Although most assume hair loss is a condition exclusive to men, studies indicate that women actually comprise over 40% of the balding population. In most cases, female hair loss (female alopecia) is a devastating condition, causing emotional and psychological distress in a significant population of women. Due to the stress and stigma associated with this condition, various hair restoration and dermatological experts continually seek new ways to treat female hair loss.
One of these researchers, Dr. Bahman Guyuron – a plastic surgeon at Case Western Reserve University, recently conducted a study analyzing lifestyle factors and resulting hair loss in both male and female patients. Dr. Guyuron recruited over 200 identical twins (both male and female) and surveyed each subject’s lifestyle, living habits, and stress factors.
Interestingly enough, the survey results demonstrated a difference in factors causing hair loss in male and female patients. In male study subjects suffering hair loss, Dr. Guyuron found the strongest correlation between genetic predisposition (familial hair loss) and balding. Other elements, such as smoking, excessive sun exposure, alcohol consumption, and exercise, also play a lesser role in male hair loss.
However, the most significant component of female hair loss, according to the study, is the loss of a male spouse. In other words, Dr. Guyuron found that divorced or widowed subjects were more likely to suffer from female hair loss. Additionally, when comparing identical female twin subjects, one divorced or widowed and the other single or married, the correlation between loss of male spouse and female baldness was still observed.
Coalition member Dr. Jerry Wong of Vancouver, Canada is world renowned for innovating the lateral slit technique and for proving that large hair transplant megasessions exceeding 4000 follicular units when appropriate is not only possible, but can provide patients with world class results with minimal scarring.
Given his outstanding achievements in the operating room and recognition both from his patients and his peers, it’s no surprise that Dr. Jerry Wong was awarded the Golden Follicle award at this year’s annual 2011 ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) scientific meeting in Anchorage, Alaska.
Based on the outstanding reviews by patients on our hair loss forum and social community, there’s no question that Dr. Jerry Wong deserves this award. Congratulations to Dr. Wong for his continued outstanding achievements.
The Golden follicle award is the highest honor given to a leading surgeon in hair restoration by the ISHRS at each meeting. This award recognizes outstanding achievement in clinically-related research in hair pathophysiology or anatomy as it relates to hair restoration.
Dr. Jerry Cooley, world renown hair transplant surgeon and esteemed member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians, was recently interviewed by the NBC News program Morning Edition in Anchorage Alaska. Dr. Cooley, last year’s president of the International Society of Hair Restoration Physicians (ISHRS) was in Anchorage, along with approximately 500 of his colleagues from around the globe, attending the annual 2011 ISHRS 19th Annual Scientific Meeting.
The ISHRS is the world’s largest organization dedicated to hair loss with more than 850 hair surgeons as members. The ISHRS provides ongoing education to novice and expert physicians specializing in hair transplant surgery and gives the public the latest information on surgical hair restoration and non-surgical hair loss treatments.
Below, Dr. Jerry Cooley provides us with a preview of what will be discussed at this year’s 2011 ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) Scientific meeting in Anchorage Alaska.
In the above interview, Dr. Cooley touches on the latest advances in surgical and non-surgical hair restoration as well as research into future treatments like Histogen, Inc.’s Hair Stimulating Complex (HSC) and hair cloning. Dr. Cooley further states that treating hair loss in the future will likely consist of a combination of new and current techniques and procedures like Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) rather than a single “hair loss cure“. Rogaine and Propecia are currently the only clinically proven and FDA approved treatments for androgenic alopecia (male pattern balding).
To view the full interview with Dr. Cooley click here.
The following article is the result of an extensive review of modern Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). The report, which analyzes the evolution of FUE hair transplant surgery, FUE surgeons, and differing FUE extraction tools, provides valuable information for interested patients and hair loss sufferers considering a follicular unit extraction procedure:
The Evolution of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), Physicians, and its Tools
Introduction
Of all the recent advances within the field of medical hair restoration, one that seems to garner the most attention from both hair loss patients and hair transplant surgeons is follicular unit extraction (FUE). Whether it’s the less invasive nature, lack of the linear scar associated with the traditional follicular unit transplantation (FUT) procedure, or potentially faster healing time, demand and popularity of FUE has increased greatly over the last several years. While most hair restoration experts believe that FUE has been traditionally overhyped or oversold to eager patients, it’s become evident that FUE is here to stay.
The lasting power of follicular unit extraction seems to stem from both patient demand and the dedication of talented hair restoration experts who continue perfecting the procedure, researching new extraction mechanisms, and creating new, more precise FUE tools. By evaluating these dedicated physicians, refined methods, and unique follicular unit extraction devices, this article briefly traces the evolution of FUE and attempts to shed some light on why the procedure continues increasing in popularity and demand each day.
In this hair transplant video interview, Dr. Steve Gabel, a member of the elite Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians, discusses how he works with each prospective patient to develop a custom hair restoration plan.
Dr. Gabel takes pride in the fact that he personally places the majority of the follicular unit grafts and rarely leaves the patient’s side. When closing the donor site Dr. Gabel uses his plastic surgery background in creating the most minimal scar possible using trichophytic closure techniques.
To learn more about Dr. Gabel, his experience, skill, philosophy and to see examples of his hair restoration results, visit his Coalition profile on the Hair Loss Learning Center.
Recently, I underwent hair transplant scar revision surgery after a disappointing follicular unit transplantation (FUT) procedure earlier this year. Unfortunately, the repair was unsuccessful, and now the strip scar is even more apparent. I know scarring and patient physiology are unique, but I’m wondering if this is common?
I feel for you in your plight. Unfortunately there are no guarantees with any type of surgery, and in particular, the best predictor of poor scarring is … previous poor scarring.
We do lots of follicular unit transplantation scar repair cases, and I post lots of scar pictures. Having performed a lot of facial plastic surgery, I feel that I can suture better than most, but this doesn’t always mean that I get great scars.
Scar results generally are related to part patient physiology, part doctor skill, and probably part luck.
Patients with a family history of poor scarring, or who are in demographic groups more likely to have wide scars (black and asian patients), are at increased risk for poor scars – whether presenting with a virgin head or a scar revision.
Doctor skill and limiting skin edge tension by a variety of techniques definitely plays a role too. Entire books are written on this subject, but in summary, if you can limit the pull on the skin edges in the universal donor region, either by a skinny strip or by deep sutures, or both, you’ll decrease the risk, but not eliminate it, of getting wide scars.
I take fish oil, multivitamin (with B and E), grapeseed extract and drink green tea on a daily basis which, according to my research, are blood thinners. When does one stop taking these supplements prior to hair transplant surgery?
I instruct patients to stop all supplements that may have blood thinning effects one week prior to their hair restoration surgery. I can also provide them with a detailed list of which medications and supplements need to be discontinued.
In most cases, the surgery could still be performed successfully even if the patient did not stop taking them.
Several months ago, I began taking Propecia (finasteride) for my progressive hair loss and experienced significant side effects. After stopping the medication, I switched to Avodart (dutasteride), another medication sometimes indicated in hair restoration, and did not experience any adverse side effects. Is there a reason for this? Should I continue taking the Avodart?
Finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia) works by blocking the DHT (dihydrotestosterone – the hormone responsible for genetic baldness) converting activity of the type II 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. Dutasteride (the active ingredient in Avodart) works by inhibiting the activity of both the type I and type II 5-alpha-reductase enzymes. Although Propecia is shown to be just as effective, I’m not certain that utilizing one medication over the other would produce different side effects, as they are very, very similar drugs.
Regardless, there could be a variety of reasons why the Avodart is working without negative side effects, and if this will help prevent the progression of your hair loss, I think you should confirm and safety and efficacy of the pill with your hair restoration physician and keep utilizing it as a preventive measure. Additionally, keep in mind that Propecia is the only oral medication officially approved for treating progressive hair loss and usually causes side effects in a very small patient population (according to the official studies, less than 3%).
In this hair transplant video interview, hair restoration physician Dr. Timothy Carman discusses why today’s state of the art hair transplantation can achieve a natural and dense result.
Dr. Carman is a member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) and is also a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons. He is an esteemed member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians and recommended by the Hair Transplant Network. To learn more about Dr. Carman, his experience, skill, philosophy and to see examples of his hair restoration results, visit his Coalition profile on the Hair Loss Learning Center.
Recommended hair restoration surgeon Dr. Parsa Mohebi recently announced the development of the new Laxometer to accurately measure scalp laxity during hair transplant surgery.
According to Dr. Mohebi, the new tool, aptly titled the “Laxometer II,” allows for an accurate measurement of donor region scalp laxity prior to the strip excision phase of a Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) procedure. This tool, which will be officially unveiled at the 2011 Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), precisely determines the amount removable donor tissue – maximizing the number of available follicular unit grafts while minimizing harmful transection and post-operative scarring.
Thanks to this new advancement in hair restoration surgery, today, we can transplant a very large number of grafts and restore a person’s hair in simply one session, even if they are in the most advanced stages of baldness. Until recently, a procedure of this magnitude required two or more hair transplantations to achieve the desired coverage and hair density. This new ground breaking innovation will save time and money for both the patient and the surgeon.
More information about the Laxometer II will be available after the upcoming ISHRS meeting.
_______________ Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc
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