My Surgery Was Years Ago and I Have Small Pimples With Each Transplanted Graft

Dear Dr,
I’m a man 38 years year old, writing from italy. I had an HT 2 years ago with about 2000 graft implanted FUT. I take 1 mg Propecia for 2 years.

This is my problem:
I have very small pimples (less than 1mm) on each graft implanted there are very visible i.e. under the sun light.they don’t hurt me and seems like the hair is pulling up the skin. I don’t have any of them on non tranplanted hair… I searched on this site but almost all of the discussions I found are on bumps or normal pimples or pitting or scars. the most valid explanation I found is that it is due to the graft that was implanted too deep in the scalp.If it is true, what can I do for improve the situation? Dermabrasion or laser? may I start trying some remedy for folliculitis or is completely useless?pls give me some good hope on what I can do,I’m really desperate. the doctor who make me the surgery (in Mumbay while I was in a long trip for job…)after the first telcon, don’t reply to my calls or mails…however I don’t trust him anymore! I contacted another Dr who said that the only solution maybe is to make another transplant to hide the thin pimples, but I leave this as the last solution and I won’t make another bad transplant. pls tell me if there is something I can do for making less visible these pimples.Thanks in advance. sorry for my bad english. Best Regards

If what you’re describing is a cobblestone appearance (and not actual pimples), then please see this post. Without seeing you, it would be impossible for me to tell you what the problem is caused from.

Dermabrasion to the scalp causes visible scarring and only benefits the doctor’s pocket, not the patients who receive it. There are two types of lasers that can impact hair:

  1. Low level light laser therapy (also known as LLLT), which I feel does not work at all
  2. Higher powered lasers for hair removal, which do not work 100% on killing the hair

Neither offers much benefit to your situation. If you have bumps, some hair killed with the high powered lasers will just make what remains more visible and the laser itself can cause depigmentation (whitish areas) of the lasered skin. I would need to see you, but it is not an easy trip from Italy to my office in Los Angeles.

Can I Stop Taking Propecia and Continue with Minoxidil?

I am 21 with genetic hair loss.

I am taking propecia and minoxidil 12.5% + Azelaic Acid. If treatment works after, can I stop propecia and carry on with minoxidil 12.5% + Azelaic Acid?

As I’ve noted before, if you have any results from Propecia (finasteride 1mg) and stop taking it, you’ll see those results reverse. I’m not sure how long you’ve been using these medications, but I hope you talk to your prescribing physician before adjusting your treatments.

Even at the rather high 12.5% strength, minoxidil doesn’t maintain the benefits of Propecia (and vice versa). This is usually why I recommend starting with one medication and then adding another later, so you can get a better idea of which drug is giving you the best benefits. If you started both at the same time and decided to stop taking Propecia, you’re gambling that your visible results are just from minoxidil.


2013-03-12 12:49:10Can I Stop Taking Propecia and Continue with Minoxidil?

My Twin and I Lost Leg Hair

I’ve been reading some of the postings about hair loss on calf. You commented about not knowing age & also about role of DHT & hair being one of the benefits.

With that in mind, here’s another one for you. My fraternal twin & I have both lost the hair on the calves of our legs. Happened in late 30s-early 40s. All the males on father’s side are pretty hirsute, as we are. In my case, I have all the hair I’ve ever had everywhere else, including the tops of my feet and toes! I’m a little thin on top, too, as is my brother. But, I’m also now dealing with rampant eyebrow hair growth & hairy ears needing trimmed. I have pitting edema of lower calves as well, but normal warmth and good pedal pulses. What do you think?

Thanks!

Pedal edema (swelling of the feet) usually reflects some medical problem. With swollen feet, there may be a connection. Does your fraternal twin have pedal edema? Good chance that there is some genetic cause, but I am stumped.


2007-06-08 10:31:43My Twin and I Lost Leg Hair

Can I Use Minoxidil for Treating Chronic Telogen Effluvium?

Hello doc,

I’m 26, almost 27 years old and have chronic telogen effluvium for almost 18 months. I’m losing a lot of hair everyday on top, front and in the back; all-over. My question is.. Is it possible that CTE can recede a hairline a little? Less volume.. and little receding.. Is it possible to use minoxidil for CTE? What side-effects does minoxidil have with collagen, acne and wrinkles?

I do not believe there is a medication that really works (or proven to work) for treating telogen effluvium. If you have a diagnosis of chronic telogen effluvium, I would unfortunately think that your response to a drug would be even less. I don’t think it would help to a point that you’ll be able to notice worthwhile gains, but I suppose it doesn’t hurt to try.

Take note that some people who try Rogaine (minoxidil) report increased shedding in the first several weeks. I don’t know of any studies that show minoxidil causes wrinkles or aging in humans, though there was a mouse study about minoxidil on collagen synthesis from from years ago. Lots of anecdotal stories are on the Internet though, so take that as you will.

If you apply the minoxidil all over your head, be aware of the complications and/or side effects listed in the literature given in the package insert.

Is Neck Hair Genetic?

I am a 20 year old male who is worried about some hair loss at the neckline/nape of the neck region. I currently do not have any signs of balding in the crown or the hairline. But for some reason, every time I pull on the sides of the neck hairline, one or two tapered hairs fall out. My question is whether or not androgenic alopecia can affect this region or if it is determined by other genetic factors?

In some individuals, the neck hair is genetically programmed to fall out early. Rarely have I seen this in a 20 year old, but it is not uncommon in a man over 35. A few hairs may not mean that you are losing neck hair but just normally cycling hairs.


2019-02-20 08:15:14Is Neck Hair Genetic?

Can Miniaturization Reverse on Its Own?

I have thinning and recession at the temples and slight thinning at the crown (22 male). This was confirmed under a digital scope. Is it possibly that this process will naturally stop and not progress much further? My father’s hair thinned in his 20s and receded at the temples but seemed to have halted. Same goes for his father.

When miniaturization is the result of your genetic hair loss, it never reverses on its own.


2019-11-22 15:34:01Can Miniaturization Reverse on Its Own?

What you need to know about the value of body hair vs scalp hair for hair transplants

The chart below shows that the scalp hair has the longest growth cycle of any hair on the body. That makes it the best hair for hair transplant. Beard comes in as a close second, but may not last as long for a growth cycle. Chest and hair on your back are very poor with a growth cycle such that only 30% of the hairs will be growinh at any one time. This is important information for those of you who have run out of scalp hair, and need hair from other sources. It is not good news

Can Phytosterols Cause Hair Loss?

dr Rassman, does consuming foods rich in phytosterols such as black sesame seeds cause hairloss? I know phytostreols are plant hormones, can they increase testosterone and therefore more DHT?

If it means anything, I’ve seen phytosterols listed as a key ingredient in various herbal hair loss treatments…but I couldn’t say one way or the other if they work (I’m leaning towards them not working).

As to whether phytosterols can cause hair loss — I am not an expert on dietary issues and phytosterols, so I don’t know the answer to that.

New Hair Institute Los Angeles Office is Moving

Today is the last day in our Pico Blvd office in Los Angeles. We’re moving to a beautiful and completely remodeled office space in a medical building in Century City (just a few blocks down the road). Starting April 28, 2008, our NHI Los Angeles office will be:

2080 Century Park East, Suite 607
Los Angeles, CA 90067

Our first Open House in the new office will be next Saturday, May 3rd from noon-2pm. If you’re able to attend, I welcome you to stop by to see the new place — and of course, to meet with patients, have a free consultation with myself or Dr. Pak, and to see a live hair transplant surgery.

Anyway, I’ll post some photos of our new place once things get settled. In the meantime, things have been busy with the move (anyone that has moved to a new home in the past can surely attest to that — and moving an office is just like moving a home, except with more computers and surgical equipment), but I’ll make a point to have the blog updated in the same frequency as you’ve come to expect!

Can Propranolol Cause Hair Loss? I Use It for Anxiety at 10mg/Day.

My son takes this drug for stressful times. I thought that you were suggesting that you wanted to use if for treating your hair loss. I know that Propranolol can, in rare circumstances, brings on genetic balding or makes it worse if that is what you have. If it helps you, then, by all means, use it.


2020-05-11 08:54:46Can Propranolol Cause Hair Loss? I Use It for Anxiety at 10mg/Day.