Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

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’m 2 months post-op from my hair transplant. Most of the transplanted hair has fallen out, but some is still there. It is neither growing nor falling out. It is practically at the same length as it was initially. Is this normal?

The transplanted hair follicles often do grow a little bit before they fall out. However, sometimes the hair is stunted and has a longer delay before it either falls out or starts growing. In most cases these hairs will eventually go through the normal hair growth cycles. No sense in worrying at this point.

Glenn M. Charles, D.O.

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David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
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Technorati Tags: hair transplant, transplanted hair, hair growth

This interesting question comes from a member of our Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums:

A few months ago I underwent a successful hair transplant procedure and was satisfied with the results. However, like many surgical patients, the scalp redness in the recipient region (where the incisions were made and the follicular unit grafts were placed) of my head took several months to fully subside. After the redness finally went away, I decided to go out and have some drinks with a few friends. Unfortunately, I awoke the next morning and found that redness in the transplanted area of my scalp had returned! Is it possible that alcohol caused the redness to return?

Most hair restoration clinics recommend avoiding alcohol for 48 hours after the hair transplant surgery, but do not address the subject any further. However, it’s interesting to point out that you are not the only hair loss patient to experience this phenomenon, and there may be a valid explanation.

Dr. William Lindsey, a recommended hair transplant surgeon and trained facial plastic surgeon, states that he’s seen this situation twice in his practice, and both situations involved either consuming alcohol or aerobic exercise. At face value, these two activities seem unrelated, but both possess a common factor – widened blood vessels and increased blood flow to the procedural areas.

The reality of hair transplantation is that a patient will rarely meet their hair restoration goals with a single procedure. The younger patient who has a small session to restore a receding hairline may find that the progressive nature of hair loss will require him to return in the future to add density while an older patient with advanced balding (4 or 5 on the Norwood scale) may require two sessions over a period of time. But how many procedures will you need? Do all patients require more than one hair transplant procedure?

Forum member “Thinking2” recently started the thread “Multiple Hair Transplants” to discuss this important topic. You are encouraged to share your experience and join in the conversation.

Hair Transplant Network Managing Publisher Bill Seemiller (Falceros) has had four transplants totaling 9618 grafts. Click here to visit Bill’s patient website where he has chronicled his progress in detail.

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David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
Follow our community on Twitter
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Technorati Tags: hair transplantation, hair restoration, receding hairline, hair loss, balding, hair transplant

This frequently asked question comes from a member of the Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums:

I’m investigating a hair transplant procedure and I’m wondering if it is possible to figure out how many follicular unit grafts my case requires? Should I post pictures on my hair loss weblog, or rely solely on my hair restoration physician‘s recommendation?

Estimating the appropriate number of follicular unit grafts for a hair transplant procedure is not an easy or standardized task. Several variables – such as donor region laxity, desired density in the transplanted region, and donor hair characteristics, make it difficult to offer static values.  Posting pictures, asking advice from seasoned members of the Hair Transplant Network, and consulting with several recommended hair transplant surgeons are all wise ideas, but do not paint the entire picture.

A comprehensive approach, where a hair loss patient defines realistic goals, keeps the aging process and natural hairline design in mind, consults with several knowledgeable sources, and creates a plan with their physician, gives the best chance at accurate estimation. Additionally, using a program like the hair loss learning center graft calculator helps create rough graft estimates and allows patients to efficiently move forward on their hair restoration journey.

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Blake Bloxham – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

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The initial down time associated with post-hair transplant recovery differs for every individual. The extent to which your recent hair restoration surgery is detectable in the weeks following your procedure will depend upon several factors. This includes the density and characteristics of existing hair available to cover the balding recipient site, whether or not your doctor requires you to shave, and your hair and skin color.

For many men, wearing a hat to work is simply not an option. Since most of us can’t take a month or more off during this stage, what can be done to keep your hair transplant a well kept secret?

Recently, hair loss forum member “Can’t decide” started a thread asking members to share their experiences and suggestions. To get ideas or provide your own tips and tricks, follow the link, How to Cope With Down Time After Hair Transplant Surgery?

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David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
Follow our community on Twitter
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Technorati Tags: hair transplant, hair restoration surgery, balding, hair loss

This question, asked by a concerned member of the Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by Coalition physician Dr. Glenn Charles:

Around ten days after my hair transplant surgery I made the mistake of spending excessive time in the sun and ended up with a sunburn on my scalp. Since this occurred shortly after my follicular unit transplantation (FUT) procedure, I’m wondering if this could affect the final result? Did I damage any newly implanted grafts?

You are most likely safe so long as you did not severly burn the scalp in the transplanted areas. Especially if the burned area returned to its normal color shortly after the exposure to the sun. Often, the negetive effects of the sun have more to do with skin color and permanant redness than the transplanted follicles not growing. As long as the burn was not too severe, the newly transplanted follicles should be unaffected, and your hair restoration should mature according to plan.

Glenn M. Charles, D.O.

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Blake Bloxham – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

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Technorati Tags: hair transplant surgery, follicular unit transplantation, FUT, transplanted follicles, hair restoration

For many hair loss patients considering surgical hair restoration, one of the first questions asked is, “Are the results from hair transplantation permanent?” The short answer is yes. The long answer is a bit more complicated.

The DHT resistant hair harvested from the “safe zone” at the sides and back of the head are genetically preprogrammed to last a lifetime in virtually all men. When this permanent hair is transplanted to the balding recipient site, it should continue to grow for life as it did before.

While the greatest variable that governs the long-term “illusion of density” created by follicular unit transplantation is the progressive nature of male pattern baldness, there are other circumstances that may affect the long-term density of transplanted hair.

Two factors that make it difficult to assess the results of hair transplantation over an extended period of time are the fact that ultra refined follicular unit hair transplantation, as it is practiced today, has only been around for about a decade and many hair transplant patients return for a second or even third procedure over a period of years.

To discuss this topic further or share your own long-term results, join the thread, “Do Hair Transplant results hold up over time?”

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David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
Follow our community on Twitter
Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

On June 25th through the 27th, 2010, The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ISHRS) is hosting a conference in Bangkok, Thailand. The conference, which focuses on new advances in Asian hair transplantation, features two hair transplant surgeons recommended by the Hair Transplant Network - Dr. Damkerng Pathomvanich, and Coalition physician Dr. Jerry Wong.

Dr. Pathomvanich is presenting an introductory speech and giving presentations on hairline placement in Asian hair restoration patients, eyebrow transplantation in Asian patients, and stem cell and growth factor hair loss treatments. He’ll also be sitting on several question and answer panels and assisting in several follicular unit transplantation (FUT) cases.

Dr. Wong is giving presentations on the difference between pre-made follicular unit incision sites and stick-and-place incisions, mega sessions for Asian patients, facial hair transplantation, and temple hair transplantation. He too will be sitting on several panels and assisting in follicular unit transplantation cases.

Congratulations to both Dr. Pathomvanich and Dr. Wong!

Blake Bloxham – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

Follow our community on Twitter

Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Technorati Tags: Hair Restoration, Asian hair transplantation, hair transplant surgeons, hairline placement, Asian hair restoration, eyebrow transplantation, stem cell, growth factor, hair loss, follicular unit transplantation, FUT, follicular unit incision sites, mega sessions, facial hair transplantation, temple hair transplantation

Unlike male pattern baldness, which can manifest itself in any number of patterns as classified on the Hamilton-Norwood scale, female pattern hair loss is often diffuse or occurring over the entire area of the scalp. While there are factors such as childbirth, menopause or even stress that can induce temporary female balding, 96% of female balding is hereditary.

So what’s a woman with thinning hair to do? Currently there is only one FDA approved, non-surgical hair loss treatment for women, Rogaine (2% minoxidil). Like men however, women with hair loss may benefit from using concealers such as Toppik or DermMatch.  A female patient may also wish to explore surgical hair restoration as an option.

Women that may benefit are those that have a distinct pattern of hair loss more typically associated with male pattern baldness; those whose hair loss is caused by traction alopecia (damage done to the hair follicle by continual pulling and tight tension for very long periods); and women who have suffered hair loss due to trauma such as burns or scarring. Women with diffuse hair thinning all over the scalp typically don’t make good candidates.

Below, you’ll find examples of when surgical hair restoration can be appropriate for women.  These examples were recently posted by leading hair restoration physicians on our popular hair loss discussion forum.

Dr. Dorin – Female Traction Alopecia Healing Series – 1965 FUT

Dr. Lindsey – 6 Month Check on Female Postage Stamp FUE

This question comes from a member of the Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums:

I recently underwent a follicular unit transplantation (FUT) procedure where the donor area was closed using a trichophytic closure. I’m curious, how long will it take for hairs to grow through the hair transplant scar?

As you may very well know, the trichophytic donor closure technique during hair transplant surgery occurs when one side of the open donor area is slightly trimmed before the section (specifically the outer layer in a double, deep layer closure) is closed with sutures or staples. Only around 1 millimeter of the epidermis (outermost layer of skin) is removed, which trims the tips of the existing hairs without transecting the follicle (or its ability to produce new hairs). By removing this thin layer of epidermis and superficial hair shaft, the hairs will ideally grow through the scar and minimize its appearance.

Now, because the hair follicle is not damaged in a trichophytic closure, the trimmed hairs should continue to grow and cycle at a normal rate. According to cumulative averages, human hair grows around 13 millimeters (1/2 an inch) a month or approximately 0.44 millimeters a day. Unless something is stunting or blocking the hair shaft (which could be a possibility), it should grow through at a fairly normalized rate. However, due to trauma placed on the scalp during hair transplantation, there may be a delay in hair growth through the wound for approximately 3 to 5 months. Also, keep in mind that no two hair restoration patients are the same, and growth will most likely occur at differing rates.