Hi, you talk about miniaturization alot, but i was wondering if you can actually feel the smaller hairs? I can feel smaller hairs in my scalp when i press my fingers between my hair, but i pull my hair quite alot so i don’t know if this is regrowing hair or miniaturized hair. I was just wondering if you have to do a miniaturization test, or you could feel the hairs physically?

Feeling your hair has less precision than a visual miniaturization test (under a video microscope). Also with a miniaturization mapping, you can take photos and compare the appearance of areas over time… but how would you be able to keep good records over time by feeling?

I have been taking vitamin b12 at 1mg daily of the sublingual tablets. Is this considered a megadose? I have noticed better mood and even skin tone. However, I have also noticed more hair shedding and fallout. Do you think this could be related? Could taking too much b12 cause hair loss? I thought excess of these vitamins were just passed out through urine? Thanks.

Vitamin B12 at those doses should not cause hair loss. That isn’t a megadose. There’s a lot of B12 info that I found at VeganForum.com (via Google). But as for hair loss, I’d look elsewhere for the diagnosis… like genetic causes.

I’ve just come across an article which gives an alternative solution to balding men. Unfortunately, hair transplants do not always meet our expectations, and various hair loss treatments only control our hair loss for a while. Personally, I don’t mind shaving my head, but the problem is my hair loss result has given me a receding hair line and a bald spot. According to an article you can now shave your head and have your bald spots covered with ink. What do you think about this method ? Will people be able to detect that your went through a tattoo procedure ? Does this method have any serious side effects ?

Here is the article: Mirror UK

Also here is a site where the company advertises their procedure: HI Studio

This works, but it’s been my experience that the art is a bit unpredictable based upon the following:

1. The art/skill of the person doing the tattoo (the result of a botched job is permanent)
2. The dye used may change color (high quality inks must be used, as I’ve seen one patient’s scalp tattoo turn slightly green)
3. It has to be blended with the hair that is there (very, very, very small dots)

I have had one person do it really well, but he did it himself with a semi permanent dye and repeated it every few days. He incorporated some other chemicals which gave it a rough feel, like very short hairs would do. Then again, I’ve seen other patients with this and was not impressed with the end product. I’m not saying the company you mentioned would do an inferior job — I haven’t seen their work up close. I’m just saying in general, I’m not a fan of scalp tattoos. It certainly is no “cure” for hair loss, like that Mirror article suggests.

Yo doc,

Alot of guys that are my age (20s) are taking this supplement called Spawn right now. It’s supossed to help you pack on the pounds quickly. I’m a pretty skinny guy and was wondering if you think this supplement would be bad for my hair. A side effect is protection from gynomatastia. What you think? Should I give it a try for 30 days (that’s the max amount of time they recommend taking it). Here are some relevant links… myogenix.com

The second post on this one has side effects info… bodybuildingdungeon.com

One website I found states there’s a risk of hair loss and even suggests steroid type effects on body mass… and that is a big turn-off for me. Then again, nearly every site I’ve found that sells this product states it will not cause acne or hair loss. Who to believe?

You’re an adult and this is an over the counter supplement. This is not something I would recommend, but I’m not your physician, nor do I have any experience with patients taking this stuff.

Can the enzyme aminogen cause hair loss?

Thank you!!!!!!!!

There is no information on any connection. It appears that Aminogen is made from whey and it a nutritional supplement.

Snippet from the press release:

According to a new online survey conducted by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), 59.8 percent of people who were asked whether they would rather have more hair, more money or more friends chose more hair. By comparison, only 26.2 percent of respondents chose more money and 13.9 percent said they would rather have more friends. Of the 1,407 people polled, slightly more women (64.2 percent) than men (59.1 percent) indicated they wanted more hair than more money or more friends.

Read the full text — ISHRS Releases Study Showing More Hair Is Still a Hot Commodity During Recession

dear dr farjo,
i live in the UK and have consulted a few transplant drs up to this point- but neither of them could give me a conclusive answer as to whether the hairloss i have experienced is the development of a mature hairline or early stage MPB. (I have minor recession at the corners of my hairline, and am 24 yr old male)

I would be interested to know how you would assess this and do you perform the miniaturization study like dr rassman? as the drs i have consulted so far did not.

thank you

The following response is by UK-based physician Dr. Bessam Farjo:

Response by: Dr Bessam Farjo United Kingdom

Well, I start by asking you about your own hair loss history and its progression. I then obtain a thorough family history to assess the likelihood of progressive hair loss. Unfortunately the younger you are the harder it is to be accurate. An examination of your entire scalp follows to see if you are losing it in a genetic pattern. I may even suggest a genetic test to help predict your future loss but that is not definitive either.

I can certainly assess your miniaturisation like Dr Rassman. One of the other video microscopes I have is also capable of measuring hair calibre and has the software to compile such data.

A genetic test to assess responsiveness to finasteride is in development and I will be able to provide that when ready.