I’m 24 Year And My Father Is Balding – Will I Also Bald?

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

I am 24 and my father has a receding hairline and there is balding on his side of my family. Will that happen to me?

I see many young men like this man with a what appears to be a full head of hair. He was concerned that he may inherit his father’s pattern and does not want to go bald. He wants to be proactive on the use of drug. When he asked me about the drug finasteride, I originally told him I would not prescribe it unless I was certain he was balding. From what I saw on my first impression, I did not think so, but when I did bulk measurements of his hair, I found that despite the visible full head of thick hair that I saw, he actually lost 45% of his frontal and crown hair. With that knowledge, I prescribed the drug finasteride and he was very grateful.

Many readers routinely send photos for me to diagnose their hair loss condition. I cannot do this with photos alone. I would never have thought this patient was balding by just looking at him. It was the measurements and examination that made the diagnosis.

At the age of 24, his future is uncertain with regard to hair loss, but with thinning in the top and crown of his head at this time, he does run a risk of a more advanced balding pattern over time and this test shows clearly the value of early diagnosis to try to prevent his probably outcome or at the last slow it down. Early diagnosis is best done in the doctor’s office who offer a ‘hair bulk analysis, which can identify hair loss before it becomes visible to the naked eye.
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Tags: bulk test, balding, father, photos, hair bulk analysis

How Common Are Receding Hairlines in Women?

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

My hairline is starting to look like my son’s hairline. The frontal part in the mid-line has gone up about 1/2 inch, and my corners have disappeared creating a V-shape to my hairline. I am 52 years old.

Women’s hairlines often rise up to an inch as a woman ages. Menopause accentuates the hair loss process, and it is reported that about 50% of women past menopause lose their hair and are balding to some degree. This could be seen as a thinning hairline with overall thinning in the front, top, and crown of the head, or receding hairline with a disappearance of the corner hairline.

New Hair Institute Female Temple Corner Rounding 1000 grafts - 7 MONTHS Post Op

New Hair Institute Female Temple Corner Rounding 1000 grafts – 7 MONTHS Post Op

I am assuming that this lady has seen these changes recently. She is of menopausal age. The normal female hairline is located on the crease of the furrowed brow; however, as the hairline in women rise with age, it may rise as much as a full inch from the crease of the furrowed brow in the mid-line. Additionally, the corners of the frontal hairline often becomes thinner with age, taking on the shape of the male’s mature hairline as this lady is reporting.

In women who have plastic surgery of the face, hair lines and frontal corners are often impacted with hair loss. Brow lifts induce frontal loss and lift the frontal hairline back, increasing the size of the forehead. Is is very common to see frontal corner hair loss after facelifts and brow lifts. We commonly get referrals from plastic surgeons for women who complain about the hair line changes after a facelift.

Hair transplants can address hair line issues reasonably well and can lower the frontal hairline back to the crease of the furrowed brow. The corners can also be filled in with hair transplants.

Teenager’s Pubic Hair Growing in White

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

hi,
I am 14 yr old male with a patch of white pubic hair. The area with the white public hair is also a bit fair and different from other. I just wanted to know if this is normal or not. Is it a side effect of something or a disease? Will the hair become black or not?

I have shaved my pubic hair, but it itched very much. Even the new hair grew white. I am not close with my dad and I am not comfortable talking to my mom about this. Is there some treatment or medicine?

While 14 years old does sound pretty young, this can be an hereditary thing and there is really nothing that you can do. Shaving the area will usually result in it itching when it is regrowing, so that isn’t entirely surprising. I wouldn’t be concerned about the white color, and it doesn’t mean you have a disease or a side effect.

Tags: pubic hair, hair growth, hair color

Is There an Evolutionary Reason for Losing Hair at Certain Ages?

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

Hi Doc,

I have been wondering, what if any evolutionary reason was there for males going bald at as early as their 20’s and a lot more during their 30s and 40’s?

My speculation is that this trait becomes apparent well after puberty and sexual maturation, therefore it does not affect the passing of the genes. Do you have any thoughts on this?

I’m not sure of the evolutionary reason for going bald, but genetic balding can start at any age. The hair follicles have a programmed ‘death’ date and it is triggered by the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) when the date comes to pass. Blocking the DHT with finasteride (Propecia) can delay the start date. Balding can come from either the mother or the father’s side, and very rarely does one see balding prior to sexual maturation, unless it is a variant of a genetic malformation.

There are case reports in family lines where complete hair loss starts at about 2-3 years of age. A family group has been studied in Pakistan where this genetic pattern is widespread in a particular town. The triggered age seems to be about 3 or 4 years old and unlike male pattern baldness, this is far more extensive balding, so it is clear that when there is a gene for some time or balding that is expressed, it is age triggered.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, evolution, genetics

Will DHT Blocking Shampoo Cause Penis Development Issues in a Teenager?

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

I am 17 years old and experiencing heavy signs of MPB, receding hairline, receding temples, Shedding and thinning. I understand that DHT is what causes hair loss in men, but DHT is also known to be the primary catalyst for penile growth. I am currently still growing (bones) and developing sexually (penis growth facial/pubic hair Etc).

My question is will DHT blocking shampoos block DHT in the body, specifically the DHT responsible for penis growth? Or do the shampoos only block DHT locally in the scalp? I don’t want this shampoo to interfere with DHT pathways and the metabolizing of testosterone into DHT (DHT attaching to androgen receptors etc).

I realize there are numerous factors that influence penile growth but I don’t want to hinder my penis growth at such an age, resulting in a less developed penis than what my genetic blueprint has set out for me. Thank your for your time, its highly appreciated.

The DHT shampoo i had in mind contains Ketoconazole DHT inhibitor, saw palmetto, emu oil, biotin & salicylic acid

DHT blocking shampoos probably don’t work to treat hair loss, and certainly not systemically. Some people claim that ketoconazole shampoo regrows hair, but it’s just a good antifungal treatment as far as I’m concerned.

Moreover, I don’t believe that these shampoos will impact the size of your penis. At 17 years old, you’ve likely completed puberty by now (or close to it).

Tags: teenager, hairloss, hair loss, dht, shampoo, nizoral, ketoconazole

I’m 48 Years Old With a Nice Head of Hair — Am I Safe from the Baldness Gene?

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

Sir, I am a male at 48 years old and still have a fine head of hair. i wash it everyday and eat healthy and take regular exercise. is it possible that i have not inherited the baldness gene? and there is a good chance that i will keep for hair for life?

If you do not have any signs of balding at 48 years old, you have a way better-than-average chance of not inheriting genetic male pattern baldness. Most people with genetic hair loss see the impact well before the age of 40.

I can’t, of course, guarantee that you’re 100% safe from any hair loss — but it’s not common to develop it at your age.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, age

In the News – Cancer Advocacy Group Creates Bald Cartoons to Help Kids with Hair Loss

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

Snippet from the article:

Popeye, Garfield, My Little Pony and Snoopy: some of the world’s most famous cartoon characters are getting a very special makeover in an effort to help kids cope with losing their hair to cancer.

Knowing that hair loss brought on by chemotherapy can make children feel different from others, Brazilian cancer advocacy group GRAACC created a unique campaign called “Bald Cartoons.”

According to the Bald Cartoons website, “Famous cartoons from all over the world have gone bald, sending out the message that a child with cancer deserves to be seen just like any other child.”

Read the rest — “Bald Cartoons” Help Sick Kids Cope With Hair Loss

I really love this campaign. Emotional pain from hair loss sometimes gets the best of many young men, and children may be especially affected. These cartoons help show kids that losing their hair due to chemotherapy isn’t something they should be embarrassed of.

Tags: bald cartoons, hairloss, hair loss, chemo, chemotherapy, cancer, children

My Young Son Has a Large Scalp Scar from Surgery — Will Hair Regrow There?

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

My 8 year old son has a big scar on his head from one ear to the other due to head operation. Can hair grow on on that area? What are his options? Thanks

I don’t know what kind of procedure was done, but usually scar tissue won’t regrow hair on its own. Hair transplants into scars from surgery work well. If the scar is narrow enough, Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) would probably work. The two in combination will certainly solve the detectability issue.

Tags: hair transplant, child, scarring

Any Considerations for an 18 Year Old That Wants to Start Propecia?

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

My son has shown signs of balding from the age of 14/15. We have very successfully been using minoxidil, and he has just turned 18. We are about to start propecia and I would like to confirm that there are no additional considerations I need to take into account because of his age.

Many Thanks

Yes, you should have him visit a doctor who uses the HairCheck device, which is a bulk measurement tool for the hair. I believe that this is important, because it tells us where he started from, then in a year when the measurement is repeated it will tell us where he is going with his hair loss.

I have recently had two patients who had their hair bulk measured with us when they were 16 and 17 years old. One was stabilized on Propecia (finasteride) and the other showed a downhill course on his hair loss. That meant some important counseling needs to be considered if he has emotional problems resulting from balding before he turns 20.

In the case of your son, he is 18 years old and has completed puberty. If a young man was to start the drug at say 14 years old, I don’t know what the growth effects might be. I don’t believe that clear documentation is available to answer that question.

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

14 Year Old Girl Finding a Pillow Full of Hair Every Morning

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

(female)
Every morning I wake up to see my pillow full of hair.. more hair than usual. Before I shower, I run my fingers through my hair and get some hair out. When I take out my hair band, strands of hair are stuck to it. It seems that lately more hair has been coming out, but I am only 14 years old and none of my parents or family members are bald. Is this normal? Why is it so sudden? Will it stop? What can I do to help it? Please help because I am worried.

We typically lose 100-150 hairs a day, but if you’re seeing excessive loss, there could be a variety of possible reasons. I don’t know what you consider excessive, though.

At 14 years old, you should get your parents involved and see a doctor to try to determine a cause for your thinning. Until we know why you’re losing hair, we can’t determine whether the loss is temporary or even what the treatment plan might be.

It’s quite possible that you are just seeing the effect of hair cycling, which is common in everybody. If you lose 100-150 hairs per day, you almost certainly are regrowing 100-150 new hairs per day.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, female hair loss

In the News – Colorado Girl Banned from School After Shaving Her Head

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

Snippet from the article:

A Colorado child’s act of compassion got her kicked out of school. But she was allowed back in Tuesday after stories about her dismissal appeared around the country.

Kamryn Renfro, a 9-year-old whose dear friend is battling a rare childhood cancer, wanted to show support by shaving her own head to match her pal’s bald pate.

Renfro’s parents gave their approval and the young girl headed proudly to school Monday to show her classmates what she’d done. But once there, she was told she was in violation of the Caprock Academy dress code and that she would not be allowed in class.

Read the rest — Colo. girl banned from school after shaving head to support cancer-suffering pal allowed back in class

Wow, so this 9 year old girl tried to support her friend and the adults at her public charter school miss the point completely by enforcing their dress code that prevents a shaved head to be seen in school. Amazingly disappointing.

Tags: cancer, support, child

My 2 Year Old Daughter Has Thin Hair That Isn’t Growing

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

My 2 year old daughter hair is very very thin and will not grow it has been the same length for a year. I am very concerned for her hair what should I do? Is this a medical problem or is there something I can do to make it thicker?

If you are correct, you need to start with her pediatrician. I can not make any suggestions without appropriate testing.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, child hair loss, pediatrician

Is There a Procedure to Change My Hair Texture Permanently?

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

Hello, I am an African American teen and I was wondering if there is anything I could do to change my hair texture. Right now I have really coily hair. Type 4: Kinky. When you comb out the curls my hair is pretty rough and dry. I was wondering if a hair transplant of some kind would be able to change the texture to something more like Type 3A or 3B?

Thank you for your time.

No, a hair transplant should not change the texture of your hair. Sometimes as you get older, the character of your hair may change; it could become thinner, but it is not something I would count on.

You could also use chemical treatment to straighten your hair, but you should be very careful not to damage your hair or scalp this way. If you decide to go this route, find an experienced professional that can straighten the hair.

Tags: hair transplant, hair texture

I’m in High School and I’ve Gone Completely Bald

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

At the age of twelve my barber first noticed that I was starting to get small bald spots and that I should see a doctor about it being Alopecia. I went to a dermatologist and they confirmed it was Alopecia.

The spots progressively got bigger and not one treatment had any effect. My hair was tolerable through Junior High School because the spots were hardly noticeable, but my Sophomore year in high school I suddenly went completely bald. I have worn a hat everyday of my life for the last two to two and a half years and simply cannot get over it.

I am afraid that I am missing out on all the perks of a normal childhood. I am now a senior in high school and I have absolutely no signs of anything changing. Any input on a solution, even though that seems completely out of the question considering what I’ve tried, please feel free to respond. Thank You.

The term “alopecia” just means hair loss, so if you went completely bald, I am going to assume your doctor diagnosed you with alopecia totalis (total scalp hair loss) or alopecia universalis (total scalp and body hair loss). I wish I had better news to give you, but unfortunately the treatments available for these types of alopecias are extremely limited — essentially just wigs and Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP). You can learn more about treatments at the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.

We’ve performed SMP on alopecia totalis patients in the past, with one such example found here.

Tags: alopecia, alopecia totalis, smp, pigment, hairloss, hair loss

My Child Had Hair Pulled Out By a Toy 6 Months Ago

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

My 2 1/2 year old son had his hair pulled out by a toy. He has now turned 3 and his hair has not grown back. The scalp appears to have extremely fine hair that is growing and a maybe five strains of normal hair. Does this mean his follicles are damaged and the hair will never return?

I do not know. Your son may have had a traumatic traction hair loss and it may never return, but you really cannot tell if the hairs will grow back until one full year has passed. Give it a bit more time to regrow.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, child