Dermascopy results came back but doctor was unclear. Does this look like DUPA to you?

[DUPAman]

 

I went to a popular center for hair where transplants are performed in my city for a consultation about my hairloss.

I say that knowing that I am indicating a professional doctor (hair transplant surgeon) was being unclear. However, I did not have a good experience with him because he came in, saw the picture that another doctor took and concluded DUPA and left within like 1-2 minutes of being in the room without getting the full explanation of my istuation. 

About me

I am 26 years old, have had seborrheic dermatitis for over 7 years, and have had many nights of vigorous scratching, irritation, and possible hair damage as a result. My hair has looked the same for nearly my entire life with the exception of my hairline which has started to recede a bit.

Why I am unclear about DUPA

However, as I explained all of this to the previous doctor before him (who also performed my scans and also listened to the full story over the course of half an hour), he didn't necessarily feel this was DUPA and even mentioned that I might even be a candidate for a transplant, since I had asked him if that would be possible for me. I understand that I've definitely lost hair around the neck area. This happened very fast a few years ago but never progressed much since. I'm not sure if this was also due to the dermatitis.

 

So I wonder what do you all think about my situation.  I am a bit vain and ideally I did want to transplant hairs from the back of my head to the front to restore my hairline. I want to enjoy my youth with great hair, as I'm sure most of us here do. I also don't mind how thin the back might end up looking as I often buzz it. I may be working with a somewhat smaller supply of donor hair than maybe some folks. But is it right to conclude DUPA and say I'm not a candidate at all? 

 

 

 

 

[Dillpickle123]

Is that close up magnified picture of the donor? If so I see some miniature hairs which means your donor is losing thickness could be due to dupa or telogen effluvium but I’m no doctor are you on finasteride?

Edited February 10, 2023 by Dillpickle123

[DUPAman]

Yes, that was a close up of a section of my donor. I'm not on finasteride due to fear of side effects. I was advised to start finasteride, but as I've had problems with depression low libido/erection issues even without finasteride, I'd rather not risk it.

I've heard the caterogization of DUPA started at >=20% miniaturization in a microscope image.

 

[DUPAman]

Also wanted to mention you can only see the streaks (on my donor area) from one side. Pics were taken without any hair shuffling. Just straight, unedited selfies

[HairEnthusiast101]

I am sorry man but I have no clue what it is. I wouldn’t have a hair transplant though because it doesn’t look very thick back their. Especially if that is how it normally looks

[Gatsby]

Personally I would go to a well recommended dermatologist and find out exactly what is going on. Wishing you all the best. 

[DUPAman]

On 2/11/2023 at 7:50 PM, Gatsby said:

Personally I would go to a well recommended dermatologist and find out exactly what is going on. Wishing you all the best. 

Sigh, that would be great. Sadly every dermatologist I've ever been is only a generalist when it comes to hair.

"Does it look like you're thinning?"

"I'll prescribe you finasteride."

"You've had dermatitis?"

"Here's pyrrithione zinc shampoo."

 

That's about the best I get. Are there any hair specialists who are also knowledgeable about scalp skin conditions?

[shiba1985]

there is miniaturization in your donor area, if that dermascopy pic is from donor zone (which you said it is). I am no expert but I would only pursue hair transplant if you are willing to take some strong 5AR blockers. Otherwise you will not hold on to the hair for long. 

 

[Ghostbusters]

Hello. I also have seborrheic dermatitis and I had large yellow crusts that were on the scalp and itching. Now I have managed to drown it out, I use a zinc pyrithione shampoo once a week, other days I use a ph neutral shampoo. I drink vitamins AE. I also changed jobs because of which I was very nervous. I don't know which of this list helped me, but my dermatitis has greatly reduced and does not bother me.

[gillenator]

On 2/11/2023 at 7:50 PM, Gatsby said:

Personally I would go to a well recommended dermatologist and find out exactly what is going on. Wishing you all the best. 

I completely agree, also get some labs done.

[DUPAman]

On 2/13/2023 at 12:28 AM, Ghostbusters said:

Hello. I also have seborrheic dermatitis and I had large yellow crusts that were on the scalp and itching. Now I have managed to drown it out, I use a zinc pyrithione shampoo once a week, other days I use a ph neutral shampoo. I drink vitamins AE. I also changed jobs because of which I was very nervous. I don't know which of this list helped me, but my dermatitis has greatly reduced and does not bother me.

my dermatitis is now greatly reduced as well thanks to MCT oil, which was not prescribed to me by a dermatologist but instead a solution I came across after anecdotal research.

 

However, my hair has not grown back. It does seem like I have miniaturization in the donor, but personally from looking at the dermoscopy image I linked, I feel it isn't DUPA.