The millions of hair loss sufferers out there might be intrigued to hear about an exciting new study suggest that a receding hairline might be a good thing. Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine say that men who experience significant hair loss by the age of 30 appear less likely to develop prostate cancer. This study, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, surveyed 2,000 men between the ages of 40 and 47. Half of the study participants had suffered prostate cancer. Men who developed bald spots on their crown, as well as a receding hairline, had a 29% to 45% reduction in the risk of developing prostate cancer. Researchers linked high levels of the male hormone testosterone, found in men who lose their hair earlier, with a lower risk of tumors.
By the age of 30, 25% to 30% of men are thought to experience some level of hair loss. Half of all men experience hair loss by the age of 50. Baldness is commonly attributed to excessive dihydrotestosterone (DHT) exposed to the hair follicles. DHT is produced by the male hormone testosterone. Experts believe that men with high levels of testosterone are more likely to lose their hair, particularly if they a familial predisposition.
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Is it safe to transplant hair into thinning areas, or do you risk damaging existing hair in these regions?

This is an excellent question and the answer ultimately depends on your doctor’s judgment and your personal hair and hair loss characteristics. The major concern, of course, is whether a transplant will damage the existing hair in the thinning area. If the existing hair is very limited, and likely to fall out eventually anyway, most surgeons would feel comfortable performing a transplant and implanting grafts into this region to restore some density. Even if the existing hair is lost, the net benefit of having it replaced with permanent hair will be worth it.
On the other hand, if the existing hair is relatively dense and/or in good condition, most surgeons would prefer that you first try medical therapy for 6 to 12 months, to see if you can slow your hair loss or even restore some hair. Some surgeons, however, may feel comfortable proceeding with a hair transplant . In this case, your doctor must be careful not to place an excessive number of grafts in this delicate region because this could lead to increased shock loss. Make sure your surgeon speaks honestly with you about the risk of shock loss and limited re-growth if you choose to go this route.
Don’t forget that everyone has only a limited supply of donor hair on their scalp. You do not want to jump into anything, particularly if you are not sure how your hair loss will progress in the future. Top hair transplant doctors will discourage you from rushing into anything and will help you create a long-term plan for combating your hair loss.

Newly Identified Skin Stem Cells Strikingly Similar to Those Found in Embryos

Recent findings show that a new type of stem cell found in the skin acts similarly to certain stem cells found in embryos.  Like embryos, these stem cells can generate fat, bone, cartilage, and even nerve cells. According to HHMI International Research Scholar, Freda Miller, these newly-identified dermal cells may prove useful for treating persistent wounds or even neurological disorder. These cells were first noticed several years ago in rodents and humans but have only now been confirmed as stem cells. These cells are capable of self-renewal and can even grow into cell types that make up the skin’s dermal layer under the right conditions. This is particularly interesting in our industry because the dermal stem cells also appear to help form the basis for hair growth.  This new work was published in its entirety December 4, 2009, in the journal Cell Stem Cells.
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Will stopping to use Nizoral have as dramatic of an effect as stopping Propecia? I know whatever benefits you get from using the shampoo will be lost upon stopping to use it but would it be as bad as stopping Propecia?

I’ve never seen a remarkable result from Nizoral or Minoxidil. I have not seen improved hair growth with Nizoral alone, but it is supposed to work as well as Minoxidil alone. They both stimulate some hair growth and may slow hair loss in some patients. I have seen rare remarkable results with Propecia, but most of the remarkable results on Propecia seem to occur when patients combine both Minoxidil and Propecia. When patients stop any of these medications, they will loose what ever benefit they received from the medication. If your benefit from any one of these medications was slight, your loss will be slight. Most of the time patients simply note a reduction in the rate of hair loss with these medications. Therefore, you can expect the rate of loss to increase once you discontinue any of them.

Can hair loss from anabolic steroids be reversed?  When I was in college I experimented with a couple of cycles of anabolic steroids. As a baseball player most of us used them to compete. Luckily I came to my senses in my senior year and stopped cold turkey. I noticed during that time that my hair began to thin. It continued to thin several months after I stopped using and then the shedding just topped. It’s now four years later and while my hair has not gotten worse, the hair I lost never grew back.

Is it possible to reverse hair loss caused by anabolic steroids or is this just one of the adverse side effects of steroids use that I will have to live with?

Anabolic steroids can accelerate hair loss in men or women genetically predisposed to androgenic alopecia. Certain medications could possibly reverse your hair loss, but it is not likely. These medications include Propecia and Minoxidil. At some point your hair loss may begin to progress again. Medications can help prevent or slow down the future thinning or loss of hair. You could try a course of medications for 6 to 12 months to see how you respond. If there is no improvement after one year, you are not likely to see any future benefit in terms of increased hair though progression of hair loss might be limited by
future use of medications. If you still desire to restore your hair at that point, you might want to consider an evaluation for you suitability for hair transplant surgery.