Creatine Anabolic Hair Loss Case Study

hair loss from creatineThis is a case study of a 29-year-old balding male who came to Dr. Shapiro’s Hair Institute and was screened for anabolic use with the S.H.A.P.I.R.O. Chart. This man used creatine, a popular workout and athletic supplement that helps grow muscle and reduce fat. His hair loss was similar to male pattern balding, with some important differences.

Twenty-nine is a young age to have this much balding from an inherited sensitivity to testosterone/DHT. We might call this early-onset male pattern balding. The balding pattern was different because:

  1. The hair loss happened suddenly, then stopped. When he was 17, he took creatine for 6 months, and experienced hair loss six or eight months later. Then the hair loss stopped and he had no additional hair loss since.
  2. His hair loss has a very even, diffuse thinning pattern throughout his head.
  3. The texture of the hair is unusual in the crown and front of the head – the male pattern balding (MPB) area that is sensitive to DHT. This is the part of the scalp would be more sensitive to hormonal changes, if this subject is genetically prone to male pattern balding. The tips of the hair in this area are slightly frizzy, as if slightly singed by a candle. This hair is not quite as frizzy-looking as hair damaged by hypothyroidism.

This case study is very typical of hair loss from anabolic supplements. There is an even distribution of hair loss with the same amount of scalp showing throughout the MPB areas. Continue reading

Could Anabolic Use Exacerbate Hair Loss? An Identical Twin Case Study

Identical twins with male pattern balding. One took anabolics.

Twin on the left took anabolics and had more hair loss than his genetically identical brother, right. Both elected for a hair transplant with Accelerated Follicular Restoration (AFR(TM))

As a hair transplant physician, I see individuals every day who want answers to their hair loss. I have suspected a connection between hair loss and the use of anabolics (substances that alter hormone levels). So I developed the S.hapiro H.igh A.nabolic P.rofile R.atings and O.verview (S.H.A.P.I.R.O.) Chart to easily determine past and current anabolic use, including the use of steroids, growth hormones, whey protein isolate, creatine, arginine, DHEA and andros.

Recently, I examined and photographed a pair of identical twins in my hair restoration clinic in southern Florida. Young men in their late 20’s, they were both seeking solutions to their hair loss.

Continue reading

Losing Hair After Pregnancy

Question: My pregnancy was wonderful, and I have a healthy new baby. However, after my pregnancy, I noticed my hair started falling out! I notice more distance between hair follicles than I remember, and general balding all over my head. I’m constantly cleaning up my hair from my hairbrush, bathroom, sink, pillow and shower. Why did I start losing hair after my pregnancy, and what should I do? I’m so busy caring for the baby, I don’t have time for this. I’m frantic and losing my looks. Help!

Dr. Shapiro, Hair Transplant Doctor Answers: Congratulations on the new baby! I am sorry to hear about your post-pregnancy hair loss. Do not panic. Losing hair after pregnancy is not uncommon.

The problem is hormone-related. Hormones ruled your pregnancy, but they are hurting your hair now.

Your hair goes through a normal cycle of growing, transitioning, falling out and growing back again. These stages of the hair growth cycle are called anagen, catagen and telogen. During pregnancy, more of your hairs than usual stay in the catagen phase. After the pregnancy, a backlog of hairs that would have normally fallen out during the prior months enter the telogen phase and fall out. Many new mothers notice this.

For most new moms, Continue reading

Can Beta Blockers Cause Hair Loss?

hypertension may require drug treatment including beta blockers

Certain drugs that treat high blood pressure could cause hair loss

The incidence of hypertension, or chronic high blood pressure, is much higher than most of us realize. Nearly 1 in 3 adults have hypertension. Hypertension is a major contributor to stroke, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and other serious ailments. The most common drug treatment for hypertension is beta blockers.

The symptoms of hypertension are so subtle that many people often don’t even suspect they have this condition.  It is misleading to say that people “suffer” from hypertension, because they may not suffer at all until later stages, when a stroke, myocardial infarction, kidney or eye damage, or other dramatic event may occur.

Regular screening is the best way to find out if you have hypertension.  Doctors regularly check blood pressure, but if you do not go to the doctor for any other reason, you should at least have a yearly exam to check all vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate.  County nurses can also check blood pressure, and even some grocery stores provide a meter!  In other words, Continue reading

Hair Restoration and Personal Stylists: Long Term or Quick Fix?

personal stylist handles all aspects of your look including hair loss

A personal stylist addresses your entire image, including hair

Personal stylists address all aspects of your appearance to make you look great: clothing, skin, nails, grooming, and hair– including hair loss and hair restoration. What would a personal stylist say about your hair?

Hair restoration surgery may be recommended by a personal stylist if the hair loss:

  • detracts from your appearance or
  • makes you look older than you really are or
  • draws unwanted attention to advancing age

The personal stylist will also take into account whether you want a short-term make-over or lasting results. For the client needing a quick fix for a few days or weeks, hair loss may be concealed with hair styling and maybe a spray bottle of fake hair fiber or makeup.

Unless you work in the entertainment industry, though, you won’t have time for a daily hairdressing appointment. Performers and models spend several hours in the chair to get that perfect look. Over the long term, most people will need a hairstyle that looks great in minutes. Continue reading