Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

This question, asked by a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. Raymond Konior of Chicago, IL.

What is the consensus regarding a hair transplant patient’s decision to close the temples as in the example below? Is the hair behind it in the lateral region considered safe as it has receded so far?

I believe that the strategy of how a hair transplant surgeon approaches hairline design in terms of location and density is based on several key parameters – each of which must be factored into the final decision as to what should or should not be done with respect to designing the frontal hair restoration zone. Here are some of the key components that I factored into his plan.

A prediction as to the final hair loss pattern – Although there is no way to assess the definitive final pattern for many patients, an educated prognosis can often be made based on age, examination for presence or absence of miniaturization and family history. Analysis of these factors for this case suggested that his final pattern would support the long term aesthetic benefit of the restoration that was performed. Personally, I spend much more time trying to convince patients to be conservative with respect to hairline location and density as there seems to be more patients presenting to my office with the potential for progression to an advanced pattern on the Norwood Scale that would not support aggressive hairline restoration. Fortunately this patient appeared to have just the right combination of factors to allow for the restoration performed.

Since becoming FDA approved for the treatment of androgenic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) in 1997, many millions of men around the world have successfully used Propecia (finasteride) to slow the progression of balding and regrow hair. A small percentage of these men experienced a range of sexual side effects from mild testicular pain to erectile dysfunction.

From the beginning, Merck (Propecia’s manufacturer) maintained that less than 2% of men would experience these side effects and that they would eventually subside upon discontinuation of the hair loss treatment. However, over the years, a small but vocal patient minority have been warning of prolonged and even permanent sexual dysfunction resulting from the use of Propecia.

Sometimes dismissed as a “placebo effect” or “psychological” in nature, new revisions by the FDA to Propecia’s warning label seem to confirm what some have known for a quite a while: Some men may experience permanent sexual side effects from Propecia.

For more on the changes to Propecia’s warning label see, FDA Forces Merck to Change Propecia Hair Loss Drug Label?

—-

David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

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

I’m considering a 2000 graft FUT (strip) or FUE hair transplant and I’m curious if a strip scar is visible to others when the hair is wet. Does it being “pencil-thin” or “matchbook match” sized affect visibility when wet?

Remember that every surgical hair restoration patient has different healing properties. The technique used by the hair transplant surgeon to suture the donor area and how much tension is present are the major factors that determine a strip scar’s appearance. Each patient will have to adopt a hairstyle that will cover up follicular unit hair transplant (FUT) or  even follicular unit extraction (FUE) scarring.

Like most things in life, to get something you might have to give something up.

Dr. Glenn Charles

—-

David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Technorati Tags: Hair Loss, FUT, FUE, hair transplant, hair restoration, follicular unit hair transplant, follicular unit extraction

In recent years, surgical hair restoration has become increasingly popular among balding men and women seeking a solution to the devastating effects of hair loss. But, finding a quality hair transplant surgeon is not a simple matter of cracking open your local telephone directory or performing a quick Google search. Unfortunately, there are many clinics around the world performing outdated and downright poor quality hair transplants compared to the elite few performing state of the art, ultra refined follicular unit hair transplantation.  Prospective patients must educate themselves not only about the procedure itself but also how to identify and locate these world-class surgeons.

The good news is that the information age has made it easier than ever to conduct effective research from the comfort of your own home. The Internet provides the tools, but where should you begin and what do you really need to know? You only get one shot at a first hair transplant and choosing the wrong doctor can have serious consequences.

For in-depth advice on how to conduct your hair transplant research and ensure a successful outcome, read the article, Choosing a Quality Hair Transplant Surgeon.

—-

David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

I am experiencing hair loss of about 40-60 strands a day. I have lost lots at my temples. It’s gone really deep. My goals are:

1.   To prevent further balding.
2.   If somehow I can regrow hair at my temples (is this too much to ask for)

I read about platelet rich plasma (PRP) and ACell. I don’t know how effective they are. Can anyone explain if this is effective? I don’t know if I have thinning hair. I have undergone no hair loss treatment yet. My stylist told me that there is thinning of hair at the front. Please advise which doctor I should consider in the Los Angeles area.

There is currently no non-surgical hair loss treatment available that is likely to restore your receding hairline. However, your best bet to retain the hair you have and potentially add density to thinning hair is using Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride). These are the only two clinically proven and FDA approved drugs for the treatment of androgenic alopecia.

In addition to these drugs, you may also wish to add Nizoral Shampoo to your hair growth regimen. Nizoral contains the active ingredient Ketoconazole which may be a mild DHT blocker. Used in combination, Rogaine, Propecia and Nizoral are known affectionately as “The Big Three”.

To restore your hairline, you may require hair transplant surgery. To learn more about your options I suggest consulting with one or more of the prescreened, quality hair restoration physicians recommended by the Hair Transplant Network. You can also click here for a list of recommended doctors in California.

Treating hair loss is a multibillion dollar industry. Unfortunately for the millions of balding men and women across the globe, sorting out effective non-surgical hair loss treatments from the multitude of hair growth scams out there can be tough.

Those suffering from androgenic alopecia (pattern baldness) have a veritable cornucopia of herbal and drug-based topicals, tablets, shampoos and even mechanical devices to choose from. Many of these products make lofty claims to turn back the clock and restore bald heads to luscious, flowing locks. But buyer beware! Currently there is no hair loss cure. However, there are a few select products that are clinically proven and FDA approved or simply offer compelling evidence to support their claims to regrow hair.

To learn more about which treatments are really effective for thinning hair read the article:

Which Hair Loss Treatments Really Work?

To purchase credible treatments for balding at extremely low prices, visit our online hair loss treatments store.

—-

David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Technorati Tags: hair loss, balding, hair loss treatments, hair growth, androgenic alopecia, baldness, bald, hair loss cure, regrow hair

Are you one of the millions of balding men and women worldwide waiting for a new and revolutionary treatment for genetic hair loss? If so, your wait may soon be over.

The Internet has been abuzz lately over a discovery by University of Pennsylvania researchers, illuminating the role of a compound called Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) in androgenic alopecia. These scientists have noted a direct correlation between higher concentrations of this compound and thinning hair, suggesting that inhibiting PGD2 or otherwise blocking its effects may stop hair loss and potentially regrow hair.

For more information on this exciting and potentially life-changing non-surgical hair loss treatment, read the article:

Hair Loss Cure? Recent Discovery of PGD2 (Prostaglandin D2) Brings Hope For Ending Hair Loss.

While there is certainly nothing wrong with speculating about future hair loss treatments, balding men and women are advised to research and consider clinically proven and FDA approved treatments available today. For men these are Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil). Only Rogaine is safe and approved for female hair loss. Women should not ingest or even handle Propecia tablets.

—-

David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

In this hair loss article, Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. William Lindsey shares his expert advice for comparing hair restoration physicians.

Recently I read a thread that said some hair transplant surgeons do not like to harvest a donor strip that exceeds 2cm in width. I take it different doctors are comfortable with varying widths. I also assume the wider the strip the more aggressive the procedure and more likelihood of going beyond the safe zone. Am I right? What is a conservative width? Does it depend on the patient? How about length?

With rare exception my FUT strips are always about 1.75 cm wide or about the width of a stick of gum. The variable is the length which can be ear to ear or shorter if we need less hair. For me, that usually results in a pretty decent scar. But, there are plenty of times where I’ll say to the patient right after the strip is out: “Wow, you really have a stretchy scalp. We could have taken a bigger strip.” There are other times when I’ll say “That is pretty tight, I’m glad we didn’t go any wider.” Now, the trouble is predicting that, and it’s a bit like predicting the stock market; meaning that I don’t know anyone who is always right. So I err on the side of caution.

Hair restoration surgery is becoming an increasingly popular solution for hair loss suffering men and women around the world. However, many of the world’s leading hair restoration experts advise their patients to consider non-surgical treatments as a complement to surgery.

Currently, there are only two clinically proven and FDA approved medical hair loss treatments. These are Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride).  While the risk of side effects are very low with each of these drugs, some patients prefer to undergo hair surgery without the added benefits of hair loss drugs.  But is this really a good idea?

While hair transplant surgery has the potential to restore the appearance of a full head of hair, it does nothing to curb the progression of future hair loss. Only proven non-surgical hair loss treatments like Propecia and Rogaine can help to slow its progression and even possibly produce new hair growth.

To learn more about the risks of hair transplant surgery without the medical stabilization of balding as well as natural alternative to drug-based non-surgical treatments, read the below article:

Are Non-Surgical Hair Loss Treatments Required for Hair Transplant Surgery?

—-

David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

This question, from a member of the Hair Restoration Discussion Forum, was answered by Jotronic – a senior member and consultant to Coalition physicians Dr. Victor Hasson and Dr. Jerry Wong:

I have read online that hair transplant surgeons often leave the placing of grafts to the technicians, perhaps checking every fifteen minutes or so. I guess my question is what is the most important part of the procedure? Is it taking the grafts in the first place, the splitting of grafts or indeed the placement?

Seeing as you are paying thousands of dollars, one would expect the doctor to perform all of the procedure from start to finish or at least 90%. As I say, I’ve read lots of posts where the doctors in question (some top class Coalition) delegate parts of the procedure out to others. I feel lucky that my doctor did all of my procedure from start to finish and only left for ten minutes or so. I would feel terribly let down if my hair restoration physician seemed to be away more than he was present during the procedure considering the large amount of cash handed over.

Graft placement is very important. But, when it comes to high quality hair restoration with a decent number of grafts, no single doctor should do the whole procedure. If you’re talking about a few hundred grafts then sure, I can see this being possible. But, when you’re dealing with a few thousand or more grafts then it just does not make sense. The procedure would take far too long and the grafts would stand a larger chance of dying due to desiccation (drying). Fatigue is another factor to consider.