Balding Blog – Page 1469

May 8, 2008

Hair Characteristics Changing — MPB or Malnutrition? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Dr,

I’ve been losing my hair for approximately a year now, and I’ve noticed that when I started to lose my hair it went from being smooth and oily to “tangly” and dry. Is this normal for MPB or is this a sign of malnutrition? I’ve tried propecia and minoxidil and neither of these medications have helped. When I went and saw my Dr he immediately said MPB because my father is somewhat bald. Is there any specific blood work i can do that can help diagnose if malnutrition is playing a part?

Thank you!!

This is not a multiple choice test. You need to be evaluated by a doctor who knows the field and can diagnose genetic hair loss. Hopefully, the doctor will map out your scalp hair for miniaturization and lock in the diagnosis. Your physician (along with you) should then build a Master Plan for your hair loss and abide by it. Genetic causes are the most common among men, particularly as opposed to nutrition.

If you want to analyze your nutritional state, you can determine your nitrogen production in a 24 hour urine analysis and that will give you your nutritional state. A blood test won’t tell you definitively whether your hair loss is due to nutrition, though.

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May 8, 2008

12 Days Post-Op, Can I Scrub My Scabs Hard Since There’s No Danger of Losing Grafts? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dear Dr Rassman,

I still have a lot of scabs/crusts 12 days post op – is it safe now for me to scrub on them without the danger of pulling the graft out? I have read your detailed article regarding this stating that your research show that after 9 days the grafts cannot be logged out with a scab, so my question is can I scrub on them hard now to get rid of them? Also even after 12 days my head of hair seems like it was pre op but I havn’t seen the transplanted hair in the bath?

Thank you for your help

Generally it should be safe to wash your hair, but I would not use a scrub brush on the scabs. I would soak the scabs and then rub them gently with your fingertips after soaking in shampoo for a few minutes and they’ve become softer. I do not know what or how your surgery was done, though. If you had follicular unit transplantation the way we do it here at New Hair Institute, it should be safe, and I would be shocked to see significant scabbing at 12 days. Otherwise I really cannot say what you are experiencing.

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May 7, 2008

Hair Loss InformationHair Continued Thinning After Hair Transplant, Now I Want to Undo It All – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,

I had a transplant procedure 7 or so years ago. Since then, my hair has continued to thin and even though the hairline was done well, one can discern that they are transplants. If I was to have the donor scar repaired and buzz my head to a # 1 clipper, would the transplant sites be very discernable (on top of my head?) If I was to pluck them out, would the recipient sites have scars? I am not really sure what to do. If I hadn’t gotten the procedure done I would probably shave my head close. I would also like to know if I had additional procedures done, would I be able to go with a buzz (#1) cut? Thank You

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A hair transplant is forever, which means you shouldn’t do it unless you fully understand what is going to happen to you, even in the worst case scenario. I don’t know how to answer your question without seeing you. If the transplants were follicular unit transplants (FUTs), there is a good possibility you could shave the hairline, but based upon the what you describe, I suspect that the grafts were not follicular units. When there is any significant amount of skin in the transplanted graft, the skin will have some deformities associated with it. The larger the amounts of skin (which comes with procedures like minigrafts, micrografts, larger plugs, follicular families, double follicular units, etc), the harder it would be to get away with shaving the frontal scalp. Most people like you are easy to fix with more transplants, but it has to be done with FUTs and in enough numbers to fill in the problem area, but again I can not say this for sure without seeing you or your photos.

As you indicated that you’re in New Jersey, Dr. Robert Bernstein has offices in your area, so I would suggest that you see him for a straight answer, or you can send me photos to the address on the Contact page (reference this post, please).

May 7, 2008

Reduction of Childhood Scalp Scar – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have a childhood scar in the back of my head about 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide. I’m looking to possibly get scar reduction surgery, and wanted to know how it’s works and an estimate of the cost? And any suggestion you may have.

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The ability to address scars on the head depend upon where it is located. I would have to see you, examine your scalp, and then make the determination. I can not quote a cost without seeing you directly, but most costs are $3,000 or less.

May 7, 2008

Propecia Success Rates – What’s Your Take? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello dr,
I have a question which i have searched all over the web seeking for answer and couldnt find it. i know merck say propecia have around 80% in stopping any further loss, my derm said that in his experiece it has only around 60% in doing so, I would really appreciate knowing what u make of the success rates and based on your experience what would u say the rates truly are in stopping any further loss?

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I tend to see that the rate of Propecia halting hair loss is quite high in young men, but I don’t have actual percentages. I do not make statistical analysis of the men that I prescribe Propecia to.

May 7, 2008

Why Don’t Hair Transplant Doctors Get Hair Transplants Themselves? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I see a lot of hair transplant doctors’ pictures who have receding hairlines or who are bald. How come they don’t get hair transplants themselves?

Some doctors have had poor transplants themselves and although it might be hard to believe, comments made amongst the staff at the hotels that host our medical meetings have been overheard. People just don’t expect to see doctors with poor results, considering that they are in the business! Others decide that they do not want a hair transplant for personal reasons and I respect that the procedure is not for everyone. Quite a number of doctors in this business have had transplants and some even have their photographs on the Internet showing nice results, but of course, I can not tell you who they are for privacy reasons.

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May 7, 2008

Lost My Temple Hair 35 Years Ago and I Want to Grow it Back – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

(female) i lost my temple hair when i was about 16. my mother said it was from using sponge hair curlers. i am 51 now i’ve tried everything. it starts to grow then comes back out. no one else in my family has this problem.what can i do help?

I’ve not heard of a complete loss of temple hair, following by regrowing and falling out over and over for decades like you’re describing, so I wouldn’t know what non-surgical solution to provide. On the surgery side of things, we have transplanted hair for women with temple hair loss. I would need to see photos of you before rendering an opinion though, because without seeing what you’re describing I really don’t know if you are a good candidate.

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May 7, 2008

Can You Keep This Patient’s Hair Looking Dense If He Loses More Hair? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Dr. Rassman
Browsing the NHI site i found this 25 year-old man, Patient QE. Very good job. My question is that if this man becomes a type 4a in a few years, can you give him the density he has now?

Norwood Class 4A This is an important question, because the doctor is putting hair where it has disappeared, but the process of losing hair is not static. With progressive hair loss that comes with genetic alopecia, you need to have a Master Plan and a good doctor. The doctor should lay out the worst case scenario for you and the remaining hair after the hair reconstruction should be present in adequate reserves to make up for any progressive hair loss that should occur.

Your particular question is good, because the patient you are referring to could eventually develop a Class 4A pattern and almost everyone with a reasonable hair density can follow hair loss to the Norwood Class 4A or even a 5A pattern with another transplant procedure. If the patient stays on Propecia, then it is likely that the hair loss process will be slowed.

May 6, 2008

Hair Loss InformationWould Low Dose Accutane Still Cause Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Dr.,
I have acne & a dermatologist keeps recommending accutane in a low dose (10mg) for about 20 weeks. I have rejected the idea cause Ive read enough to believe that it can cause hair loss, but Im wondering if the dosage matters, will taking a low dose like 10mg lessen the possibility of hair loss?

Thanks

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Firstly, you need to discuss these issues with your doctor. How can you simply reject the plan set up by a doctor who has (1) seen you, (2) examined you, (3) established a relationship with you, and (4) recommended a treatment plan with you — and then expect me to advise otherwise?

Accutane (isotretinoin) can cause hair loss, just as other medications can cause hair loss. The most common cause of hair loss in men is genetic balding. You and your doctor should decide what is the cause of your hair loss and if Accutane is the focus of that cause, then you have decisions to make with your doctor under his/her guidance. You also need to consider why you are taking the medication and think of the risks versus the benefits.

I can’t answer your question, because I simply don’t know. I don’t prescribe Accutane and from what I’ve researched on it, there isn’t one certain amount of Accutane that can cause hair loss. Accutane doesn’t cause hair loss for everyone that uses it.

May 6, 2008

Scalp Muscles – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,

What are the various muscles of the scalp, and what purpose(s) do they serve? Does the location of these muscles have anything to do with the classic male balding pattern?

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There are no muscles actually in or below the scalp except the temporalis muscle extending from the side of the head and somewhat up the sides, the frontalis muscle below the forehead skin, and the occipitalis just in the very back of the head. All of these muscles end (roughly) at the scalp and form a fibrous tendon like fascia called the galea, which covers the bony skull and periosteum.

There is no connection between hair loss and the muscles of the head.