Dermatologists Here Don’t Know What Miniaturization Mapping Is — What Can I Do?

Dear Dr Rassman, with respect to the miniaturization mapping, it seems that many of the dermatologists I’ve visited in Canada don’t know what it is or if they have heard of it they think it’s hogwash. What’s a guy with MPB to do in this situation? I REALLY want to find out how much and where the miniaturization has occurred on my scalp! Is there another method beside using the densimeter to get an accurate assessment of my balding?

Thanks!

I can’t force doctors to use microscopic evaluation of the scalp to determine degrees of miniaturization, but the mapping is certainly the best way to determine degrees of hair loss, rather than having your doctor essentially just eyeballing the problem. Perhaps you could/should print out our this page — Miniaturization and Hair Loss – More Than Meets the Eye — and give your dermatologist a copy of it.

You might even suggest your dermatologist buys a pocket hand-held microscope (see photo at right for an example) so that he/she can can make a diagnosis. Between the hand microscope suggestion (which runs about $8-15 and is sold at Radio Shack in the US or various online stores) and the sheet of paper you will bring your dermatologist, he/she should be appreciative.