Young African American Teen Daughter Has Hair Shedding

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

I have a 13 year old african american daughter continually suffers from her hair shedding. She has alot of hair however, I cannot get it to grow consistently due to the amount of shedding she experiences. She has a relaxer done professionally and I keep her hair moisterized. She stresses over this and so do I. I do not know what to do at this point. Please help.

Many African Americans who use relaxers have hair pulling and hair loss. Look to what she is doing as the cause. Try to have her stop the use of relaxers and see if this does not stop the shedding.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, relaxer, african, african american, africanamerican, black, female, women, woman

Sore Bumps on Back of Head

/by William Rassman, M.D./13 /,

Hello Dr., I am a African American male 19 yrs old that is having a terrible time with my hair and scalp. For about the past 2 yrs I have been developing bumps on my scalp, mainly in the back. The bumps come and get extremely sore and can be popped and are filled with puss. I also recently have been getting bald spots in my hair that scab up and then leave a bald spot. Have you heard of these symptoms before because I am in dying need. Thanks in advance!

Yes, this sounds like a scalp acne type of problem or folliculitis that is recurrent. You need a good doctor to manage it. The bald spots may be the result of the infection from these ‘bumps’ you are talking about. You should wash your hair frequently and keep the sebum build-up down with more frequent washing, but you may need medical treatment if these are really infections that recur.

Tags: bumps, sore, head, pimple, scalp, acne, folliculitis

Doctor for African Hair Type

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

I’m a Afro American 33 y/o woman who in the last year have been experiencing hair thinning ,sever hair breakage and dryness. Can you tell me where I should start? I am not aware of any doc that treat our kind of hair. I just want my hair back…and healthy.

Start off with a good dermatologist who may have insights into the hair problem and determine if you have hair loss developing. Speak with your stylist and see if the shampoos and conditioners you are using participate in the problem. If you are in Califormia, I would be happy to see you after your speak with the stylist.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, african, black, dermatology, women, woman, female

African Scalp Pigment Different in Balding Area

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

1) Is there a point of no return that it’s pointless to attempt to regrow hair, like an age or length of baldness?

2) I have accepted my baldness, but NOT the two-tone scalp that comes with it, even with close against the grain shaving, the scalp pigment/melanin makes my hair loss obvious. I’m light-skinned black and would prefer that the side and back lighten to the rest of skintone rather than darken entire body to remedy this. Cost effective solution?

To answer your first question, the skin from under the scalp (the skin that is balding now) was protected from sun exposure (the sun adds color to the skin by increasing pigmentation). The lighter color you are seeing resulted from the protection of the hair cover that is now disappearing. When the hair is disappearing, the skin also changes. It becomes progressively thinner and as the fine hair get finer, the lighter appearing skin shows up more. The skin also loses its support infrastructure made up by many of the blood vessels that were there to support the hair follicles that were growing. At this point, only a hair transplants can bring back the hair. The vascular infrastructure that comes from stem cells and fat located in the transplanted hair, will also return more of the supporting infrastructure that supports a hair transplant.

Obviously the less contrast between the hair and skin the better the less noticeable will be the lighter skin. You can do two things to improve this contrast. You can either increase the darkness of the scalp using topical cosmetics like DermMatch (this requires some hair to be present or it acts like a can of spray paint) or have a tattoo (I do not recommend a tattoo), or you can dye whatever hair you still have left (add bits of white color to it) or even cut it very short (afro style). I can give you a referral to a doctor in Los Angeles who can help if you want pigment cell transplants instead of hair transplants.

Tags: african, black, pigment, tone, skin, balding, hairloss, hair loss

Rogaine for Different Races?

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

how would you recommend rogaine for black women? could i get by with washing my hair only 2-3 times weekly with its use?

I am not sure I understand your question. Rogaine (minoxidil) does not discriminate between races. Use it as directed. You should use it daily, but I would try to wash your hair to remove the residues at least 3 times a week.

Tags: minoxidil, rogaine, hairloss, hair loss, race, black, women, woman, female

Hair on Back of 12 Year Old Son’s Head Doesn’t Grow Anymore

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

My mixed race (black/white) 12-1/2 year old son has had a mini afro since he was 2. It is sort of his “trademark.” About 3 months ago, the back of his head has lost its growth, and is much shorter than the rest of his hair. He is devestated, and fearing some kind of baldness issue. Why do you think this happened? Any suggestions?

He should be examined by a good doctor (dermatologist) and get his hair mapped out for miniaturization. I am just guessing here without the benefit of knowing much about your son’s history. Is this hair that is located on the high neck, rather than the low scalp? I clearly need to know more. If you’d like, you can send photos and mark on the photo where the notch is on the back of his skull. All men have a prominent notch on the back of the skull (a male characteristic). Please reference this posting if you do send photos.

Tags: hair growth, hairloss, hair loss, young

I’m a 79 Year Old Woman — Too Old For Hair Help?

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

79 year old black female(mixed race) Balding began left, center, after age 37 uterine hysterectony. Rapid since 1992.Several maternal aunts became bald, none on maternal side. Used weaves and wigs. Prescribed Rogaine gave me full-mask headaches. Stopped after three days. I have chemical sensitivities. Hair Club for Men and Women product left rash from the glue. Their defective product,shed within four weeks($2,500 loss.) Retired teacher with limitd funds, but would like minimal coverage for the rest of my shortlife,if possible. Back to wigs,hot and unsatisfactory. Am I too old for any help?

Unfortunately, women with extensive genetic hair loss are not candidates for hair transplants. Minoxidil (Rogaine) may work for women your age, but in your particular case it doesn’t sound like it is worth the side effects, especially with your sensitivities to chemicals.

Tags: hair transplant, woman, women, female, hairloss, hair loss, rogaine, minoxidil

I Experience Bald Patches, But Don’t See Hair Falling Out

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

Im a 34 black women for the past year I have seen bald patches in different parts of my hair, the good news is the hair grows back, but takes about 3 months. The only thing is there is no evidence of hair comming out of the head, no hair on my bed, just wake up in the mornig to find bald patches but don’t see where that hair disapeared to.

If it was there when you went to sleep and not there in the morning, and there was no hair anywhere in the bed, no hair in your fingernails… hmmm.

I’m sorry, I don’t know what to tell you.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss

Shedding from Highlighting Hair Months Ago

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

Black female 36: Hair is thinning from shedding due to highlights put in months ago. What can be done to help this?

Don’t assume that your thinning is from the highlighting. It sounds doubtful. I can not blindly stab at an answer to your questions without access to you, get your correct history, examine you, etc. You should see a dermatologist if the hair does not regrow. Not much I can do online at this point.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, highlights

Listing of African American Dermatologists?

/by William Rassman, M.D./79 /

Is there a way to find a national listing of African-American dermatologists? I am especially interested in those that deal with Seborrheic Dermatitis in African-Americans. I have had this condition since high school and I am now 27 years old. I am seeking an African-American simply because other dermatologist seem to have shampoos/treatments they want me to use on a daily basis. As an African-American woman, I cannot do that or my hair will be damaged. My hope is to find someone who has researched alternative treatments due our hair type.

Thank you.

The listing services do not go by race, so that would be a difficult distinction to make. You might see Dr. Pearl Grimes, an African American Dermatologist extraordinaire here in Los Angeles if you are on the West Coast or would be willing to make a trip to meet with her. Dr. Grimes is the Director of the Vitiligo and Pigmentation Institute of Southern California, and is also a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at UCLA.

Tags: african american, dermatology, dermatologist

Braids and Traction Alopecia

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

Hello. I’m a 32 year old african american.I’ve read your artical about braids and pulling of the hair and I do understand.I love to wear braids cause it is easier to maintain with my busy schedule. I have noticed that there are small white specks at the end of my hair where it is braided. Possibly the root i guess. I was wondering if it is the root will my hair ever grow back.

Sounds like you are pulling out the hair with the braids. They will grow back, but if the hair continues to be pulled out, then it may not grow back one day. I’ve treated many African American women for traction alopecia with hair transplants.

Tags: traction alopecia, braids, african american, hairloss, hair loss

Taking Propecia For a Year, But 3 Months Ago It Stopped Working

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

I am a 35 yr. old African-American and seem to be losing my hair in just the frontal area. I have taken Propecia since August 2005 and maintained well the first six months. However, in the last three months I’ve noticed heaving shedding and my frontal area is getting much thinner. Would I be considered a non-responder?

PicklesPropecia is probably still working, probably holding on to some of the hair you have. If you should stop it now, you might see considerable hair loss. Do you really want to try that? This creates a real pickle (quandry) for most men in your situation. Stop it and risk acceleration of hair loss or keep on it for life? I do not have the answer for you. I doubt that you are a non-responder if you really have genetic balding, but without an in-person examination I’m just making assumptions. Get your hair mapped out for miniaturization and at the least, find out if you really have genetic balding. Then, with more information in your hand, you can make a more informed decision.

Tags: propecia, finasteride, hairloss, hair loss

Why Might I Have an Itchy, Sore Scalp?

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

I am an African American woman and my scalp started itching on and off about 2 months ago mainly in the crown area and the front area, then my scalp became sore for a day or 2, then I noticed, I didnt become bald, but my hair in the crown area and certain parts of the frontal area looks like it broke all the way down and left about 1 to 2 inches of hair in certain spots. This has happened to me about 2 years ago. But the hair always grew back. Can you tell me why this happens and what I can do to prevent it?

There is no way to tell what is happening with your scalp or hair without a physical examination. Usually if you pull or scratch your hair enough it will break off at its tip. It is sometimes a compulsive act. This condition is known a trichotillomania. But if the root (pardon the pun) of your problem is an itchy scalp you may have a local dermatitis or ring worms (fungal infection) or hundreds of other causes. BaldingBlog is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice or second opinions. You should see a medical doctor if this problem persists.

Tags: scalp, itch, trichotillomania

Hypothyroid Condition and Hair Loss

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

I have been told thet i have a hypothyroid condition. I take synthroid. Since I have been on this medication my hair has had severe breakage at the top and middle of my head. I have been using olux foam and selseb shampoo. I still continue to have sore spots in my head and several bumps to come in these spots. I am a 59 year old afro american female. I have also had injections in my head. My hair still does not seem to be starting to grow back. Do you think I am on the right track or should I talk to my doctor about some other type of treatment.

Unfortunately, it is impossible for me to really know what is happening to you just by reading an email. Hypothyroidism can produce hair loss and changes in the character of your hair. Apparently you are under the management of someone who is injecting something into your scalp. I can guess what that is, but rather than do that, I would suggest that you ask the doctor who is treating you the question you asked me. Any good doctor will discuss the treatment plan and his/her expectations with regard to that treatment plan. These bumps you are getting need a professional opinion, not something I can do competently over the internet.

Tags: hypothyroid, hairloss, hair loss

Best Hair Color For Thinning Hair?

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

what is the best hair color to camflouge thinning hair?

The best hair color is your skin color. For white people, white hair, for blonde skin, blonde hair, for dark skin, matching dark hair. Make sense?

Now that you are an expert, let me say that light hair always looks better than dark hair and the lighter the hair the better. Black men with white hair look fuller with the same amount of hair that might look thin when naturally darker. If this sounds confusing, think of a newspaper print and how it might look if the paper was dark and the print was white,

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, skin, hair, color