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I am 28 years old and I have been on finasteride & minoxidil for the past 4 years to treat my heavy hair loss. My wife and I are planning to have our first child. Is it safe for me to continue the treatment considering finasteride is not good for pregnant women? If I need to stop the treatment please advise how far in advance I should quit before conception.

Whether or not to discontinue Propecia (finasteride)  for hair loss while trying to conceive a child is a very personal issue. As you have already noted, women who are or may potentially become pregnant should not use or even handle crushed or broken tablets due to the risk of birth defects in male children. However, according to MERCK, the manufacturer of Propecia, there is no data to suggest that having a child while taking finasteride will lead to complications of any kind. The official statement found on their website states:

“Available data indicate that the level of PROPECIA in the semen of a man taking PROPECIA does not pose a risk to an unborn child. Accordingly, a man can take PROPECIA while conceiving a child with his partner, or have sexual intercourse with his partner if she is already pregnant.”

The half-life of finasteride is 5 to 6   hours. Therefore, if you do decide to discontinue use, you can expect the drug to be out of your system in one to two days. You may be able to remain off of the drug for up to 4 months with little or no noticeable increase in balding.

This question, from a member of our Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. Glenn Charles:

After years of suffering hair loss, I recently had hair transplant surgery. I am almost 3 weeks post-op and I’m applying Vitamin E oil to my donor area. How long should I continue using it and how many times per day? Right now I try to put it on at least once and sometimes twice a day. Is this overkill??

In my hair restoration clinic, I recommend that all patients use Vitamin E oil on the donor wound to reduce the scarring associated with follicular unit transplantation (FUT). I suggest applying it at night before bed although, using it 2 times per day would not hurt.

Applying it in the morning may not be advisable as it can sometimes cause hair styling difficulties.

Dr. Glen Charles

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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

Get Proven Hair Loss Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new Online Hair Loss Product Store

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair transplant, hair restoration, follicular unit transplantation, FUT

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

I’m in my early 20′s and suffering from advanced, progressive hair loss. I’m wondering, should I investigate a hair replacement system (hairpiece) or try something else first?

For many hair loss sufferers, a hair replacement system is a viable option. However, before committing to any sort of hair system or hair replacement program, it’s important to understand that wearing one of these devices is not a simple task, and patients often end up abandoning hairpieces in search for more permanent, natural solutions. Before progressing, definitely make sure you’ve researched the issue and are prepared to commit to a hair replacement system.

Furthermore, there are many other effective, proven hair restoration options available (many of which are even more attractive because of your age). First, I highly recommend investigating preventive medications like Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride). Utilizing these therapies now should stabilize and potentially reverse some of the hair loss, and also open the door to additional options in the future. Finally, after using these medications for some time and maintaining your current level of native hair, surgical hair restoration with a talented hair transplant surgeon is always a possibility.

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Blake – 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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This following article was written by recommended hair restoration physician Dr. William Lindsey and posted on our Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums.

When revising an old “pluggy” hair transplant, is it harder to place the follicular unit grafts near the big plugs due to scar tissue?

No, not at all. We do a fair number of hair plug repairs in my hair restoration clinic and surrounding scar tissue is almost never an issue that requires making larger slits or causes concern that there is insufficient blood supply for hair growth. Now, if you consider placing grafts in thick keloidal tissue in donor scars, I’d say that it’s a problem 50% of the time, if not more.

Really, the only issue with older hair transplants is that the scar tissue around the sensory nerves makes it a bit harder to numb them up. About 25% of the time I need to do a supraorbital nerve block, which itself hurts a little bit.

William H. Lindsey, MD, FACS
McLean, VA

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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

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, follicular unit grafts, hair plug, hair restoration, hair growth, hair transplants

Choosing the right hair loss treatment for you requires careful research. Non-surgical hair loss treatments cover a wide variety of products including hair restoration systems, concealers and medications that offer the promise of thicker, fuller hair. While there are more proven and credible hair loss treatments available today than ever before, there are always scammers lurking about, waiting to turn your pain into profit. So, how can you be sure that the treatment you’re buying is legitimate? Below we discuss several credible hair loss products available today.

Every man and woman suffering from genetic baldness should consider the use of both antiandrogens and hair growth stimulators. While antiandrogens like Propecia, Crinagen, Revivogen and shampoos like Nizoral and Revita can help stop hair loss at its core by blocking DHT, hair growth stimulators like Rogaine and Tricomin can help jump start and promote new growth. Note that the only FDA approved and arguably the most effective products for treating hair loss are Propecia and Rogaine. However, women or those men who have experienced adverse side effects while taking Propecia may wish to try natural alternatives.

Often, patients find that using one or two products from each category in combination provides enhanced results. One such combination; Propecia, Rogaine and Nizoral Shampoo has come to be known as “The Big Three” for men. It is widely held among hair loss experts that finasteride and minoxidil, when used in combination, have a synergistic effect on the thinning, balding scalp – that is, the results from both products combined are greater than the sum of their individual results. Adding Nizoral to the mix may inhibit some additional DHT due to its active ingredient ketoconazole which has been shown to be effective in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

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

I’m researching hair transplant surgery (follicular unit transplantation/FUT), but concerned that local anesthesia and not general anesthesia is used during the procedure. I have a low tolerance for pain and I’m worried about staying awake during the surgery. Is there any way that I can be “put under” with general anesthesia for the entire procedure or at least the strip removal stage?

Although many people become anxious before surgical procedures and would like to completely “skip” the experience by receiving general anesthetic, this type of sedation is simply not necessary in hair transplantation.

There are several reasons why general anesthetic is not used in hair transplant procedures: first, the use of local anesthetic (numbing injections in the universal donor region) has proved both safe and effective for hair restoration physicians and patients, and this is unlikely to change. Additionally, many physicians also offer their patients some type of oral medication to help relax and fight the exact type of anxiety you describe.

Second, hair transplant surgery can often take a long time, and it simply doesn’t make sense to keep someone under sedation for a period of this length unless they are undergoing invasive surgery. Furthermore, the strip removal phase of the operation is too short of a period for general anesthetic. Lastly, most hair transplant patients, even the ones who had reservations about the pain or experience before the procedure, report that the levels of discomfort were actually quite minimal, and they were able to sleep, relax, watch television, or even listen to music during their procedure.

Famed poet E. E. Cummings once said, “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” With that in mind, the Hair Restoration Forum and Social Network recently launched another episode of the “The Follicular Follies of Balding Bob and Fleckie the Follicle“. Dare to see the funny side of hair loss!

In Episode 2: Bio-Fusion Confusion, Bob’s desire for luxurious locks leads the hapless hair loss newbie and his voice of reason Fleckie into the clutches of the Bio-Fusion Institute for a hair replacement system. Come watch Balding Bob as he continues to make classic blunders while trying to restore his hair and lost confidence. We encourage you to follow Balding Bob’s exploits and learn from Fleckie’s wisdom.

Be sure to follow the Follicular Follies on Facebook and watch the enhanced YouTube version complete with a musical soundtrack. You are also encouraged to contribute your wit and wisdom to future episodes on “The Follicular Follies Forum“.

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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

Get Proven Hair Loss Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new Online Hair Loss Product Store

Technorati Tags: Hair Restoration, Balding, hair loss, hair replacement

This question, asked by a member of our Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by Coalition surgeon Dr. Cam Simmons:

I see a lot of hair transplant doctors doing perfectly straight hairlines while others take the uneven or jagged approach. What are the arguments for or against this? Is it just a preference or does it depend on the degree or pattern of hair loss?

Natural hairlines have what recommended hair restoration physician Dr. Bill Parsley refers to as “Macro-irregularities” and “Micro-irregularities”. There are peaks and valleys in the basic shape and finer irregularities in the leading edge of the hairline.

Coalition member Dr. Ron Shapiro’s concept of a “transition zone” before the defined zone of the hair transplant is also very important. A strongly defined saw-tooth pattern looks as unnatural or more unnatural than a strongly defined straight hairline.

When recreating a natural-looking transplanted hairline on a balding scalp, it is a good idea to build-in some peaks, mounds, or notches in the defined zone and soften that further with irregularly placed 1-haired grafts in the leading edge and 2-haired grafts in the transition zone.

Dr. Cam Simmons

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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

Get Proven Hair Loss Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new Online Hair Loss Product Store

My hair loss is a result of injury. Will taking Propecia help me regain my hair?

Propecia (finasteride) works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This reduction in DHT helps to preserve hair follicles that are genetically vulnerable to its effects.   Since your hair loss is not related to androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness), Propecia and other hair loss medications such as Rogaine (minoxidil) are not likely to result in new hair growth in the injured area.

Depending upon the degree of your injury and the resultant scarring, you may be a candidate for hair transplant surgery. Below I’ve included some examples posted on our hair restoration forum and social network of burn victims that have undergone successful hair transplants.

Reconstructive hair surgery on a 32-year-old burn victim – 2884 FU – Dr. B. Feriduni

Dr. Hasson Patient/Burn Victim/2142 Grafts/One Session/11 Months

1237 grafts to the mustache,beard, and eyebrow by Dr. Alfonso Barrera Houston Texas

Reconstructive hair surgery on a 11-year-old burn victim – 3055 FU in 2 procedures

If you are interested in learning if you are a candidate for hair transplant surgery, I recommend that you consult our interactive map and locate the prescreened quality hair restoration physicians nearest you. You can then schedule a free online consultation.

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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

This question, from a member of our Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by Jotronic – a senior member and consultant for Coalition hair transplant surgeons Dr. Victor Hasson and Dr. Jerry Wong:

I’m looking to undergo hair transplant surgery, but can’t spend much time traveling to the office where I would like to undergo a consultation. I’m wondering, are online hair transplant surgery consultations a viable option for me? Are these safe, and can the hair restoration physician really tell if I’m a good candidate by reviewing my case online (virtually)?

Virtual or online consultations can indeed be a very good resource and of course save you the time and money from flying around the world visiting doctors and clinics. However, you have to realize that the assessment by the hair transplant surgeon is only as good as the photos you send to him/her.

In order to get an assessment that is as accurate as possible you absolutely, positively must take photos that are clear and focused. You’d be surprised how many pictures I’ve seen where the submitted photos look like a bad action shot. The blur can be unbelievable!