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Statistically, 25% of men will experience genetic hair loss by the age of 30 and as many as 50% by the age of 50.  Some of these men will accept their balding and allow nature to take its course, while others will choose to use popular hair loss treatments to try and slow the progress of androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness) and regrow hair.

Not long ago, the only effective way to restore hair to a bald scalp was to cover it with a wig, toupee or hair replacement system. Today, men suffering from thinning hair can choose to use the clinically proven and FDA approved medical hair growth treatments Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) or (for those that are candidates) state of the art ultra refined follicular unit hair transplant surgery.

To learn if hair transplants are for you, read the article, Top 5 Reasons Men Choose Hair Transplant Surgery

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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.
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

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Technorati Tags: hair loss, balding, hair loss treatments, androgenic alopecia, male pattern baldness, regrow hair, bald, hair replacement system, hair growth, follicular unit, hair transplant, hair transplants

On March 1st, 2012, the patent on Rogaine‘s popular foam topical expired and a generic version of generic minoxidil foam was finally released.

After reporting this exciting news on our Hair Loss Q & A blog, our hair restoration experts at the hair transplant network evaluated the product and decided to carry generic 5% minoxidil foam at the hair loss treatment shop.

The FDA initially approved Rogaine foam because of both its 85% regrowth rate and proven efficacy, but it was the product’s usability that truly resonated with hair loss sufferers. Many minoxidil users preferred the foam (to the liquid) version because it was easier to apply to the scalp and did not “run” or “streak.” However, despite the improved usability and ease, hair loss sufferers still experienced one significant issue with Rogaine foam: the price.

However, the price, in and of itself, was not necessarily the problem. The problem with the cost of Rogaine foam was the fact that hair loss sufferers did not have a generic foam option. For example, the difference between the Rogaine liquid and generic minoxidil liquid (5%) is an estimated $25 for a three month supply (with Rogaine liquid costing $49.99 and the generic liquid costing $24.99). Without the generic foam version, customers did not have the ability to compare and select a reasonable product within budget. However, with the release of the generic foam, minoxidil users now have the ability to utilize the foam version at reasonable cost!

Only an elite group of hair restoration physicians who regularly perform ultra refined hair transplants with outstanding results are invited to join the high ranks of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians. To see our demanding standards for the Coalition, click here.

Recently, we sought the input and opinions from hair loss forum members about potentially inviting Dr. Vladimir Panine to join the ranks of the Coalition. The input we received from his patients and other members of our community have been very supportive and positive. To see what our members are saying, visit the discussion topic “Potential Coalition Membership for Dr. Vladimir Panine of River Grove, Illinois“.

The forum topic about Dr. Panine’s potential Coalition membership also includes numerous examples of his large, ultra refined procedures and results. To see additional examples of his impressive results, visit the “Results Posted by Leading Hair Restoration Clinics” forum.

Given Dr. Panine’s dedication to providing his patients with excellent results and the support we received from patient and physician members of our community regarding his inclusion, we’d like to congratulate him on being approved for membership in the Coalition. You can view Dr. Panine’s Coalition profile by clicking here.

Thanks to everyone who provided their valuable feedback regarding Dr. Panine’s potential Coalition membership. You are encouraged to congratulate him by visiting his potential coalition membership topic above.

For hair loss sufferers considering hair transplant surgery in Illinois and beyond, we strongly encourage you to consult with and consider Dr. Vladimir Panine for your next procedure.

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:

It’s my 4th day since hair transplant surgery and I have a little swelling in the bridge of my nose area and just above. Any suggestions on how to lessen this or how long it takes to go away? I’ve read that icing isn’t a good idea. It’s not terrible but I’ll have to go back to work in about two days and hope it’s gone or drastically less by then.

Icing generally only has an effect in the first 24 hrs. If swelling occurs after hair restoration surgery it is usually the 3rd or 4th day post-op and you just need to let it take its course. It should have no bearing on hair growth.

Dr. Glenn Charles

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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.
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, hair transplant, hair restoration, hair growth

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

Recently, I began worrying about losing my hair. Because of this, I’ve started checking my pillow, hair brush, and shower floor for any signs of increased hair loss. Since I don’t want to worry excessively, I’m curious: how many hairs does an individual not suffering from genetic hair loss lose per day?

Frequently checking pillows, combs, and the shower floor for signs of increased hair shedding is common in individuals worried about balding. While it’s important to catch and prevent hair loss in its early stages, obsessively searching for signs of increased hair shedding without knowing “what’s normal” only increases anxiety and stress.

While opinions differ slightly, most hair restoration experts believe losing anywhere from 50 to 150 hairs per day is normal and not indicative of hair loss. While a portion of these hairs are lost while grooming and showering, another significant portion of normal loss comes from hairs in the catagen (“regression”) phase of the natural hair follicle cycle.

However, if you are concerned about hair loss, I highly recommend seeking the opinion of a talented hair transplant physician early and considering intervention with preventive therapies like Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride).

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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 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.

Shock loss, or the loss of native hairs after hair transplant surgery, is a real concern for any hair loss sufferer considering surgical hair restoration. The effects of shock loss can be serious, and may even cause some to postpone or reconsider hair transplantation altogether. But, is this fear justified? Is it possible to prevent post-operative shock loss?

To answer these important questions, recommended hair transplant surgeon Dr. Parsa Mohebi recently shared his thoughts on preventing shock loss after a hair transplant procedure:

Shock loss, loss of existing hair in transplanted area due to trauma or stress of native hair, can be seen after hair transplant procedures.  This phenomenon is more common for patients who have a significant amount of miniaturization in the transplanted area.  In other words, if hair loss is not completed in a particular area, shock loss will accelerate the process. 

Often times, patients seek advice as to how to minimize shock loss. The primary recommendation we give is to use Propecia (finasteride), the second is Rogaine (minoxidil). Some patients wait until after their procedure and then start to see shock loss before starting finasteride and/or minoxidil. This is definitely not how prevention should be handled!

Patients are advised to begin their use of Propecia or Rogaine a few days before their hair transplant to get the medication in their system, working at its maximum therapeutic level. Some patients go as far as continuing the medication for six to eight months after their procedure simply to avoid post-surgical shock loss.

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?

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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.
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

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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.
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 an exciting turn of events, scientists from the Research Institute for Science and Technology at Tokyo University successfully grew hair from human stem cells implanted in mice. While similar projects have been attempted before, what makes the Tokyo University study unique is the manner in which the human stem cells were created and the properties the cells exhibited in the mouse model.

According to research leader Dr. Takashi Tsuji, the Tokyo University team began the process by  isolating two separate types of human cells: epithelial (outer skin) stem cells and dermal papilla cells (cells both found in the base of the hair follicle and frequently associated with the regenerative properties of hair). Next, the researchers combined these cells and created, what they termed, a “seed follicle.” Finally, the seed follicles were implanted (individually) into the mouse model, where they acted as normal human hair follicles and produced hair.

After the implantation, the mouse showed both new hair growth and the ability to regrow hair that was plucked or removed from the model. The ability to regrow the plucked hair suggests the “seed” follicles successfully transitioned into functional human hair follicles.

While this news is extremely exciting, a few lingering questions and potential complications remain. First, according to several hair loss experts, it is still uncertain whether these “seed” follicles can be amplified and implanted in significant numbers. In the mouse model, the engineered hair follicles were implanted individually, and the need to both grow and implant the grafts “one at a time” could be unrealistic in human hair restoration. Furthermore, it is uncertain how long the seed follicles can survive outside of the human body, which, again, could be a problem during a hypothetical hair transplant procedure.