Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

New hair loss products are born every day often promising great results but seldom delivering them.   But though it is easy for us, being emotional about our balding condition, to buy into claims of success, you are encouraged to look for real proof that a product really does what it claims.   Examples include scientific proof, obtaining a list of and researching each active ingredient, third party clinical studies documenting its success, and real satisfied patient testimonies with before/after picture verification.  

We were recently contacted by a company that swears their product (Satura Rosta)  may be the answer to our hair loss  woes.   But claims of success mean nothing without proof.    Could this be the  baldness cure everyone is looking for? Click here with skepticism and demand evidence that proves this product has any level of benefit for the bald.

Bill
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: hair loss, balding, Satura Rosta, baldness cure, bald

You may have heard some controversy over the benefit of Propecia (finasteride)  for the long term.   How effective is it after 1 year?   How about after 5 years?   Is Propecia  only postponing the inevitable or does it have a long term benefit?    

Forum members and medical hair loss doctor and expert Dr. Beehner, who is recommended on the Hair Transplant Network  share their opinions on this highly important topic.   Click here to read other and offer your own thoughts on this hot topic of discussion on our hair restoration forum.

Bill Seemiller
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: Propecia, finasteride, hair loss, hair restoration

Hair loss questions and articles are answered and posted on a daily basis on our hair loss news and blog resources. Below you will find some of this week’s HOT topic hair loss related discussions that can help you plan to successfully regrow hair.

Propecia Side Effects: What do I do now? Read this professional blog written by Dr. Beehner to see what he advises in the event of Propecia (finasteride)  side effects.

Can Propecia Maintain Hair From Rogaine? Read this article to learn whether or not Propecia is enough to maintain existing hair growth from Rogaine (minoxidil).

What is the Average Cost of a Hair Transplant? Considering hair transplant surgery? Read this article to learn approximately how much you would need to pay to restore your hair through hair replacement surgery.

Do you have a hair loss related question? Feel free to post it publicly on our hair loss forum or use the “ask us a question“.

Bill Seemiller
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: Hair loss, hair loss news, regrow hair, Propecia, finasteride, hair growth, Rogaine, minoxidil, hair transplant, hair replacement

This insightful article was written by  Dr. Michael Meshkin  of Newport Beach, CA who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians.

Hair loss can be devastating in men and women. When I started in hair restoration 20 years ago I rarely had female patients, however in the past few years, I have noticed that the number of patients with female  hair loss has increased tremendously.

Following evaluation and examination if  female pattern baldness is due to hyper androgenic conditions she can benefit from anti-androgen therapy. We consider hair transplant surgery if the patient is a good candidate. I have had many female patients that had great results with anti-androgen therapy and also I have treated women that had success with hair replacement. In either case the results had tremendous effect on the clients self esteem.

Dr. Michael Meshkin

—

Bill
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: Hair loss, hair restoration, female  hair loss, female pattern baldness, androgenic, hair transplant, hair replacement

After hair transplant surgery, are there any drugs that the hair loss doctors recommend or prescribe to get a good amount of hair growth  or is it just surgery that causes the new hairs to grow?

The good news is, transplanted hair will grow on it’s own and does not require any use of hair loss  or any other kind of medication.   Some physicians believe however, that using  Rogaine 5% (minoxidil)  for the first 3 months after hair replacement surgery might help “jump start” early growth however, it is not required for the hair implants to grow.  

Hair loss drugs such as Propecia (finasteride)  and Rogaine with minoxidil  however, are typically used to help maintain any “native” or natural hair you might have left.   Remember that hair transplant surgery does nothing to stop the progressive and unpredictable nature of male pattern baldness.

Bill
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, hair loss, hair growth, transplanted, hair replacement, Hair loss drugs, Propecia, finasteride, Rogaine, minoxidil, male pattern baldness

I am suffering from diffused thinning hair.   The problem is  I don’t  have an understanding of my hair loss.    I did take a testosterone level  test and my balding is not due to DHT.   I have no family history of hair loss and nobody is bald.   When i consulted a couple of doctors, they all seem to believe that it’s nutrition deficiency and prescribed me tablets.   So far, there is no improvement and it’s been over a year.   Everything from my sugar levels, blood cell counts, and glyceride tests seem normal.   Could there be another cause?

This question was posed  by a hair loss sufferer seeking hair loss help  on our hair restoration forum  and answered by  Dr. Ricardo Mejia  of  Jupiter, FL who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians. His professional answer is below.

There are several possible causes for your hair loss  which can be isolated with a proper exam and consultation and examination of the hair follicles. In my experience, there are times you can see a combination of both factors, i.e. male pattern baldness (MPB) and telogen effluvium or diffuse shedding. This can be induced by a variety of reasons, including stress.

Dermatologists typically do hair pull tests to determine the ratio of telogen hairs. The root of the hair typically looks like a club. Most of my hair transplant patients describe a significant increase of hair in the shower or when they comb their hair. To alleviate your anxiety, it would be best to see a professional to best diagnose your problem.

I am 32, and have noticed minor hair shedding for approximately 6 months. By minor, I mean 5-6 hairs when I shampoo and maybe the same when I comb my hair. I know that losing 50-100 hairs a day or so is normal. Initially, this didn’t concern me.

However, a few days ago I noticed a slight bald spot developing at the crown of my head. At least, I  think I am. Maybe I’m paranoid?   My question is, if hair loss is caused by non-genetic reasons (stress, protein & iron deficiencies, thyroid disorder, etc.) can it show at the crown of the head? Or is that a certain sign it’s genetic? I am skeptical that it is genetic, simply because baldness is no where to be found on either side of my parents, dating back a couple generations.   However, thyroid disorders are very prominent. I plan to get tested for any such disorder.

Also, I have been under tremendous stress for a few years due to an ugly divorce and being a single, full-time parent of 2 kids. The stress got so bad that starting a few months ago, I began going to the gym 3 days a week, which has helped.

I may not be getting enough protein or iron, so I may be tested for those deficiencies as well. I have also been taking a vitamin powder 5 days a week that is very heavy in Vitamin A (300%) which I read can lead to hair loss.

I have some hair in the front of my head and if I were to get  hair replacement in the front, is it necessary to shave my head?   I see most hair transplant photos with the recipient area shaved.   Does shaving provide a better chance for survival? Does it make it easier for the  doctor to operate?

Though I feel that shaving the recipient area creates an optimal work environment for the hair restoration physician, in my opinion, it isn’t always necessary.

Where shaving appears to be most helpful is when transplanted hair is placed in between and around a lot of existing native hair. Around sparse natural hair, shaving is most likely not going to be as much of an issue.

The type of recipient incision made also may be a factor here. Whereas cases can be made for both perpendicular (coronal/lateral) and paralel (sagital) incisions depending on the hair loss patient, I have heard many physicians argue that sagital incisions do a much better job of sliding in and around existing hairs to avoid transection then lateral incisions. This certainly makes a strong case for physicians who do not require shaving of the recipient area.

At the same time however, those who don’t typically require shaving admit that surgery can take much longer when transplanting in between and around existing natural hair which could then potentially make larger hair transplant megasessions exceeding 4000 follicular unit grafts near impossible to perform in a single day.

Many balding men want to find that “one” hair loss treatment option that will best treat baldness.   But in a world where no  cure exists, perhaps a combination of proven treatment options can be of greater benefit.   Propecia (finasteride)  and Rogaine (minoxidil  both work differently and have proven to fight against alopecia.   Which one works better?   Is there a benefit to using one over the other?   Will a combination treatment increase my chances of stimulating hair regrowth?

Click here to read how others have successfully used both medications and why a combination treatment may be superior to one over the other.   You are encouraged to contribute your thoughts and experiences on our hair restoration forum.

Bill Seemiller
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: balding, hair loss treatment, treat baldness, Propecia, finasteride, Rogaine, minoxidil, alopecia, hair regrowth, hair restoration

I was wondering if someone can briefly explain what donor closure technique is the best and can produce the finest scar in hair transplant surgery?   Based on the discussions that I read on this hair loss forum, it seems like the trichophytic closure is by far the best technique to cover the donor area and reduce the scar but this is only true if you don’t need to have additional hair transplants.   Also, what is the difference between a single and double layer closure technique?   What about staples verses sutures?   Is this a personal preference or is there a specific reason to perform such techniques?

Excellent Question.

Having observed surgery at dozens of leading hair restoration clinics, it is surprising that there is not one predominant school of thought on the optimal donor closure technique.

Some physicians argue that using internal sutures below the surface of the skin in the subcutaneous tissue will reduce the tension on the skin that is sutured by an external skin layer suture. This technique is typically referred to as a “double layer closure” and can be used with or without the trichophytic closure.

Typically the internal sutures are dissolvable, while the external skin layer sutures need to be removed.

Other physicians argue that internal sutures should only be used when the donor area is particularly tight due to either low scalp laxity and/or a wide strip being removed. They claim that internal sutures, which can take over a month to dissolve, can potentially create reactions or irritations, although very rare, under the scalp.