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Recently, recommended hair transplant surgeon and follicular unit extraction (FUE) specialist Dr. Sanusi Umar shared a presentation about leg hair transplants (body hair transplant) at the 2011 American Society for Dermatological Surgery (ASDS) annual meeting.

As a hair restoration surgeon, Dr. Umar is well known for his ability to successfully extract and implant hair grafts from alternative (non-scalp) sources during extreme hair transplant repairs. Although he’s frequently utilized body hair grafts from the beard, chest, and armpit regions, the ASDS presentation focused on the use of leg hair grafts during hair transplant repairs.

To demonstrate the validity of these grafts, Dr. Umar presented a repair patient who underwent a 1,000 leg hair graft procedure. Utilizing hair solely from the patient’s legs, Dr. Umar repaired a harsh, unnatural hairline created during a previous hair transplant surgery.

Two years after the repair procedure, Dr. Umar showed the leg grafts recreated a soft, natural hairline and permanently transformed the patient’s appearance. According to Dr. Umar’s blog, the leg hair graft’s natural fine caliber and ability to create a “soft,” gradual appearance makes them an ideal choice for transplant repair procedures.

Congratulations Dr. Umar!
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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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Although chemotherapy is one of the most effective cancer treatments available today, it is frequently associated with a variety of physical and psychological side effects. Among the potential side effects is one condition notoriously dreaded by cancer patients: hair loss.

Because chemotherapy induced hair loss often makes cancer treatment more difficult and mentally damaging, scientists and physicians continually research ways to preserve native hair and prevent thinning hair during anti-cancer treatments.

Recently, two hospitals in the United Kingdom introduced a new invention that may prevent unfortunate chemotherapy induced hair loss and help cancer patients heal in a more comprehensive manner.

The invention, created by the daughter of a breast cancer victim, is tentatively called a “scalp cooler,” and works by literally lowering a patient’s scalp temperature and decreasing blood flow to the scalp. The reduced scalp blood flow helps minimize the interaction between the hair follicles and harmful chemotherapy drugs, which prevents damage and decreases the frequency of hair loss.

According to Julie Reed, a nurse at one of the trial hospitals:

They are a massive benefit to patients who will be able to use them during their cancer treatment because obviously it’s more evident to people that they are under going treatment when they have no hair.

Furthermore, Oncologist Larry Hayward agrees and states:

Obviously the most important thing is to control the cancer, get rid of it if we can, but allowing patients to get on with life is normal whilst they have what’s otherwise quite complicated treatment is going to be a huge advantage.

Although it’s been proven safe and effective for treating male pattern baldness in several research trials, many hair loss sufferers still insist that the hair restoration drug Propecia (finasteride) causes irreversible sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, these same individuals claim Merck Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Propecia, failed to adequately warn patients about the potential long-term sexual side effects associated with the drug.

As a result, over 51 different class action lawsuits have been filed against Merck Pharmaceuticals within the past several years. Although all cases focus on the allegedly permanent sexual side effects, each differs slightly and was scheduled for a unique day in court. However, Merck Pharmaceuticals recently altered the legal situation by deciding these individual complaints should be consolidated into one lawsuit and evaluated during a single proceeding.

Because 41 of the 53 complaints have been filed in New Jersey, Merck recommends the single trial take place in a New Jersey courtroom. A hearing, to determine whether the consolidation will occur, is scheduled to take place on March 29th, 2012 in San Diego, California.

Legal experts claim the consolidated proceeding would help prevent contradictory decisions and unnecessary pretrial rulings.

In an interesting turn, the official Propecia website is “down” and contains the following message: Thank you for visiting propecia.com, this website is currently not available; You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.

While it’s uncertain whether the website content is related to the current lawsuits, many hair loss patients cannot ignore the coincidental timing.

Acclaimed hair restoration physician Dr. Alan Feller is a pioneer in the field of modern follicular unit hair transplantation and an esteemed member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians. Dr. Feller is widely known as one of the world’s foremost experts in follicular unit extraction (FUE) and is the inventor of the “Feller Punch“, a tool that has been adopted by many leading hair transplant surgeons around the globe.

Recently, Feller Medical announced the launch of their new, state of the art multimedia website. The new site features a unique, interactive patient results gallery, a patient video gallery, testimonials and more. Balding men and women seeking a solution to hair loss are encouraged to visit their new and improved website at Feller Medical to learn more about their experience, technique and high standard of patient care.

To discuss Dr. Feller’s new website, visit the discussion forum topic, Feller Medical Debuts New and Improved Website.

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David (TakingThePlunge)
Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant 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 Restoration Social Network and Enhanced Discussion Forum

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new Online Hair Loss Treatment Shop.

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Technorati Tags: hair restoration, Dr. Alan Feller, hair transplantation, Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians, follicular unit extraction, FUE, Feller Punch, hair transplant, Balding, hair loss

With her angelic face, unattainable physique and signature, flowing blonde locks, Mattel’s Barbie has epitomized the American standard of beauty and glamour since her “birth” in 1959. But, if one group has its way, at least one aspect of Barbie’s iconic look will receive a makeover this year. A grassroots movement born in the age of social media has created a Facebook page petitioning the toy maker to create a bald Barbie to “help young girls who suffer from hair loss due to cancer treatments, Alopecia and Trichotillomania” as well as for those who are having trouble coping with their mother’s hair loss from chemotherapy.

Balding men and women of all ages understand the psychological effects of hair loss. Those suffering from androgenic alopecia or one of the many non-genetic causes know the feelings of helplessness and loss of self-esteem that can accompany thinning hair. But, this pales when compared to a child who is not only balding but also suffering from an incurable and potentially life-threatening illness.

As a community by and for hair loss sufferers, the Hair Restoration Forum and Social Network is committed to educating balding men and women about effective and proven hair loss treatments and we support the creation of a Bald Barbie. Perhaps we can’t cure cancer but we have a unique opportunity to help alter society’s perception of hair loss and, most importantly, put smiles on the faces of little girls who have forgotten what it’s like to feel like a princess.

Each year, Baltimore Magazine publishes a list of top physicians in the region from more than 101 specialties. We are pleased to announce that, this year, Coalition member Dr. James Vogel was named by his peers as one of the city’s top General Plastic Surgeons of 2011.

Dr. Vogel is very involved in contributing to his profession and sharing hair restoration techniques with his peers. He is the past president of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) and was the chairman of the scientific committee from 1993 to 1999. He remains actively involved in lecturing and writing with many surgical societies and professional organizations.

Adding to his list of accomplishments, Dr. Vogel has recently been asked by The Aesthetic Surgery Journal to serve as their international section editor on hair transplants. The Aesthetic Surgery Journal is the official journal of The International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Dr. James Vogel is a highly respected member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians and recommended on the Hair Transplant Network. To learn more about Dr. Vogel and his ultra-refined follicular unit hair transplant procedure, click here to view his Coalition profile on the Hair Loss Learning Center.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Vogel by clicking here and adding your comments to the discussion on our popular Hair Loss Forum.

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David (TakingThePlunge)
Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.

Recently, Coalition member and highly acclaimed hair restoration surgeon Dr. Bessam Farjo of Manchester, United Kingdom was interviewed by the Times of India for a lifestyle article about hair loss.  Topics discussed include advancements made in hair loss research, state of the art hair transplant surgery and hair multiplication (cloning). In the article, Dr. Farjo discusses why he chose to specialize in hair restoration and his role in shaping its future through the ongoing research and development of new techniques.

Dr. Bessam Farjo has a long history of performing state of the art, ultra-refined follicular unit hair transplantation with outstanding results. Along with his wife and colleague, Dr. Nilofer Farjo, he founded the Farjo Medical Centre in 1992. Since that time, the Farjo Clinic has become the UK’s premier center for surgical hair restoration, medical hair loss treatment and research.

Dr. Bessam and Nilofer Farjo are both highly esteemed members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians and recommended by the Hair Transplant Network. To learn about our criteria for recommending physicians, click here.

Click the image below to see the full article.

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David (TakingThePlunge)
Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant 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 Restoration Social Network and Enhanced Discussion Forum

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new Online Hair Loss Treatment Shop.

Recommended hair transplant surgeon Dr. Shelly A. Friedman recently released a new book titled To Bald or Not to Bald? That is the Question. Although the book is humorously titled, the content tackles important hair loss issues, such as the difference between male and female genetic balding, effective hair restoration treatments, and obtaining state-of-the-art surgical techniques. As Dr. Friedman explains:

Although it is usually an unwanted sign of aging, hair loss may no longer be inevitable. Hopefully, by the time you finish this book you will understand the proven, effective treatment options that have become so popular. In subsequent chapters you will realize that hair loss is a problem that can be solved with new and exciting methods that will be explained in detail as we move along. We live in a new era of medical innovation and possibilities. Advances in medical research, technology and surgical techniques have restored patient’s faith in the field of medical and surgical hair restoration. This books explains the entire process of hair restoration today.

If you would like to get in contact with Dr. Friedman, feel free to visit his recommendation profile at the Hair Transplant Network. Additionally, please visit our online hair loss product shop for information on purchasing your very own copy of To Bald or Not to Bald? That is the Question.

To purchase this book immediately, click here.

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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

Every year, hair restoration physicians, medical assistants and others in the hair restoration profession from around the world come together to discuss the latest and greatest hair loss treatments at the annual International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) scientific meeting.  Last week, the ISHRS held its annual 2011 scientific meeting in Anchorage, Alaska.

While the publishers of the Hair Transplant Network were unable to attend this year’s ISHRS meeting, the below highlights from this year’s conference came from interviews with several expert hair restoration physicians who provided this community with their feedback on the latest innovations discussed at this year’s meeting. 

Hot topics include updates on hair duplication (formerly known as autocloning) with ACell, follicular unit extraction (FUE versus FUT hair transplant surgery), causes of female hair loss, Propecia and whether or not it can cause permanent sexual side effects, robotic hair transplant surgery using the ARTAS Hair Restoration System, revolutionary tools for hair restoration including updates on the NeoGraft hair transplant machine, hair transplant graft survival rates, and the future of hair loss treatments.

Acknowledgements

A special thanks Coalition member Dr. William Rassman for providing details on many hot topics he found particularly interesting on his Balding Blog (www.baldingblog.com).  Much of Dr. Rassman’s input on the meeting along with others are summarized below.

Other contributors to the below highlights of this year’s ISHRS meeting include:

Dr. Jerry Cooley
Dr. Victor Hasson
Dr. Jerry Wong
Dr. Mike Beehner
Dr. Parsa Mohebi
Dr. Jim Harris
Dr. Ron Shapiro
Dr. Alan Bauman

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.

In the official announcement, Dr, Mohebi states:

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.
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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

Follow our community on Twitter

Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube