Gray hair, baldness, and wrinkles in relation to myocardial infarction: the Copenhagen City Heart Study.

To investigate a possible relation between aging signs such as graying of the hair, baldness, and facial wrinkling and myocardial infarction (MI), we analyzed data from The Copenhagen City Heart Study. During the 12-year follow-up, 750 cases of first-time MI were observed. After statistical adjustment for possible confounders, we found a correlation between graying of the hair, facial wrinkling, and frontoparietal baldness and crown-top baldness and MI in men. For example, the relative risk was 1.4 (95% CI, 0.9 to 2.0) for men with moderately gray hair compared with men with no gray hair and 1.9 (1.2 to 2.8) for men with completely gray hair (p < 0.001). With regard to gray hair, a similar although weaker and not statistically significant trend was seen in women. We conclude that, in addition to established coronary risk factors, aging signs like graying of the hair, male baldness, and facial wrinkling indicate an additional risk of MI.

The effect of hair loss on quality of life.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of hair loss on quality of life. Patients were recruited from an alopecia support group, and were assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and an adapted version of the DLQI. Financial utility questions, an abbreviated version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and open-ended questions were also used. OBSERVATIONS: Seventy (90% response rate) questionnaires were returned. DLQI scores in responders with hair loss (mean score = 8.3, SD = 5.6, range 0-23, n = 70) were similar to those recorded in severe psoriasis. The hair loss continued to have a significant impact on life quality well after the initial event (median duration of hair loss = 138 months +/- 114; range 7-588, n = 70). Forty per cent of patients also felt dissatisfied with the way in which their doctor dealt with them. CONCLUSIONS: This study specifically identifies the feelings of loss of self-confidence, low self-esteem and heightened self-consciousness in people affected by hair loss.

Micrografts and minigrafts: a new approach for baldness surgery.

The main problem in conventional operations for baldness has certainly been the resultant scar. The scar stigmatizes the patient's forehead and frequently gives an unaesthetic and unnatural appearance. Any observer would say the patient is wearing a "hairpiece" or some other artificial element. To minimize this problem, we introduced and improved a new procedure for the treatment of pattern baldness by using microsurgical hair grafts taken from the occipital region. These are inserted, one by one, into the bald area through a small microsurgical knife and with the help of a jeweler's forceps. This technique is based on works of Marrit and Nordstrom, who made use of these micrografts for the first time to hide the anterior line of the forehead after surgery.

The use of minoxidil to attempt to prevent alopecia during chemotherapy for gynecologic malignancies.

Minoxidil 2% topical solution applied twice a day is known to induce hair growth and prevent hair loss in normal male pattern baldness. Based on this potential, this pilot study tested the effect of Minoxidil on hair loss during chemotherapy for gynecologic cancers. Ten women about to start alopecia-inducing chemotherapy protocols were entered into this non-randomized prospective trial. By study design, each patient served as her own control, as only a portion of the scalp was treated with Minoxidil. Four of the ten patients were unevaluable for failing to comply with the twice-a-day Minoxidil application schedule. Of the six evaluable patients, five experienced complete or severe symmetrically diffuse hair loss, all of which occurred within four weeks of initiating chemotherapy. One patient had no hair loss in either the treatment or control area. Application of the topical Minoxidil in all ten patients had no untoward side effects, skin changes or hypotension. Thus, in this pilot study, 2% Minoxidil was non-toxic but showed no benefit in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia.