Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

Is hair loss an indication of a health issue?

It can be, but not necessarily.  Hair loss can be caused by many things, most common of which is androgenic alopecia more commonly referred to as female or male pattern baldness.  This is not indicative of a health problem or concern.

Other non-genetic causes of baldness conditions however, can be caused by health related issues such as a poor diet, traumatic stress, scalp infections such as dermatitis or psoriasis, iron deficiency, a thyroid condition, etc.  Certain types of alopecia can even be caused by certain medications or can be a reaction to a hormonal change in the body.

A dermatologist or hair loss doctor will be able to find the cause of your balding condition and recommend the best treatment option for you.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: hair loss, androgenic alopecia, male pattern baldness, baldness, alopecia

Hair loss questions and articles are answered and posted on a daily basis on our hair loss news and blog resources. Below you will find some of this week’s HOT topic hair loss related discussions that can help you plan to successfully regrow hair.

Propecia Side Effects: What do I do now? Read this professional blog written by Dr. Beehner to see what he advises in the event of Propecia (finasteride) side effects.

Can Propecia Maintain Hair From Rogaine? Read this article to learn whether or not Propecia is enough to maintain existing hair growth from Rogaine (minoxidil).

What is the Average Cost of a Hair Transplant? Considering hair transplant surgery? Read this article to learn approximately how much you would need to pay to restore your hair through hair replacement surgery.

Do you have a hair loss related question? Feel free to post it publicly on our hair loss forum or use the “ask us a question“.

Bill Seemiller - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: Hair loss, hair loss news, regrow hair, Propecia, finasteride, hair growth, Rogaine, minoxidil, hair transplant, hair replacement

I am suffering from diffused thinning hair.  The problem is I don’t have an understanding of my hair loss.  I did take a testosterone level test and my balding is not due to DHT.  I have no family history of hair loss and nobody is bald.  When i consulted a couple of doctors, they all seem to believe that it’s nutrition deficiency and prescribed me tablets.  So far, there is no improvement and it’s been over a year.  Everything from my sugar levels, blood cell counts, and glyceride tests seem normal.  Could there be another cause?

This question was posed by a hair loss sufferer seeking hair loss help on our hair restoration forum and answered by Dr. Ricardo Mejia of Jupiter, FL who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians. His professional answer is below.

There are several possible causes for your hair loss which can be isolated with a proper exam and consultation and examination of the hair follicles. In my experience, there are times you can see a combination of both factors, i.e. male pattern baldness (MPB) and telogen effluvium or diffuse shedding. This can be induced by a variety of reasons, including stress.

Dermatologists typically do hair pull tests to determine the ratio of telogen hairs. The root of the hair typically looks like a club. Most of my hair transplant patients describe a significant increase of hair in the shower or when they comb their hair. To alleviate your anxiety, it would be best to see a professional to best diagnose your problem.

Technorati Tags: thinning hair, hair loss, balding, DHT, family history of hair loss, bald, hair loss help, male pattern baldness, MPB, telogen effluvium, hair transplant

I am 32, and have noticed minor hair shedding for approximately 6 months. By minor, I mean 5-6 hairs when I shampoo and maybe the same when I comb my hair. I know that losing 50-100 hairs a day or so is normal. Initially, this didn’t concern me.

However, a few days ago I noticed a slight bald spot developing at the crown of my head. At least, I think I am. Maybe I’m paranoid?  My question is, if hair loss is caused by non-genetic reasons (stress, protein & iron deficiencies, thyroid disorder, etc.) can it show at the crown of the head? Or is that a certain sign it’s genetic? I am skeptical that it is genetic, simply because baldness is no where to be found on either side of my parents, dating back a couple generations.  However, thyroid disorders are very prominent. I plan to get tested for any such disorder.

Also, I have been under tremendous stress for a few years due to an ugly divorce and being a single, full-time parent of 2 kids. The stress got so bad that starting a few months ago, I began going to the gym 3 days a week, which has helped.

I may not be getting enough protein or iron, so I may be tested for those deficiencies as well. I have also been taking a vitamin powder 5 days a week that is very heavy in Vitamin A (300%) which I read can lead to hair loss.

Technorati Tags: hair shedding, bald, hair loss, baldness

My 17 year old brother has had rapid hair loss for over a year now that is affecting mainly the top of his head and now the hairline is receding as well. There is no male pattern baldness on either side of the family. We have taken him to several specialist & have had all possible blood work & even a scalp biopsy done. He has finally been diagnosed with Chronic Telogen Effluvium. He has C3 & Igg deposits in his follicular bulbs. There are an increased number of catagen and telogen follicles accompanied by shriveled, wrinkled, glassy membranes & fibrous tracts. The lower follicular epithelium is visibly in necrosis in some slide levels. There are few inflammatory cells. It is believed that the cause of the telogen effluvium is medicine induced from Accutane which caused retnoid toxicty. He has been off the medicine for one year & has continued to have hair loss and no hair regrowth. Accutane is now listing hair loss that may be permanent as one of its side effects due to the overwhelming amount of cases of this. Some people have had hair regrowth while other balding men and women have not. Since it has been over a year and based on the diagnosis, is hair regrowth still possible? Will he go completely bald? Would he still be a candidate for a hair transplant down the road? What are the possible treatments for hair loss? He has already tried Rogaine, Tagament, and the laser comb. He is devastated and is becoming more and more depressed.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Technorati Tags: hair loss, male pattern baldness, Chronic Telogen Effluvium, catagen, telogen, telogen effluvium, hair loss, hair regrowth, balding, bald, hair transplant, treatments for hair loss, Rogaine, Tagament, laser comb

If you have thinning hair, you most likely have a question as to its cause and real hair loss treatments that regrow hair. Below we feature answers to 4 of t his week’s “ hot topic” hair loss and hair restoration related questions. To ask your own hair loss related question, feel free to post it publicly on our hair restoration forum or send a private email to help@hairtransplantnetwork.com.

Why Diagnosing Hair Loss Early is the Key to Successful Treatment: This article communicates the importance of early hair loss diagnosis and the success of popular hair loss drugs.

Which is more effective in treating hair loss: Rogaine Foam or Rogaine Liquid? Is there a difference between Rogaine foam or Rogaine liquid? Which one is better?

Is there any way to predict how far hair loss will progress? Can hair loss progression be predicted?

Will One Hair Transplant Surgery Be Enough? Read this article to see why planning long term hair restoration goals is highly important.

In addition to the above, hair loss and hair transplant related questions are answered daily on the Hair Loss Q & A Blog, the Hair Loss Learning Center News, the Hair Loss Learning Center Blog, and the Hair Transplant Network News. These online resources are always available as a research tool for your hair restoration needs.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: thinning hair, hair loss treatment, regrow hair, hair loss, hair restoration, hair loss diagnosis, hair loss drugs, Rogaine foam, Rogaine liquid, hair transplant

I am 69 years old.  18 months ago I had my first Atrial Fibrillation (A.Fib) attack.  The third time they added a beta blocker (Cardizem) to my list of medications (a calcium channel blocker) and it does seem to have slowed down my racing heart.  The problem is that I recently noticed thinning hair when it was once abundant.  Do I have to grim and bear it?  It’s quite painful to me as a woman.  Thanks in advance for your reply.

Finding the reason for unexpected hair loss can be quite challenging.  In most cases, physicians can determine the type of alopecia by the balding pattern. 

Certain medications have been known to cause a type of baldness known as diffuse alopecia.  This condition is characterized by thinning hair all over the scalp. 

Cardizem (also known as diltiazem) and the beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure and atrail fibrillation such as metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol among others have all been reported to cause hair loss.  In most cases, normal hair growth continues once the medication is stopped.  However, keeping your heart running at a normal pace is far more important, so please do not stop taking any medication unless directed by your physician.

Therefore I suggest speaking to your doctor about your hair loss concerns and explore alternative drug options for your condition that will be friendly both to your heart and your hair.  Keep in mind that even if you do switch to a different drug, it could take several months before hair regrowth occurs.

Technorati Tags: Atrial Fibrillation, A.Fib, Cardizem, thinning hair, alopecia, balding pattern, baldness, diffuse alopecia, hair growth, hair regrowth

If you live in the city or in areas of high pollution, this topic may have grabbed your attention.  There are a number of things that are harmful to the body and pollution is one of them.  But can pollution exacerbate or expedite hereditary hair loss (male pattern baldness)?

According to Mike Philpott of the school of medicine at the University of London, “We think any pollutant that can get into the bloodstream or into the skin and into the hair follicle could cause some stress to it and impair the ability of the hair to make a fibre. There are a whole host of carcinogens and toxins that could trigger this.”

Could your hair be in danager? Visit our hair loss forum to read more and contribute your thoughts on this subject.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: hair loss, male pattern baldness

If you are balding, you may be seeking a treatment that really works to stimulate hair regrowth. But finding a proper hair loss treatment means first understanding the cause of your condition.

With so much information available online, how does one really know the real cause of hair loss? In our research, we have found a multitude of claims: some very legitimate and some preposterous ones. Proposed causes of hair loss include genetics, stress, wearing a hat, smoking, drinking, masturbation, vigorous towel drying, certain medications, too much sex, not enough sex, weightlifting, etc.

But what is the real cause of your balding? Is it only one of these things or a combination? Which ones have some level of legitimacy and which ones are completely false?

Many of the causes listed above are hair loss myths and should be disregarded. Hats, smoking, drinking, masturbation, drying your hair, weightlifting, and sex or lack thereof do not cause men and women to go bald.

The most common type of hair loss, referred to as androgenic alopecia (female and male pattern baldness), is caused by genes alone. Hair follicles affected by these genes make them vulnerable to a hormone called DHT which is found more abundantly in men but women too. As DHT attacks hair follicles that are genetically predisposed, they miniaturize and eventually die. Learn about real hair loss treatment options for genetic balding.

Technorati Tags: balding, hair regrowth, hair loss treatment, hair loss, balding, bald, androgenic alopecia, male pattern baldness, DHT

Is there any evidence to suggest that wearing a hat or covering the head day in day out over a long period of time (years for example) may lead to premature hair loss?. Also is there any evidence that suggests taking glucosomine supplements can lead to baldness, or is this just a load of old cobblers?

This question was posed by a hair loss sufferer on our hair restoration forum and answered by Dr. Michael Beehner of Saratoga Springs, NY who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians. His professional answer is below.

I would agree that hats do not have a negative effect on hair growth, either your natural hair or follicular unit grafts that have been transplanted.

The only thing that goes on the head that I do know can have a negative impact on some patients is wearing a hairpiece. Over the years, I would say that approximately 15-20% of my alopecia wig wearing hair restoration patients have had slight to moderate diminishment of growth compared to my normal non-hairpiece-wearing patients. A few years ago I had a discussion about this with some other very experienced doctors, including Dr. Bobby Limmer and Walter Unger, and they had noted this also in their practices. Their recommendation to me at the time, which I have followed, is to not have a hairpiece worn during the week after a procedure, and then to have the patient have the hairpiece off as much as possible, wearing it only for essentials such as work and social engagements - but wearing a ballcap around the house or nothing on the head. I have noticed a slight improvement since switching to this policy, but still see an occasional patient with diminished hair regrowth.

Technorati Tags: hair loss, baldness, hair growth, follicular unit grafts, hairpiece, alopecia wig, hair restoration, hair regrowth