I had a scalp biopsy back in October of this year. It was before I really became aware of the benefits of a miniaturization study. Some doctors believe the miniaturization study is much more valuable than a scalp biopsy, other doctors disagree. Had I to do it over I would find a doctor to have a miniaturization study.
I started noticing what I perceived to be a large increase in hairs lost in the shower, while styling, and on my pillow in the early summer of this year. I went to the dermatologist and had follow up appointments, they believed it was Telogen Effluvium because of the suddeon onset but I disagreed. Finally I agreed to a scalp biopsy.
Scalp biopsy itself –
The doctor asked me where on my scalp did I think I was losing hair. I think I am losing right behind the hairline and possibly in the crown as well. The doctor and I agreed that taking the biopsy would be unwise from the front of the head because, yes it does leave a very tiny scar. So we took it from the crown near my natural hair swirl.
After a local anesthetic needle, the doctor took a 3millimeter punch graph and pressed on the scalp. The punch graph is kinda like a cookie cutter. A scalpel was then used to cut the specimen out. Approx 6 hairs were removed along with the scalp skin. I did not feel any pain, but the worse part was the blood. Blood was basically everywhere and the doctor and assistant needed to apply pressure to what is essentially an open head wound for quite some time.
After the bleed stopped, I looked like a gunshot wound victim. The doctor stitched the biopsy area up and then applied bandages. It’s a real pain in the *** to get the bandages off later in the week. You end up pulling more hair out! Approx a week later I went back to the doctor to have the stitches removed and results disclosed.
We wanted to determine if I had Telogen Effluvium or regular old Male Pattern Baldness. Results determined that I had Male Pattern Baldness. Are scalp biopsies 100% accurate ? I don’t believe so. I think the exact wording was something along the line of “more consistent with male pattern baldness than Telogen Effluvium.†I should have had them look for a broader range of conditions instead of male pattern baldness vs Telogen Effluvium. Make sure they section of the biopsy both horizontally and vertically at the lab, I believe it gives a broader picture of what’s going on. But I believe it limited to just the area of the biopsy itself. You prob cant tell what will happen on the opposite area of the head with just one biopsy.
I have to really look to see the scar and since I still have a lot of hair it is very well covered. I believe there is still some pinkness in the area.
I am on finasteride and hoping for the best since it was caught early.
