My 17 Year Old Son Is Losing His Hair

Dear Dr. Rassman,

My 17 yr old son started experiencing hair loss when he was just 12 years old. He was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when he was 10 yrs. His hair loss was rapid and the Doctors diagnosed it as male pattern baldness, since his father began balding when he was 20 yrs. He currently shaves his hair. I was wondering if he would be a candidate for hair transplant? Also, he has a small scar caused by a cut while rumping around with friends. Can hair be transplanted on the scar?

Thanking you in advance,

His Mom

The Ulcerative Colitis is stressful, so I am sure that it is pushing his genetic cards with regard to hair loss. If he is taking steroids for his condition, that will also accelerate the genetic cards. He should be evaluated for miniaturization, get a diagnosis in hand, and understand what is happening to him. He could probably be put on a medication such as finasteride to arrest or possibly reverse the hair loss, and then build a Master Plan for his future hair loss management (which may or may not include hair transplants). Yes, hair transplants work nicely to cover up a scar.