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This question comes from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums:

Recently, I saw an online article discussing the “vampire treatment” for hair loss. What is the vampire hair loss treatment and is it effective?

Within the last few weeks, a variety of online news sources have released stories about the “vampire treatment” for hair loss. In the articles, the authors state that the new hair loss treatment is vampire-like, because it involves the removal of a patient’s own blood followed by injection of the blood back into the scalp. While the title of the procedure is quite dramatic and mysterious, the therapy is actually something that has been used as a hair loss treatment for a number of years: Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP. So, what is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a procedure where a patient’s blood is extracted and spun at rapid speeds in a centrifuge device. After two sessions in the centrifuge machine, the physician is able to extract a portion of the blood serum (the non-cellular component) that is enriched with platelets (the blood components responsible for blood “clotting” in the body). Allegedly, this platelet enriched plasma contains a variety of growth proteins and growth factors that may revive hair follicles and cause some hair regrowth. After the extraction process, the physician injects the platelet and growth factor enriched plasma into the scalp and informs the patient to monitor for signs of regrowth.

From May 24th through May 26th, 2013 the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) is hosting the second annual Mediterranean Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Workshop in Madrid, Spain. The workshop consists of a series of lectures about important topics in Follicular Unit Extraction, FUE question and answer sessions, FUE discussions and debates, and a series of live Follicular Unit Extraction operations.

Because we recommend a number of FUE innovators and experts, several of our recommended and Coalition hair transplant surgeons are participating in the FUE workshop. According to the official program, our hair restoration physicians are participating in the following activities:

During the first day of the workshop, Dr. Jean Devroye, Dr. James Harris, and Dr. Bijan Feriduni are participating in a debate about the anatomy of FUE grafts. Dr. James Harris is also lecturing about motorized FUE procedures and performing a live, 1,000 graft FUE case on the first day of the conference (and hosting a “Q&A” session after the procedure). On the second day of the workshop, Dr. Devroye is presenting a lecture about motorized FUE and Dr. Feriduni is lecturing about manual Follicular Unit Extraction procedures; both physicians are also performing live, 1,000 graft FUE operations at the end of the day. On the third and final day of the workshop, Dr. James Harris is giving a presentation on automated FUE procedures and the ARTAS Hair Restoration System for automating FUE hair transplant surgery.

Several months ago, we started a new feature at our hair loss community: the Hair Transplant Patient of the Week.

Each week, we review hair transplant cases posted by patients on our Hair Restoration Discussion Forums and select one particularly excellent result as our Hair Transplant Patient of the Week.

In April, we selected three community members as our patients of the week:

First, was Hypox, who received 2,500 grafts via Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) from Dr. Victor Hasson. After years of trying hair loss medications, traditional Chinese treatments, and Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), Hypox underwent surgical hair restoration in 2009 with a different physician. Ultimately, Hypox decided he required additional grafts, and sought a second procedure with Dr. Hasson in 2011. Recently, Hypox shared a 6 month update with our community, and the results are excellent! To see Hypox’s restored hairline, frontal scalp, and (partial) midscalp, please review the following: 6 Month Update – 2,500 Grafts from Dr. Victor Hasson.

Next was Levrais, who received 5,700 grafts via Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) from Dr. Christian Bisanga.  During a total of 3 procedures, Dr. Bisanga used an impressive 5,700 grafts to restore Levrais’ hairline, frontal scalp, temple points, and part of his vertex. Recently, Levrais shared a 5 month update of his 5,700 graft FUE procedure with Dr. Bisanga, and the results are impressive! To review the procedure, please see the following: Levrais – 5,700 Graft FUE with Dr. Bisanga.

This community recommends only hair transplant surgeons who perform high quality hair transplantation with stellar results. Therefore, we are pleased to announce that after careful review and consideration, Dr. Kyriakos Maras of HDC in Cyprus has been approved for recommendation on the Hair Transplant Network. To learn how we prescreen and recommend hair transplant surgeons, click here.

Recently Dr. Maras, his technique and results were carefully reviewed by our hair restoration forum and social community in consideration for recommendation. The vast majority of the feedback we received regarding his potential inclusion has been supportive. To see what our members are saying, visit the “Potential Recommendation of Dr. Kyriakos Maras of HDC in Cyprus“.

Given Dr. Maras’ dedication to state of the art hair transplantation with excellent results and the positive feedback we received from both patients and physicians, Dr. Maras has been approved for recommendation by our online community. To view Dr. Mara’s recommendation profile, click here.

A special thanks to everyone who provided their valuable feedback regarding Dr. Maras’ potential inclusion. Feel free to congratulate him by clicking on his featured potential inclusion topic above.

Those considering hair restoration surgery in Cyprus and beyond, we strongly encourage you to consult with and consider Dr. Kyriakos Maras for your procedure.

Onwards and Upwards,

Pat, Bill, Dave and Blake – The Hair Restoration Team for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q & A Blog and the Hair Restoration Forum and Social Community

Several months ago, we started a new feature at our hair loss community: the Hair Transplant Patient of the Week.

Each week, we review hair transplant cases posted by patients on our Hair Restoration Discussion Forums and select one particularly excellent result as our Hair Transplant Patient of the Week.

In March, we selected three community members are our patients of the week:

First, was Djjr1, who received 2,500 grafts via Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) from Coalition hair restoration surgeon Dr. Alan Feller. Four years ago, Djjr1 grew tired of his hair loss and decided to seek surgical restoration with Dr. Feller. Recently, Djjr1 proved that quality hair transplantation truly “stands the test of time” by updating the community with his 4 year results. To review Djjr1′s excellent 4 year post-operative update, please see the following: Dr. Alan Feller – Four Years After 2,500 Grafts.  

Next, was Aj29, who received 1,301 grafts via Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) from Dr. Christian Bisanga. Aj29 chose Dr. Bisanga to treat his temporal regions and hairline because of his experience with FUE and his expert use of a manual FUE punch tool. Recently, Aj29 shared a 9 month update on the community, and his decision to seek FUE with Dr. Bisanga clearly paid off! To view Aj29′s 9 month post-operative update, please see the following: Dr. Bisanga – 1,301 Grafts to Hairline.

Only hair restoration physicians who persistently produce the best results are approved for recommendation on the Hair Transplant Network. Thus, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Mike Vories of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina has been approved for recommendation by our online community. To learn how we prescreen and recommend hair transplant surgeons, click here.

Dr. Vories has been performing hair transplant procedures since 2002 and now performs high quality follicular unit extraction (FUE) exclusively at his clinic in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. As a hair transplant patient himself, Dr. Mike Vories is compassionate and empathetic to the needs of balding men and thinning women worldwide.

Dr. Mike Vories, his technique and results were carefully reviewed by our patient community. Visit the “Potential Recommendation of Dr. Mike Vories of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina” to see what our members are saying.

After carefully reviewing his technique, results and all the private and public feedback we received, we’ve decided to approve Dr. Vories for recommendation on the Hair Transplant Network for his dedication to high quality follicular unit extraction (FUE) in South Carolina. To congratulate Dr. Vories on his recent achievement, visit his potential inclusion forum topic above.

For hair loss sufferers considering high quality FUE hair transplantation in South Carolina and beyond, you are encouraged to consider Dr. Vories for your next hair transplant procedure. To learn more about Dr. Vories, his technique and to view his patient results, visit his recommendation profile.

Onwards and Upwards,

Bucking the celebrity trend of cosmetic surgery denial, singer A.J. McLean of the 90′s era boy band The Backstreet Boys recently shared before and after photos of his successful hair transplant.

Normally photographed wearing one of his trademark hats, A.J.’s recent Instagram post lays bare the advanced hair loss he had been suffering prior to undergoing surgery. Though the photo quality is not great, it’s plain to see in the after photos that Mr. McLean is now sporting an attractive and stylish new do.

About his decision to pursue hair transplantation, A.J. states,

“Some girls get there [sic] boobs done some guys get abb [sic] implants all to make them happy! This was the one thing I did and I couldn’t be happier thank u dr G!!!!”

Hair loss and hair restoration are nothing to be ashamed of. Androgenic alopecia affects 70% of men and 40% of women worldwide over the course of a lifetime. The Hair Transplant Network congratulates A.J. McLean not only for his decision to take control of his balding but also for his courage in going public.

You are encourgaed to add your thoughts and comments about A.J. McLean’s hair transplant to the discussion, “Backstreet Boy’s AJ Mclean Undergoes Hair Transplant” on our popular hair loss forum.

If you are a man or woman with thinning hair who is considering surgical or non-surgical hair loss treatments we encourage you to consult with one or more of the skilled and experienced hair transplant surgeons we recommend. To learn about our criteria for recommending physicians, click here.

For many balding men and women, a trip to the hair salon is a negative experience. Often times, hair cutting and styling sessions reveal the true nature of one’s progressive hair loss, and this can leave individuals feeling anxious and concerned. When this occurs, patrons often ask hair stylists for advice regarding the types of preventive hair loss treatments to consider. Unfortunately, hair stylists often do not have familiar products in the salon to recommend to these concerned consumers. However, this is about to change because Revivogen recently announced that its line of hair loss shampoos, conditioners, and scalp therapy treatments are now available in hair salons.

Revivogen is also available at discounted prices via our hair loss product store.

Revivogen is a line of topical treatments designed to lower the levels of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) – the hair loss causing hormone – in the scalp. Revivogen’s Scalp Treatment Therapy, Bio-Cleansing shampoo, and Thickening Conditioner contain several ingredients, including Saw Palmetto and GLA/ALA fatty acids, which block the production of DHT in the scalp. Much like finasteride (Propecia), the key ingredients in Revivogen products inhibit the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to the hair follicle-damaging DHT. By lowering these levels, Revivogen may help halt progressive thinning and maintain current hair levels.

For many men, hair loss is a frustrating and sensitive issue. Despite the irritating nature of the condition, physicians and researchers confidently stated for years that male pattern baldness is strictly a cosmetic issue, and not related to any serious illness or chronic disease. However, a recent study published in the British Medical Journal challenges this notion and claims researchers have discovered a link between hair loss and heart disease.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo studied over 37,000 male patients with androgenic alopecia (male genetic hair loss) and found a 32% increase in coronary artery disease (a precursor to angina and eventual heart attack) within the balding population. The team sifted through years of previous research and found a modest, but statistically significant, link between thinning hair in the midscalp and vertex regions and heart disease (specifically coronary artery disease). The researchers claim this correlation was not found in individuals with frontal hairline thinning, but do believe the correlation in midscalp/vertex balding is significant enough to recommend heart disease screening in male patients suffering from this type of hair loss.

So, does this mean otherwise healthy hair loss sufferers should worry about their heart health? According to the same researchers at the Univeristy of Tokyo: no, these individuals should not assume an immediate connection between their hair loss and cardiac health.

Europe’s TRX2 Molecular Hair Loss Treatment promises to halt balding and regrow hair. But, does it really work?

TRX2 is not a drug but rather an herbal, dietary supplement containing a variety of common ingredients readily available at your local nutritional supplement shop; including biotin and L-carnitine tartrate among others. The product’s website provides detailed data gathered from a “randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study” but it is unclear who conducted the study and there is no mention of publication in a peer reviewed journal. Savvy consumers may see this omission as a red flag.

Generally, there is no harm in trying herbal/natural hair loss treatments. However, the high cost of products like TRX2 may make experimentation less desirable than opting for the clinically proven and FDA approved medical treatments Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil).

For a complete listing of TRX2′s ingredients and our detailed product review see the article, “TRX2 Molecular Hair Loss Treatment from Europe: Revolutionary Hair Growth Formula?” at the Hair Loss Learning Center.

Do you have experience with or questions about TRX2? If so, join the following discussion on our popular hair restoration forum, “TRX2 Molecular Hair Loss Treatment Review“.

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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.
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