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My Hair Color is Different from My Dad’s — So Does That Mean I Won’t Bald Like Him?

Hi, I just had a quick question.

My dad started to bald somewhere between 18-19 and was nearly all the way bald by 20. My paternal grandfather is also bald. My mom’s side however has all of their hair, including my maternal grandfather. I’m 18 now and my hair color is much different than what my dad’s was at his age, his was auburn, mine is dark brown. It’s also still incredibly thick. I also seem to have the same soft hair as my mom but not fine hair or anything.

So my question is, will I go bald and if I do, will it start soon?

Thanks!

Hair color and balding are not linked. Just based on an email, I have no way to know if or when you’ll go bald. You’ll need to meet with a doctor for a miniaturization examination of your scalp, along with follow-ups over time to see if there is indeed any thinning.

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My Gynecomastia Is Returning, But I Don’t Want to Stop Propecia

Hi Dr.Rassman,
I currently have been on finasteride, 1mg, for 8 months with good results, although I do have a problem with gynecomastia(glandular) as I have gotten it excised twice before and unfortunatly It’s flaring up again. I did have this before I was on propecia. Im just afraid that the doctor will stop the propecia If I tell him its flaring up again and I dont want to stop using It. What should I do? Thank you in advance for your respected opinion

You can talk to your doctor about reducing the dose to 1/2 or 1/4 of a Propecia pill, but since you had gynecomastia twice before taking it, I’d wonder if this round of gynecomastia is even related to the medication. Be open and honest with your doctor, and if he decides to take you off Propecia, explain your case.

Do you have a hormonal imbalance or something that might be causing this? I’d also discuss the other causes of gynecomastia with your doctor.


2010-01-19 09:15:41My Gynecomastia Is Returning, But I Don’t Want to Stop Propecia

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My Grandfather, Father, and I All Have the Same Mature Hairline

Hi Dr,
I have a mature hairline (since 15) , and my dad and his dad both have the same hairline. No one on my mom’s side has/had a mature hairline. Is this an indication that I will take after my father?(he still has lots of hair)

Sounds like it. Is there balding in the family on either side? That could impact what will happen to you if there is.


2006-12-19 14:38:37My Grandfather, Father, and I All Have the Same Mature Hairline

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My Grafts Aren’t Growing — Is It Because I Got Sunburned on My Head?

Hi,

I had a hair transplant last summer (June 12, 2009) around 2,000 micro graft follicles. It has been nearly 9 months and I am not seeing any significant results yet. I can see/feel a few coming through but seems to be coming through rather slowly. I was wondering if I damaged or ruined my transplant for in August (two months after transplant) I sunburned the top of my head. It was quite red but I would not say severely burned, but burned nevertheless. Did I damage it or is it just taking longer than usual for my transplant to come through? Thank you for your time and help.

A sunburn will not damage the transplanted grafts as they are below the top (cutin) layer of the skin… that is, unless you burned it so severely that the skin heavily crusted after the burn. If the transplants did not grow, you should speak with your surgeon about that problem and see what he/she will do about it. You’re 10 months out of surgery, so I’d expect some decent growth by now.

Check these recent posts for other comments made from people whose hair did not grow after a hair transplant:

  1. I’m Not Seeing a Drastic Difference a Year After Hair Transplant
  2. If There’s No Growth a Year After My Hair Transplant, Should I Just Get Another One?
  3. Hair Transplant Failures and Survival Rates
  4. Haven’t Seen Much Growth 7 Months After My Hair Transplant
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My Girlfriend Is 5 Months Pregnant, Any Problems With Birth Defects With Me on Finasteride?

I understand you probably get plenty of messages so thanks for taking time to read this. My girlfriend is 5 months pregnant and Ive been on Finasteride for 7 months. I’m just wondering if I can contribute to take Finasteride whilst she is pregnant and also continue to have sex with her without the use of a condom. Will this lead to birth defects?

There are no problems with birth defects caused by you being on finasteride.


2020-01-13 09:45:40My Girlfriend Is 5 Months Pregnant, Any Problems With Birth Defects With Me on Finasteride?

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My Girlfriend Has No Body Hair Growth

My girlfriend doesn’t grow any body hair except on top of her head. Is this a condition? What is it called? Thank you

Does she have eyebrows, eyelashes, pubic hair? I need to know these facts before I understand what is going on.


2006-12-19 14:32:53My Girlfriend Has No Body Hair Growth

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My Friend Was Very Sick After He Had a Hair Transplant

Hi. I just wanted to know if you have a hair transplant most surgeons tell you after 3 months the transplanted hair start growing. Is it possible it could take longer and if so how long would be the maximum?

My friend had a 3000 graft trasplant done and its been over 4 months, but not much has happened. He says he was very sick on the 2nd day after surgery and the pressure going to his head from vomiting made him feel as if the grafts were going to pop out. Is it possible something could have gone wrong due to vomiting? Thanks for your time.

Some people can have some side effects of drugs that are used for sedation after a hair transplant. Every medication has side effects, but most of the medications we use have few detectable side effects at the doses we utilize. If there are any lingering effects from these drugs, they may last a day or two at most. There has been a rare occasion where a patient was recently sick with the flu just before a transplant, so it would be logical that the same thing could happen after a hair transplant. Perhaps he caught the flu and it was coincidence. I really can’t tell you, as I have no idea.

Concerning your friend, hair starts growing at between 1-5 months after a transplant. I doubt that your friend lost any grafts or did any damage from being sick after the transplant.

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My Friend Had Surgery and I Love the Results

Hi. I’m 30. My hair has been thinning. I recently met with Bosley after a friend of mine said he’d been there and was very happy with his results. His hair looks great. But I’m a little freaked out cos there is a lot of bad press on Bosley on the internet. I dont want to wind up in a position where it looks awful and I have to keep going back. I really don’t know what to do.

Thank you

It really comes down to the surgeon and technicians staffed. As with any clinic, look at the doctor’s work in person. Don’t just rely on photos that may only show what the doctor wants you to see. Ask to meet patients that were done by the surgeon you will be getting and see what they say about the experience and the results. I’ve created a checklist for selecting your doctor that should be helpful. In your case, you’ve got a friend with results you can see in person… and if you’re satisfied with your friend’s results, that should say much.

It also doesn’t hurt to get a second opinion. Since you’re on the east coast, Dr. Robert Bernstein is in Manhattan and is a fantastic surgeon. Or if you happen to be visiting the Los Angeles area, you could always see me.


2010-09-21 12:48:00My Friend Had Surgery and I Love the Results

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My Fraternal Twin Has Been Losing Hair for Years

Hi just wanted to say thanks first off for all the information provided for us. I had a quick question my twin brother (fraternal) started balding about three years ago and now is pretty bad. He tried propecia and had pretty severe side effects (sexual in nature) and it appears that I too am now starting to bald.

I was reading about NuHair DHT Blocker and reviews on the major websites seem to be a mixed bag, some people swear by it others saw some results and others said it was garbage. I was wondering if you had any insight or opinion on it. Thanks for all your help and this great resource.

NuHair DHT Blocker is just a tablet containing saw palmetto and other herbs that likely won’t do much for your hair loss. I’ve written many, many times about saw palmetto. If you’d like to try it, go ahead… but keep in mind that as your hair loss is progressive, if it turns out that the pill does nothing for you, that’s going to be time wasted.

The only FDA approved medications for treating hair loss are finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil, and those are the medications I recommend. If your brother experienced side effects while taking Propecia, I’m wondering how long he was on the medication and if his doctor lowered his dosage at any point. Perhaps you could try a lower dosage of Propecia. Talk to your doctor.


2011-06-14 11:03:13My Fraternal Twin Has Been Losing Hair for Years

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My Fine, Straight Hair is Thinning on One Side of My Head!

I am 19 years old and I have fine, straight hair. The hair growing on the right side of my head is significantly thinner than the left side. I don’t remember having this problem as a child, but I have had it for awhile. I used to have such pretty hair, so it’s really upsetting. I think I have had this problem since I was about 11 or 12 years old, which is a pretty young age for hair loss. I remember getting my hair pulled really hard on the right side by a girl when I was in 7th grade, but I don’t know if that is the cause.

Also, I used to wash my hair everyday since about 12 years of age until earlier this year. I stopped after I realized how bad it is for your hair. I’ve been eating pretty healthy for the past 2 years(mostly fruits, veggies, and fish) and I take vitamins. Will that help at all? I switched to an all natural brand of shampoo and conditioner that is made of aloe vera, and I’ve stopped using harsh chemicals, however I still have problems with dry, irritated scalp. I have pretty low self esteem because of this, and I just don’t know what to do. I’m going to see a dermatologist soon, but according to this information, what do you think the cause is and can it be reversed?

Also, do you know of any good hair specialists in my area (Austin, TX)?

I am assuming that you are a male, since you didn’t specify…

Your diet won’t help regrow your hairline, but a healthy diet is always good practice anyway. First, as always, you need a diagnosis. This is likely your genetics, but you are doing the right thing by seeing a dermatologist, particularly with your irritated scalp condition. The genetic balding problem may play a role in the asymmetry, which is common in those going through male patterned hair loss. I don’t have referrals in Austin at this point, but you can review ISHRS.org to find a doctor in your area.

At 19 years old, I wouldn’t rush into a hair transplant surgery to balance out the hairline, but for those readers with a similar problem (that are a bit older than this young man), hairlines that are out-of-balance in men can be easily fixed with hair transplants.