Telogen Effluvium in Young Men

Telogen Effluvium in Young Males: Considerations

Telogen effluvium (TE) refers to a type of hair loss whereby a patient experiences increased daily shedding of hair. Instead of 30 or 40 hairs coming out of the scalp, the patient experiences 60, 70 or even hundreds of hairs shed on a daily basis. There are a  variety of causes of telogen effluvium including stress, low iron, thyroid problems, medications and crash diets. 

TE in Men

Telogen effluvium can occur in men and does occur in men. However, it is far less common than in women. In addition, there are many mimickers or 'lookalike' conditions that frequently lead to incorrect diagnoses of telogen effluvium in men. A good example of this is early staged androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in men. Men with early AGA experience increased hair shedding which looks very similar to a telogen effluvium. Many such men are diagnosed with TE when in fact the correct diagnosis is AGA. The most important question that should be asked in any male with a diagnosis of  suspected telogen effluvium is: does this patient actually have androgenetic alopecia instead of telogen effluvium OR does this patient ALSO have androgenetic alopecia together with telogen effluvium?

Certainly telogen effluvium can occur as a sole diagnosis in men. However, more times than not in the patients I see, this is not the only diagnosis. 

Diagnosing TE

Telogen effluvium is largely a diagnosis made on history and clinical exam. Rarely, a biopsy is needed.  For most individuals with TE, another person passing by in the street would not take notice there is hair loss even if substantial hair has been lost. TE causes diffuse loss - meaning the hair is lost all over the scalp. Such hair loss typically occurs 2-3 months after some kind of trigger.  A person with TE however can look very different to the way they know they once looked.  If I look at a photo of a patient and I say "this patient has hair loss" - it's like that another diagnosis is present other than TE or together with TE. 

Conclusion

I see many young males with early androgenetic alopecia who are misdiagnosed as having a telogen effluvium. It's true more definitely that telogen effluvium can occur in young men - but one must always keep in mind that it's not really all that common.  Most men who are shedding more than normal end up being diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia. 

I'm often asked who long of a 'window' does a patient have to treat the TE before any irreversible changes happen. The reality is that if a male has TE as their sole diagnosis, there is quite a long window actually. However, the window closes if another hair loss diagnosis is present - especially androgenetic alopecia (AGA). TE can occur in men, yes. But too often androgenetic alopecia in the early early stages is ignored and missed. Biopsies and hair collections together with a careful scalp exam and medical history can help clarify things immensely.

Scarring alopecia: Acquired Pili torti

Acquired Pili torti

Scarring alopecias are a group of diverse hair loss conditions that are associated with the presence of scar tissue in the scalp. This scar tissue can damage growing hair follicle and affect how they grow.

A common finding in many scarring alopecias is the twisting of hairs in a patient with otherwise straight hair. This “twisting” of hair is called pili torti and when it develops long after birth we call it “acquired pili torti.” This photos shows typical pili torti in a patient with frontal fibrosing alopecia. Some straight unaffected hairs can also be seen in the photo as well (bottom right). Dilated veins typical of FFA can also be seen.

Lichen planopilaris up close: A look at "perifollcular scale"

Perifollicular scale: What does this term mean?

Lichen planopilaris ("LPP") is a scarring alopecia which causes permanent hair loss.

Affected individuals frequently develop hair shedding accompanied by scalp itching and sometimes scalp burning and scalp pain.

The accompanying photo shows the typical appearance by trichoscopy of lichen planopilaris (LPP). Single hairs are seen with white scale around these hairs. This whitish scale is known as perifollicular scale and sometimes also as follicular hyperkeratosis.

Treatments for LPP include topical steroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, steroid injections, oral tetracyclines, oral hydroxychloroquine, oral methotrexate, oral mycophenolate, oral cyclosporine, oral low dose naltrexone. Some patients also respond to oral finasteride.

Scalp Burning: Many reasons but diagnosis is essential

Scalp Burning: Before talking treatment, talk diagnosis

In our clinic, many patients present with concerns about scalp burning. There are many reasons for scalp burning and the precise treatment depends entirely on the diagnosis of the burning. A carefully obtained history, along with an examination of the scalp is needed. Some patients with burning also have itching and some have pain. 

 

Causes of Scalp Burning

1.  Diseases/Disorders of the scalp

Individuals with scalp burning needs a thorough examination to evaluate for underlying scalp disease. A variety of inflammatory scalp disorders can trigger burning including scalp psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, scarring alopecia, dermatomyositis, tinea capitis, sunburns, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. Common hair loss conditions such as androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium and scarring alopecia are also associated with burning in some cases.

2.  Dysesthesias

The scalp dysesthesias, as described by Hoss and Segal in 1998, are a group of conditions that give physical symptoms in the scalp without any other unusual findings at the time of examination (normal scalp examination). In addition to scalp burning, many patients with scalp dysesthesias have itching and pain.

The cause of scalp dysesthesias is not clear. One study (reference below) suggested that a high proportion of women with scalp dysesthesias had cervical spine disease. It seems that patients worsen with stress and improve with anti-depressants (venlafaxine, amitrytyline). Many respond to topical or oral gabapentin.

The burning scalp syndrome (similar to burning mouth syndrome) is a variant of scalp dysesthesia. Sensitive scalp syndrome may also be as well.

3. Depression and Other Psychological Issues. 

There is a well known relationship between the brain and the skin and this has been referred to as the 'brain-skin' axis. Stressful life events are a well known trigger to scalp burning. Burning is more common in patients with a host of psychological and psychiatric diagnoses including anxiety, depression,  post traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia.

4. Drugs

Drugs can trigger scalp burning, both topical drugs and oral medications. Topical medications containing alcohol are frequent triggers or scalp burning. Topical calcipotriol, topical steroids, and a host of anti-dandruff shampoos can trigger burning. Oral medications, including cyclophosphamide can trigger scalp burning.

5.  Damaged Nerves and Small fiber neuropathies

Scalp burning may be a result of damage to nerves. As mentioned above, cervical spine disease may be one such condition. But diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and stroke can all give scalp symptoms.

Many issues affecting the tiny nerves of the scalp can cause scalp burning. This is seen in many of the autoimmune diseases including Sjogren’s syndrome.

6. Sleep Deprivation  

Sleep deprivation has been associated with many cutaneous symptoms including scalp burning.

 

Treatment for Burning Scalp

The treatment of burning scalp will depend on the diagnosis. For patients with scarring alopecia, treatments such as topical steroids, steroid injections and oral anti-inflammatory mediation such as doxycycline or hydroxychloroquine will frequently help stop the scarring alopecia itself as well as the burning. For burning due to psoriasis, a variety of topical steroids, topical vitamin D analogues can help.  The scalp dysesthesias are frequently more challenging to treat but options include topical steroids, oral gabapentin, topical gabapentin, oral amitryptyline, and topical capsaicin. Avoiding harsh shampoos is important. 

Breathing, exercise and scalp exercises are also important as outlined in prior posts.

Conclusion 

In summary, there are many reasons for a patient to present with concerns about burning scalp. A careful and detailed history along with a scalp examination is important. Many times, a scalp biopsy is needed.

Mononucleosis ("Mono") and Alopecia Areata - Any link?

Is mononucleosis ("mono") a trigger for alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. Environmental factors play a role in many patients to trigger the disease in patients who have the correct genetic predisposition to the disease.  Studies have examined whether environmental factors like stress, as well as various infections play a role in alopecia areata.

EBV: The Cause of Mono

Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is the virus known to cause the infectious illness mononucleosis which is sometimes just called 'mono'. A 2008 study examined whether mononucleosis could be a trigger for alopecia areata. This particular study examined 6256 individuals. 1586 patients reported an environmental trigger that was thought to cause the alopecia areata - including 12 individuals who had an EBV infection within 6 months before the onset of AA.

Conclusion

The role of EBV and mononucleosis is not proven definitively but there is some evidence that it could be a trigger for a small proportion of individuals. More studies are needed.

Reference

Rodriguez TA, et al. Onset of alopecia areata after Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008.

Hair loss from Dengue Fever

What is dengue fever? Why does it cause hair loss?

I get a lot of questions about Dengue fever and whether or not it is implicated in hair loss.  Dengue fever is an illness caused by the Dengue virus which is spread from the mosquito. It has the potential to cause a very severe illness, very similar to the 'flu' and can be fatal in some cases. About 400 million infections occur per year making it a common infection. 

Infections typically occur in the tropics and subtropics.  Most of our patients with Dengue acquire infections from travel to the Carribean, central America and and South America. However Dengue infected mosquitos are found in many areas of the world, including Africa, part of the Mediterranean, South and Southeast Asia as well as other areas. 
 
Individuals and tourists in the area get bitten by a mosquito carrying the Dengue virus. Areas which open water which facilitate breeding of mosquitos are more likely to facilate spread. Because mosquitos bite at sunrise and sunset, these times of the day are most at risk for humans to be bitten by a mosquito infected with the Dengue-virus.

What are the symptoms of Degnue virus?

Individuals infected with Dengue virus usually develop symptoms a few days after being bitten. It can be as long as 2 weeks. Symptoms are very similar to the common flu and include high fever, a very bad headache, pain behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle pain, vomitting, rash.  A small proportion of people become very sick and develop bleeding from the gums and internal bleeding problems and breathing problems. As I mentioned above, Dengue can be fatal. 

Hair loss from Dengue virus

Hair loss is fairly common with dengue fever. Hair loss occurs usually a few months after the illness starts and lasts a few months. The proper term for this type of hair loss is 'telogen effluvium'. The hair loss from Dengue can be quite dramatic. It usually grows back but can take 6-9 months unless some other type of hair loss crops up in the interim.  The hair shedding from dengue eventually stops on its own.  There is not a lot that can be done to help it ... other than for the individual to continue to get better. 

Hair loss is not a guessing game.

Guessing is easiest for men's hair loss

If you had to "guess" the reason for someone's hair loss, you'd likely guess correctly if the patient was male and you chose male balding (androgenetic alopecia). By far that's the most common cause of balding in men.  Dozens of other causes are possible, but they are not common. 

Hair loss in women is more complex.

For women, there's a very good chance you'd be wrong if you guessed androgenetic alopecia as the sole cause. Female hair loss is far more complex - and hair shedding issues and even scarring conditions are not uncommon. Hair loss of course, is not a guessing game and a diagnosis can usually be made by the patient's history, examining the scalp and sometimes examining blood test results or (rarely) performing a scalp biopsy.

Permanent Chemotherapy Induced Alopecia (PCIA)

A New type of Hair loss in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: PCIA

Every year about 650,000 patients undergo chemotherapy in the United States. Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy and occurs in about 65 % of patients who receive chemotherapy. There are two main types of hair loss that can occur in patients undergoing chemotherapy. The first is hair loss that happens within weeks of starting the chemotherapy and then lasts several months before growing back.  This is known as temporary chemotherapy induced alopecia ("TCIA"). The second type is uncommon and occurs when patients fail to regroth their hair back to the level it was before undergoing chemotherapy. If hair has not grown back after chemotherapy by the 6 month after chemotherapy, we call this permanent chemotherapy induced alopecia (PCIA) and it is sometimes also called Chemotherapy Induced Permanent Alopecia (CIPAL).

Permanent Chemotherapy Induced Alopecia (PCIA) 

The failure of the hair to grow back fully 6 months post chemotherapy raises concerns about a phenomenon known as permanent chemotherapy induced alopecia (PCIA).     In recent years a number of studies have highlighted the possibility of PCIA in women with breast cancer treated with various chemotherapeutic agents, especially drugs known as taxanes. Docetaxel and paclitaxel are part of this group of drugs. The exact mechanisms are unclear although injury to the bulb as well as follicular stem cells are thought to be relevant. Adjuvant anti-estrogen hormonal therapy may be an important cofactor in many women with PCIA. A similar PCIA presentation has been reported in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. The scalp is predominantly affected in women with PCIA although a minority may have eyebrow, eyelash and body hair loss as well.

Different Clinical Presentations of PCIA

PCIA doesn't appear similar in all patients. In fact, three main types appear to exist including a diffuse type, a diffuse type with vertex accentuation (mimicking androgenetic alopecia) and a patchy type mimicking alopecia areata.   

Examination under the Microscope: Biopsies of PCIA

Histopathology of biopsy specimens shows a non-scarring alopecia with preservation of sebaceous glands, miniaturization, decreased anagen hairs, increased telogen hairs and end stage avascular fibrous tracts. There may be several histological presentations and the exact features remains to be defined although a high proportion show dysmorphic telogen germinal units. Some biopsies show peribulbar type inflammation.

How do we treat PCIA?

We don't really know yet how to best treat PCIA. The most common treatments described in the medical literature are oral and topical minoxidil. Both seem to provide benefit to at least a proportion of patients.  Other treatments are not known to provide benefit. 

Dr. Donovan's Articles for Further Reading

Preventing Hair Loss from Chemotherapy

Does hair always grow back after chemotherapy?

REFERENCES

Miteva M, Misciali C, Fanti PA et al. Permanent alopecia after systemic chemotherapy: a clinicopathological study of 10 cases. Am J Dermatopathol. 2011 Jun;33(4):345-50.  

Fonia A, Cota C, Setterfield JF et al. Permanent alopecia in patients with breast cancer after taxane chemotherapy and adjuvant hormonal therapy: Clinicopathologic findings in a cohort of 10 patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017 May;76(5):948-957.

Rugo HS.  Real-world use of scalp cooling to reduce chemotherapy-related hair loss.  Clin Adv Hematol Oncol. 2017

 

Can psoriasis also cause scarring?

Scalp Psoriasis

Can psoriasis of the scalp cause permanent hair loss? Traditionally psoriasis has been classified as a non scarring alopecia - with proper treatment allowing hair to grow back.
We now understand that that is not quite accurate. Scarring alopecia lead to atrophy of the oil glands which is a small proportion of patients appears to lead on to scarring alopecia. A handful of publications (dating back to 1972) have shown the development of scarring alopecia in patients with scalp psoriasis.

References

Shuster S et al. Br J Dermatol. 1972;87:73–77.
van de Kerkhof PC, Franssen ME. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2001;2:159–165.
van de Kerkhof PC et al. Br J Dermatol. 1992;126:524–525.
Wright AL et al. Acta Derm Venereol. 1990;70:156–159.
Bardazzi F, et al. Int J Dermatol. 1999;38:765–776.

Does Elevated ESR cause Hair Loss?

The ESR Test

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a very sensitive but non specific test for inflammation. An increased ESR does not directly cause hair loss but can sometimes indicate that the patient has underlying inflammation in the body that could be giving hair loss. Determining the cause of an elevated ESR is detective work.

The upper limit for ESR is slightly greater for women than men but a normal ESR is usually less than 20-30 mm/hr.

There are some conditions associated with a high ESR that are associated with hair loss and there are some conditions associated with high ESR that have nothing to do with hair loss. However, conditions such as various infections, and especially the autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, inflammatory bowel disease), as well as anemias, pregnancy, some thyroid diseases, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and advanced kidney failure can be associated with hair loss. Other conditions including some cancers (especially blood cancers and various metastatic cancers) are associated with increased ESR but usually are not associated with hair loss. 

Very high ESR values over 100 mm/hr represent a special group. The group includes those that can be associated with hair loss include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and sometimes a few types of blood cancers (ie lymphomas, leukemias). Some drug hypersensitivity reactions can give very high ESR values and can also trigger hair loss. Polymyalgia rheumatica is in this group of conditions giving very high ESR values and can also sometimes give hair loss. Conditions in this group that usually don't give hair loss are infectious diseases such as abscesses, bacterial endocarditis and osteomyelitis.

The ESR test is a non specific test and many times a cause can't be found despite the patient having a full examination. Very high ESR levels may warrant additional testing. This may included other blood tests such as CRP, ANA, rheumatoid factor, LDH and possibly various imaging tests (depending on the precise history and precise level of ESR). There are hundreds of causes of increased ESR.

PSORIASIS-LIKE REACTIONS TO ANTI-TNF DRUGS

POSSIBLE ANTI-TNF DRUG REACTIONS

Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents such as adalimumab and infliximab have been shown to have benefit in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is now recognized that cutaneous reactions such as new onset psoriasis or psoriasiform-like reactions are among the most common adverse reactions. 

Researchers from Australia retrospectively reviewed cases of anti-TNF-induced psoriasis or psoriasiform manifestations in IBD patients. A total of 10 (six females) of 270 (3.7%). IBD patients treated with anti-TNF therapy developed drug-induced psoriatic or psoriasiform-like reactions: five patients were treated with infliximab and five with adalimumab; nine had Crohn disease. The duration from start of anti-TNF agent to onset of rash was about 8 months on average. The scalp was the most frequent distribution (7/10). Three patients discontinued anti-TNF treatment with resolution of the rash. Topical treatment of the lesions allowed continued use of biological agent in the majority. 

Reference

Peer FC et al. Paradoxical psoriasiform reactions of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy in inflammatory bowel disease patients. Intern Med J. 2017.

Challenging Cases of Hair Loss: Practical Tips When Nothing Seems to Help

What to do when a patient's hair loss refuses to improve? 

Every now and then there are some unusually challenging cases of hair loss that cause me to sit quietly at the end of the day and rethink the best means to treat me it. I'm talking about patients with alopecia unversalis who do not improve with any treatment, including the most potent of oral immunosuppressives. I'm talking about patients with scarring alopecia who continue to have symptoms and lose hair despite the most aggressive treatments. I'm talking about patients with early onset androgenetic alopecia who progress despite anti-androgens, minoxidil, laser and more. Is there anything we can do in these situations? Fortunately there usually is. Here are some practical tips.

Practical Tips

1. If the diagnosis is at all in question, a scalp biopsy should be done and possibly two. Blood tests should have been checked prior to the appointment but if not, basic screens are appropriate.

2. If a patient's diet is poor, one might look at ways to improve it. 

3. If stress and emotional issues are high, it might be worthwhile to address these. Stress is clearly relevant for some people.

4. Consideration needs to be given to whether a current treatment is actually causing the hair loss to worsen. Stopping treatment for a period may be useful in some situations.

5. A complete health check should be done by the patient's regular physician. Routine screening exams (mammograms, colonoscopies) should be up to date according to age appropriate screening.

6. One should always at least ask if patients are using their recommended treatment. Every now and then there are some incredible surprises.

7. If a different route of administration is possible this should be considered. Some oral drugs might be compounded topically. Some topicals may be available in oral form.
 

Conclusion

If a physician sees enough patients with hair loss, he or she will encounter cases of hair loss that don't seem to respond to anything. An organized approach in these situations is needed. Every so often some surprising improvements can finally occur!

Breast Implant Illness and Hair Loss

Hair Loss from Breast Implants: Any relationship?

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I believe that there are countless numbers of hair loss conditions that exist in the world that have not yet been described in textbooks. The reason I believe this is quite simple - I see and hear them every day in my clinic.  There are stories of hair loss from certain medications,  various unusual patterns of hair loss in otherwise common conditions. Every once in a while a new scenario arises that again causes pause - one such example is a syndrome of medical conditions that arise in women who have had breast augmentation and breast reconstruction. Readers should note that this is a very different form of hair loss than the telogen effluvium that sometimes accompanies the surgery itself (or any surgery for that matter). This has been termed 'breast implant illness.' Whether or not hair loss occurs in a small proportion of women who have undergone breast augmentation continues to be studied.  It's an area of research that we follow closely given how often these scenarios arise in our clinic. 

Breast implants and human health

Anything that triggers a systemic reaction inside the body has the potential to cause hair loss. One therefore needs to look at the data on the effects of breast implants on human health. In the last 5 years new data has emerged that breast implants may be associated with cancer - specifically the development of a type of T cell lymphoma called anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The FDA continues to study this association and the risk may be in the order of 1 in 10,000 women to as great as 1 in 1000 women.

Breast Implant Illness has many similar names in the research and medical literature. ASIA syndrome (autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants) was a name given to a specific disease that can arise with exposure to silicone. To date, it is still controversial as to whether silicone implants increase the risk of true autoimmunity in the body.  However, some studies have shown increase incdience of autoantibodies in women with silicone breast implants. 

Breast Implant Illness

There is a subset of women with breast implants who feel that their health has changed in some way followed breast implant surgery. The term 'breast implant illness' is a term that has been given to the constellation of symptoms and signs that are proposed to be attributed to breast implants. The mechanism by which this would or could occur is not yet known. Women who report symptoms consistent with breast implant illness frequently mention chronic fatigue, chronic pain, anxiety, irregular heart rate, neurological problems, body odour, rashes, endocrine problems - and hair loss.  To date, it is hard to prove an association of these symptoms of these women to their breast implant surgery and many alternative explanations are frequently given.  Many symptoms are dismissed. Many women, but not all, experience some degree of improvement in symptoms after explanation (removal of the implant).

Breast Implant Illness and Hair Loss

As mentioned in the opening paragraphs, I strongly believe that there are countless numbers of  hair loss conditions and syndromes that are unrecognized and have not yet made their way into textbooks, and classrooms of learners.  (This concept forms Principle 9 of the 20 Principles that govern my practice).

There have been several studies examining breast implant illness and one some have addressed the issue of hair loss. One such study was a 1996 study by Brawer which reported illness in 300 women who had silicone breast implants. Most women (90 %) developed their illness within 6 years of the implants.  Although rupture of the implant was present in some affected, 97 % of women did not experience rupture prior to their symptoms.  Rupture however, did worsen symptoms. 

The table below shows the most common signs and symptoms in patients with breast implant illness according to the 1996 Brawer study. Fatigue tops the list followed by arthritis and chest pain. Hair loss is number 4 on the list and experienced by 59% of patients with breast implant illness.  

from Arthur Brawer. J. Clean Technol Environ. Toxic & Occup Med Vol 5(3) 1996

Conclusion

Modern medicine is still in the early stages of understanding whether and to what degree breast implants affect health. There does appear to be an association with anapaestic large cell lymphoma and an increasing number of women are reporting concerns that can only be grouped together for now under a non specific term 'breast implant illness.'  Hair loss has been reported by many women with breast implant illness.  In my practice having seen at least a dozen cases, most end up being diagnosed with telogen effluvium, chronic telogen effluvium and/or androgenetic alopecia - which are extremely common in the population anyways. Pinpointing an exact cause is challenging. Explanation, or removal of the implant,  is helpful only in some.

For now, continued study of breast implant illness is warranted. 

Reference

1. https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/BreastImplants/ucm239995.htm

2. Tang S et al. Breast implant illness: Symptoms, Patient Concerns, and the Power of Social Media.  Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017

3. Arthur Brawer.  Chronology of systemic disease development in 300 symptomatic recipients of silicone gel-filled breast implants. J. Clean Technol Environ. Toxic & Occup Med Vol 5(3) 1996

4. Bar-Meir E et al. Multiple autoantibodies in patients with silicone breast implants. J Autoimmune 1995

Do I have Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia?

Do I have FFA or not?

FFA of the frontal hairline. 

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is increasingly common. It's still a relatively rare condition overall but there is no doubt that the number of women being diagnosed is increasing. On account of the increase individuals in the general public are much more aware of this otherwise uncommon diagnosis. Patients often want to know if they have this condition. The short answer is that anyone wondering if they have FFA really should see a dermatologist for a comprehensive review and examination of the scalp. 

I enjoy helping patients understand why they do or do not have FFA. Many patients are convinced they have FFA when they clearly do not.  The following are some pieces of information that patients frequently feel points to a diagnosis of FFA when it fact it does not. Following this, I have outlined 5 pieces of information that actually is helpful (and increases the odds somewhat that a true diagnosis of FFA could be present). Exceptions of course exist and nothing replaces an in person review for an up close examination.

5 PATIENT COMMENTS THAT ARE NOT HELPFUL IN DIAGNOSING FFA

In my experience with countless numbers of patients who think they have FFA (but don't).... the following pieces of information are not helpful to making the diagnosis even though patients may think that it is!

Comment 1: "My hairline is changing"

Why is it not helpful? Hairlines change for many reasons including androgenetic alopecia, traction alopecia, alopecia areata and telogen effluvium. Frontal fibrosing alopecia is certainly on that list but there are too many reasons for frontal hairloss to make the observation of hairline changes a key feature for diagnosing FFA. A patient with hairline changes could have FFA but could have other conditions too.

Comment 2: "I see 'lonely' hairs"

Not everyone knows what a lonely hair is. But a patient who understand what is meant by a "lonely hair" has generally done a lot of reading and are extremely knowledgeable about hair loss! The reality however is that most "lonely hairs" that most people find in the scalp are not what really constitutes the gist of what these hairs are all about. My feeling is that the presence of more than 6 hairs across the frontal hairline at a distance of greater than 1.5 cm from the main hairline probably does in fact raise suspicion for true 'lonely hair' phenomenon.

Comment 3: "I have redness and scarring in my scalp" 

Redness alone does not constitute a diagnosis of FFA. In fact, FFA tends to be more pinkish and subtly red than overtly red. There are simply too many scalp conditions that cause redness to give this observation any significance.

I'm always concerned when patients feel they can "see scarring" because one can't truly see scar tissue as it is mostly under the scalp. In advanced scarring alopecia, one certainly can see evidence of scarring but these cases are usually fairly advanced. In all fairness, one can however see scalp color changes (mostly to a white color) that would suggest the presence of scarring. However, one can't actually see scarring.

Comment 4: "I now have so many baby hairs"

Baby hairs are not really a feature of FFA. In fact, the presence of baby hairs probably argues against the diagnosis of FFA for most patients than actually favours the diagnosis. This is because FFA tends to be a destructive process that involves the preferential destruction of baby hairs (medically termed vellus hairs). The presence of abundant baby hairs is not a feature of progressive FFA.

Comment 5: "I have no family history of balding so it only makes sense something else is going on"

The argument that an individual must have some other diagnosis other than genetic hair loss on account of the lack of genetic hair loss in the family is never a valid argument. There are women who come to be diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia despite a family history of men and women with thick hair. The patient's account of her family history is not very relevant to most diagnoses of hair loss. Sounds strange but this is true: I frequently diagnose androgenetic alopecia in women who stated their family is comprised of individuals with 'good hair.'

TOP 5 FINDINGS AND COMMENTS THAT ARE HELPFUL IN DIAGNOSING FFA

Nothing can substitute for a careful review of one's story and examination of their scalp with dermoscopy. The following pieces of information are helpful when considering a diagnosis. Not all patients have the following features, but they greatly increase the odds that what we are dealing with is FFA.

FINDING 1. Both sideburns are lost (above the ears). Not thinned but lost. The regions below where the spectacle of the glasses sit has been depleted of hairs.

Loss of the hair frim both sideburns is actually quite an important piece of information when it comes to diagnosing FFA.  This finding is mot present in everyone with FFA but is quite common if one looks.

FINDING 2. Baby hairs are not seen in the frontal hairline but rather many single long hairs are seen. Not all the hairs have redness around them but many do have a faint redness

FFA is a process that destroys fine vellus hairs - but it does so with inflammation. The presence of small amount of inflammation (usually without symptoms) is a key finding.

FINDING 3. If the eyebrows are lost, they are significantly changed

Eyebrow loss is common in FFA and in a large number of individuals with FFA, they are the first finding. Eyebrow loss of course does not happen in all women with FFA and loss of eyebrows may even come after the loss of the frontal hair. However, significant eyebrow loss requiring tattooing, microblading does raise the odds a bit that the presentation fits with possible FFA.  Still, one needs a careful examination before concluding that anyone's eyebrow loss is FFA. Nevertheless, changes in the eyebrows are common to FFA.

FINDING 4. The patient is between 46 and 66

FFA is rare in the 20s and 30s. That's not to say it can't occur as we have patients in their teenage years affected. However, from a statistical point of view, women under 40 who come in with worries that they have FFA actually rarely end up having FFA. There are exceptions of course but it is not a common occurrence. In our clinic, 98 % of patients who receive a diagnosis of FFA are older than 46.

FINDING 5. Veins are seen much easier on the scalp than before and the skin itself just does not look quite normal.

FFA is a complex condition and is probably more than just a 'hair disease'.  It's likely a complex autoimmune disease that affects hair predominantly but also affects the skin as well The skin itself changes in FFA - and does so by thinning. We call this "atrophy." Some women with FFA have minimal to no atrophy but many have significant atrophy which leads to the veins becoming much more visible. Generally, the skin in the area of the hairline does not look the same as the skin of the forehead - the affected area in FFA is lighter in color and smooth.

CONCLUSION

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a complex condition. There is no 'one way' that it appears. There are 100s of different combinations. Navigating the diagnosis oneself is frequently met with challenging. I've summarized here 5 points that patients place a great deal of emphasis on when looking at their hair - but actually don't carry all that much weight when making the diagnosis. 

Hair loss without Shedding: Where did it go?

Hair loss without shedding 

Hair loss that occurs slowly over time without the patient noticing an increase in daily shedding is a special situation. 

Some hair loss conditions are associated with significant and sometimes rapid reduction in hair density without a noticeable increase in shedding. Examples include female pattern hair loss, many scarring alopecias (pseudopelade, lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, as well as subclinical shedding disorders. Trichotillomania should also be included on this list. However, the list expands greatly if the individual shampoos frequently (ie daily). In that case the list of causes also includes many of the effluviums (ie telogen effluvium), as well as alopecia areata. 

The Card Test For Darker Hair Colours.

Card Test For Darker Hair Colours.

The contrasting hair card tests for darker hair colors. The use of a piece of paper of contrasting color to the hair is an excellent means to evaluate recent changes in hair growth. Here, a white paper is placed behind dark brown hair. In this patient we can see thay signficant growth has occured in the last 3-4 months. This immediately informs me that either a massive telogen shed occured 4 months ago or a growth promoting agent was started 4 months ago. In this case it helped pinpoint regrowth from use of minoxidil.

See Also "The Card Test for Lighter Hair Colors"

The Card Test For lighter hair colours.

Card Test For Lighter Hair Colours.

The contrasting hair card tests for lighter hair colors. The use of a piece of paper of contrasting color to the hair is an excellent means to evaluate recent changes in hair growth. For example, in this patient with blond hair we can see thay signficant growth has occured in the last 3-4 months. This immediately informs me that either a massive telogen shed occured 4 months ago or a growth promoting agent was started 4 months ago. In this case it helped pinpoint the precise timing of a telogen effluvium due to surgery.

See Also "The Card Test for Darker Hair Colors"
 

Things to Consider when Latisse won't work

When Latisse Won't Work

Latisse is an FDA approved and Health Canada approved treatment for improving eyelash length, thickness and darkness in patients with eyelash hypotrichosis (not enough eyelashes). Latisse contains the ingredient bimatoprost.

Clinical studies have shown that Latisse is very effective for many user. Many notice changes as early as 4 weeks and 50 % have changes by the second month.  By 16 weeks, 80 % will have an improvement.

Latisse Non-Responders: When Latisse just doesn't work

Latisse is effective for many individuals. However, about 1 out of every 5 users is not going to find that the medication worked all that well for them.  A large proportion of the patients I see in my office come to see me wanting to know why Latisse did not work as good as the advertising stated it should.  Let's review some of the reasons for poor results.

1. The patient is simply in the "20 % group."

Latisse does not help everyone. By 16 weeks, 80 % will be pleased with the money they spent. 20 % won't. I tell my patients that someone has to be in the "80 % group" and someone has to be in the "20 % group." Not everyone responds to Latisse.

2. The bottle does not contain bimatoprost and so it is not Latisse.

Latisse is available through physician's offices (and some drug stores), but there are many other ways of obtaining Latisse and products that claim to be Latisse. I encourage readers to simply enter phrases such as "buy Latisse online" in their Google search engine to see the array of possibilities. Most of these sites will ultimately lead to a box of Latisse (containing the true ingredient bimatoprost) showing up at the door.  But not all.  Patients need to keep in mind the possibility of counterfeit products. It's rare but most certainly does happen.

3. The method of application is wrong.

One needs to apply Latisse nightly to the lower eyelid margin of the upper eyelid with the brushes provided. I can't tell you how many variations of this simple sentence there actually are. Like any drug, it needs to be used according to instructions.

4. The individual has a medical condition of the hair follicle.

It comes as a surprise to many individuals that there are well over 100 reasons for eyelash loss. Not all lash loss is simply due to "aging" or a "tainted bottle of mascara" that was used in the past or improper use of a heated eyelash curler. These certainly can cause temporary or even permanent lash loss. Rather a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions are associated with eyelash loss. 

Eyelash Loss: What else?
 

A careful review of one's story (called the medical history) and up close examination of the eyelashes is needed to determine the cause. One must also examine the eyebrow and scalp hair at the same time as there is no other way to confidently come to the diagnosis.

Causes of eyelash loss include

1. Inflammatory and Autoimmune Conditions. Inflammation of the hair follicle can cause it to fall out. Alopecia areata, frontal fibrosing alopecia, Scleroderma/ en coupe de sabre and lupus are all potential causes.  A variety of true dermatological conditions can also cause lash loss including various eczemas, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. In such cases it is scratching and rubbing that often leads to lash loss.

2. Trichotillomania. 3-5 % of the world will purposefully pull out one or more of their hair follicles somewhere on the body during their lifetime. When repeated, the diagnosis of trichotillomania needs to be considered. Plucking of the lashes is quite common and may even be one sided. 

3. Endocrine disorders. Isolated eyelash loss is uncommon in patients presenting with endocrine disorders. However, one needs to consider thyroid, parathyroid and pituitary disorders.

4. Infections. Infections with fungus, bacteria, viruses all have the potential to cause lash loss. Isolated lash loss is uncommon but can be seen with conditions such as leprosy and syphilis. 

5. Drugs. There are many drugs now implicated in lash loss ranging from cancer drugs to antidepressants (escitalopram) to diabetes medications (sitagliptin and metformin) to methylphenidate. Other drugs include blood thinners, cholesterol meds, propranolol, valproic acid. Even cocaine vapour can cause lash loss.

6.  Infiltrative Conditions. Eyelashes can fall out when cells enter the hair loss that normally don't reside there. Lymphomas are a good example. Eyelash loss can also occur with a variety of local tumors including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinomas, sebaceous carcinomas and many others.

7.  Nutritional Issues. Poor diets and specific deficiencies can all cause lash loss. This ranges from severe illness with marasmus, to deficiencies of protein, zinc and iron.

8. Congenital and genetic conditions. Many many genetic syndromes are associated with less than normal eyelash density. Well over 50 conditions fall in this category from KID syndrome, Rothmund Thompson syndrome, Incontinentia Pigmenti, Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans, Progeria, Bloom syndrome, Menke's syndrome, Monilethrix to Trichothiodystrophy. Many many others are on this list as well.

Conclusion

There are many causes of eyelash loss. Not every cause of eyelash loss responds to Latisse.

 

Treating Female Pattern Hair Loss: Options for Women Over 60

Treatments for AGA in Women over 60

I'm often asked about treatment options for women over 60 who present with a diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia (female pattern hair loss). There is some degree of confusion as well as misconceptions which exist in this subject area.

My approach in this situation is to first confirm the diagnosis and then base treatment decisions according to the patient's medical history. The importance of the first step can not be overemphasized.

1: Confirming the Diagnosis

It is extremely important to confirm the diagnosis and ensure that a) another diagnosis is not more appropriate and b) to determine whether other diagnoses are also present. A patient need not have only one diagnosis.

A. Senescent Alopecia

Women who present with hair thinning in their 60s and 70s with no evidence whatsoever of thinning in the 30s, 40s or 50s may have senescent alopecia (age related hair loss) rather than true androgenetic alopecia. This distinction is important as senescent alopecia is less likely to be androgen-driven and therefore responds less to antiandrogens such as finasteride. The main treatment for senescent alopecia is minoxidil although agents such as low level laser and less commonly finasteride can be considered.

I typically ask patients if their hair density on their 50th birthday was more or less the same as their 30th birthday. If that answer is yes one should at least consider the possibility that senescent alopecia or even another diagnosis other than androgenetic alopecia is present.

B. Scarring Alopecia

Scarring alopecias are far more common than we currently diagnose. They range from subtle asymptomatic scarring alopecia to fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution to markedly symptomatic lichen planopilaris. Scarring alopecias are easy to miss but need to be considered in all patients with sudden onset of itchy hair loss or a more rapid decline in density from what they may have experienced in the past. A biopsy can help better evaluate these conditions. 

C. Hair shedding issues

Both acute and chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) need to be considered in women with hair concerns. Stress, thyroid problems, new illnesses and newly prescribed medications can all contribute to increased hair shedding and hair loss. Anyone with new shedding needs a very detailed examination and workup not only by the dermatologist but by the family physician. Blood tests are especially as is a full medical examination. One must also ensure that routine mammograms and colonoscopies are up to date.

Chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) is among the more challenging to diagnose conditions. Patients present with increased shedding that waxes and wanes. To an outsider it generally appears that the person has fairly good density. A hair collection or biopsy can help with the diagnosis.

Treatment Options

The main treatment options for patients with confirmed androgenetic alopecia is minoxidil, finasteride and low level laser. If the pattern of hair loss is localized frontal loss, and donor density in the occipital scalp is good, a hair transplant can be considered as well.

Minoxidil is formally approved for women 18-65. It may, of course, be used off label for women over 65 with proper evaluation by a physician.  Women with heart disease, heart failure or previous heart attacks for example may or may not be good candidates for minoxidil. One is not obligated to use the full recommended dose of minoxidil. Starting with one-quarter or one-half the recommended amount is often a good way to ease in to the treatment in patients with underlying medical issues.

Finasteride may also be a good option. Studies support the notion that higher doses of 2.5 mg and 5 mg are needed for post-menopausal women and doses of 1 mg are ineffective. Finasteride is relatively contraindicated in women with previous history of breast, ovarian or gynaecological cancer. Given the rare effects of finasteride on mood, this medication is also relatively contraindicated in women with depression.

Low level laser therapies are safe but may be less effective than minoxidil or finasteride.  A number of laser devices are available in the market for use by patients in their home. None have proven superior to another and so one must balance cost with ease of use. A helmet based device may be easier for some compared to the hand-held devices.

Scalp Inflammation. Scalp inflammation must be attended to fully when caring for patients with AGA. Many women with AGA have seborrheic dermatitis and this is best controlled with periodic use of an anti-dandruff shampoo. I frequently prescribe a trial of a mild cortisone lotion if there is scalp redness if the redness does not respond to anti-dandruff therapies.

7 Hair Transplant Myths

7 Common Myths in Hair Transplantation

Hair transplantation is among the mostly consistently successful and  life-changing of all the hair loss therapies. Hair transplants nowadays can look extremely natural (when performed by skilled teams). However, there are a number of myths that are infrequently talked about when it comes to hair transplantation.  These can sometimes be overlooked.

1.     Transplanted hair lasts forever

It’s a common myth that transplanted hair moved during a hair transplant last forever. Fortunately, most hairs that are transplanted do generally remain in their new location forever. However, anyone is has followed a hair transplant patient for 10, 20 or 30 years will tell you that the same number of hairs that were put in are not always remaining over time. Most will stay - but not all

There are many reasons why hairs transplanted hairs don’t always last forever. For one, donor hair is not always completely resistant to balding in all men. In fact, it’s a spectrum, from some men who have very little to no balding in their "donor area" (at the back of the scalp) to men who have considerable thinning in the donor area over time (ie. men with DUPA are the extreme). In addition, the medical community has not rigorously studied long term the immunological and physiological changes that happen to transplanted hairs over extended periods of time.

Nevertheless, there is no arguing that transplanted hairs last forever. It holds true for a high proportion of men and women but not all. We hope they last forever are and they seem to be in many men. However, a proportion of transplanted hairs slowly disappear over decades in some men.

2.     Only one hair transplant surgery session is needed

From the time male balding and female thinning announces its presence in any patient, it always progresses. While it is true that androgenetic alopecia can stop or slow for periods of months to a year or two, androgenetic alopecia by definition never stops. Anyone who gets a hair transplant must assume that existing hair in an area will slowly thin over time. If a patient is under 30 years of age, he (or she) must assume that another hair transplant will likely be needed if he wishes to maintain his current look into his 50s and 60s.

3.     A hair transplant procedure is always a great success

Hair transplants are generally quite successful. That's why they are popular! With the right patient, and a skilled team, the chances of success are high. Unfortunately, hair transplant don’t always work out as successfully as one might hope. There is not an experienced hair transplant surgeon in the world who can state that he or she has never had a patient who did not grow as much hair as they hoped. The reasons why this occurs is quite varied - but ranges from "patient factors" (post op care, smoking, unrecognized scalp diseases), to "surgeon-related" factors (surgeon skill, skill of the technicians handling the grafts). Sometimes one never knows the exact reason why things don’t turn out. In the hair transplant field, this is called the ‘X factor.’

4.     A hair transplant is a one-day event

A hair transplant procedure itself is a one day event, but the actual procedure when one considers the time from the surgery to the time where the patient feels back to normal ranges from a few days to a few months.  The actual recovery time varies from patient to patient and varies based on the size of the surgery.

In general, the post op recovery period is longer for FUT procedures than FUE and longer for patients that require more grafts. Patients who don’t require shaving for FUE procedures and have limited baldness, may find that 2-3 days is sufficient to feel back to their usual self.  However, a patient whose scalp is shaved completely for a large 3000-4000 FUE procedures may find that it takes just a few days to “feel good” but takes 3-4 weeks before he feel confident to go to work. Depending on his occupation, he may or may not feel comfortable at work for an extended period. A patient who sees clients on a daily basis at work may not feel completely comfortable seeing his clients even after 2 weeks post op from a 4000 graft FUE.  This needs to be taken into account. A hair transplant is not always a ‘one day thing.’

5.     A hair transplant is always an option for treating hair loss

It’s a myth that a hair transplant is always an option for an individual with hair loss. Some patients may be too young, some have medical issues that preclude surgery, and some have a type of hair loss that also will not be successful if a hair transplant were performed. Hair transplants aren't for everyone.

6.     There are no complications to a hair transplant

Hair transplants are quite safe. But it’s a bit of a stretch to say that they are without complication. Patients may have have redness, swelling and crusting post operatively. In general, the recovery in FUE procedures is much easier than FUT procedures.  But there are rare complications in hair transplant surgery that include long lasting nerve pain (more in FUT than FUE procedures) and persistent scalp redness. Unless a physician is carefully monitoring the procedure, a patient can even get sick. The hair transplant community tends to shy away from calling hair transplant procedures a 'surgery' in order to make the procedure more patient friendly - but make no mistake a hair transplant is a surgery. 

7.     You will regain the hair density of your youth

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure which involved moving anywhere from 10 to 10,000 hairs into an area of balding. If an area of hair loss is small, it may be possible to build some very nice density in the area – but the density is generally less than it once was. For example, in a patient who is very bald, a density of 35-40 follicular units per square centimeter will typically be created.  This area likely had a density of 90 or more follicular units per square centimeter at one time years earlier. Therefore, it is generally the norm for a hair transplant to create results that are less dense than the original density. A skilled surgeon can often help make 35-40 follicular units look like the original density. However, photos and videos of patients with amazingly thick and dense hair following their procedure may not always be accurate.