Category: Uncategorized

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Just Started Losing Hair at 60 Years Old

I’m 60. My brother has been bald for years, but I had kept most of my hair until the last 18 months during the stress of a business failure. Now it is very thin on top with a bald spot on the back. I began using 5% minoxidil about 45 days ago. Is there anything else I can do to at least stabilize the situation? Thanks.

It is rare to see balding start at your age, but we are programmed to have a certain number of hair cycles in hairs in different parts of the head. Maybe you have reached the age limit and number of cycles of some of your hair. It is not unusual for it to appear in patterns. Taking Propecia (finasteride) would probably slow it down and could reverse the thinning areas, considering that the entire process is recent, which is when the drug works best.


2009-04-07 11:47:35Just Started Losing Hair at 60 Years Old

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Acne, Hair Loss, and Numbing Pain in My Arms

First. It was nice to see a blog about hair loss authored by real doctors and thank you for that. I am from Philippines and there are not much doctors here that specializes in hair loss problem thus when I visited once before, i was not able to get answer. So i hope you could help me here.

I was 19 when my hair loss started together with some big acne. My mom said it is hereditary but what concerns me is the very very subtle tingling pain in the place where I am having hair loss (which is the front). Sometimes I feel it after I comb my hair.

Another are the acnes, is there a case that having an acne and hair loss at the same time is a symptom of something.

3rd is I always experience numbing pain in my arms that I have not experience before.

I am sorry if I have too many questions because I read a lot about hair loss but couldn’t find answer to why I am having one. Right now my hair is in a norwood 2. I tried to talk to one doctor before but his answer was because it was due to stress then gave me prescription for my acne not my hair loss. Sorry. This is already long but Thank You in advance.

Acne doesn’t cause hair loss, and hair loss doesn’t cause acne. Your loss may be stress-induced like your doctor said, but at 19 years old it’s entirely possible that you’re showing early patterned hair loss. A Norwood Class 2 could just be a mature hairline, though. That isn’t anything to be concerned with. I haven’t seen you, so I can’t make that determination.

I do not know what numbing pain in your arms has to do with having acne or hair loss. I think you may be trying to link everything into one. Unlike physics, there is no unifying theory about hair loss.

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I have been diagnoses with Keratosis pilaris, can I still have a hair transplant?

Yes, Keratosis Pilaris is a benign condition and it is harmless. Some people describe these bumps as ‘goosebumps’. If it produces itchiness and dryness it can be treated with lotions and lanolin. If the appearance of these bumps bothers you, soften your skin with lotions. Treatment can ease the symptoms and help you see clearer skin and have less itch. This is not a contraindication for hair transplants

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Addison’s Disease and Propecia?

Hi I’m 30 and suffer from Addison’s disease. I’ve noticed over the past 3 years my hairs been getting thinner and thinner and I want to do something about it. Propecia seems like a good starting point…. only problem is I have this rare endocrine disease and am worried about serious side effects. Should I be worried? Should I try rogaine instead? Many thanks.

You should first see a doctor for an examination and a diagnosis of your hair loss cause. You shouldn’t just jump at trying different medications/products blindly. You can also ask your endocrinologist about your concern with Propecia (finasteride 1mg). First and foremost, make sure your hair loss is due to genetics if you’re even considering Propecia.

I have seen many patients with hormone disorders (though not Addison’s disease specifically) and there is no reason they cannot be on Propecia that I can think of. But even to my own patients, I always advise them to check with their endocrinologist first.

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Laminin-511 Molecule?

Could you tell me more about Laminins-511 please and whether you think it is a promising ‘solution’ to hair loss? I had never heard of it before reading this article, but i’m now very intrigued.

Link: Mens Health

I do not know much about laminin-511 besides this press release from 2008. These are studies performed on mice and the research is disseminated to the popular media, grabbing the interest of readers such as yourself. I don’t see a date on that article, but I’m guessing it was from back when the laminin-511 mouse findings were first announced. It says they’ll have trials in 2 years… so I’d assume there should be info already if it was successful, but I can’t find anything new.

These news stories create a definite interest, but the implications on hair loss treatment remains to be seen. We get these types of stories sent to us almost on a weekly basis.


2011-10-25 17:17:15Laminin-511 Molecule?

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African American Female Hairline Loss

Hi I am a thirty year old African American Female. From my early childhood, I have been exposed to tight ponytails, braids, weaves and chemical services applied incorrectly. Surprisingly, I still have a head full of hair with the exception of my thinning hair line. My hair is currently chemical free and has been that way for over seven years. I normally wear wigs as a protective style. My hairline is still thin. Is surgery my only option?

Norwood 4AUnfortunately, there’s no medication that can restore a hairline and surgery might be the only option. Hair transplants for the frontal hairline work well, even in African Americans. Unfortunately, many African American women I’ve seen with traction alopecia have lost much of their frontal hair, even the hair that goes into the temple peaks on the side, creating a concave look similar to a Norwood Class 4A pattern (see image at right). The problem is that the larger the area, the more hair it takes to get a thick result.

African Americans usually are born with less hair than Caucasians (about 65% by hair count) so the supply is often more limited. In your case, if the hair loss is just in the frontal 1 1/2 inches, you may be able to get it back. A good examination is important, especially when made by someone who has considerable experience capable of giving you realistic expectations.

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Late 20s, want a hair transplant and need to know how many grafts I would need (photo)

I am in my late 20s and have been balding since 22. I started taking finasteride over a year ago, and while it reversed the balding a little bid (about 20% hair grew back in the bald spot), it’s been stuck at this level for a while. I am trying to figure out how many FUE grafts I will need if I am going to do a hair transplant surgery to cover this up, and whether I can get this done under $10k in the US/California. If not, I am debating making a trip to Turkey for a cheaper all inclusive surgery. I didn’t include a picture of the front, because my hair somehow hasn’t receded in the front.

Thanks in advance

You need a Master Plan to determine not only what you need now, but what is likely to happen to you in the near or long term future as hair loss is a progressive process. As you are in your late 20s, I could transplant the crown (depending upon your hair being fine, medium or coarse) the range of grafts would be between 1800-3000 (more for fine hair.

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After Care for Scar Revision

Everything seems very promising at this stage, two weeks after a scar revision procedure. I am wondering whether there is anything proactive that I can do to help minimize the presence of the new scar. (Besides avoiding exercise involving unexpected head-turning.) Such as:
– applying onion-based anti-scarring ointment; or
– not applying onion-based anti-scarring ointment;
– or using or not using some other topical thing.

Thanks for everything!

I think that patience is a virtue and if the surgery was done well, that should suffice. Applications of any topical ointment may be pointless at this time. If hypertrophic scarring should occur, then you may need to take a look at it as it forms. Stretching of the scar will take time, as stretching usually starts to become evident at about 6 weeks. Keep in touch with your doctor if anything worries you.

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What is the Hair Transplant doctor’s strategy on this patient’s FUE (photo)

This patient clearly had an FUE in the past. I know this because I see the FUE scars (the missing areas) which I placed some arrow so that you can identify the scars from the older FUE this patient had. What I am seeing is that the surgeon, having already almost maxed out the FUE extractions from the permanent zone in the donor area, decided to move up outside of the permanent zone for more extractions. That means that if this man should develop a Full Class 7 pattern of balding, that he would then lose all of these new hairs. Also showed some arrow above the line I drew to show that this area was previously harvested as well. The circled area shows an FUE sites where the hair still is in the scalp as it is all over the newly harvested areas (the surgical team has not yet removed the FUE grafts). Now add to this that as he loses more hair in the donor zone where his FUEs were wrongly done, he will have terrible scars on the back of his head that everyone will see (scar-less surgery?).

I strongly believe that the FUE harvest should be restricted to the REAL permanent zone (below the line I drew) and not above the line because these guys don’t expect to lose the transplanted hair in the years to come (a real possibility).

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What Age Should a Man Consider a Hair Transplant?

Never (for a man) get a hair transplant before the age of 25 because the balding pattern does not declare itself until at least this age. You should build a Master Plan with a great doctor so that your hair transplant plans are carefully considered and reflect your specific short and long term needs.


2019-01-07 08:47:52What Age Should a Man Consider a Hair Transplant?