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This insightful article was written by Dr. Bernard Nusbaum of Coral Gables, Florida.  Dr. Nusbaum is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians. 

Hair transplantation for hairline reconstruction is gaining popularity among women with hair loss, thinning hair, high hairlines and those who have undergone cosmetic facial procedures which can alter the hairline, such as face and forehead lifts.  While male hairline patterns have been described in the medical literature, these parameters, when applied to women, do not achieve appropriate facial framing and a “feminine” look.

There is a general lack of   information describing natural hairline patterns in women.  Most descriptions only address the height of the hairline by evaluating vertical facial proportions. In order to develop guidelines for female hairline restoration design, we studied 360 female volunteers at an informal hair salon setting and determined the most common features necessary to achieve a feminine, natural look.  The average age of the subjects was 41 with a range of 16 to 70.  This type of extensive survey has never been done before and we hope that with greater awareness of what occurs in nature, hair restoration results in women will improve.  Below you will find the results.

Today, physicians and scientists demonstrate that platelet rich plasma (PRP) may actually wake up dormant follicular stem cells and could quite potentially become the next major breakthrough in treating hair loss and growing hair. While some people feel this is yet another marketing attempt to rob balding men and women of their hard earned cash, others are very excited by its potential.

Blood is made from approximately 93% red blood cells (RBC), 1% white blood cells (WBC), 6% platelets, and plasma. When platelets are activated in the body, these sponge-like molecules form branches and release healing proteins called growth factors. Though growth factors have a multitude of responsibilities, the cumulative result is accelerated tissue and wound healing. The basis for the benefit of platelet rich plasma lies in decreasing the RBC count to 5% since they are less useful in the healing process while increasing the platelet count to 94%.

A recent case study on a 26 year old hair loss sufferer suggests that platelet rich plasma can stop and reverse hair miniaturization caused by androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. While this 26 year old patient had hair transplant surgery to recover lost hair in the hairline, his posterior crown was traumatized using a 1 mm micro needling roller and platelet rich plasma injected into the crown. The result suggests that PRP not only stopped hair loss, but reversed miniaturization.

This insightful information was posted on our hair restoration forum by Dr. Timothy Carman who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.  His professional answer is below.

Many hair restoration doctors don’t perform hair transplant megasessions and they appear to be limited to do only 3500 grafts or maximum 4000 grafts.  The few doctors that do perform megasessions go up to 5000 grafts plus.  What’s the reason for this?  Are megasessions unsafe due to limited blood supply?  I know doctors recommended on the Hair Transplant Network do perform megasessions and their patients have great results, but why do other doctors limit themselves?

 In general, the maximum amount of donor grafts available in any one hair transplant session is dependent upon three factors:

1) The patient’s hair density in the donor area;
2) The length of the strip removed; and
3) The width of the strip removed.

Number one, the patients density (average = 100 FU/cm2), is what it is- this factor is beyond the surgeons/clinics control. If this number is 110 or 120 FU/cm2, the total amount of potential grafts available can dramatically increase.

Number two, the length of the incision, is limited by the size of one’s head and the relative hair density of the hair on the sides of the head. How far the incision is extended up the sides is an area where one needs to not only observe a patient’s density at the time of surgery, but also (especially in the younger patient) the anticipated thinning hair that may be in the future based on the patients genetic (family) history and hair loss pattern to date. This is critical, as, a cavalier approach for the sake of “getting big numbers” may backfire in ten years if the patient thins on the sides, revealing the incision scar.

This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Glenn Charles of Florida who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.  His professional answer is below.

I was wondering if hair transplants are really undetectable.  The reason I ask is that I recently spoke to someone who had an FUE procedure and at the front of his hair line you could see small dots where the hair was coming out from. Does this fade with time?

With the technology available in the field of hair restoration, the results should be virtually undetectable.  Certainly some hair transplant cases depending on the patient’s hair characteristics are more difficult than others. Some patients may require more procedures to achieve the same degree of undetectability as other patients get with a single hair replacement surgery. Often the small dots you are describing do fade over time especially after the hairs start growing. In some patients additional grafting also helps that situation.

Dr. Glenn Charles, D.O.

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Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair transplants, FUE, hair restoration, hair transplant, hair characteristics, hair replacement

To date, surgical hair restoration is the only proven solution to grow hair in completely bald areas. However, like any other surgical procedure, it’s important to understand the possible risks that go along with it.

In optimal candidates, those who undergo a follicular unit hair transplant procedure end up with a pencil line scar easily concealed by existing hair on the sides and back of their head. However, during the initial healing phase, almost everyone is worried about the possible risk of scar stretching.

So what if anything can be done to minimize and even eliminate this risk? How long after a hair replacement procedure do patients have to worry that scar stretching may occur? Visit this hair loss forum thread to read other’s input and join in on the discussion.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair restoration, grow hair, bald, hair replacement

To date, Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) are the only two FDA approved and most effective non-surgical hair loss treatments on the market. It’s advised for men in particular to consider Propecia in order to attempt to control future baldness.

Propecia (finasteride) works by inhibiting the production of a large percentage of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness. DHT is also responsible for certain sexual functions and has been said to mitigate the effects of estrogen in men. Thus, one of the biggest concerns all men considering Propecia for hair loss have is the potential for sexual side effects.

Recently, the possibility of sexual side effects while taking Propecia was extensively discussed on our forum. To learn more about the risks and join in the discussion, visit “Possible Propecia User – Worried about Side Effects”.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: Propecia, baldness, finasteride, DHT, dihydrotestosterone, male pattern baldness, hair loss

This may sound stupid, but after undergoing a hair transplant, many folks are worried about donor strip scarring due to stretching.  Why not keep your head position looking up since it’s less stressful on the scar region because the skin is not stretching?  I’ve been experimenting a little bit with this. Any thoughts? I can imagine looking up for 6 months may be outlandish, but some folks will go at great lengths to have the smallest scar possible.

It doesn’t sound stupid at all – in fact, it’s very logical. Yet, I don’t know anyone who could really keep their head position in the “up” position for 3 to 6 months straight after surgical hair restoration. Instead, the idea is not to do anything to strain the donor area which will help minimize the risks of scarring.  Thus, holding your head in a downward position so that your chin touches your chest would not be a good idea because it adds tension to the wound.  Also, avoid any exercises in the gym that might put a strain on the area.   Some of these exercises may include crunches with your hands behind your head, flat bench press, and shoulder shrugs.

In the meantime, don’t strain your neck by looking upwards too long :-)

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, hair restoration

This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Glenn Charles of Florida who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.  His professional answer is below.

So once you’re done going through the hair shedding phase after hair transplant surgery, what things can contribute to optimal hair growth yield in the weeks ahead? Are the grafts secure so that you can continue on with most normal activities?  Or does your lifestyle (working out/alcohol) impact the survival of the grafts?

There is no exact science to positively impacting optimal hair growth yield following hair transplantation surgery. I do feel strongly that a healthy diet including vitamins and minerals play an important role.

The other things like smoking, drinking alcohol, and caffeine probably do play a role.  If they are taken/used in moderation, they most likely they will not cause much damage.  If they are abused as in most cases they will probably cause some degree of harm.  Exercising a week or so after the hair restoration procedure should not cause any negative effects and in fact might be of benefit. Just make sure not to over flex the neck which may cause stretching of the donor scar.

Dr. Glenn Charles, D.O.

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Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair shedding, hair transplant, hair growth, hair transplantation, hair restoration

We get hundreds of hair loss related questions sent to us on a weekly basis and we do our best to answer them all in a timely fashion. Below, we’ve highlighted some important and controversial hair restoration topics for your review and posted the answers in our news and blogs.

Feel free to ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or privately by emailing help@hairtransplantnetwork.com.

The Reality of Today’s Hair Loss Treatments

Can Rogaine Speed up Transplanted Hair Growth? (answered by Coalition member Dr. Robert True)

Knowing You’re Getting the Hair Transplant You Paid For

Do Lesser Known Surgeons Produce Quality Hair Transplant Results?

What are your Thoughts on Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair restoration, Dr. Robert True

The experience and skill of hair transplant surgeons vary, as do their results. That’s why only surgeons with a proven record of producing quality results are recommended on the Hair Transplant Network.

Dr. Vladimir Panine of Chicago Illinois, his technique, and results were carefully reviewed over the last year by our hair loss forum community in consideration for recommendation. We are pleased to announce that Dr. Panine has been approved for recommendation by our online community. To learn how we recommend hair transplant surgeons, click here.

Dr. Panine has over 15 years of experience performing surgical hair restoration as the primary part of his practice. He has the staff and experience to perform large sessions of quality follicular unit hair transplant surgery exceeding 3000 grafts when appropriate for the patient.

After thorough evaluation and seeking input from the patient and physician members of this community, we believe Dr. Panine deserves to be recommended on the Hair Transplant Network.

Dr. Panine is now recommended on the Hair Transplant Network. To congratulate and welcome him to our community, visit the “Potential Recommendation of Dr. Vladimir Panine of Chicago, Illinois”.

Those local to Chicago, Illinois and beyond considering surgical hair restoration should definitely consult with Dr. Panine and consider him for surgery. To view his physician profile and learn how to contact him, click here.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, Dr. Panine, hair restoration