September 10, 1998
Question
Greetings,
I'm a 28 year old male that has always had
lots of healthy looking, thick hair. I have an isolated, oval shaped area on the right
half of the top of my head about 3.5 to 4 inches back from my forehead (hair line) that is
thinning.
I was in a death defying head on collision 4 years ago and suffered from depression
and panic disorder with anxiety, nervousness and worrying. This isolated area on the top
of my head is sometimes more sensitive to the touch ( i.e. when my girlfriend runs her
fingers through my hair ) and irritable then the rest of my scalp.
The balding/thinning in this spot was noticed about two years after the car
accident and I heard that the stress may have contributed to the hair loss. My hair and
scalp are also dry and I have dandruff which quickly goes away when treated with"
Head & Shoulders ".
Which shampoo/conditioner do you recommend for treating the dryness which seems to
cause the spot to be more sensitive to touch? And what do you think might help to restore
the hair in that spot?
Thank you in advance for any advice you send me!!
Eddie
Answer
Dear Eddie,
If you hit your head severely during the car
wreck, it is possible to lose hair in the area of most intense impact. However, in most
cases it grows back.
It is also possible that you are suffering from what's known as
Alopecia areata, which manifests itself as partial hair loss. Someone with this condition
will find their hair falling out in small, isolated clumps.
The rest of the head may be covered with perfectly healthy hair. It
would be helpful to do a search of Alopecia areata on the net to see if this is what your
thin spot looks like. You can go to the Regrowth Page.
Has your dermatologist mentioned this to you? If not, ask about it. They
may administer cortisone shots or other steroidal medications to help improve the problem.
Hang in there man, it could be worse…you
could be losing all of your hair. This will probably be treatable
Best of luck.
Spencer David Kobren
Question
Hi Spencer,
First off I'd like to thank you for giving all
of us this opportunity to benefit from your advice and experience. I just purchased your
book at Amazon.com and I'm sure
it will prove very useful.
There is a history of male pattern baldness in my family--my father has not
suffered much hair loss but my maternal grandfather is very bald (I don't know about
paternal grandfather). I just turned 21 and I think that I'm losing my hair as well.
None of my friends say they can tell but the area at my temples is definitely
getting thin and I do notice quite a bit of hair coming out from the top of my head when I
comb it.
The thing is, I'm not sure how much hair is considered too much to be normal hair
loss. I've heard people can loose 50-100 hairs a day. I comb my hair 3 or 4 times a day
and usually lose 10-15 hairs each time.
Also when I get out of the shower and dry my hair I get a significant amount coming
out in the towel (around 20-25). Unfortunately, when I was younger it never occurred to me
to take notice of this sort of thing so I have no frame of reference.
Do you feel that this is too much hair to be losing from combing and showering? I
understand that this is a difficult question because everyone's hair is different, but any
insight you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much.
Dave
Answer
Dear Dave,
If you think you are losing your hair, you
probably are…sorry. However, there is real hope. You must begin treatment
"yesterday".
Being that you are so young, if you are able to arrest the progression of your hair
loss, by the time you are 25 or so, there will be a sure fire treatment for everyone.
If you have any questions after reading my book, don't hesitate to contact me.
Good luck.
Spencer David Kobren
Question
Hi Spencer,
I've heard a lot about Propecia and how well it works so I visited
their web-site. They claim that Propecia works
for the vertex and anterior areas of the scalp--not the temples. Unfortunately, I'm
noticing (at age 20) that my hair is starting to thin at the temples.
My dermatologist said however that Propecia WOULD work for the temple area. I'm
confused by a few things.
First what exactly is the anterior area of the scalp and secondly, of course, will
Propecia work for hair thinning from the temples?
Thanks!
James B
Answer
Dear James,
Propecia should stop the progression of your hair
loss even though it is in the temple region. The anterior scalp is basically the top of
your head between the hairline zone and the vertex.
Good luck to you,
Spencer David Kobren
September 8, 1998
Question
Dear Spencer,
About a month ago I noticed an increase in
hair loss that was not normal for me. Since that time the hair loss has been extreme. I am
losing great quantities of my hair and can't seem to find answers as to why.
After brushing, shampooing and even just running my fingers through my hair, I am
shocked to discover the tremendous quantity that comes out. My pillows and clothes are
also covered with hair.
I am a female, age 45 and healthy (I think!) The hair is falling out all over my
head and not just in one area. I have asked the doctor about hormonal changes and also
possible thyroid problems. So far, I have had no answers. Please advise me as to what type
doctor may be helpful, as I am quite concerned about my health.
Sincerely,
Gloria
Answer
Dear Gloria,
It is possible that some sudden hormonal changes
have caused you to go in to what's called Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss.
There can be several reasons for this, some of which might be hormonal. Menopause or
stopping birth control might have something to do with it. Even extreme stress such as a
death in the family has been proven to cause this.
I suggest you also read the Female pattern
baldness page. It will show you what tests should be administered. It
does not sound like female pattern loss to me, but you want to rule it out as well as
thyroid problems.
If you haven't seen an Endocrinologist that might be your next step.
Let me know how you make out. I wish I could give you a more definitive answer but I
think that this is sound advice.
Good luck.
Spencer
Question
Hi Spencer,
I want to start by saying that hair loss is
also a concern for me.I feel fortunate that my hair loss has been progressing very slowly.
If male relatives (genetics) are any indication, my prognosis is both good and bad. Bad in
that I won't be able to keep all of my hair, but good in that I will be able to keep most
of it. All of my elder male relatives have hair that has thinned on top, but none have
gone bald on top.
However, for me, since I love and have long hair, hair loss is a big concern for
me. My hairline has been receding at my temples by about one inch from the original
hairline. Although the process started almost five years ago, I want to arrest it and
reverse it if possible.
I read with interest Karen's interview with
you and her review of your book, and I recently bought it. It was very
enlightening, especially with regards to herbs and nutrients that should be added to one's
diet, as well as those foods which should be reduced or eliminated.
I have recently purchased the laundry list of items you recommend, and have started
taking them all. One side benefit I've noticed already is that I've been feeling better.
I also recently went to the doctor and he agreed to prescribe Propecia! I began
taking it a few days ago, but... I was disappointed to read in the description of the
product that it is not expected to help with receding hairlines... more for vertex,
anterior and mid-scalp areas.
So, my question is:
Have you found Propecia to help at all with regrowth of hair in the temples and/or
with the hairline at/near your forehead? The reason I ask is because I wonder if my taking
Propecia is just a waste of time and money because it is not "clinically proven"
to regrow hair for the hairline at the temples and near the forehead.
I appreciate your taking the time to consider my concern and in advance for your
reply.
Dave
Answer
Dear Dave,
It sounds to me that you are in a great
position to begin therapy. The regime that you have started is intended to stop the
progression of any further hair loss…hairline included. I have regrown significant
amounts of hair in the hairline.
The key however is to stop the progression. To answer your
question, no you are not wasting time or money on Propecia…you are on your way back.
Good luck.
Spencer
Dave's Reply
Dear Spencer,
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my
inquiry. I'm not looking to add data to any specific scientific study. Not that I'm not
willing to help, but my approach is to come out with "all guns blazing,"so to
speak. If the combo works, then I've achieved what I want.
Thankfully my progression has been very slow. I would (will?) be thrilled if some
of the hair near the hairline starts to return. As you can see from my picture on the home
page of the Hair Boutique these days, my hair is quite long, and it's important to me that
I do whatever I can to keep from losing any more to MPB!
I have another question... I had thought to ask it last week but couldn't remember
when I wrote you yesterday.
The question is: In your book, you recommend buying the Saw Palmetto at 85-95%, but
all of the labels I've seen give ratios, like 6:1 or 30:1 or whatever. Are the labels just
expressing the concentration/potency in terms of a ratio instead of a percentage? If so,
it's easy enough to figure out what ratio would be right.
I just never saw anything on the labels expressed in terms of a percentage.
Thanks again for your answer. I am glad to hear that your efforts have proven
successful. It gives me hope that I too can regrow that which I have lost.
Dave
Answer
Dear Dave,
I would see how the propecia works first than add the herbs to your
treatment if you like. Make sure it says 85-95% fatty acid count.
Spencer
Dave's Reply
Hi Spencer,
Hmmm..... are you asking me to isolate my
therapy starting with Propecia first as a "control" to measure its effectiveness
alone? I very much want to attack the situation with a full-out assault. To me it really
doesn't matter whether any meaningful scientific conclusion could be gained from my
experience. To me the only thing that matters is that I be able to regrow some(?) of my
lost hair. I really hesitate stopping the herbs...Is the reason you recommend I wait to
start with the herbs so that an assessment can be made of the Propecia alone?
Regarding the "85-95% fatty acid count," I haven't seen anything closely
resembling this on the labels of any of the packages of Saw Palmetto I've seen, and I've
seen quite a few (including GNC, unless I somehow overlooked one of the brands?
I saw about 3 or 4 there alone....) Can you tell me which brands
meet the requirements for 85-95% fatty acid count, and where I could purchase them?
Thanks!
Dave
Answer
Dear Dave,
It just makes sense to know which agent works best
in your body..You can stick to what your doing if you feel good about it. Try Solaray
products. GNC should show the fatty acid counts as well.
Spencer
Question
Dear Spencer,
I've just had a hair transplant 4 days ago, haven't had the stitches out yet.
Is there any thing that I can do to hasten the healing and growth of new hair? What
kind of comb or brush is best these next few weeks. I had 500 transplants and in a
month I will have 500 more. Any advice? Thanks.
Jerry
PS. Karen referred me to you.
Answer
Dear Jerry,
Besides the usual instructions given to you by your doctor, I think that it is
important to remember that what you put INTO your body is even more significant in terms
of healing than anything else you may do.
If you smoke, STOP.
Increase your vitamin C intake to 3000 mg per day. Start with a 1000 mg for a few
days, then up it to 2000 mg and than to 3000 mg. You need to create the best
environment possible for normal and rapid healing.
Don't touch the grafts too often and don't use any type of brush. Even if you
have a lot of surrounding hair. Comb your hair gingerly and above all relax.
Any stress will cause adverse chemical changes in your body and will ultimately disrupt
normal healing.
Good luck.
Spencer
PS. Who did your work?
Jerry's Reply
Dear Spencer,
Thanks for your quick response. I guess I was in better shape to deal with
this than I thought. I have been taking 10,000 mg of Vitamin C, for over a year now.
It does eliminate for me those seasonal colds and when I get any kind of a cut I
heal very quickly. It's been six days now since the transplant.
I've had some swelling around my eyes and forehead. It scared me a little (my
wife a whole lot) but things seem to be settling down.
I go in tomorow to get the stiches out of the doner area. I had 500
transplants from 100 doner plugs. I go back 8/28 for the same amount again.
If you are interested, I will keep you posted. At this point I have mixed
emotions about the process, but I've spent the money and I want the end results. So
as the saying goes...I guess I have to "Pay The Piper". I'm 57, a white
male, married, 6 kids, 10 grandkids and everone is amazed that it would matter this much
to me about my hair. Oh well.
THANKS AGAIN.
Jerry.
P.S. Who's doing the transplant surgery? The Chambers
Hair Institute - Minneapolis MN - Dr. Kelsey
Answer
Dear Jerry,
To be honest J, it's archaic. Have you read my book The Bald Truth? I think you will want
to pick up a copy. I recommend that you do not go back to this guy!!. He may
destroy your remaining donor area. You are lucky you only had 500. If the
grafts look good, have the rest of the work finished elsewhere.
Good luck.
Spencer
Question
Dear Spencer,
First of all, I must congratulate you for the good reviews that I have read on the
net about your book.....I want to buy the book, but the shipping charges from Brasil make
it cost around 30$, so I will wait.....I noticed a little hair thinning on my head 11
months ago (I'm 22) and decided to try minox.
For one month I didn't notice anything (no shedding or whatever). At the 2
month mark, I began to shed a lot, and on the 6 month mark I quit the treatment with
almost 1/2 of my entire hair shed (I still have a full head of hair, but now very
thin).
So I began to use only propecia and a tar shampoo (one on, 3 days off). The
problem is that I'm on the 4 month mark and haven't noticed any changes. By your
experience, what's the time variation a good propecia responder should wait to see at
least a hair loss decrease?
I ask this question because, in Brasil, a huge wave of fake medicines is
being passed around. I hope my finasteride isn't fake? What should I do to
see if my dht levels have decreased? Can a hormone test detect the effects (in the
hormone levels) of the medicine? Thanks so much.!!!!
Answer
It could take some people up to a year to see if they are a good responder or not.
Most men are. However, I think that your dosage is a bit low. Consider
taking the drug at least 5 or six days a week, in not 7.
Good luck.
Spencer
Question
Dear Spencer,
I'm a 30-year old female with really bad hair loss. I might be totally bald within
the year, so I consider myself an emergency case. But it's very hard for me to get
dermatologists to take me seriously! I'm otherwise pretty good-looking so they tend to go,
"But you're still beautiful!" This needless to say isn't a big help. I've been
looking for a good dermatologist since I was 16. I've probably seen about 8 or 9 by now.
They've offered me Kevis and Rogaine 2% and that's about all.
As a kid I had thick, 3-foot long hair. When I was 13--15 I had anorexia, totally
lost my period for a couple years and dropped to 80 pounds. I almost went in the hospital!
Finally I decided to live after a small heart attack. I recovered, but a full 3/4 of my
hair fell out---probrably from shock. It didn't grow back.
Since that time my hair loss has slowly, steadily continued during the years. I
have seen a therapist to deal with the mental effects of what I went through, and
physically I'm in good shape, but still the hair continues to fall---and not grow back.
This morning I looked in the mirror and cried. It's all over thinning but
especially in front so I'll probrably have to wear a wig soon.
Doctors diagnose me with Androgenetic Alopecia. But it could be Totalis pretty
soon. I've tried to educate myself, but it's hard to find reliable advice for women! I
want to have kids soon, but am unsure of the side effects of even 2% so I'm not on any
medication at all.
My guess is that when I had anorexia I somehow triggered a stress mechanism or lost
a lot of female hormones creating an imbalance that is still undiagnosed or simply shows
itself in this way.
So, my questions---What medications seem promising for women? What are their side
effects during pregnancy? Do you know of any women who have cured their (Androgenetic
Alopecia) hair loss by any means? Are their also any non-drug ways to treat this problem?
(Electro-whatever it is or herbal/nutritional?)
I very much appreciate your taking the time to read my letter and have this forum.
Thanks
Sara
Answer
Dear Sara,
I am so sorry that you have to deal with this emotionally devastating disorder. I know
how painful it can be and the toll that it can take on your life. However, there is always
hope. I have known of women who respond well to certain treatments. Your hair loss can be
caused by many underlying disorders that most dermatologists fail to recognize.
As far as herbal treatments are concerned there are several that you can try, but I
would not take these if you intend on becoming pregnant while on therapy. Many of these
treatments lower DHT levels in the body, which in theory can effect male fetuses. I
suggest you read the following page Female Pattern Baldness.
You will find a list of herbal treatments in The Bald Truth. If you would like me to
e-mail you the list, just contact me and I will send it.
Let me know how you make out.
Good luck and God bless,
Spencer
Spencer David Kobren has graciously agreed to answer your hair loss questions.
Although Spencer would like to answer all of your questions personally, we cannot
guarantee that he will be able to do so.
Please check this page first to see if he has already answered the question you
may have.
To ask Spencer your question send e-mail to askspencer@hairboutique.com. |
