Are you tired of not knowing the facts about your hairloss and how to stop it? Then ask Dr Williams. Post your questions and photos here and Dr Williams will answer them.
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OC NeoGraft Hair Restoration Center
Dr. Ken L. Williams, Jr.Board Certified Physician & Surgeon
www.OCNeoGraft.org
April 8th, 2011 at 1:08 PM
I am 28 years old, and I have a receding hairline. I started shaving my head last year cause I was tired of the jokes. I tried rogaine when I was 18 but it didn’t do anything. Am I too young for hair surgery?
April 8th, 2011 at 2:35 PM
Hi David,
Thank you for your question. It reflects a very common concern expressed by young men like yourself. The short response is that you are not too late and it is important to get started on a program that saves your existing hair follicles. Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) or Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) is the most common form of hair loss in men. An evaluation of your skin and scalp by a hair transplant surgeon should be your first decision and action to establish the proper diagnosis. There are other less common and etiologies for hair loss that needs to be ruled out. The good news is you can begin a conservative medical treatment program to stop or significantly decrease the progressive nature of AGA.
Your family genetics and hormones play an important role in hair loss. While you may not be able to alter what genes have been passed down by your mom and dad, medications such as finasteride (Propecia) can work in your skin structures to discourage hair loss or miniaturization. This medication can be prescribed by your hair transplant surgeon, dermatologists, or primary care physician. Rogaine is the second medication you need to start and it is applied two times per day.
Rogaine 5% comes in a foam or liquid. I use the foam product in the morning when I need to start my day with my hair looking natural. The foam product acts like a muse or hair styling product that does not impart any undesirable aesthetic appearance. It dries quickly on the hair shaft and allows your hair to “stay” in a certain style and look. If you are a good consumer, the generic form liquid Rogaine 5% can be purchased at a very low price at major department stores for about four ($4) dollars for a two (2) fluid ounce container. I apply the liquid form at night about one (1) hour prior to bed. Clinical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of these two FDA approved products. Minor side effects may occur and is the reason to establish a professional relationship with a physician who can best assist you with your medical or surgical care.
To finally answer your question, surgical hair transplantation at your young age is a decision requiring a long term perspective and understanding of the progressive nature of hair loss. If your hair loss is stabilized and no other scalp diseases exist, you may be a surgical candidate. But a prospective patient must always balance the need to look immediately youthful with the progressive nature of hair loss and miniaturization. If you have surgery performed and use a significant portion of your hair follicles from your donor site at an early age, and you hair loss restarts at a later date, you may have an unnatural appearance to your frontal hairline. Remember your donor site is a fixed reserve of hair follicles and you need to preserve your hair follicles for future hair restoration.
Sorry to be long winded in my reply, but your question can’t be answered with a quick response. I hope this helps.
My best,
Dr. Ken
April 8th, 2011 at 7:38 PM
I’m 25 years of age and I have noticed my hairline slightly starting to recede. My father has significant hair loss. What should I do?
April 8th, 2011 at 9:21 PM
Hi Craig,
First, find a hair specialist who is a member in good standing with the ISHRS. This physician should be able to examine your scalp and offer you a medical treatment program. It appears you potentially have a genetic influence and concern for future hair loss. If you are interested in a greater certainty about your potential hair loss ask the ISHRS doctor about a genetic test from Hair DX™. This diagnostic test will confirm the presence or absence of a genetic phenotype associated male baldness pattern. Keep in touch and let me know your results. Take care.
Dr. Ken
April 15th, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Hi Dr. Williams, my name is Jessica. I have had dandruff all my life, I remember being a kid and my mom would use a comb to scrub my scalp before I washed my hair. Now that I am older I notice that the dandruff comes and goes, but when it comes back it’s really bad!!! I have tried T-Gel shampoo, Selson Blue, Head and Shoulders and nothing works. I feel like my hair is getting super oily and thin, could this be caused by my dandruff? How can I get rid of my dandruff?
April 15th, 2011 at 9:28 PM
Hi Jessica,
Thank you for your question. It sounds like your problem is not a mild case but more moderate in its clinical presentation.
Without examining you, what it sounds like you have is a common condition called, Seborrheic Dermatitis (SD). This is an inflammatory condition caused by metabolic by-products of skin microorganisms (Malassezia Yeasts) and a combination of sebaceous glands (oil producing glands in the skin) being hyperactive and inflamed. The flakes seen on clothing are the actual dead skin or epithelial cells that have shed. It is normal to daily shed dead skin cells but when certain triggers occur, the excessive dead skin cells are more noticeable. SD affects half of the population, can be hereditary, and occurs at greater frequency with stress and weather extremes. The condition may be worse in the colder winter months. An intense pruritis (itching) and flakes are the commonest patient presenting complaints.
It sounds like you have used all of the proper over-the-counter (OTC) products. The next step is to obtain a medical examination from your dermatologist or primary care physician to rule out any other serious conditions. You will need to treat the inflammation present in your skin with a liquid topical corticosteroid medication.
I hope this information helps you. Do you like the Blog? I credit my patient care coordinator, Alexandra, for her creativity and dedication to patient education.
Always my best,
Dr. Ken
May 17th, 2011 at 6:47 AM
hi Physician. Ankita, really educational distribute certainly
May 17th, 2011 at 6:56 AM
90% of your time it’s short-term however should there be serious hair loss and this lead to bald areas after that this can result in long term harm.
November 1st, 2011 at 10:59 AM
Hello Dr Williams, i turn 17 in a week and i think that i am starting to develop a receiding hairline. I have had a few comments already by my friends and it feels terrible. I would just like to know if this is possible at my age and if there are any cures which i could take now, to stop this from delevoping even further, or even anything to help the hair grow back. I day doesnt pass now where i dont think about it.
November 2nd, 2011 at 11:40 AM
Hi Anthony,
Thank you for your question and openness to communicate your concerns about your hair loss. First take a deep breath and tell yourself you will be okay.
Hair loss is not uncommon with young men in your age group. I see this condition quite commonly in teenagers. The single most important decision for you is to see a specialist in hair loss at your earliest convenience. This can be a dermatologist or a hair loss physician and surgeon. Sometimes your primary care doctor can help you.
As a general rule, once you begin to see hair loss you may have lost up to 50% of your hair follicles. Hair loss is a progressive disorder. Rogaine or DHT blocker like Finasteride is the first line defense to stabilize hair loss. These products are safe and FDA approved. Your treating doctor should be able to help you obtain these products.
Family history and genetics also plays an important role in your hair loss. If your mother or father’s side of the family has a similar history, then stabilization of your future hair loss with the two FDA approved medications mentioned is best.
Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. I don’t know where you live, but if you ever visit southern california please feel free to make an appointment in my office. One of your parents will need to be with you at this visit.
Always my best regards,
Dr. Ken
March 2nd, 2012 at 7:28 PM
Hi again, Ive now started to take an iron tablet every day and I’m not sure if it’s helping but I slightly feel more confident, I have now mainly come to the conclusion that my hair isn’t receding it’s just my natural hairline? But I have been doing lots of research and I am currently thinking of buying the laser comb from Hairmax, what would your opinion be on this? Thanks, Anthony
March 6th, 2012 at 9:48 AM
Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) is a major non-surgical approach to treating hair loss. The medical literature is clear that LLLT increases hair growth. There is ample amount of information in the medical literature to validate the efficacy of LLLT.
I recommend the Laser Cap to encourage hair growth because of its convenience and excellent economic advantages. The cap is the more convenient for you considering your professional schedule and the difficulty of getting mutual convenient appointments for in-office hair laser systems.
Primary Benefits:
1. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is an effective, non-surgical, drug-free- solution for hair loss and thinning hair.
2. LLLT utilizes a cold laser that does not have the thermal component to cut, burn or vaporize tissue.
3. This procedure has been used in Europe for over 30 years.
4. It is based on the principal of “Photo-Therapy”. Laser light provides nourishment in the form of light energy.
5. Laser Hair Therapy will make your hair look healthier and fuller reducing the appearance of thinning hair.
6. There are no known side effects of Laser Hair Therapy.
7. It is recommended for both men and women who are experiencing hair loss.
8. LLLT is FDA approved for cosmetic use in the Untied States as certified Class 3A cosmetic device.
9. No need to schedule appointment in hair surgeons office.
10. Economically less than in-office therapy.
More information on LLLT can be found on these web sites:
http://www.ishrs.org/articles/low-level-laser-therapy.htm
http://orangecountyneograft.org/services-low-level-light-therapy-orange-county-ca.html
http://www.lasercap.us/index1strev.htm
My High Regards,
Dr. Ken
March 6th, 2012 at 9:13 PM
Hi Anthony,
I am not sure why you are taking iron tablet unless you are iron deficient. Low iron and ferritin does negatively impact hair growth.Make sure you are being seen by a physician. The laser comb is not practical. I like the Laser Cap better. It has ore energy and is easier to use. Follow this link to learn more: http://orangecountyneograft.org/services-low-level-light-therapy-orange-county-ca.html
I hope this helps you.
DOC KEN
November 17th, 2011 at 10:00 AM
I started to lose my hair about 4 years ago after a bad bout of panic attacks.It took me about 6 months to get over them and it took a whole lot out of me physically, A little while after the panic attacks i noticed that i was receding on one side of my hair line , i have a widows peak hair line . Four years later and i still am receding on both sides of my temples , its not that noticeable if when i shave my head , i dont mind that recession on my temples , its when i started to lose the v of my widows peak that really worried me,what can i do to prevent further hair loss and have i any idea as to where ill recede to etc
November 17th, 2011 at 10:16 AM
Hi Niall,
Thank you for the question. Without knowing more information about your family history, age, medical history, etc.., my comments will be limited to general thoughts. To begin, I hope you panic attacks are under control. Stress can be a cause of hair loss, although most commonly Androgenetic Alopecia is the most common type of hair loss we see in private practice. Hopefully your primary care physician can help you with your emotional well-being.
Generally, once you realize you have loss your hair, you may have lost up to 50% of your hair follicles. Hair loss is a progressive disorder and Rogaine or DHT blockers like Finasteride or Dutasteride, are the medications to stabilize hair loss. These products are generally safe and FDA approved. Your treating doctor should be able to help you obtain these products.
Stabilization of your future hair loss with the two FDA approved medications mentioned is best. There are other efforts like Low Laser Light Therapy or PRP therapy that is gaining favor. The only problem with PRP is the lack of double blind studies. We know PRP works well in Neurosurgery, dentistry, wound care care, ect., but the lack of available published studies in hair surgery is lacking. There are some anecdotal cases, although, that does cause an interest and hope for PRP.
Finally, it sounds like you need to see a hair restoration surgeon and you may be a surgical transplant candidate depending on numerous factors. I would recommend looking for a surgeon who is a member of the ISHRS. That is the best place to start.
I hope this response helps you.
My very best,
Dr. Ken
January 18th, 2012 at 7:26 AM
I was recommended this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty. You’re amazing! Thanks!
January 18th, 2012 at 8:12 PM
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