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The Los Angeles Times posted a resource list of head coverings (hats, turbans and wigs) for patients that have gone through hair loss from life-saving treatments that I wanted to point you to. Also in the list is contact info for the American Cancer Society and information about a book that teaches you how to use makeup to alleviate some of the self-esteem issues chemotherapy patients may face:

• LA Times - Resources for cancer patients with hair loss

I have tried Finasteride, minoxidil and various lotions and shampoos without much success. My question is if I wear a toupee 5 days a week, using only clips to the SIDE area’s of my head, will it cause much damage?

Clips can cause traction alopecia. When you use them, it is always best to move them around to different attachment points, like spreading around the pull to other areas sharing the damage. With less than full time use, the damage may be less, but it still may occur. I have transplanted many patients into the bald spots created by the clips.

Hello doc,

I found this text on a website recently “If you look at Japan, male pattern baldness was almost unheard of prior to World War II. The Japanese diet is now far more fatty and Westernized, and Japanese men are going bald everywhere. It’s clear that a high-fat, meat-based diet raises testosterone levels, and that may adversely affect hair follicles.”

- Do you have any information about this? Could this be true?

While it is true to some degree that we are what we eat, hair loss comes about because of four components. Our food intake (if normal nutrients are ingested) is not one of those four. They are:

1. Genetic elements for balding
2. The male hormone in adequate quantities for healthy men
3. The time the hormones and the genetic defect interact
4. The amount of stress in the life of the person

I have a problem when someone is comparing early 20th century assessments of hair loss and modern 21st century assessments of hair loss. I also have a problem with the comment that ties healthy diets to hair loss in any way. The “authority” seems to originate from a talented man and nutritionist, Michael A. Klaper, M.D. He does not cite any evidence for his opinions and uses the term “may” when commenting on the connection between meat in the diet, testosterone, and hair loss. In my opinion, a statement like, “male pattern baldness was almost unheard of prior to World War II,” really can not be based upon any reasonable scientific observation and if I am wrong, I would want to see it. Who would be making such an assessment in a closed, almost feudal society like pre-war Japan? Balding is big business in modern Japan, which supports the largest hair wig manufacturer in the world. Many of the people of Japan still maintain the more traditional diets (they are not hamburger freaks) yet they lose hair. Studies have shown that there is little difference in balding statistics between races.

The website which originated these comments appears to be MotherNature.com and it does not show any convincing evidence to support the posted statement. Show me the science and I would be willing to change my mind.

However, it is documented that daily vigorous exercise (like endurance training) and lower fat/total calorie intake will decrease the free testosterone and DHT levels, and you can assume that this can decrease hair loss (see Relationship between stress hormones and testosterone with prolonged endurance exercise). Does a low fat diet alone decrease the levels of testosterone and DHT? That is not clear.

Years back I could swear, unless I’m imagining this, that I saw an ad in a magazine about hair replacement that consisted of attaching artificial hair into the scalp. This was not a “piece” either. It was actually inserting hairs directly into the scalp. The reason I think I could be imagining this is because it was so long ago and I have never heard anything about it since. The thing is…I really do remember reading it. Have you ever heard of this? If yes, can you tell me (and your readers) what you know about it? Does it work? Do you do it? Please share whatever you know.

Thank you very much for your time.

There are many problems associated with inserting artificial hair into the scalp, including:

1. Infection
2. Horrible scarring
3. Scalp irritation
4. Accelerated hair loss
5. Infection, infection, infection!!!

As such, this type of procedure has been banned in the United States, yet this has been done for many years in the past, particularly in some Asian countries. For more info, check out the post I wrote about this a few years back — Artificial Hair.

I am amazed at how young Little Richard the entertainer looks.His hair looks unusually full and straight for a black man at his age.

Is this his hair or does he use a system similar to Michael Jackson’s?

I’ve never met the man, but after looking at his pictures, it really looks like a good afro with lots and lots of styling… but more probably, it is a hair piece or wig. I don’t know how similar it is to Michael Jackson’s though.

I recently went to have a system put on.The guy who put it on used something similar to crazy glue.Needless to say my head had terrible itching and burning within a week.I had a watery discharge that ran down my forehead.I went to an emergency room but left because they took to long.Anyway, I saw a skin doctor that same day who pulled the system off (it was halfway off).After pulling it off my head was red as a tomato and smelled burned.The doctor took photographs and gave me special soap and ointment.I believe that this burn will cause disfiguration and will be clearly visible if I decided to shave my hair off.I recently found out this “doctor”needs a license as a cosmetologist to apply chemicals.With or without a license is there any liablity for this man for burning my scalp with this adhesive should I decide to file a lawsuit?

It seems you are seeking a medical-legal advice in which I cannot provide for you. In general it seems you had some sort of reaction to the hair system glue. I do not know the extent of physical harm it has caused, but it seems you were able to see a doctor who was able to treat your medical issues. In general, before thinking of a lawsuit, I would approach the facility that applied the hair system and tell them you are unhappy with the outcome and try to work out some form of mutual resolution. That will take far less time than going the legal route, which is costly in time and money.

Can you use Steroid Based Ointments to help grow the sides and back part of your head that has thinned from Weaving? I pulled out a lot of my hair over years of weaving and left my weave in for over three months most times. My hair is originally thick, tough, bulky and curly and I think I used weaves because of anxiety and low self esteem, kind of like self harm as I abused my hair with weaves for years. Anyway, I didnt realise the weaves were slowly pulling out my hair and the last weave was so tight I lost bulk from the middle and the front was so thin you could see my scalp after it came out.

Ive now stopped that. My immediate family including both pairs of grand parents have absolutely no balding or hair loss problems. My twin sister also has thick curly hair. I am now 32. Will my hair grow back to its natural state and remain like that and can I use anything to help?

Thanks

No, no, no steroids! They are generally bad for your hair. Steroid-based ointments, creams, lotions, or potions will not regrow the hair you lost.

Hair loss from years of using tight weaves is usually permanent. The constant pulling from the weave in your hair likely caused traction alopecia. You should see a hair transplant surgeon to find out if you can be helped. For more on traction alopecia, please see eMedicine.

I’ve recently come across the concept of hair implants http://www.hairloss.com/. I was wondering if you see any viability in this procedure, or is this another tactic of some money making company basically blowing smoke where the sun doesn’t shine?

You have to always beware of such advertisements, particularly when it sounds too good to be true. At first glance, the site reads as if it is a hair transplant with hair from another person, and without surgery! But then, the website interestingly discusses some bonding of human hair (not your own) to the skin with some bonding material.

My conclusion — it is just another type of wig.

I have used a hair system for a few years. Some seem to be better than others,but I am looking for the most undetectable result. I thought of having partial hair transplants done in the front- this is the area most detectable as fake. Have you any ideas of the best possible solution for me?

What I can tell you is that the combination of hair transplants in the front and a hair system behind it works for many people. You are correct in that the hair systems are generally easy to detect in front, so if you have a good hair transplant in front of the hair system, you will have considerably more freedom in styling your hair.

Hello NHI physicians,

I’m thinking about getting a hair transplant in the future, but at the moment I think I’m a bit too young for one (under 25). I have diffuse MPB on the crown (it’s quite severe), and am thinking about shaving the top off and using a hair piece/hair system until I reach the age when the MPB is more stable.

My question is, would the glue or bonding method from using a hair piece damage my scalp in any way that would prevent me from getting a hair transplant in the future?

I appreciate all the information you all have provided on this site.

Glues, tapes, and even clips are methods used to hold down the hairpiece to the scalp, which can cause even more hair loss. These will likely not prevent you from getting a hair transplant in the future, but you’re running a huge risk of causing yourself more trouble with hair loss. Weaves also cause traction alopecia. There is really no way around this. The decision to go with a hairpiece is a more common decision than those that want hair transplants, possibly because of the perceived cost difference and/or the fear of a surgical procedure. The choice may be a very expensive one, however, as the 5 year cost for a hair system can run well over $15,000. See My Hair System Cost Me Over $16,000 In 5 Years! for a breakdown, as sent in by a patient.

If you are losing your hair from MPB, be sure to also consider finasteride. This is a prescription medication and requires you to meet with a doctor.