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I See Cyclic Changes in My Hair and Do Not Understand Them

Doctor can this happen on propecia. Ive been on it for 2 and half years with good results, maintained and thickened a bit, but my hair is weird. the first year on propecia it looked like it was getting worse, then into the second it started getting better over all. then again half way through the secong it looked bad again, and then a few months later it thickened again. I take pics, and that’s how I can tell. also there is a single hair that I excluded from the other hairs to follow and look at to see how it progresses, and to give me an overall picture on how the other hairs might be responding and growing. the last month or so that specific hair thinned and looked like it was gone, and then a few days a go I see It growing and thickening again. I know this is a weird email lol, but from you experiences does hair go through diff stages?

To be exact I started propecia in june 2013. from june 2013 to june 2014, it looked like I lost ground a bit, so I still stuck it with propecia. then around January 2013 my hair started looking good, and was thicker and the pics I took started to show a difference from the baseline. around april of 2013 my hair looked thin again and looked like I was reverting back to baseline. around august till about now my hair has looked its best. I started noticing new hairs sprout from the hairline that were not there before, and the looked so much thicker, and way different from baseline. its basically at its best. my question is why does it go through these stages? bad, good, bad, good, etc? is that normal?

Our hair will cycle and grow in different stages, so some hairs fall out while others grow from a stem cell that regenerates the hair follicle. You may be noticing some changes, but you cannot really say with scientific objective certainty what is really happening with just subjective observations or pictures. For example, dry frizzy hair in dry fall weather can make your hair seem voluminous, where oily damp hair in the humid summer days can make your hair seem flat and thin. Even different shampoos or hair products can affect how your hair may look and feel. For a more accurate analysis, we try to quantify it with measurements such as a miniaturization study and hair bulk measurements and compare the values on a yearly basis.

Finally, you need to understand that being on Propecia does not mean your hair loss will stop. Based on your genetic predisposition you will continue to lose your hair to the predestined hair loss pattern. Taking the medication (Propecia) means it will probably slow the process of hair loss down but each individual’s response to the drug is different. There may be some variations where you may notice less hair loss and more hair loss over the many months to years. We generally lose about 100 hairs a day (on the average), but this number is also highly variable with time for the individual. So I think what you are experiencing is likely normal.

Simply put, what you see may not reflect what is really happening. That is why we measure hair bulk with the HAIRCHECK instrument and also a microscope for a Miniaturization Study. The metric (numbers) what they instrument tells us, will allow us to compare a year ago to today and determine if you are really losing hair or not.

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See a chronology of a balding man evolving into a hairy man with hair transplants (many photos)

This is a terrific story shown in photos in multiple surgeries. Congrats to the patient and the surgical team. It is important to note that the change was gradual, evidenced by the photos and I am sure that nobody saw the daily changes (like watching grass growing that you never see). People have always told me how surprised they were that nobody noticed, however, if anyone ever looked at an old photos, then they would know for sure.


2017-09-14 10:53:36See a chronology of a balding man evolving into a hairy man with hair transplants (many photos)

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Sebum Contains DHT, Which Is Why Women Don’t Go Bald?!

I receive oddly angry emails from time to time, and this one had the subject “WRONG!!!!” that appears to be in response to a post from 2007 — Does Sebum Build-Up Produce More DHT on Follicles?.

Actually the sebum in men contains DHT because it is caused by Testosterone in males…which is why women dont go bald..u should know that,

I think that you are confused. Here’s an article that discusses the relationship between dihydrotestosterone (DHT) production and sebum. Yes, the sebum contains DHT, but it is not the sebum that causes hair loss.

The androgens produced in the human body heavily impact sebum production (more about sebum can be found here). Women with conditions that cause ovarian cysts (PCOS) get balding just like men, but to a lesser degree.

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Sebowash

Four months back i had thick and shiny hair, then it started off falling very severly. I then went to a dermatologist. He advised me SeboWash, but there are many side effects with its usage, so now i am in dilema whether to use it or not. Is it safe to use?

As your dermatologist prescribed Sebowash (fluocinolone acetonide), I suggest you see that doctor ASAP to address your concerns.

Here’s info I found about SeboWash at CiplaDoc.com —

  1. Sebowash is to be used as directed by the physician. It is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes. In case of contact, wash eyes liberally with water.
  2. This medication should not be used for any disorder other than that for which it was prescribed.
  3. The treated scalp area should not be bandaged or otherwise covered or wrapped so as to be occlusive unless directed by the physician.
  4. Patients should report to their physician any signs of local adverse reactions.
  5. Discard contents after three (3) months.

And here’s a little more from Wikipedia —

Fluocinolone acetonide is a corticosteroid primarily used in dermatology to reduce skin inflammation and relieve itching. It is a synthetic hydrocortisone derivative. The fluorine substitution at position 9 in the steroid nucleus greatly enhances its activity. A typical dosage strength used in dermatology is 0.01–0.025%. One such cream is sold under the brand name Flucort-N and includes the antibiotic neomycin.

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Seborrheic Dermatitis on Eyebrows

Dear Dr. Rassman,

I have been diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis on my eyebrow areas. My eyebrow hair are falling off all the time. They do grow back, but I notice that the texture of the hair is thinner than before I have got the problem. Does seborrheic dermatitis affect hair follicles in such a way as to cause the hair strands to get thinner?

Thank you very much for your time.

Anything is possible. If you scratch it, you may be pulling out hairs and eventually this will lead to permanent hair loss. You can treat it topically with a low dose steroid (1/2% hydrocortisone cream) about three applications a week, 12 hours apart. This can be purchased over the counter and is safe, unless you take too much of it. Try it for the short term. If it works, see a good dermatologist to consult on what is the best way to keep it under control.


2006-04-26 14:21:15Seborrheic Dermatitis on Eyebrows

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Seborrheic Dermatitis in Women

I had curly very thick hair all my 56 years. now out of the blue i got seborrheic and it is in my scalp. my hair is falling out. I’m going to the dr. but not much you could do but creams and hard shampoo. it’s not getting better. what can I do? it has been over five weeks. The dr. said this is something I have to live with. I’m not upset. I’m very blessed then other people. thank you if you can give me some feedback. God Bless

Please read the many entries on this blog for female hair loss. First and foremost, you need to have yourself and your health checked out. There are many diseases that can cause hair loss in women and you have to make sure that you do not have one of them. Women, like many men, can get genetic hair loss. In women, it usually is diffuse and not in one of the typical patterns that men show. Women generally thin out, but do not get bald. Some develop a pattern of thinning that can be treated more successfully with Minoxidil and possibly even hair transplants under certain conditions. First, get your self checked out medically and then find a good dermatologist or hair expert physician.


2005-12-07 09:56:11Seborrheic Dermatitis in Women

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Seborrheic Dermatitis and Hair Loss

Hi Dr.I wanted to follow up with you. I wanted to let you know what I’ve found out after three trips to my primary care doctor. I gave blood twice and had it checked for thyroid, full panel scan, cancer and HIV to name a few. Plus chest x-rays.I have all normal levels and no HIV. I’ve been diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis on my face and scalp. When I started using the brow conditioner is about the time my eyebrow hair started falling out. The areas it was applied, started flaking bad. I am still having hair loss in my eyebrow and some on my temple areas with itching. I hear hair loss is normal with seborrheic dermatitis? I notice the eyebrow hairs falling often have a piece of dry skin attached to the base. How long can I expect to have hair loss now that I’m being treated with desonide cream? Will the hair grow back once the seborrheic dermatitis clears? If not when can I consider scalp and eyebrow transplants. Will they be successful? Thanks.

The role of seborrheic dermatitis in hair loss is debated. Patients with seborrheic dermatitis may lose hair indirectly due to the inflammation of the skin that can accelerate telogen effluvium, which is reversible in most cases. The other mechanism of hair loss in these patients is through traction alopecia by scratching and rubbing hair. Traction alopecia is reversible in many cases. A small group of patients with baldness due to chronic traction alopecia may never grow hair back and a hair transplant may become necessary and could be done successfully after the skin inflammation is over. Before embarking on a transplant for the eyebrows, be sure that you have controlled the seborrheic dermatitis. This should be easy for a good dermatologist.

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Seborrheic Dermatitis and Hair Loss

Hi,

I got Seborrheic dermatitis for the first time last year. I have the problem resurfaced now. I tried several medicated shampoos but the problem didn’t disappear. I went to a general physician and he gave me a topical solution to apply to scalp (fluc.. something). I’ve been seeing more scaling and itchiness after using the topical solution. Is this normal? Also the hair that fall have a small flake attached to them. Is this a temporary hair loss?

Thanks

Your doctor probably prescribed fluocinolone acetonide, which works in the treatment of dandruff. Some people need a shampoo that will treat dandruff, so certain shampoos may contain zinc pyrithione, which is active for such problems. The shampoos will generally state on the packaging if they are recommended for people with dandruff. Other ingredients routinely included in shampoos include panthenol, which some scientists believe helps the hair grow by improving the moisture content of the hair.

You should go back to your doctor and ask more questions and see what else he has up his sleeve.


2008-07-01 16:15:26Seborrheic Dermatitis and Hair Loss

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Seborrheic Dermatitis After a Hair Transplant

Hello Doc. can you please answer this question please. Can a flare up of seborrheic dermatitis during the growth period (3-9 months)following a hair transplant procedure,in the recipeint area(itching,redness,swelling, etc..) lead to poor results of the transplant?? Also if the scar from a strip harvest is still pink and tender 6 months after procedure, will it always be like that or will it eventually toughen and turn all the way white? thx

Seborrheic dermatitis should not impact hair growth from a hair transplant. Scars can be judged by their width, and scars that are greater than 3mm may cause a problem. The pink color is usually gone in less than 6 months, but it can be delayed. The pink color has really more to do with the way your body heals the scar (appearance) than on the actual strength of the healed wound at six months.

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Seasonique and Female Hair Loss

Up until last week i was on inderal (for about two months) and went off of it becuase I noticed my hair starting to fall out recently. I also started taking seasonique (birth control) a month ago. Assuming it was the inderal, will my hair grow back? Im also still losing some hair and wonder if it was in fact the seasonique causing it. How long should i wait and see if it was the inderal. If it was the seasonique will it grow back?

Your birth control Seasonique (levonorgestrel / ethinyl estradiol) does have hair loss listed as a side effect — though it also has increased hair growth as a side effect (see Drugs.com). I really couldn’t say for sure if your hair loss was caused by the your birth control or the hypertension medication Inderal (propranolol), though hair loss is a side effect of many beta blockers (see WebMD). I wouldn’t know if your hair will grow back to its normal state, and though I realize that this answer may sound frustrating, regrowth is not a guarantee for each person. Each person reacts slightly different to each medication.

You need to discuss these issues with the doctors who prescribed these medications to you, and you should not stop or start any medication without discussing it with your physician.


2008-05-08 10:35:48Seasonique and Female Hair Loss