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This insightful article was written by Dr. Shelly Friedman of Scottsdale, Arizona who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians.

To appreciate today’s hair transplant, one must realize how far we have travelled over the past 50 years:

When Dr. Norman Orentreich first introduced hair transplantation in the 1950s he was more interested in getting hair to grow in its new site rather than concerned with the cosmetic appearance.  The first hair transplants utilized a 4mm round punch which removed the hair and the surrounding tissue.  The “hair plugs” were removed with a cylindrical punch either manually or with an electric drill, and allowed to heal secondarily with a white scar.

This small piece of skin called a “plug” was then placed back into the scalp after a 3.5mm punch removed the bald skin.  The bald skin was discarded and the “plug” was inserted in the new recipient site.  The typical “hair plug” measured 4mm in diameter and had approximately 15-25 permanent or terminal hairs.  To accommodate the blood supply in the recipient region, the “plugs” needed to be spaced one “plug” apart.  This created the checkerboard effect which required 4 surgeries to fill in the entire transplanted area.

In 1984, Dr. Wayne Bradshaw, a hair transplant surgeon from Australia described a new approach to hair restoration whereby a 4mm “plug” is either bisected or quadrisected.  Instead of removing balding tissue in the recipient region, a blade is used to incise or create a paper cut within the tissue.  This new type of “plug” is called a minigraft.  The term “plug” was then abandoned in hair transplant circles.

While many hair restoration physicians offer free consultations for prospective patients considering hair transplant surgery, others charge an initial consultation fee.

While balding men and women would rather meet with doctors free of charge, doctors who charge a consultation fee argue that they’re being paid for their time to educate and help hair loss sufferers develop a long term hair restoration plan, some of which may never even schedule with them for surgery. On the other hand, doctors who offer free consults argue that providing free consults is not only part of the job, but it cultivates more patients for them.

This topic was recently discussed and debated on our hair loss forum. To join in the debate, visit “What’s with the High First Time Consultation Fees?”

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair restoration physicians, hair transplant, balding, hair loss, hair restoration

A hair restoration physician told me that he invented a procedure a year and a half ago for removing scars that he invented and he expects it will be the wave of the future for how scars will be done from now on.   Does this sound right?

This insightful article was written by Dr. William Lindsey of Reston, VA who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians.

Be cautious of folks who have “invented” some new technique that will revolutionize hair transplant scars. There are literally thousands of general and facial plastic surgeons who daily want to avoid significant scarring at almost any cost. Do you really think if someone invented something a year and a half ago that solved all scar problems that it wouldn’t make headlines and we’d all be doing it?

The best prevention is selecting a hair transplant surgeon who has a track record of creating good scars. Note that I am not saying “guarantees” or “no scars”.  Even the best suturer will have some scars that just aren’t so good. Remember people are like chemistry or cooking recipes, not exact math.  Meaning that 2 plus 2 is always 4, but if you do chemistry or cooking in one location and replicate it elsewhere, you should get similar results but there will be variations in outcome even with the same ingredients.

William Lindsey, M.D.

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Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair restoration, hair transplant, hair transplant surgeon

Every week, hundreds of hair loss questions are answered on our hair restoration forum and received in our inbox. Below, we’ve collected some of these hot topic questions of the week and posted responses by veteran hair transplant patients and leading hair restoration physicians.

You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair forum or privately by using the contact page.

Which “All Natural” Treatments Are Most Effective?

Do Higher Hair Transplant Densities Affect Hair Growth Survival? (Dr. Beehner)

How an Underactive Thyroid Can Contribute to Female Hair Loss

Is it ok to take Finasteride and Dutasteride Simultaneously to Treat Baldness?

Contradictory Reports: Does Nioxin Cause or Stop Balding?

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair restoration, hair transplant

One of the most important factors that make a hair transplant look natural is a hair restoration surgeon’s ability to create a soft and natural looking hairline that mimics nature. Creating a natural looking hairline involves great skill, placement, artistic design, and hair density.

During the first several months of hair regrowth, transplanted hair can grow in at different rates, thin, and can sometimes be hard to tame, making a hairline appear “hard” rather than soft and natural. At what point does a hairline actually soften, look natural, and mature?

In this hair loss forum discussion members discuss the stages of hair transplant maturation and how and at what point transplanted hair softens and blends with their natural hair. You are encouraged to join in the discussion and offer your experience and opinion.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, hair restoration, hair density, hair regrowth, transplanted hair, hair transplant, natural hair

We receive a number of emails from women looking into hairline lowering procedures due to having a high forehead. Recommended physician Dr. Shelly Kabaker of Oakland, California has become world renown for his excellent forehead lift procedure, which women with naturally high foreheads in particular can benefit from.  We think women with this high hairline attribute would benefit from learning more about this procedure.  The below describes procedures available for women with a high forehead interested in lowering their hairline.  The article is long, but well worth the read. 

Objectives:

To review a technique and to make quantitative analyses of the senior author’s 20-year experience with his preferred technique to correct the high female hairline.

Methods:

A retrospective review of 29 female patients with a high forehead who underwent the hairline-lowering procedure performed by the same surgeon (S.S.K.). We analyzed preoperative and postoperative standardized photographs by taking measurements from the medial and lateral canthi to the anterior hairline. Facial height, from the menton to the hairline, was also measured. We calculated mean values and then used a 2-tailed, paired to test to evaluate for statistical significance. Patients also underwent evaluation for satisfaction, complications, and aesthetic result. We reevaluated the measurements from the profile view and compared them with the original data.

Results:

Given all the interest that Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for hair loss has generated, we feel it’s appropriate to address this topic again and state our current position on this experimental procedure.

Rumors that Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) may be the next greatest hair loss treatment since Propecia (finasteride) are circulating all over the internet. Thus, dozens of hair loss sufferers appear to be lining up at hair restoration clinics offering the experimental PRP treatment for pattern baldness. But what’s the real deal with this experimental treatment? Is there really enough information available to advocate its use as a viable hair loss solution?

While discussing this procedure on our discussion forum, people tend to fall into two opposite camps. On one extreme, some are so excited by the preliminary results seen on discussion forum topic “First PRP Treatment in New York” that they believe PRP will solve their balding problems forever. Those in this camp are usually men and women just starting their research and looking to grasp onto anything that promises a possible remedy.

On the flip side, others believe PRP is entirely worthless and could never cause any significant and lasting hair regrowth. Many in this camp are skeptical due to the unsubstantiated claims and empty promises hair loss companies have made for years.

While members of the first camp are too overly ambitious and it’s completely understandable why members in the second are skeptical, since there is not enough data to support either argument, we’d suggest a more scientific approach to analyzing the PRP procedure.

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.

How many follicular units per cm2 (FU/cm2) does it take in hair transplant surgery to look thick?  I am wondering if 35-40 FU/cm2 would be thick enough to meet my needs.

First of all, it should be noted that a very good recent research study by Coalition member Dr. Sharon Keene from Tucson, AZ showed that in “normal” men without male pattern baldness, the average follicular unit hair density at the front hairline was 51 FU/cm2 with a range of 38-78. The average density in the temple apex region (behind the recession) was around 44 FU/cm2 with a range of 25-64.

The biggest factor in predicting whether or not the 35-40 FU/cm2 density you mentioned would look “dense” is the diameter of the hair shaft. In a man with coarse hair, that could indeed look dense. In a man with fine hair, it would probably be “see-through.” The other factor besides just stating an FU number per cm2 is the number of hairs that the follicular units average out to. Obviously, at the very edge of the front hairline you would want all 1-hair grafts, but I think it’s important to switch to 2-hair grafts fairly quickly as soon as you get 2-3 grafts deep into the hairline zone.

Though surgical hair restoration has advanced significantly over the last several years, there are no new major breakthroughs released in viable non-surgical hair loss treatment options. To date, Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) are still the most effective hair loss drugs for men suffering from male pattern baldness. Both medications however, are not without potential side effects.

So what happens if men taking Propecia and Rogaine start experiencing side effects? Will lessening the dosage help or are they destined to go completely bald?

Hair loss forum member “brentipold” shares is concerns about side effects he’s experienced while on finasteride and is looking for either an alternative treatment or medication that can counteract the side effects. Join in this discussion and read what other members are saying and share your own experience.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair restoration, hair loss treatment, hair loss drugs, male pattern baldness, Propecia, Rogaine, bald, Hair loss forum, finasteride

During the healing phase the first month after hair transplant surgery, you may experience scalp itch, both in the recipient and donor area as they’re healing. A few months later, the itching may return as the transplanted hair follicles start to grow new hair and penetrate through the scalp. And though you may be tempted to tear at your scalp with your fingernails, your hair restoration surgeon will caution you to restrain yourself.

So what then are the best ways to alleviate donor and recipient area scalp itch during the hair transplant healing and hair growth process? Is it ok to scratch, and if so, how can I do it without damaging the hair transplant?

Click here to learn what real hair replacement patients have done to alleviate scalp itch while protecting their newly transplanted hair and scalp. You are encouraged to share your own experience and expertise in this discussion.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, transplanted hair, grow new hair, hair growth, hair replacement