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Could SMP Cause Shock Loss?

Hello, I was hoping you could answer these two questions:

1. With the advent of the Scalp Micro-Pigmentation, have you had any patients experience “shock loss” following the procedure?
I’m seriously considering the procedure but am a bit wary that the trauma to the scalp caused by the needle will cause shock loss.

2. Drawing on your years of experience, have you noticed a certain threshold (or range) for transplanted grafts where a patient is more prone to experience shock loss?

i.e. Is a patient who receives 1500+ grafts in one session more susceptible to shock loss than a patient who has two transplant surgerys of 750 grafts each session, say, three or four months apart?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Best

We haven’t experienced “shock loss” per se in patients that had Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP). One or two patients did report some hair loss initially, but it was not significant to be noticed. The risk is probably in the use of the anesthesia, rather than the SMP.

Dr. Pak’s mother had SMP done and did report hair loss the first few days, but it was insignificant. She had her procedure six months ago and other than the initial few days of hair loss, everything else stabilized.

Patients experience shock hair loss when their hair loss is ACTIVE and dramatic to begin with. In general, shock hair loss is more of a factor in men in their early 20’s (actively losing hair) and those who are not on Propecia. Your doctor should be able to better assess your risks of shock loss to the benefits of a procedure. The number of grafts you receive in a session is probably not related to the degree of shock loss.

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Could SMP Be Used for Beards?

Thanks for the great website and all the effort you and the rest of the team put to answer questions on a regular basis.

My question is regarding SMP. Could the same method be used to artificially create a stubble for men with patchy facial hair? I understand that it is a permanent look, but could the technique (or something similar) be used on the face?

Thanks again for your time.

I guess it sounds like a reasonable thing to do when small bald spots exist in a beard and the patient does not want hair transplants. But you’re going to limit yourself to always having the same facial hair length forever, or you’ll have tattooed spots on your face. Having said that we have done a small size spot (1cm) for a former patient.


2012-06-20 15:29:03Could SMP Be Used for Beards?

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Could Restrictive Diet Have Caused Rapid Hair Loss?

I am a 19 year old male and since August of 06 I have lost a significant amount of hair due to shedding and maybe miniaturization (some hairs that fall out look much thinner than others). From about february 06 till august 06 i was on a very reduced calorie diet and lost about 80 pounds. I can’t help but think there is some connection between the weight loss and hair loss.

My first question is: could that restrictive diet have caused my early and rapid onset of hairloss? Also, I have currently been taking propecia for the last 2 months.

My second question is: will taking vitamins (which ever ones they say promote hair growth. ex.Vitamins B6 and biotin) along with propecia help promote new growth? or are vitamins ultimately uneffective against hairloss (assuming its MPB)?

Thanks for your time, and your site is by far the most informative i’ve found so far.

Nutritional deficiencies (or as you put it, restrictive diet) can cause hair loss. In addition, this may trigger a stress response and turn on a gene that may kick start your male pattern hair loss. Unfortunately, after the process has started it is difficult to stop the progression of hair loss.

In either case, you should have a balanced healthy diet. And if you are concerned about male pattern (genetic) hair loss, you should see a doctor to get the correct diagnosis. Propecia can only be prescribed by a doctor and even if it is readily available over the internet you should see a doctor for a correct diagnosis and appropriate follow up.

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Could Putting On / Taking Off Hat Over and Over Cause Hair Loss?

Hello doctor. Thank you so much for taking the time to loo at and answer this question.

I know a question like this has been answered many times before, but I have a slight variation in the question concerning baseball caps and hair loss. My job (part-time) requires me to wear a hat and I have to wear it for about 5-8 hours straight each shift. I keep it a little bit loose so it doesn’t cause a cut off in circulation, but my question is, sometimes I adjust my hat, for example take it off and put it back on or shift it around a little bit.

I’ve read on other sites that putting your hat on/taking it off if you do it often/a few times can cause hairs to pull out/fall out. I do not know if there is any truth to these sources, so I am asking a professional. Is there ANY risk of thinning by wearing a baseball cap for long periods of time 3-4 times a week?

Also, how about hair nets, do they cause any damage/thinning to your hair?

Thank you so much and I hope this question doesn’t cause any irritation as it is a common one.

If the hat is not pulling on your hair, taking it off and putting it on over and over again should not cause any impact. Same goes for hair nets.

Basically, if something is tugging on your hair for extended periods of time, that is when you run the risk of developing traction alopecia, which is commonly seen in women with tight braids.


2010-08-10 09:27:06Could Putting On / Taking Off Hat Over and Over Cause Hair Loss?

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Could Propecia Have More Impact as You Age?

Hi Dr.Rassman,

Thank you for this great blog. I have found it to be very honest and informative. My question is regarding Propecia. I hear everyone talk about how it is wearing off or losing its effectiveness, etc. It is possible that Propecia works better for some over time? I have been on the drug for 8 years and i notice from pictures my crown looks better than it did 3-4 years ago. Keep in mind, I never did an actual hair count, but I take pictures in identical settings (same spot, lighting, no flash) every year to keep track of my hair loss.

Even in that small 10 year study, there was a significant portion of people who actually looked better than the 5 year mark. They’re reasoning that MPB is a slow progressive process, reversing it can be a slow process also. Or something along those lines. I’m 38 years old and I know that MPB starts to slow down at this age. I was just also wondering if Propecia would have more impact as the person gets older?

Thank you so much.

We actually do not know the answer. People respond in different ways. Some people remain sensitive to the drug for years and they are the ones that probably get the best results. If it is working, just stay on the plan to keep taking it. When and if it should reduce its effectiveness, certainly go back to your doctor and get his/her advice.


2012-07-03 13:18:00Could Propecia Have More Impact as You Age?

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Could Propecia Be Used to Treat Cardiovascular Disease?

Doctor,

There is an established correlation between (early onset) androgenic alopecia and both cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer. Now interestingly, Propecia (more than likely) reduces the risk of prostate cancer. Since Propecia seems helpful against hair loss and against prostate cancer, could it also be helpful against the third correlate: cardiovascular disease?

At least some studies seem to consider DHT to be proatherogenic while others consider estradiol to be antiatherogenic (in men). Given the fact balding men carry an extra cardiovascular risk and prostate cancer risk, could finasteride not only reduce the risk of prostate cancer but work cardioprotective as well in this population? Unfortunately I did not find much empirical data (only one study – PMID: 12234510 – reporting a non-significant RR of 0.3). How plausible do you consider finasteride to be helpful in reducing the added CVD risk in balding (young) men?

A valid and interesting point. I honestly don’t know how plausible it is, but it is certainly a refreshing perspective from a sea of anti-Propecia campaigns and the paranoia of its side effects that I’ve been receiving via email lately.

Medications are not magic bullets. They have limitations and might not always work the way we think they should work, but there may be benefits as well as detriments (for those anti-Propecia fans) still undiscovered. After all, Propecia was an accidental discovery, but there is clearly a need to study the connection between heart disease on those men taking Propecia. Considering that many men on Propecia are young, the number of people needed for a valid study may be very high.


2009-12-22 09:54:09Could Propecia Be Used to Treat Cardiovascular Disease?

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Could Propecia Affect My Ability to Have Kids in the Future?

Hi Dr. Rassman I appreciate your website and blog very much I visit here everyday. I have been considering propecia for a month now. After searching the internet of course I have been scared like everyone of side effects of ed,low libidio,and I know your answer to this. Now I recently have been seeing everywhere on the internet about propecia affecting fertility! I mean I wanna have kids and start a family one day which out weighs having hair.

I am a 27 year old male and have some thinning and receding up top. So my question is if I take propecia is there any chance of it affecting my ability to have children in the future? Can you please set me at ease I realize you have answered this before

The information available shows that there is little risk to fertility from Propecia. If there is an incidence of drug induced infertility, it is very, very rare. What has been reported seems to reverse on drug withdrawal. Permanent infertility to finasteride does not appear to be a problem. If you are still concerned after reading this, when you take the drug for your hair loss, consider taking a sperm count somewhere after 3 months while you are on the drug.

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Could Obsessing Over My Hair Cause Stress Resulting in Future Hair Loss?

I know I’m weird. But I just can’t get off the thought that one day I’ll go bald. I’m so worried that I keep touching and feeling my hair everyday to check for any signs of baldness. This is so crazy and disturbing to the point that I can’t concentrate on the task ahead but giving myself unnecessary worries if it were to happen one day. Even though I don’t see any noticeable changes on my hair line, thickness, or strands of hair on the floor. I guess this is strictly a psychological problem. But each time, when I’m trying hard to concentrate, I’ll feel as if, my mind is suggesting to me that I’m placing undue ‘stress’ on my head which will ultimately result in hair loss in the future. lease tell me something assuring.

I think you answered yourself when you said, “I guess this is strictly a psychological problem.”

If you are that worried about hair loss go see your doctor or find a doctor who can examine your hair to see if there is any miniaturization or patterns developing that would suggest that you are balding. Your family doctor can also address the obsession you have over your hair, possibly with appropriate medications. Stress can contribute to hair loss, so don’t get yourself into a neverending loop.


2008-09-29 14:43:34Could Obsessing Over My Hair Cause Stress Resulting in Future Hair Loss?

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Could My Topical Eczema Medication Speed Up My Hair Loss?

Hello Dr.

I’ve have eczema on my forehead and cheeks, i’m using miconazol/hydrocortison twice a day for ten days now.

Because i’ve to put it on my forehead, close to my hairline when i wake up and going to sleep, could it speed up my hairloss? It’s also on my cheeks so if it comes on my pillow is it dangerous for my hair?

Thank you

Please use medication as directed by your physician. Hydrocortisone can be absorbed by the body and can contribute to hair loss if it is used in excess. Very small amounts work well for its primary purpose.

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Could My Scalp Reductions Be Preventing Transplanted Hair From Growing?

I’ve previously had scalp reductions and a flap hairline performed in the early 1990’s.

I recently in Feb 2010 had a 2000 hair (not graft) procedure performed by the same doctor who was responsible for the scalp reductions and flap hairline in the 90’s to address the lack of hair behind the flap which looked strange. It is now 12 months since the procedure and it appears only half of my hair in the triangular area behind the flap has grown, it is very patchy and is more scalp than hair. Could the fact that the previous scarring from the scalp reduction and flap hairline be causing this skin zone to not grow transplanted hair properly?

The funny thing is that several of the hairs transplanted into the actual scars have grown quite well and show thick well developed hair shafts. But as mentioned before the triangular shape of bald scalp behind the flap is completely surrounded (an island of forelock scalp) by scarring from the old surgery. Could this zone be of limited blood supply due to these scars or does the scalp still get enough blood supply anyway? Also could 12 months be too soon for me? The island of scalp behind the flap hairline has sensation although somewhat reduced sensation but the skin goes white than straight back to pink when pressed. I have compared my post op photos with my current photos and it appears that only half of the hair has grown. I can email a couple of photos if you wish, I have not been back to the doctor since my 1 week post op check up (for personal reasons). it was about 1000 grafts I think. I will get back to him when I feel ok about it, thanks

Prior scalp reductions are not a reason why a hair transplant surgery would not work. Many patients that had scalp reductions in the 1980s and early 90s followed them up with hair transplantation with relative success (growth was fine, but they were the pluggy look from back then).

I think the best thing for you is to follow up with your doctor when you are ready. Maybe you took pre-operative photos, but your doctor should have one (or more) as well and it may be useful to compare what you have now and what you had then. There are many factors that can be the cause of a hair transplant failure and that is why you need to see your doctor for a better understanding.


2011-03-15 13:35:59Could My Scalp Reductions Be Preventing Transplanted Hair From Growing?