those photos. Could this be due to fine hair and harsh lighting or flash? In some other photos, his hair seems ok. I’d be glad if you could answer this question. Thanks in advance

Sorry, I can not tell a thing about his hair from those photos. In people with fine hair and harsh lighting conditions, a see-through look to the scalp is not unusual. This is especially the case if the hair is dark, skin is light, and the hair is straight… which appears to be what Josh Hartnett has. Plus, it appears that his hair could just be messy or wind-blown.

Hello Dr. Rassman,

How are you Doc? Excellent work with the blog!

Here is my question: I’ve noticed recently that some of my hair has a “withered” look to it. The hair seems normal and healthy until about 1 cm from the top, then it becomes very thin and wispy looking. Could this be from MPB, poor nutrition, or lack of a recent hair cut?

I’m a 23 year old male, and though I have some miniaturization, these withered hairs seem to be much different than my miniaturized ones.

Thanks and keep up the great work!

Although your description of “withered” doesn’t really explain what you’re seeing, it doesn’t sound like genetic hair loss if the hair is growing healthy from the scalp. Perhaps it is split ends, which can be solved with a haircut. Talk to your barber or a hair stylist.

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In non-hair-loss news, a new study on dietary fats shows what has been suspected for decades.

Snippet from the article:

Although for nearly 60 years people have been urged to decrease their consumption of saturated fats to prevent heart disease, until now there has been surprisingly little scientific evidence that doing so actually decreased the risk of coronary heart disease events. A new study by researchers at Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) provides the first conclusive evidence from randomized clinical trials that people who replace saturated fat in their diet with polyunsaturated fat reduce their risk of coronary heart disease by 19%, compared with control groups of people who do not.

Read the full article — Replacing Saturated Fat With Polyunsaturated Fat May Cut Heart Disease Risk

Our younger readers think that their body is a castle capable of standing up against all diseases, so there is often little consideration for preventive diets that will preserve lifestyle. This reference just points out how simple a preventive diet can be. For further reading on the various fats, see Mayo Clinic.

The following is a comment I received on the post from last week, How Many FUE Grafts Actually Grew? —

Please let us know who this Dr. is. I know you do not want a reputation of badmouthing Drs. — but for the benfit of those of us who do not want this type of result, please mention it — it is not badmouthing, it is warning. At least the State where this Dr. practices. What good is a warning, if it isn’t linked to a culprit?

We maintain a policy to not slam specific doctors. I don’t want to open myself up to any legal action and honestly, I’d prefer to focus on revealing the scams some doctors pull and encouraging users to do their own research on any doctors they are considering.

We hold open house events each month where any patient can come in and say whatever he/she pleases in front of a very interested audience. I would challenge other doctors to have this same policy, which would obviate the problems that this patient had.

This isn’t hair loss related, but it is still important medical news —

In a recent publication, erectile dysfunction (ED) was found to be a robust predictor of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in men with cardiovascular disease or those with risk factors for cardiac disease. The connection between the blood vessels of the heart and the penis show that the blood vessels of the penis mimic those of the heart when there is significant cardiovascular disease present. These findings were recently published online March 15 in the medical journal called Circulation.

Treatment of cardiac disease, once recognized, can reduce the risks of cardiac death. The findings suggest that ED is a manifestation of cardiovascular risk. They conclude: “ED is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular death and of major cardiovascular events in high-risk patients and represents a symptom of more advanced atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction.”

What does this mean? If you have erectile dysfunction, get your heart checked for the presence of advanced heart disease. Taking Viagra may work to solve the ED, but your risk of sudden death is higher amongst men with ED and heart disease. Sudden death is often the first sign of heart disease in 70% of men.

Hey Doc,

I just saw this: Scientists Use 3D Printer to Create First “Printed” Human Vein

And it got me thinking, what if it was possible to ‘print’ human hair follicles from your own cells and have them implanted?

I like your way of thinking, but you can’t put together possibly disassociated facts to make them work. I suppose that is the first step to innovation, though. I suppose anything is possible in the not-so-near future, but I see an influx of angry emails whenever I poo-poo on any future technologies by telling them that if it ever were to become reality, that it would be many, many, many years away.

I do appreciate you sending me the link though.