Hair loss + Dandruff!

[AT-IF]

Hi Mark and Dr Rassman,
TBH, I fell in love with this site the moment I got into it via Google. :) Well, let me start my sad story...

I am a 26 yr old male. The premature graying of my hair started when I was 16 (although quite less - around 10%) with dandruff since childhood. Last year out of no where, I thought that I should get my hair straight, so I went to a salon and they applied some cream (most probably L'oreal) and straightened my hair (pulling + heat treatment as well...)
I liked the new look and got praises from others too. After carrying the same thing for around 3 months, I wanted my natural look so I went for hair trimming.

I normally keep 2-2.5 inches hair and use to get hair cut every 25-30 days. Since past 14 months or so, I am shedding hell lot of hair. One day while massaging my scalp, I noticed that actually I have quite few no of hair strands on left side of head and on the center (just above the temple). On right side of head, it is still not worse. When I stand below a light bulb, I can actually see the geometry of my head.

Immediately I went to a Homeopathic derm. doc (who is quite famous in our locality for hair/skin problems). He examined my scalp and suggested that my hair follicles were weak + I was experiencing premature graying. I told him that in my entire family, no one is actually bald or faced premature balding (if I count 3 generations from now). Later he gave me some homepathic medicines + herbal hair oil and herbal shampoo. I religiously followed the routine and in 2 weeks, hair loss became less. I went to doc (after 2 weeks) and he again examined my scalp and told me that my hair roots/follicles became normal, so I stopped the medicines.

Suddenly the hair loss became too much that everytime I swipe my hands, I get 1-2 hair strands on my palm. I again went to the same doc and he gave me yet another medicine.. He also gave me a solution (to apply on scalp for dandruff removal). I dont know if it will work.

I have started taking multi-vitamins capsule everyday and massage my scalp .. like twice a week.

I have quite a lot of questions to ask:

1. Does Dandruff cause hair loss?
2. I believe (in my case), the hair goes into resting phase quite early. What causes hair to go into resting phase pre-maturely?
3. Does hair re-grow after it is shed.. I have a negative belief for my case :(
4. If I go for a complete shaven head, will that improve the condition?


PS: I have lost all hopes, but still .. being a little optimistic, I want my hair to grow back.. like the way it was used to be (when I was in my teens).. full and Healthy.


Rgds,
AT.

[domaintalk]

Hi Mark and Dr Rassman,
TBH, I fell in love with this site the moment I got into it via Google. :) Well, let me start my sad story...

I am a 26 yr old male. The premature graying of my hair started when I was 16 (although quite less - around 10%) with dandruff since childhood. Last year out of no where, I thought that I should get my hair straight, so I went to a salon and they applied some cream (most probably L'oreal) and straightened my hair (pulling + heat treatment as well...)
I liked the new look and got praises from others too. After carrying the same thing for around 3 months, I wanted my natural look so I went for hair trimming.

I normally keep 2-2.5 inches hair and use to get hair cut every 25-30 days. Since past 14 months or so, I am shedding hell lot of hair. One day while massaging my scalp, I noticed that actually I have quite few no of hair strands on left side of head and on the center (just above the temple). On right side of head, it is still not worse. When I stand below a light bulb, I can actually see the geometry of my head.

Immediately I went to a Homeopathic derm. doc (who is quite famous in our locality for hair/skin problems). He examined my scalp and suggested that my hair follicles were weak + I was experiencing premature graying. I told him that in my entire family, no one is actually bald or faced premature balding (if I count 3 generations from now). Later he gave me some homepathic medicines + herbal hair oil and herbal shampoo. I religiously followed the routine and in 2 weeks, hair loss became less. I went to doc (after 2 weeks) and he again examined my scalp and told me that my hair roots/follicles became normal, so I stopped the medicines.

Suddenly the hair loss became too much that everytime I swipe my hands, I get 1-2 hair strands on my palm. I again went to the same doc and he gave me yet another medicine.. He also gave me a solution (to apply on scalp for dandruff removal). I dont know if it will work.

I have started taking multi-vitamins capsule everyday and massage my scalp .. like twice a week.

I have quite a lot of questions to ask:

1. Does Dandruff cause hair loss?
2. I believe (in my case), the hair goes into resting phase quite early. What causes hair to go into resting phase pre-maturely?
3. Does hair re-grow after it is shed.. I have a negative belief for my case :(
4. If I go for a complete shaven head, will that improve the condition?


PS: I have lost all hopes, but still .. being a little optimistic, I want my hair to grow back.. like the way it was used to be (when I was in my teens).. full and Healthy.


Rgds,
AT.

I would answer the questions which I am aware of. Dandruff does not causes hair loss as far as i am aware of, hair loss happens when you straighten your hair. They use creams which consist of chemicals to straighten and then the straightener they use makes the hair root get weak and due to that, it falls.

Your hair would certainly grow back again using herbal shampoo like for example Zulvera Shampoo.

Once you have got your hair straightened, I dont think going for a complete shaven head would be any good for you, you would still keep losing hair.

[rizzla]

If once a day you lose more than 60 hair you will have a reason to worry — it’s not normal. hair loss info here (http://www.healthwm.com/blog/hair-loss/causes-of-hair-loss/)

[Lain]

In fact Dr Rassman says that about 100 hairs can be considered as normal. The site that you provide gives certainly possibilities of origins for hair loss. (I would however scratch the blow dryer) But only a very very minor percentage of people losing hair lose em because of these factors. I work in a beauty clinic and I have yet to see someone who is diagnosed as lacking of vitamins and therefore losing hair. If it would be that easy just to take vitamins and moisture your head believe me: We would all run around like Elvis and hair transplant doctors would make 0 profit.

[Lain]

To answer your questions AT-IF and welcome by the way:

- Shaving your Head will not make your hair grow faster or thicker.
- Hair usually regrows after it is shed. If you lose weak and small hair it might not come back. Normally hair miniaturises and it gets thinner and thinner till it is baby hair. Thick and healthy hair as I said should however regrow
- As far as I understand Dandruff does not cause hair loss. There are people who claim that it may clog your pores. Use shampoos like Nizoral. I use it and all my Dandruff problems have gone.

If I was you I would not go to this doctor again who gave you these herbal shampoos. In most cases they are just snake oil that wont help much. If there is no science behind a drug / shampoo I would rather refrain from it. In case you suffer from Androgenetic alopecia (like most men do) you should think about taking Propecia. (FDA approved for hair loss) However don't trust the dude who you meet in the internet forum and who gives you nice tips. Wait for Mark who is the official representative of this forum to clear things more up.

[AT-IF]

To answer your questions AT-IF and welcome by the way:

- Shaving your Head will not make your hair grow faster or thicker.
- Hair usually regrows after it is shed. If you lose weak and small hair it might not come back. Normally hair miniaturises and it gets thinner and thinner till it is baby hair. Thick and healthy hair as I said should however regrow
- As far as I understand Dandruff does not cause hair loss. There are people who claim that it may clog your pores. Use shampoos like Nizoral. I use it and all my Dandruff problems have gone.

If I was you I would not go to this doctor again who gave you these herbal shampoos. In most cases they are just snake oil that wont help much. If there is no science behind a drug / shampoo I would rather refrain from it. In case you suffer from Androgenetic alopecia (like most men do) you should think about taking Propecia. (FDA approved for hair loss) However don't trust the dude who you meet in the internet forum and who gives you nice tips. Wait for Mark who is the official representative of this forum to clear things more up.
Thanks a lot Lain for putting up such a nice/detailed reply. Ironically -- I should feel happy that I am losing healthy/thick hair for they will grow back. :) TBH, I am feeling a bit relaxed now.

For dandruff issue, I am def going to get Nizoral. I hope it works on my scalp.

By the way, I dont think I am facing Androgenetic alopecia since the problem doesnt have a specific pattern and my temples are quite okay. But still, I would consult a dermatologist and if he allows/recommends taking Propecia, I will def go for it (but I am not sure if Propecia is available in India or not).

As you mentioned above, I am eagerly waiting for Mark to acknowledge this thread.

Thanks a lot again -- Lain, domaintalk and rizzla. :)


Rgds
- AT.

[Mexican Hair Off]

Hi AT,

I'm glad you've got so much help already, just thought I'd add my 2 cents!

Nizoral is a great start for anti-dandruff, I had a similar problem when I started losing hair, the last thing you want when you're losing hair is to have dandruff too drawing more attention to it! Also a lot of people think that the active bit in Nizoral might be good for preventing hair loss, can't remember why (Mark?) but seems to be a common theory.

I'd second Lain, avoid herbal options unless you've tried everything else, to be honest most of them involve as much science as me trimming my hedge into a bottle. I use Propecia and am very happy with it, admittedly I was typical Male pattern with my hair loss, but still worth trying especially as your doctor who thought it wasn't Androgenetic sounds a little dodgy?

Above all, good luck, and let us know how you get on