Depression and Female Hair Loss

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

I’m a 21 year old female and I went through a serious about 6months ago deppression. I’m now loosing a lot of hair. I’m not taking any medication so, why is my hair falling, and what can I do to restore it? Thank you!

You need to get a good doctor who can map out your hair and scalp for miniaturization. There are many medical conditions that when combined with stress will produce hair loss. There are some blood tests that may have value as you need a diagnosis and then treatment. Please see my list of possible female hair loss causes here.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, depression, medication, female, women, woman

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

Dramatic Change in Hair Texture

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


Hello Dr. Rassman, and thanks for your continuing work.

My “shedding” and permanent hair loss started in my early teens. Within about 5 years, my hair went from shiny, heavy wavy hair to coarse, brittle, curly hair (to this day). Everyone and my own mother too thought it was a perm.

What would account for this? I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, however, that was 20 years later after a baby and after enormous stress. My hair got even worse.

Could there be a connection between my teen hair loss and the hyperthyroidism in my thirties?

Thanks, and God Bless.

Female changes in hair texture that follows medical problems like hyperthyroidism will combine with your genetics to create a new hair (something different than what you had as a child). There may be a connection.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, texture, hyperthyroidism, hyperthyroid, female, women, woman

Hairline Lowering Procedure

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

can you lower a woman’s hairline without transplants?

Yes, the hairline can be lowered by a technique that differs from hair transplantation. In this technique, a strip of skin is removed from just below the frontal hairline and a trichophytic incision will be used to blend frontal hair into any scar that forms. The cosmetic result of a lowering hairline surgery is immediate and it is less labor and time consuming compared to hair transplantation. One disadvantage of this technique is the possible presence of a linear scar at front of the hairline. The scar could be hidden with a minimal delicate hair transplant surgery in front of it for a better cosmetic result if it is a problem. See other posts on this subject here.

Tags: hairline lowering, hairloss, hair loss, hairtransplant, hair transplant, women, woman, female

Clobetasol Propionate, Cortisone Creams, and Female Hair Loss

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

I am a 33 year old woman suffering from hair loss. Could clobetasol Propionate and long term use of cortisone creams (30 years) be the cause of my hair loss? Or, could my scalp dermatitis be the cause of my hair loss? My doctor says its most likely hereditary but she barely even examined me and rushed me out the door. No women in my family have ever lost hair and it seems odd that I would be the only one. Any information would be appreciated.

Hair loss is not a common side effect of topical steroids. Dermatitis has several types and could be seen as part of some other skin disorders. You need to see a hair specialist and get your hair mapped for miniaturization to determine the genetic components of the hair loss and see if your have that distribution of hair loss. Your hair loss type and whether it is a female pattern or associated to other medical problems could be determined after direct examination of your hair and evaluation of its miniaturization status.

Tags: female, women, woman, hairloss, hair loss, cortisone, steroid

When Should I Be Concerned About My Female Hair Loss?

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

I am a healthy 25 year old female and recently I have noticed a great deal of hair loss. About 2 weeks ago, I started to notice an unusual large amount of hair in my hair brush and on my bathroom floor when I would get done styling my hair. I didn’t really think about it, until my boyfriend started pointing it out to me. He noticed that after I got out of the shower, there would be a clump or two of hair that had fallen out of my head. Is this something to be concerned about? I have no idea what would cause this.

Just seeing hair coming out more than usual is not an indication of hair loss in women. If you have a long hair, you might be just going through normal hair cycling. If you noticed widening in parting of your hair, or if you could see your scalp more than usual, you should be alarmed and those might be indications that you are really losing hair. Hair loss in women as described in multiple posts in this site could have several treatable causes, like hormonal changes, medications, and medical conditions. If you have any of the above problems, you need to see a hair specialist and get your hair mapped for miniaturization.

Hair loss in women can sometimes be caused by underlying medical conditions, so it is important for you to be evaluated by your own physician. If clinically appropriate, the following disease processes should be considered: anemia, thyroid disease, connective tissue disease, gynecological conditions and emotional stress. It is also important to review the use of medications that can cause hair loss, such as oral contraceptives, beta-blockers, Vitamin A, thyroid drugs, coumadin and prednisone. The following laboratory tests are often useful if underlying problems are suspected: Estradiol, FSH, LH, SHBG, Prolactin, T4, TSH, ANA, Iron, TIBC, Ferritin, Free and Total Testosterone. It might help to print this page out and show this to your family physician.

Tags: female, women, woman, hairloss, hair loss

Hair Loss During Pregnancy

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

i’m in my 28th week of pregnancy and me and my husband whose a doctor noticed recently more hair loss and increase in body hair growth. i’m very concerned and worried. please help. Thanks in advance

I am assuming that the hair loss on your head and the growth of some body hair will be a temporary finding, which should stop once you deliver and reversal is most probable in the months following delivery. There are many hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, so I would not get alarmed.

Tags: female, women, woman, hairloss, hair loss, pregnancy, pregnant

Bumps on Scalp — Dermatologist Said It Was the Hair Follicles

/by William Rassman, M.D./7 /,

Hi, I am a female and recently I have been experiencing these bumps on my head and they don’t itch, its just that I know they are there and I want them to go away and so i pick at them and pull the hairs inside the bump out. I am on Adderall for ADHD/ADD and I was wondering if that could have anything to do with this bumps. Also I am wondering if you know what these bumps could be. I also highlight my hair, and I am wondering if you think I might be allergic to the dye or if i could be allergic to the color shampoo I use. I have been to a dermotoligist and she said it had something to do with hair follicles. Thanks for your time!

You did not ask your dermatologist the right questions. Go back to her. If she said that the bumps were hair follicles, then you might have an infection (folliculitis) which she should have treated you for. I really can not tell what is happening to you, but I would be pleased to see you at no charge and give you an opinion if you wanted to come out to my offices in California. Whatever you do, stop picking on it and stay away from the hair dye that you are using to minimize the things it could be.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, bump, dermatology, allergic, allergy, folliculitis

Female Hair Loss After Gastric Bypass Surgery

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

I had gastric bypass surgery 2 years ago and my hair is thinning. My hairdresser recommended 1500mg biotin. I am a female 52 yrs. Can this help?

Hair loss, and change in hair color and hair quality after gastric bypass surgery are common problems and typically happen within the first year after the operation. Your body goes through a period of severe starvation and tries to divert nutrients toward more vital organs. Although carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and vitamins (especially the family of vitamin B) have been blamed for the hair loss, the exact mechanism of this problem is not known and multiple factors might be involved. The good news is that your hair loss after gastric bypass is usually temporary and will be improved when you get out of the rapid weight loss situation. Any patient who had a gastric bypass should have frequent doctor visits following their bypass surgery as the procedure is associated with incidence of iron, vitamin B12, folate, calcium, and vitamin D deficiency. You need to be on supplements of minerals and vitamins and you should also be monitored with regular laboratory tests for these deficiencies. Please keep in mind that gastric bypass produces medically controlled malnutrition to force weight loss.

Tags: gastric, bypass, surgery, hairloss, hair loss

Fentanyl Transdermal Patch and Hair Loss

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

(female) I am thinning alot on the top, front of my hair. Could it be caused from going off of the Fentanyl Transdermal patch? My doctor is slowly lowing the dose. I was wearing two 100mcg and now I am down to 25mcg.

Hair loss shouldn’t be a direct result of fentanyl. I could probably better help you if I knew why you have been on fentanyl. For example, some diseases, major surgeries, or traumas can cause generalized hair loss in men and women. If this is the case for you, your hair loss could be temporary and your hair may grow back in a few months. Talk this over with your doctor and get to the root of the problem.

Tags: fentanyl, patch, hairloss, hair loss

FUE on Women?

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

I am one week away from my 8th month post-op. 1600 hairs were transplanted into my top scalp. I also asked the surgeon to take care of a thin area around the crown would sounds much like the person who wrote to you about: “Diagonal Balding Line on Scalp ….. It starts about where my cowlick is and runs diagonally for about 4-5 inches…..”

The area does not seem to be improving so I am getting my mind around getting a FUE procedure done when I reach the 12 or 15 month mark.

What do you think about FUE on females?

I am worried about shock loss as I did have a noticeable amount.

Please write …

God Bless

Hair transplantation in women is often unwise unless there are certain situations where the transplant can actually benefit the patient and the donor hair is normal. Many women do not have normal donor hair, impacted by miniaturization, which means that the hair will grow in weak and most of the miniaturized hairs will not grow. Sounds like you may have a problem with goals, diagnosis, and setting expectations that are realistic. I find that if a transplant doctor does work on many women patients, that doctor is often less reputable. I find that less than 20% of women qualify for a hair transplant, which means that the donor hair is healthy in adequate quantities and the goals are realistic and confined to small areas. FUT or FUE can be done on women and men, but first you need to probably get a second opinion before going down that road again.

Tags: hairtransplant, hair transplant, female, women, woman, hairloss, hair loss

Woman with Unusual Body and Facial Hair

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

I’m a 21 yr old female… since i was about 14-15 i’ve had hair growing in strange places .. for a female..

now at 21 i have a beared… sideburns.. upper lip hair… chest hair.. and ive found 1-2 long black hairs on my shoulders…

i’ve had tests done and everything nothings been found … id really like to know if this treatment could help me .. or if u have any idea what could help me..

its only getting worse.. hope to hear from u soon

Male pattern hair growth on the face and body in women is usually secondary to hormonal imbalance and a thorough evaluation is necessary in most cases. Twenty percent of these patients have a normal hormonal level and may suffer from idiopathic hirsutism (IH). Idiopathic hirsutism is typically due to increased numbers of androgen receptors or increased 5 alpha reductase activities. Patients with IH may respond well to antiandrogen or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like finasteride. Of course, this group of medications should not be used in women who may become pregnant, because of their effect on the baby’s genital development. You can discuss this issue with your doctor for further diagnosis and possible treatment.

Tags: women, female, woman, hirsute, hair

Bleached Hair at 16 and It Has Never Been the Same

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

(female) I am losing my hair and have been since I was 16 I am 22 now and I dont see any improvement in the matter. I bleached my hair at 16 and while the bleach was in my hair I was reading the package and noticed that it said for salon use only. I ran to the sink to wash it out and as the bleach came out handfuls of hairs did too. Being a 16 year old girl I ran to my hairdresser and she said no they probably werent falling out just breaking off. But through the years they have never came back. This has a major effect on my life, my marriage, and any activities that I do. I think about it all of the time and I dont know what to do. If you have any suggestions as of shampoos, surgerys anything… I am willing to do anything to get my hair back as well as my confidence in myself and my life. Thank you

It sounds like you may have chemically damaged your hair and considering the time you have seen no benefit, I doubt that the hair will return to your original 16 year old quality. The treatment of your hair today will have to be with conventional cosmetics, conditioners, and gels that thicken the hair shafts. You will probably be better of as a blonde (assuming you are Caucasian). At this time, there are no proven medications that I know if which you can take to change your hair character.

Tags: bleach, hairloss, hair loss, damage, chemical

Pantogar and Female Hair Loss

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

I am a 22 year old woman living in essex i have a problem with hair loss wich worries me alot i have long hair but now my hair has gone weak and unhealthy and i would like to know ways in which i can do to prevent the hair loss because i know its not normal in women of this age. im takin ‘pantogar’ which is a hair loss treatment but i dont know if its good enough. if theres another solution other than transplantation please let me know. thankyou i will be waiting for your reply

Pantogar is a homeopathic, nutritional supplement which is promoted for hair and nail problems. It is claimed to be used in the treatment of early hair loss, but there is no proven science for this supplement to show how it may work, or that it is worthwhile and valuable.

The diagnosis of female hair loss requires a close examination, something that can not be done over this distance. Unlike men, a woman’s hair loss situation is not easy to diagnose and treat. You need to see a doctor who specializes in female hair loss near your home. Try using the physician search at ISHRS.org and HairTransplantNetwork.com. Sorry, but there is not much else I can offer you over the internet.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, pantogar, female, women, woman