Balding Blog

When the contrast between hair and skin color is minimal or when hair is very blonde, hair loss does not show well. I have seen many people in the office over the years with this situation. Contrast with a man with fair skin color and black hair (most Asians), especially when their hair is straight, balding stands out with less than 50% hair loss. I believe that a platinum blonde person can lose 85% of their hair, if it is a distributed, without seeing the loss.

The color contrast between hair and skin color is very important in determining the fullness of your hair. This man has lost a lot of hair, but because he is light blonde, his hair loss doesn’t stand out like a newspaper print of black hair on white skin.

When you bleed with microneedling, it shows you are at the correct depth. From a numbers perspective, I recommend a 1.25 mm depth. I particularly like the “Dr Pen” device because you can hold it over each area and deliver an effective injury to induce the healing cascade. Once per week is adequate; more frequent use is unnecessary. The photograph shows that you are using it where you want your hairline to return. I can see that clearly by the bleeding that shows in the photo.

There is little that can be done at this time. Go through the post-operative care with washing until the recipient area cleans up. Then look at this recipient area very closely. You may have to wait a full 8 months to know what needs to be done, if anything

These bleeding spots may be the sign of an infection from a few of the recipient grafts. You should go back and see your doctor to make sure that these are not spontaneously drained infections.

I want to bleach my hair blonde for a party but i wonder if this will cause any permanent damage? I use fin/min/nizoral and derma once a week. Could this cause anything permanent?

If you want to bleach your hair, make sure that you get an expert to do it. I have seen too many people do it on their own and get a permanent burn to the hair follicles and develop localized balding from it.

Hi Dr Rassman.

You have posted before that hair bleaching can damage the scalp. Is there any risk to hair through bleaching outside of the scalp issue?

My hair looks much better highlighted, and to do this the hair is pulled through a cap then highlighted by a hair stylist. Can bleaching accelerate the balding process? Is this something I have to give up?

Thanks for your time

If you bleach the hair and do not get the chemicals on the scalp, there will be no problem to the scalp; however, bleaching can damage the hair if not managed well. If you’re thinning already, risking damage to already weakened hair probably isn’t in your best interest. I don’t know anything about your hair loss situation though.