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This question was asked by a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums: 

I’ve recently lost a significant amount of hair secondary to a series of fungal scalp infections and bacterial scalp infections. Because I don’t want to live with permanent hair loss, I was wondering if hair transplant surgery can reverse the baldness caused by my scalp infections?

Hair transplantation is best suited for individuals suffering from androgenic alopecia, or genetic hair loss. Hair loss caused by fungal/bacterial infections and similar dermatologic conditions is unique, and should really be treated by other methods.

At this point in time, I highly recommend an appointment with a dermatologist to treat the scalp infections. If these infections are cured and you experience some residual permanent hair loss or even discover an underlying case of genetic baldness, then hair transplantation may become an option.

However, I really think a consultation with a trusted physician (especially a dermatologist) is the best thing you can do for the time being.

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Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

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Technorati Tags: hair loss, fungal scalp infection, bacterial scalp infection, hair transplant surgery, Hair transplantation, androgenic alopecia, genetic hair loss

This question comes from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums: 

Recently, I read about Arachidonic Acid online and learned it may be helpful in treating hair loss. However, I remember reviewing a different study claiming that prostaglandins, which are related to Arachidonic Acid, actually cause baldness? Which is true? Does Arachidonic Acid treat or actually cause hair loss?

Altogether, the connection between Arachidonic Acid and hair loss isn’t abundantly clear.

Arachidonic Acid is a very common unsaturated fatty acid and important phospholipid (fatty component) in human cell membranes.
In the body, Arachidonic Acid is extracted from cell membranes and broken down into prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Prostaglandins play a role in both inflammation and smooth muscle (vascular) dilation, and thromboxanes aid in the clotting process.
What’s more, a variety of common medications, such as steroids and aspirin, block the breakdown of Arachidonic Acid/Arachidonic Acid byproducts and prevent inflammation, vascular dilation, and blood clotting.

While this information is helpful, it still leaves one very important question unanswered: what role does Arachidonic Acid play in hair loss?

A recent research study found a correlation between elevated levels of scalp prostaglandins and androgenic alopecia. These findings demonstrated a correlation between halting the breakdown of Arachidonic Acid to prostaglandins in the scalp and preventing hair loss. From here, readers can infer several points: first, a correlation exists between high levels of scalp prostaglandins and high levels of hair loss; second, Arachidonic Acid is broken down into prostaglandins in the scalp; third, increased levels of Arachidonic Acid translate to higher levels of prostaglandins, and, transversely, greater rates of hair loss. However, the study was quite small and should likely be repeated with a more appropriate sample size.

Hair loss, in general, is a very confusing and frustrating phenomenon. What’s more, in many cases hair loss sufferers frequently do not understand the basics of hair loss or fall prey to unsubstantiated rumors and unproven theories. To help combat this problem and share helpful information about hair loss, recommended hair transplant surgeon Dr. Para Mohebi‘s clinic released an article about hair loss basics and seeking quality hair restoration.

According to Dr. Mohebi’s clinic:

Hair Restoration – Knowing Basic Facts Regarding Hair Loss

Losing your hair is not an exciting event in life. In fact, for most people it is very distressing. Men and women who suffer hair loss regret this change in their appearance. Many of them resort to desperate measures based on non-expert information. Here are a few facts that may help patients understand hair loss and seek efficient hair restoration. The best thing one can do is address the hair loss concern directly and get a consultation from a trusted hair restoration physician.  There are many medical and hereditary factors that may be the contributing to this change. Be prudent and see a medical doctor who specializes in men and women’s hair restoration. 

Below are some general facts:

1. Our hair is made of a protein called keratin.
2. A hair consists in a hair shaft (what we see), a root below the skin, and a follicle from which the hair roots grows.

In addition to androgenic alopecia (pattern hair loss) there are a number of other alopecias affecting hair growth. Recently, the Hair Loss Learning Center added a new section devoted to the causes and treatments of these various forms of alopecia. You can access this new section by clicking on the title below:

What are the Different Types of Alopecia? Causes and Treatments

The first article published in this new section is about traction alopecia. To learn about traction alopecia and what can be done to treat it, follow the link above.

Keep checking back for future installments on the following conditions:

• Alopecia Areata
• Diffuse Patterned Alopecia
• Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA)
• Cicatricial Alopecia (Scarring Alopecia)
• Alopecia Universalis and,
•  Alopecia Totalis

We also encourage you to contribute to the alopecias discussion on our hair loss discussion forum, Different Alopecia Types and Causes of Hair Loss.

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Technorati Tags: androgenic alopecia, hair loss, hair growth, traction alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Diffuse Patterned Alopecia, Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia, DUPA, Cicatricial Alopecia, Scarring Alopecia, Alopecia Universalis, Alopecia Totalis

In this article, recommended hair transplant surgeon Dr. Parsa Mohebi shares his expert knowledge about non-genetic causes of hair loss.

There are other causes of hair loss that are not treatable that are medically addressed prior to any hair transplant consideration. This is because the root cause of the balding is not from the harmful effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Knowing about these types of hair loss is important to help a person determine how to seek help for their hair loss problem.

In men, the primary cause of hair loss is from DHT and hair restoration surgery is a natural, proven and permanent method of resolving the issue. Of course, the best course of action is to consult with a hair restoration physician. The Hair Transplant Network does a professional and fantastic job at recommending hair restoration specialists that are leaders in the profession.

The following list provides an overview of other common causes of hair loss in patients who come seeking help but need to resolve these issues first prior to determining if a hair transplant procedure is best for them.

• Telogen effluvium (TE): Temporary shedding of hair at more than the usual rate. This is a common cause of thinning hair and could be seen in both men and women. TE could be seen after any major stressful event or following some hormonal imbalance.  Accelerated hair loss after delivery of a baby is one of the most common conditions that most women experience to some levels.

This question, asked by a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by Coalition hair restoration physician Dr. Cam Simmons:

I am 23 years old and I am losing my hair since I was 18. I have a very dry scalp with white deposits. I tried shaving my head but the deposits reappear in a few months. They are thick deposits closely attached to the skin so if I comb or scratch them, hair in that area comes out along with the deposits. My hairs are very thin and dry. If I comb or run a hand, many hairs come out every time.

I have lost a lot of hairs and tried using Nizoral shampoo and fungal infection cream on a doctor’s recommendation but nothing worked. At this stage I am very confused about what to do. I would really appreciate if anyone can help me out with the situation here.

You need to see a hair specialist or dermatologist in person. The most common causes of flaky dry skin are seborrhea and psoriasis but they don’t usually cause hair loss. Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) are great for slowing androgenic alopecia (genetic balding) but AGA involves shrinking hairs not shedding hairs.

You need to get an accurate assessment and diagnosis before anyone can recommend the best treatment.

Dr. Cam Simmons

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For many individuals, crash dieting is the key to creating a quick life change. Whether it’s cutting weight for “swimsuit season” or trying to regain a previous physique, crash diets allow for rapid results and dramatic change. However, despite crash dieting’s current popularity and perceived positive aspects, it possesses several negative qualities including one side effect that most individuals rarely consider: potential hair loss.

Why does crash dieting lead to hair loss? What can be done to prevent this? Should “crash dieters” consider the potential for hair loss before beginning a dieting phase?

According to experts, a crash diet is defined as a period of extreme nutritional deprivation, where dieters usually drastically restrict caloric intake in order to achieve rapid weight loss. What’s more, most nutritional experts believe the human body interprets crash dieting and blatant starvation as the same phenomenon. Although these diets do create rapid weight change, they do not lead to long-term weight loss, nor do they promote a healthy lifestyle.

Because of the unhealthy nature of these diets, many physician experts agree that the extreme programs can lead to serious hair loss. According to these experts, it appears as if crash dieting causes hair loss for three different reasons: 1. a lack of essential vitamins, 2. inappropriate distribution of essential vitamins, and 3. a tendency to maintain hair follicles in the telogen or “resting phase.”

Lack of Essential Vitamins

French cosmetics giant L’Oreal is well known for its hair color, skin care, make-up, perfumes and hair care products. But, if the world’s largest cosmetics and beauty company succeeds in its most recent endeavor, it may soon be known as a leader in the field of hair loss treatments with the release of a new product called “Neogenic“.

Hair loss affects millions of men and women worldwide. While thinning hair can be the result of many factors including illness, medication, trauma and even stress, most often it is caused by a genetic condition known as androgenic alopecia. Recently, scientists discovered that people who are going bald still have a full head of viable hair follicles that have effectively “gone to sleep”. In other words, these follicles still have the potential to regrow hair but have fallen into a permanent rest cycle. The trick has been learning how to wake them up again and Neogenic promises to do just that.

How Neogenic Works

According to L’Oreal’s research, the key to healthy hair growth lies in maintaining a low oxygen environment (hypoxia) for the CD34+ stem cells located deep within the skin. This reservoir of stem cells and another near the skin’s surface are responsible for creating new hair. In balding men and women, the oxygen levels in the CD34+ layer are increased causing the follicles to work less efficiently and eventually stop producing hair.

In this article, recommended hair transplant surgeon Dr. Parsa Mohebi shares his expert knowledge about the history of hair restoration surgery and the causes of hair loss.

Hair Loss Sufferers

The vast majority of men will indeed suffer hair loss to varying degrees throughout their lifetime. Even men who seem to have a fuller head of hair may have hair loss that comes from maturing of the hairline as they progress into their senior years.  Women lose their hair at a clinical level far less than men. The causes of female hair loss vary more. However, like men, they can benefit from the outstanding developments in modern hair restoration and hair transplantation.

A Brief Historical Note

The earliest known medical records of hair transplants to treat alopecia (baldness) were published in Wurzburg Germany more than 180 years ago. A medical student named, Diffenbach, recorded assisting a Professor Dom Unger in hair transplant experiments on animals and humans in his medical journal.

In the 19th Century male pattern baldness [MPB] garnered a great deal of attention. Newspapers carried advertising for concoctions, lotions and ointments claiming to do everything from curing cancer to putting hair back on a bald scalp.  The ‘peddler’ famous in western lore sold all-purpose tonic for all types of illness including hair loss.

This question comes from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums: 

At night, I feel like my forehead and scalp are cold, and I’m worried about poor circulation to my scalp. I know scalp circulation is important for good hair growth, but I’m wondering if increasing the flow will actually help limit or stop my progressive hair loss? Would wearing a cap/beanie at night help increase scalp circulation and stop my hair loss?

Circulation to the scalp is very important. Blood flow allows the follicles to receive proper nutrients and thrive/cycle regularly. As you probably know, drugs like minoxidil (Rogaine) are fairly powerful vasodialators (drugs that open blood vessels), and most experts believe the drug’s ability to create adequate scalp flow is crucial.

However, I’m not certain one can measure scalp flow by palpating body temperature or that wearing a beanie/cap (to increase scalp temperature and flow) will truly reverse or prevent any sort of hair loss. While I understand some of the theory behind the idea, I’ve just never seen any credible sources to back it up. If you are interested in truly reversing and preventing future hair loss, I recommend researching proven therapies like minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia).

____________________
Blake  – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

Follow our community on Twitter

Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube