Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

This question was posed by a hair loss sufferer seeking hair loss help on our hair restoration forum and answered by Dr. Michael Beehner of Saratoga Springs, NY who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians. His professional answer is below.

I’ve noticed that some hair transplant surgeons use .7mm custom blades while others use .9mm to 1mm custom blades. Is it logical to follow the intuition of “the smaller the better”?

A doctor’s skill always reigns paramount when discussing something like this, or loupes verses microscopes. But assuming the hair restoration physicians are of equal ability, is there any reason why smaller blades/incisions are not optimal? Are there actual attributes for using the larger blades I referenced, other than that it’s easier for a doctor?

The answers on this hair loss forum thread by Bill Seemiller (Falceros) and Dr. Paul Shapiro are excellent and I agree with everything they have said.

I just wanted to add that a very important factor in hair transplant blade size (or needle size) selection is the coarseness of the hair (the hair shaft diameter). Very fine 1-hair follicular units can be placed into 0.6mm blade incisions, whereas coarse ones require a 0.8mm one.  Same goes for 2-hair and 3-hair follicular unit. The blade width is significantly larger for these grafts when the hair is coarse.

And one more factor that is significant.  Some patients have follicular unit structures in which the hairs are very straight, parallel to each other, and situated “tightly” together. Other patients have what we term “teepee-ing” of the grafts, with the hairs curving off from each other in various directions. This affects what size blade is chosen also.

Hair transplant surgery is one of the only cosmetic procedures that calls for a long wait before seeing the final result. This is because transplanted hair typically sheds 2 to 4 weeks after surgery and goes dormant for more than 3 months and takes up to a year to mature.

But wouldn’t it be nice if hair, once transplanted, continued to grow without hair shedding? Or what if there was a product on the market that could minimize the dormant period and facilitate early hair growth, lessening the time it takes to see the final result?

Click here to discuss the available products on the market that expedite hair regrowth and whether or not they can minimize the wait time for transplanted hair growth.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: Hair transplant, transplanted hair, hair shedding, hair growth, hair regrowth

Hair transplant patients 5, 6, and even 7 months out are often chomping at the bit to give their hair restoration surgery a final thumbs up or thumbs down. Though many patients experience excellent hair growth around this time, it would be unfair to compose a final assessment of the result.

Hair loss forum member “ninjathen” had his hair transplant 7 months ago and is starting to wonder if the growth he has is all he can expect. Click here to learn why waiting to evaluate a hair transplant is important and share your own experiences.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: Hair transplant, hair restoration, hair growth, Hair loss

Recently, we presented the highlights of the annual ISHRS conference and honored a number of leading hair restoration physicians who have contributed a lot to the advancement of hair restoration surgery.

Today, we honor the medical and office staff of these world renowned hair transplant surgeons who significantly contribute to the success of a hair transplant proceduret. Without an experienced and dedicated medical staff, large ultra refined hair transplant megasessions would not be possible.

You are encouraged to join in and give thanks to these unsung heroes who dedicate their lives to ensuring their surgeons and their patients look their best.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair restoration, hair transplant, hair transplant megasessions

Rogaine Foam is a recent development that makes application of the proven topical hair regrowth agent minoxidil easier. Though both contain active ingredient minoxidil, is Rogaine Foam as effective as the preceding Rogaine liquid?

In this discussion, hair loss forum members sift through controversial evidence that may suggest Rogaine liquid is superior to the foam. Read and discuss why one of the ingredients found in the liquid but missing in the foam may be partially responsible for hair regrowth. You are encouraged to read what has already been presented and offer your input on this controversy.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: Rogaine Foam, hair regrowth, minoxidil, hair loss

Though the primary cause of hair loss is genetic, there are many conditions that may cause or contribute to balding. Due to marketing hype and the misinformation spread around the internet, differentiating fact from fiction can be difficult.

Below you will find answers to 5 questions by veteran forum members and leading physicians regarding suspected contributing factors to hair loss. You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or privately by emailing us.

How High Fever and Illness Can Contribute to Hair Loss

Does Daily Hair Washing Cause or Contribute to Baldness?

Why Accutane Acne Treatment Might Cause Hair Loss

Trichotillomania, Excessive Hair Pulling, and Hair Loss

Steroids, High Blood Pressure Medication, and Risks of Hair Loss

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, balding

Laser therapy for hair loss has generated some heated debates, especially after the recent and controversial FDA “clearance” of the HairMax LaserComb. While some hair restoration doctors reject its use entirely, other physicians use it as a regular part of their practice for hair transplant postoperative healing and to treat baldness.

A number of hair loss forum threads have been dedicated to this topic recently and are worth exploring to decide if you think lasers have any benefit for genetic balding.

Dr. Feller Video Demonstrating the Inefficiency of Lasers with Rebuttals

FDA Issues Warning to HairMax LaserComb Makers

Physicians and Patients Debate about the Efficacy of Laser Studies

Become part of one of the most controversial hair loss debates of all time by offering your input or experience with laser therapy by following the links above.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: HairMax LaserComb, hair restoration, hair transplant, baldness, hair loss forum, balding, hair loss, laser therapy

There is no other hair loss treatment more effective than Propecia (finasteride) to stop the progression of male pattern baldness. Propecia, which contains 1mg of finasteride has been clinically tested and approved for daily use by the FDA. However, do the results of this test suggest that 1mg of finasteride is also the most effective dosage? Would hair loss sufferers potentially experience more hair regrowth when taking larger dosages? Would taking Propecia every other day be just as effective as taking it daily?

In this hair loss forum discussion, patient members ask these very important questions, and Coalition Member Dr. Jerry Cooley answers. You are encouraged to offer your input on this very important topic.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss treatment, Propecia, finasteride, male pattern baldness, hair loss

Hi, I’m currently on thyroxine.  I tried Propecia for hair loss for about a month, and found that I had a slight ache in the nuts (nothing serious).  I also felt a fastened heartbeat, so I stopped.  My trichologist suggested cutting the tablet into 1/2, but I just decided to stop taking it.  When he gave me the tablets, he never informed me of any possible side affects. Now I’m thinking of going back on it, and just wondering if anyone has experienced the same thing or has any advice? Is it ok to mix thyroxine and finasteride (Propecia)?

This hair loss question was answered on our hair restoration forum by Dr. Paul Shapiro of Bloomington, MN who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.  His professional answer is below.

As Bill Seemiller (Falceros) said, testicular pain is one of the reported side effects of Propecia (finasteride).

I used the PDR.net drug interaction search to see if there is any know interaction with finasteride and Thyroxine and it came up negative.

Possibly the fact that you were having a side effect from the finasteride which sounds unpleasant to me caused some anxiety and thus a fastened heart beat.

Hopefully, if you go back on Propecia for hair loss with the small dose you won’t have any testicular pain. There is some evidence that finastiride works if you take it less often (such as every other day) and that may also help decrease any possible side effects.

Recently, I’ve been experimenting with creating a myspace account and profile for the Hair Transplant Network and Hair Loss Learning Center.

Creating such a profile and writing the occasional blog is yet another avenue of helping balding men and women beyond the borders of those who find our hair loss educational and support community directly.

For those of you who have myspace accounts and want to befriend us, go to http://www.myspace.com/hairtransplantnetwork and click “Add to Friends”.  Please make sure you are logged into your myspace account first.

Additionally, for those of you who’d like to contribute information you’ve acquired or written to our myspace or Q&A blog, feel free to contact me privately or post a reply on this blog.

We look forward to your involvement on our blog and Hair Transplant Network myspace profile.

Read the official Press Release.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: myspace, balding, hair loss