Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

Hair loss not only affects men and women physically but can often be a confidence killer, turning the outgoing into introverts. Whereas all men and women have their personal preferences and tastes, often times balding men and women feel ugly and as a result won’t take the plunge to proactively pursue someone they’re romantically interested in.  But is hair loss or a lack of self confidence the real culprit?

In this discussion, balding men wrestle with the emotional detriment alopecia has caused them and whether or not women could ever really find the bald man attractive. Share your own experience with losing hair and how it has or has not negatively impacted your social and dating life.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: Hair loss, balding, alopecia, bald, losing hair

I’m trying to determine if I’m balding due to genetics or an iron deficiency.  Can hair loss really be caused by a lack of iron in the body?

This question was posed by a hair loss sufferer seeking hair loss help on our hair restoration forum and answered by Dr. Steven Gabel of Hillsboro, OR who is an elite member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.  His professional answer is below.

Iron deficiency is a real cause of hair loss. I have seen several cases of iron deficiency as a causative factor for alopecia in women. When I see women for hair loss, one of the things I investigate, along with other blood tests, is their iron levels. For men, a blood work up is rare, however, if their history and examination are not consistent with androgenetic alopecia, then I will investigate further.

A while back, I went to a lecture about hair loss by an expert dermatologist who specializes in alopecia (she was one of the original physicians in the phase trials for Propecia before it went to market) and she reports that even low iron levels contributes to hair loss. Women do have a higher degree of iron loss because of their monthly cycles, but I think you may want to have your physician work this up.

Steven Gabel, M.D.

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Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: balding, iron deficiency, hair loss, hair loss help, alopecia, androgenetic alopecia, Propecia

This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Robert True of New York, NY who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.  His professional answer is below.

I’m getting pimples on my scalp 2 months after hair transplant surgery.  Why is this happening?  Is this a sign of an infection?

As new hairs begin to emerge a few months after the hair restoration procedure, either in the area of the scalp that has been transplanted or adjacent to the donor incision, isolated pimples may occur.

These pimples are self resolving and should be left alone. However, if you experience many happening simultaneously, it is best to see the doctor for a follow-up evaluation. These pimples are surface irritation as the hair emerges and only rarely represent ingrown hairs. The areas fully resolve and do not effect hair growth of transplanted hair in the area.

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Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, hair restoration, hair growth, transplanted hair

This insightful information was posted on our hair restoration forum by Dr. Timothy Carman of La Jolla, CA, who is recommended on the Hair Transplant Network.

Have you heard of the Platelet rich plasma (PRP)? I read a post on our hair loss forum back in 2005 but there weren’t too many replies. I am scheduled for a hair transplant next month, and the doctor is recommending this.  Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Basically, a small amount (50cc) of your blood is taken before surgery. The platelets, which are part of your blood and help with healing of wounds, are separated to form a solution called platelet rich plasma. The follicular unit grafts are bathed in this PRP before being implanted. The PRP is also injected in the scar and recipient sites.

The main advantages quoted from their website are:

1. to enhance donor site wound healing
2. to decrease the incidence of infection
3. to reduce donor scarring
4. to increase donor scar tensile strength
5. to enhance recipient site healing (which should increase growth)
6. to be utilized as an effective treatment protocol in severe cases of wound dehiscence or infection.

The only disadvantage apart from the pain from the needles is an extra cost between $500-$1000.

It seems that this procedure had been used for over a decade in plastic surgery. It just gradually started to get into the field of hair restoration.

A hair transplant procedure is usually considered a success if it looks natural and all the transplanted hair grows. But a beautiful head of hair with an obvious scar is not very appealing to patients. Thankfully, with today’s state of the art surgical hair restoration donor closure technique, scars are usually easily concealed by the surrounding natural hair even when cut very short. But are there conditions when the donor scar may be more obvious? What about when your hair is wet coming out of the shower or from swimming?

Forum member “Eman” recently had a hair transplant procedure and claims his donor scar is still visible when he gets out of the shower. View this thread to learn why and to offer your input and experiences.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, transplanted hair, hair restoration, hair transplant procedure

I have a friend who is experiencing female hair loss for a number of years which may be a side effect of medication she has been taking. She has scheduled an appointment to have possible hair extensions at a clinic in Toronto that services those suffering hair loss as result of chemotherapy treatments and/or have fragile hair. I’m just wondering if anyone is aware of a more permanent hair loss solution or has anyone else experienced this problem?  My partner has recently undergone his own hair transplantation and has had some success and thought that others may have some helpful advice.

In my opinion, before considering any hair extensions or any other possible solution for your friend’s balding condition, you really need to tell your friend to consult a dermatologist to find what’s causing it with certainty. 

Female hair loss in particular can be caused by a number of things. If it’s a medication she’s taking, perhaps the doctor prescribing it can put her on something else that doesn’t include hair loss as a possible side effect.

Your friend should be tested for medical conditions such as a thyroid disorder, low ferritin levels, an iron deficiency, hormonal issues, etc. She should have her scalp, medical history and current situation examined to pinpoint what’s causing her hair loss.

Many non-genetic conditions can be cured by treating the condition causing it. There is no cure for androgenic alopecia (genetic female or male pattern baldness) however; treatment options like Rogaine (minoxidil) may be helpful.

Getting your hair loss questions answered quickly and accurately is what draws members and guests to our hair restoration discussion forum. Thankfully, we have a great multitude of knowledgeable hair transplant patients and quality physicians regularly contributing their experience and expertise.

Below you will find answers to 5 of this week’s top topic hair loss related questions provided by real hair loss sufferers and physician experts.

Experiencing Dizziness using Rogaine for Hair Loss (Dr. Paul Shapiro)

Can Propecia and Rogaine Prevent Frontal Hair Loss?

How Soon After a Hair Transplant Can You Return to Work? (Dr. William Lindsey)

Can Other Treatments Maintain Hair Regrowth from Minoxidil?

Is Laser Therapy Worth the Cost of $6000 to Treat My Hair Loss?

Additionally, hair loss and transplant related questions are answered daily on our news and blog sites including the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, the Hair Transplant Network, and the Hair Loss Learning Center.

Have a question that hasn’t been answered? Post it on our hair restoration forum publicly or contact us privately using our free online contact form.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair restoration, hair transplant

You may have learned in school why using protection is important when having sex. However, surgical hair restoration gives a whole new meaning to “safe sex”.

Though hair transplant surgery is considered a “simple outpatient procedure” for hair loss sufferers, no surgery should be taken lightly. Therefore, it’s important for patients to take a little down time from usual activities to allow for proper healing. But how long must you wait before resuming daily activities? When can you resume indulging in a healthy sex life without causing injury?

If you are considering hair transplant surgery or have recently undergone one, visit this thread to learn and participate in a discussion of patients discussing when it’s suitable to resume daily activities including regular safe sex.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair restoration, hair transplant, hair loss

This question was posed by a female hair loss sufferer seeking hair loss help 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’ve been researching DUPA hair loss for the last few weeks and noted one thing that may sound awkward but i thought it would be best to ask for knowledge.  i have noted that in images that show the process of DUPA  i.e. on Dr. Bernstein’s website and other images, how come they always show the right side of the head and the sides and back. Is this where DUPA starts from and then spreads or is this a coincidence?

DUPA, which stands for “Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia“, affects all of the potential donor hair on the back wall and on both side walls.  By definition, it is the presence diffusely through these hairs of miniaturized hairs which are hairs with a limited number of life cycles left before they disappear.

Sometimes this can be picked up early with an in-office magnification device by an expert in hair loss diagnosis.  Often times it is obvious to the patient and his family by simply looking at these areas, in which you can “see through” to the bare scalp when it is moderately advanced.

It can be hard looking in the mirror and realizing for the first time, that you are going bald. And while some just accept hair loss as a part of life, it can often be the source of anxiety and depression in both men and women. Thankfully with today’s evolved hair loss treatment methods, going bald isn’t the only choice.

Discovering what’s causing you to lose your hair is the first step to working out an appropriate treatment plan. Though the most common cause of hair loss is genetic, there are many other causes worth evaluating. Consulting with a qualified hair restoration physician can help you understand your balding condition and treat it.

Today, Propecia and Rogaine, two FDA approved hair loss treatments can help slow down or stop the progression of male pattern baldness. Other treatments like low level laser therapy and a multitude of alternative treatments may be effective, but are controversial and some lack the compelling evidence that Propecia and Rogaine have. Unfortunately for those who’ve already experienced extensive hair loss, even the proven non-surgical treatments can’t bring back hair once it’s gone.

Today’s hair replacement systems and strand techniques give severely balding men and women an instant solution to their hair loss problem. Ongoing cost and maintenance is typically the biggest concern for those who are considering this solution.