I’ve Been Thinning for Months After the Salon Put Product in My Hair

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /, ,

Hello!I’m a 32 year old African American Woman. In early March of this year,i went to a salon and got my hair done. The stylist used a product called Morning Glory. When it came time for me to wash my hair, OMG!!! My hair was shedding so bad.

Fast forward to today, I have lost at lest 3-5 inches of my hair. Especially in the front and middle of my head. Some of the back but not as much. Oh and did i mention it sheds really bad everytime i try to do anything to it more of my hair comes out. The same stylist that did my hair told me to come to her for a protein deep conditioner. Will that help?? What can i do to stop the shedding?? I don’t want to go bald!! Please help me. I appreciate any and all advice.

Morning Glory makes a few different products, so I’m not sure what was used (or for how long it was used) on your hair at the salon. You could be experiencing a chemical burn or an allergic reaction. I don’t know that a protein conditioner will help any more or less than just giving it time to regrow (it will take months). If you’re still losing hair months after this happened, you should visit a dermatologist to make sure there isn’t some allergy to one of the ingredients in the product used at the salon.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, female hair loss, chemical burn

In the News – Dr Farjo Transplanted a Patient Live on the Internet

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /

Snippet from the article:


Sports pundit and former-England footballer Michael Gray has undergone the first UK hair transplant to be streamed live on the internet. Some 22,000 people with strong stomachs watched Dr Bessam Farjo perform the surgery, which began at 10am yesterday morning and finished at 6.50pm.

Dr Farjo took more than 5,000 healthy hair follicles from the back of Mr Gray’s head and implanted them at the front of the scalp after making hundreds of incisions.

Read the rest — Former England footballer’s hair transplant is broadcast live online in world first

I must admit that I had no idea who Michael Gray was, but I am familiar with Dr. Farjo’s work (and he is a contributor to BaldingBlog). With this webcast, Dr. Farjo was able to show off surgery to thousands of curious viewers, and in a year or so, Michael Gray will be able to see the full results of this procedure.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, transplant, farjo

I Added 15% Minoxidil to My Routine and Lost Hair

/by William Rassman, M.D./5 /

Hi
To be begin with I want to say how wonderful your blog is, thank you very much.

After reading your blog I decided to get propecia over three year ago with great success. About two years ago I added 5% minoxidil foam to my routine twice a day. Then however about 9 months ago I wanted to achieve more hair growth and added 15% minoxidil with 5%AA and caffeine and retinol to my routine. So apply the 5%foam in the morning and 15% at night. I have no side effects from the higher dose but it seems like I have lost more hair with a higher concentration. Is this possible? Because there is a successful hair loss centre in London that sells 12%Mioxidil with AA so I thought that if I buy 15% minoxidil from ebay I will have more success.

My question is will are they able to get better results with a higher concentration and when I try it, it fails?

Thank you

There is a suggestion that higher doses of minoxidil is more effective than lower doses, but so are the side effects.

Hair regrowth from this drug was originally identified when it was used as a hypertensive agent in the 1960s. As a high blood pressure treatment, this drug is commonly sold in India in pill form, because it is cheap and easily available. At the last ISHRS physicians meeting, a doctor from India discussed the widespread use of the minoxidil pill for the treatment of hair loss, instead of the topical treatment approved by the FDA in the US and Europe. This doctor reported that when minoxidil was taken orally, it is more effective than when applied to the scalp. We know that this drug can be and is often absorbed through the scalp, and that is why dizziness and lightheadedness is seen as a side effect of the drug. Another side effect of the oral form of minoxidil is the appearance of hair in different parts of the body (that is what led to the connection between minoxidil and hair growth when used topically).

I am absolutely not recommending oral minoxidil, as side effects can be significant, but if he keep increasing your dose, you will run the risk of absorbing enough of this medication through the skin that you may be overdosing yourself. If you continue to treat yourself, you are clearly not prepared for what might happen. I would stick to what is known and what is safe.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, minoxidil

I Stopped Propecia Because of Side Effects, But I Want to Restart It Because of the Hair Loss

/by William Rassman, M.D./4 /

I used Propecia for years but developed serious and persistent sexual side effects. I have had to see various urologists. My testosterone and other medical work up was normal and I am fit and of ideal body weight. I do not have any health problems (no cardiovascular disease, no diabetes, and so on). I also developed brain fog and a sort of amotivational syndrome on Propecia which I had misattributed to other things.

It wasn’t until I stopped the drug that my motivation, aggression, and cognitive performance returned to normal. After four months, my ejaculate volume remains miniscule. The problem I having now is that my hair loss is alarming rapid and I am distressed by it. I have just experienced a serious shedding. Feels as if I lost 50% density and the hairline has shot up seemingly a half inch in the temporal areas.

Despite the side effects, I am considering going back on to slow the loss hoping something else will come out. I am scared that I will be impotent and infertile back on. I feel I am between a rock and hard place. What do you recommend patients do? Would a low dose be wise? 0.25 mg? 0.5 mg?

I generally suggest that my patients reduce the finasteride dose from 1mg to 0.5mg or 0.25mg and see if these lower doses work. Some earlier estimates I have reviewed suggest that the 0.25mg dose still works at about 50% efficiency on stopping hair loss.

Now that I told you this, you need a good doctor to manage your problems. This is a prescription medication, so all I can provide is general advice. You need to talk with your own doctor about what is the right step for you. Lower dosage has shown some effectiveness in my patients that were worried about side effects, but it isn’t a guarantee to work the same for you. Get a bulk measurement of your hair so that you will know if the dose adjustment still works.

Tags: propecia, finasteride, hairloss, hair loss

I Burned My Hair With an Iron as a Teen and Have a Bald Spot

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

Hi,
I am 33 years old female and have a bald spot on the top of my head from an iron burn since a teenager. There was no scar but definitely a linear bald spot as my iron was linear. Is there anyway I can regrow my hair. Would vinegar work? or alternatives? Thank you.

There is no way to regrow that hair, as it would’ve regrown on its own by now in the 15 or so years since you burned your scalp. Depending upon the wound that is present, it is often easily treated with hair transplants. I have corrected many of these types of problems with hair transplants.

Vinegar won’t do anything for hair regrowth.

Tags: bald spot, scarring, burn, hairloss, hair loss

The Corners of My Hairline Are Receding — Is It Maturation?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Hi. I’m a 20 year old male, soon to be 21. My hairline was fairly straight if I remember correctly, but now I’m taking notice of recessions on the sides of the hairline. The middle part that has not receded is pretty large. What are my odds of this being only hairline maturation? Thanks for your time.

It could be just a mature hairline developing, but I have no way to know that just based on your description. You’ll have to just keep looking at it over time (but try not to obsess about it). You can compare it to the mature hairline photos in this post. If you visited me or another doctor in this field, you’d likely get some help defining the problem you see.

Tags: hairline, mature hairline, hairloss, hair loss

Can I Have a Master Plan That Will Carry Me Into My 50s?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Hello doctor.
When you talk of a master plan for hair loss, especially in men under the age of 30, how many years into the future is this plan effective for, is it 5,10,20 years or a lifetime? The reason I ask this is because I know a lot of young people like myself that are going bald know we will eventually become a NW6 or NW7, so do you plan for that? To be honest, If I ever did get a transplant I would want hair for the rest of my life, but if I could have hair until 40 or 50 I would be fine with that and then let genetics take its course. Take care.

Crystal ballFirst, you need to know that almost every person with a Norwood class 6 and 7 balding pattern will see those patterns develop well before they are 30 years old. The older you are, the easier it is to predict future hair loss. At 22 years old, it might be difficult if you are not destined to be a Class 6 or 7 pattern, but in your late 20s, the job of predicting is easier.

If you bet on a horse in the Kentucky Derby, you can never be sure that the horse will win until the race is over — likewise, the Class 5 pattern patient may be able to predict the final pattern at the age of 26, more certainly at the age of 30, and with great certainty at the age of 40.

See here for more info on creating a Master Plan.

Tags: master plan, hairloss, hair loss, prediction

My Doctor Said I Should Take Propecia at 17 Years Old

/by William Rassman, M.D./10 /,

Is it ok for a 17 year old to take propecia?

started losing hair at the age of 15 now im 17. i have a NW2.5 with a diffuse pattern leading to NW 6. Hairloss is strong in my mother side of family but they have a diffuse pattern. My dad is a nw3 but the rest of his hair is thick and he is the only one losing hair from his side of family.

if my doctor (GP) says i can take propeica, should i just take it or should i ask him to do some test on me? i have done blood test for FBC (Full blood count including calcium) and thyroid the test showed that i had low iron the reason i have low iron because i have beta thalassemia trait

If my GP says yes i will most likely to take it. i’ve gone desperate when water hits my hair, my scalp is showed too much. i also have anxiety due to hair loss

You should follow your doctor’s advice. Make sure that he takes good bulk measurements of your scalp hair to confirm the diagnosis and establish metrics for miniaturization at different areas of your scalp to see the benefits of the drug on the miniaturized hairs.

Propecia is likely safe to take at 17 years old if you’ve already hit puberty, but taking the medication is a decision between you and your doctor (and a legal adult guardian).

Tags: propecia, teenager, teen, finasteride, hairloss, hair loss

Can You Transplant Into a Lot of Miniaturized Hair?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

I realize that every patient is different and requires a different assessment. But I was wondering if you could give me your general approach in my case.

I’m 25 and have been on Propecia for 5 years. I have hair all over my head, but I’m balding in a Class VI pattern. The Propecia definitely slowed the balding, but it’s gotten to the point where my hair is very thin and you can see my entire scalp through it.

I’d like to do a hair transplant – but can you do transparent into a sea of miniaturized hair? How would it usually work?

This is what Prince William seems to have as well. He might make a good transplant patient, but maybe he does not want one.

You, on the other hand, can send me photos of your scalp with good views showing the problem (hair wet and dry when groomed). I can then specifically answer your question during a telephone consultation, which I do often. You can email the photos here (and reference this blog post).

Tags: hair transplant, miniaturization, hairloss, hair loss

How Would You Celebrate a Baldness Cure?

/by William Rassman, M.D./3 /

Hi Doc,

If a cure for baldness does arise whIle this blog is still active, how would you choose to celebrate?

I’m not a drinker, but if a real hair loss cure were to come out, that would be a good reason to have a bash and get drunk in celebration.

Tags: cure, hairloss, hair loss

Is SMP Just Dots or Shading?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Is SMP for longer hair a different technique when doing it on people who keep their hair short. I have had many hair transplants so I have good coverage but not enough density. If I had SMP but elected to keep my hair longer would SMP consist of dots or shading?
Thank you

This is a very important question. Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP), as we do it, mimics the shaved hair follicle as it emerges from the scalp, having no length. This is not a piece of art in the classic manner with shading and depth color. Some people want their scalp to become darker, so they use products like Toppik (a concealer) to darken the scalp and match their hair color. That is not what we do with SMP. For this reason, SMP has more limited application and it can not match the powders or concealers.

When used with longer hair, one can still see the scalp between the hair, and the tattoo impact from the SMP is not dramatic. For this reason, we want most people to get realistic expectations. We do not paint the scalp with tattoo dye — that is not SMP — but we do create a stippled appearance of the scalp skin between the existing hair follicles when we do it for people with longer hair.

Tags: pigment, smp, scalp micropigmentation

Finasteride Has Helped, but I’m Still Depressed and Obsessed with My Hair

/by William Rassman, M.D./2 /,

Hi doctor Rassman,

I’m a 30 year old man from Belgium. For about 2 years I am following your blog daily. Thanks for this blog, because it reduced my concerns dramatically!

To keep my story short, I have severe depression and anxiety since January 2009. A couple of months after the start of my disease in 2009, I lost my hair density with a more see through scalp as result. Since then I lost more than 100 hairs daily, which made my disease worse. I lost everything, including my wife.

Now 3.5 years later I still have good coverage and I still can style my hair in such a way that people think that I have zero hairloss. I am using proscar 1.25 mg for about a year now, and the hairs I am losing in the shower are much thicker than they used to be. However, I am still depressed and obsessed with my hair, I really don’t know what to do. Please help me doctor Rassman :(

I visited your country about a year ago and love the place and its people.

You need to get a doctor to explore if this drug is impacting your state of mind (a potential very rare side effect). If I were your doctor, we would get to know each other… but I can not manage you from this distance. You need to get your depression under control, which may or may not be related to finasteride, since you said you had severe depression before starting the drug.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, propecia, finasteride, depression

Female Hair Loss at 81 Years Old

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

I have been seeing a great amount of hair loss for about 5 years. It appears to be much worse lately. I am 81 years old. Could it be attributed to post menopause ? I also have really bad dandruff. It all seemed to start when my husband died.

Stress can cause hair loss in someone your age. I would have to examine you and possibly do some special blood tests to determine if these is a cause for the hair loss that can be treated. Female hair loss could be caused by a variety of issues, but the death of a spouse is obviously a very stressful situation and can cause the loss you’re seeing.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, female hair loss, stress

Rapid Pulse Rate After Using Minoxidil – I Want to Sue!

/by William Rassman, M.D./2 /

I am searching for legal help!

After applying “Minoxidil” to a bald spot on my scalp I had a severe life threatening reaction. My pulse rate gradually climbed to 240+ at which time my wife dialed 911. I could not be moved from my home until EMS and an EMS physician who was rushed in could lower my heart rate. I am now in constant fear of a recurrence and will not be without emergency medication that I carry in my wallet. I came very close to death!

The worse part of this scenario is the fact that the EMS team (2 were in my home) did not know how to stop the rapid pulse rate, my wife and I heard them ask the ER physician what to do the next time they have a similar situation! My health has been permanently and adversely affected, I have an almost constant irregular heartbeat and I’m unable to be involved with any activity that causes stress, have not been able to work since the initial adverse reaction.

I’m just now inquiring about a possible lawsuit after an associate mentioned hearing about the connection between rapid uncontrolled pulse rate and Minoxidil/Rogaine, the EMS trip to the local hospital took place March 18th 2010, my medical condition is worsening. Until now anyone associated with this disaster ever relayed the connection or any info between this dangerous drug and what happened to me, not in the ER or our family physician?

Please advise…

I am not a lawyer and the purpose of the blog is to give medical information, not legal advice.

Minoxidil can drop blood pressure if greatly absorbed from heavy applications; however, I have never heard of anything like you reported.

Tags: minoxidil, rogaine, blood pressure, heart rate

What’s the First Sign That Finasteride Is Losing Its Effectiveness?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

I’m almost 26 years old and been using Fin 1.25mg for exactly 4 years for early hair loss. Since starting fin my hair loss ceased completely, I still look the same like 4 years ago! For the past few years I also saw way less hair shedding.

For the past 2 months I see a much bigger increase in hair shedding including weak hairs. My hair length is always the same (medium long) and I been using the same hair products gel & mousse all the time. When fin loses effects is increased hair shedding the first sign? So far my hair still looks the same but I’m definitely very worried.

I have said this over and over here on BaldingBlog: There is no way to completely stop hair loss (your genetics win out in the end).

Finasteride (Propecia) will help, but everyone is different in how they respond and how their genetic predisposition will work out. There is no sign that indicates finasteride is not working, but it is more about how your genetics is winning. It might just be semantics, but I want to be sure everyone is clear. If you see the loss start up again, finasteride is still working, but your genetics are winning out. It doesn’t just stop working.

I can’t explain your recent increase in hair loss, but if you’re concerned you should pay a visit to your prescribing doctor for a follow-up exam. If your doctor made bulk measurements before you started the medication, he could tell if your hair loss has picked up again. Get some good measurements of your hair loss so that in the future, you can tell what is really going on.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, finasteride, propecia