Category: Uncategorized

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Does Inflammation Cause Hair Loss?

I am a cosmetologist and have been so for over 25 years. I’ve been doing extensive research on hair loss for several years. Recently I’ve been experiencing hair loss myself. I have rosacea, the kind that results in acne like bumps. It creeps into my scalp also. After finding out that I have an inflammatory condition found in my lungs, it’s all starting to make sense. My pulmonologist is drawing lines connecting imflamation in my skin and scalp to this. Many people who have acne or other inflammatory conditions also experience hair loss. This is believed to stem from inflammation brought in by either infection, autoimmune disease or allergic response. I have rosacea and hairloss. I’ve not taken any oral antibiotic for this although it has been prescribed (minocyline) . This drug is used to treat inflammation, not so much as an antibiotic. I’ve used metrocream on my face with no great results. My dermatologist switched me to soolantra andnit and is working wonders on my breakouts and redness. She says this cream works to fight against the allergic response to skin mites. So interesting that the inflammation is due to an allergy. It’s probably also in my scalp too. If you have an inflammatory skin condition you most likely also have the same in your scalp. Because the cycle of the hair growth and shedding, you might be experiencing the loss a while after the inflammation began at least 6 months or so. I’m curious how many of you have experienced other inflammatory problems like IBD, joint pain, high blood pressure.

Thank you for writing. There has been microscopic evidence that some inflammatory process is present in female hair loss. We also have seen many autoimmune conditions such as FFA, LLP, Alopecia aerata, etc. that are known inflammatory autoimmune diseases that attack the hair. I would not be surprised that the presence of other inflammatory conditions could overlap to the hair follicles. Unfortunately, our clinical science is not there yet.

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3 weeks on Minoxidil, what do you think (photos)?

The changes you are seeing may be more styling and product application than reality; however, there is a suggestion of new hair growth seen in the photos. Good luck and I look forward to seeing your photos in about 6 months.


2020-12-04 11:29:173 weeks on Minoxidil, what do you think (photos)?

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Insulin and Finasteride

There is a link between finasteride or dutasteride and insulin sensitivity as shown in this article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4207930/

The conclusion of the article states: Dual inhibition of 5?Rs, but not inhibition of 5?R2 alone, modulates insulin sensitivity in human peripheral tissues rather than liver. This may have important implications for patients prescribed dutasteride for prostatic disease.


2020-09-14 10:15:09Insulin and Finasteride

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3000 grafts not enough, why? (Photo)

Assuming that all of the grafts grew, your may have fine or very fine thickness hair. The total hair bulk needed to cover these areas are probably insufficient to get the density you want with the length of hair showing. Alternatively, if your hair is medium weight or thicker, it is likely that many of the grafts just didn’t grow. To get a fuller look, (1) longer hair will give you more hair bulk if your hair is fine, (2) more hair grafts will help for fine hair, or (3) if the hair transplant failed to grow all of the grafts, then another hair transplant would be a good idea, possibly with another surgeon, and (4) Scalp Micropigmentation can make the hair look fuller. You didn’t show the hairline so I can’t comment on that.


2021-08-20 08:44:393000 grafts not enough, why? (Photo)

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At 38, I Am Thinking About Getting a Hair Transplant.

I am 38 years old and in the early stages of male pattern baldness. Currently, I am probably type 2 but it could evolve into type 4. I have been using coconut oil for the past 1-2 months and I do notice some growth (maybe 5%). However, I was looking into getting a minor hair transplant (FUE). I just had a few questions. If you could shed some light, I would be grateful. Thanks!

  1. I have a short haircut in general with buzzed sides and long hair on top. Do I have to shave my head completely for the procedure?

  2. If I get a minor transplant, and somehow it gets worse in the future, would I be able to get another one? Why do some people say you can only get a few transplants throughout your lifetime? Assuming you have enough donor hair.

  3. Do I have to be on medications after getting a transplant? I am looking into this because I did not want to be on propecia or monoxidil due to the side affects.

  4. How often do you have to come back for checkup and what does the entire procedure entail?

  5. Is there usually a minimum number of grafts that a doctor requires?

1. You only need to shave the back of your head short and within a week it will look like normal short hair.
2. There are lifetime limits to FUE and hair transplants in general. If you exceed these limits, then you can become bald in the back of your head. Read here: https://newhair.com/donor-area/
3. I would like to see pictures of your hairline. If you were my patient, I would do a HAIRCHECK test to find out what the naked eye can’t see from planning purposes. Send photos to: wrassman@newhair.com
4. Once a hair transplant is done, other than a final sign-off with the doctor when it is grown out, there is no real maintenance.
5. There is an activation cost for the surgery room, the staff, and the set-up which is embedded into our fees. Generally, there is a $3,500-4,000 minimum cost but that would include about 600 grafts if it is not FUE.
I look forward to hearing more from you after reviewing photos.


2019-02-14 07:04:44At 38, I Am Thinking About Getting a Hair Transplant.

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Iron Levels and Hair Loss

Dr Rassman,

I am a 27-year-old female who has experienced a gradual overall thinning for the past 10 years. It is now fairly severe. I have always had low iron levels and saw a hematologist for over a year. My ferritin levels have hovered between 14-35, despite taking a 325mg ferrous gluconate supplement daily.

My ferritin is currently 14 and my hematologist says that since the laboratory test range is 10-150, my levels aren’t so bad; that it would take anemia to cause hair loss. My B12 is also in the low range – 325 on the 200-1200 normal zone. I feel that I must not be absorbing iron if the levels haven’t changed despite taking a supplement and I am frustrated by wasting more time without being able to rule this out as a source of the thinning. My two younger brothers have male pattern baldness but I am loathe to accept genetics are to blame for me too…

My question is: how low do iron levels have to be to be considered a legitimate cause for hair loss? And how soon would regrowth occur after normal levels are restored?

Thanks so much for your time.

Anemia is a very broad topic to tackle. There are many causes of anemia, like microcytic anemia and macrocytic anemia. Microcytic anemia is caused by iron deficiency, thalassemia, and various chronic disease. Macrocytic anemia is caused by folate and B12 deficiency. There is no cut off level of iron that one can define as the starting point for hair loss. Ferritin & Vitamin B12 deficiencies may produce hair loss and anemia and they may accompany other vitamin deficiencies including the entire B group [Vitamin B1 (thiamin),Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (niacin), Pantothenic acid, Biotin, Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), Folic acid (folate), Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)].

Have you tried to take iron with vitamin-C? Sometimes that may help to increase absorption of iron. Liver and red meat have high iron levels. Your doctor may have evaluated your GI tract for mal-absorption problems leading to some malnutrition or other vitamins and nutrient deficiencies, each which may contribute to hair loss. If the normal level of iron is restored, it may take a few months before you can see noticeable regrowth of hairs.


2006-02-06 11:09:49Iron Levels and Hair Loss

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Is being bald better than having hair?

A recent study suggests that most women actually LOVE bald men. And that hairy men easily get jealous of bald people Also genetic analysis has found out that balding men have the best genes for strong bodies

Bald is better?

Shaving your head may give women a sense that you have self-confidence and women love men who are confident in themselves.


2021-04-06 07:58:13Is being bald better than having hair?