Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

Several years ago, Coalition physicians Dr. Jerry Wong and Dr. Victor Hasson released an educational video detailing and explaining the process of scalp exercises. In theory, scalp exercises help a patient create additional scalp laxity (or looseness) in the universal donor area before a hair transplant procedure. This allows the surgeon to (potentially) remove and implant a greater number of follicular unit grafts.

Although this video was informative, educational, and comprehensive, Hasson and Wong received a myriad of scalp exercise questions and concerns over the past few years. In response to this feedback, the clinic decided to create a new video that answers these thoughtful questions, presents new information, and provides a wonderful overview of scalp exercising.

To view this new video, click here: Hasson & Wong: Scalp Laxity Exercises.

Enjoy!

_______________
Blake Bloxham – 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

Technorati Tags: scalp exercise, scalp laxity, universal donor area, hair transplant, follicular unit grafts, scalp exercising

This question, from a member of our Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by Coalition surgeons Dr. Scott Alexander and Dr. Glenn Charles:

I understand that good oxygen supply in the bloodstream is necessary for hair growth after hair transplant surgery. However, if a hair loss patient suffered from an occasional breathing disorder, would the lack of oxygen affect the post-operative growth?

If you have occasional breathing difficulties, this obviously should be checked out by your doctor to find out exactly what is causing this problem. As for hair growth, if you remain conscious, you are getting enough oxygen to keep your hair alive. This is not the cause of any hair loss or poor growth after a hair transplant procedure.

- Dr. Scott Alexander

Exposing yourself to low oxygen situations may cause additional stress to your whole body. This in turn could possibly make you experience hair loss at a faster rate. However, it would most likely only be a permanent problem if you were genetically inclined to have hair loss later in life. In other words, hair loss is almost always genetic. All the things you are exposed to and the stressful events probably only play a role in the rate at which the genetics express themselves. However, it is well documented that wounds do heal faster when exposed to high concentrations of oxygen.

- Dr. Glenn Charles

_______________
Blake Bloxham – aka Future_HT_Doc

This question comes from a member of the Hair Restoration Discussion Forums and Social Community:

After consulting with several recommended hair transplant surgeons I’ve come to the conclusion that most surgeons implant follicular unit grafts at a density of around 40 – 60 grafts per square centimeter. I’m curious, if I only want to restore my frontal hairline, why can’t the surgeon restore my hairline to the density I had before experiencing hair loss (80 – 100 grafts per square centimeter)?

Although I’m sure each hair restoration physician has specific opinions on implanting grafts at this density (and that final density is unique to each patient’s physiology), there are several reasons why I believe experts do not restore hairlines to an unaffected density:

First, I’m uncertain that the blood supply to the balding areas is sufficient to accept and properly nurture grafts at this density (80 – 100 grafts per square centimeter). Because of this, the graft survival rate and scalp trauma could both be greatly affected. Second, transplanting at this density could negatively affect surrounding native hairs (causing unnecessary damage).

Third, transplanting at this density would require a large strip (in a follicular unit transplantation -FUT case) or various extractions (in a follicular unit extraction -FUE case) for a small transplant area, which could lead to unnecessary scarring. Fourth, transplanting at this density does not take progressive loss into consideration. It seems like a great idea to densely pack or lower a hairline at a young age, but the results can be very unsatisfactory when and if future hair loss occurs. Furthermore, this also depletes precious donor follicular units.

This frequently asked question comes from a member of our Hair Restoration Forum and Social Community:

I recently underwent a follicular unit transplantation (FUT) procedure and was wondering how long I needed to wait before resuming my normal weight lifting routine? Are there certain exercises I need to avoid? Is there anyway to protect the hair transplant scar from stretching while working out?

Although this issue is frequently discussed on the Hair Restoration forums, many people have differing opinions on weight lifting after a hair transplant procedure. Of all the available explanations and suggestions, one of the clearest and informative replies comes from Coalition physician Dr. Robert M. Bernstein of New York:

You may perform normal daily activities for the next three days and moderate exercise for the next 14 days. After two weeks, you may resume your normal daily activities. Avoid direct trauma to the head for two weeks after the hair transplant procedure. Abstain from sexual intercourse and alcohol for THREE days following the procedure.

Exercise

Follicular Unit Transplantation (WOUND CLOSED WITH SUTURES OR STAPLES).

This question comes from a member of the Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums:

After some recent issues, I’ve decided to undergo hair transplant surgery and want to consult with one of the Hair Transplant Network’s recommended hair restoration physicians. However, the nearest clinic is over 100 miles away from my home and making this trip would be very difficult. Is there anything I can do?

Consulting with expert hair transplant surgeons is an important aspect of the restoration journey. These consultations help hair loss patients gauge the size of their potential hair transplant procedure, discuss the integration of medical therapies (such as minoxidil – Rogaine and finasteride –  Propecia), select a skilled surgeon, and (if the patient is an appropriate candidate) confidently schedule an operation.

However, many times these state-of-the-art hair loss experts are located in different states, regions, countries, or even continents! Although these geographic restrictions can be troubling for potential patients, the Hair Transplant Network offers a unique solution – virtual hair loss consultations. This free service allows patients the ability to consult with recommended hair transplant surgeons from all around the world without ever leaving their homes!

Would you like a free online hair loss consultation? If so, feel free to click here (Free Online Hair Restoration Consultation).

_______________
Blake Bloxham – 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

Although hundreds of questions are asked and answered on the Hair Restoration Discussion Forums daily, the most common is likely hair loss patients asking how many follicular unit grafts are necessary to fill their balding scalp. Despite the fact that this question is quite common, it’s difficult to answer and unique to nearly every patient.

Various physiological and personalized factors determine the number of grafts required to cover balding scalp. Factors such as the size of the transplanted area, characteristics of the donor hair (circumference of the hair shafts – fine versus coarse and texture of the donor hair -wavy versus straight), desired density in the transplanted region, color difference between the scalp and follicular unit grafts, laxity (“looseness”) in the universal donor region, age, and hairline design all affect the number of grafts required for an aesthetically significant result.

However, despite the numerous variables associated with graft counts, there is a way to estimate the required number of follicular unit grafts in any given hair transplant surgery. The hair loss learning center graft calculator is a tool that allows patients to input their personalized information and calculate the number of grafts required for the desired amount of coverage.

The calculator takes variables such as current level of hair loss, the area of the balding scalp, and desired density in the transplanted area into consideration, and creates a helpful estimate of the required graft count. Although the tool is not a replacement for a consultation with an experienced hair restoration physician it’s a useful tool that can help many patients answer the infamous question: how many follicular unit grafts will it take to fill my balding area?
_______________
Blake Bloxham – aka Future_HT_Doc

This question comes from a member of the Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums:

A past follicular unit transplantation procedure left me with a less than desirable hair transplant scar. I’m now investigating a scar revision procedure and I’m wondering the potential pitfalls and risks of this operation?

Although revising a follicular unit transplantation (FUT) scar is usually considered less invasive than a hair transplant procedure, there are still certain risks and issues involved. In most cases, the undesirable strip scar is removed in the same fashion as the donor portion in a FUT procedure – by removing a portion of scalp (varying in width and length) from the universal donor zone and closing the wound with sutures or staples. Because of this, some issues associated with traditional hair transplant operations – scar stretching, laxity (“looseness”)  in the donor region, and closure tension, are still relevant in a revision procedure.

However, one of the most significant complications from a scar revision procedure comes from many patient’s desire to obtain and implant additional follicular unit grafts from the excised scar region. During many revision operations, excess scalp (containing implantable grafts) is removed from around the scar region and the additional follicular grafts are transplanted into balding areas. However taking excess scalp (around the excised scar tissue) simply for the intent of obtaining extra grafts can often create another sub-optimal scar. In various cases, it may be advantageous to simply remove the scar tissue and close a smaller area instead of trying to revise the scar and obtain additional grafts.

This question comes from a member of the Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums:

I underwent a hair transplant procedure earlier this week and I was wondering how long I need to wait before using styling products? I’m returning to work soon, and need to know if I should wait before using gel and Toppik?

As hair restoration procedures become less invasive, hair loss suffers are able to resume regular activities at accelerated rates post-surgery. Part of this healing process involves continuing with normal hair styling regimens and routines. However, despite the fact that many patients are eager to begin styling their hair regularly, most are equally cautious when it comes to disturbing newly implanted follicular unit grafts.

Knowing this, it’s reasonable to conclude that once the new grafts are properly anchored, it’s safe to use styling products such as gel, mousse, sprays, and hair concealers. Since grafts are properly set between day 7 and 10 (with most experts agreeing that grafts are anchored by day 7), it’s safe to use styling products 7-10 days after hair transplant surgery (after 10 days if one wants to be cautious).

_______________
Blake Bloxham – 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

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, Toppik, hair restoration, hair loss, follicular unit graft, hair concealers, hair transplant surgery

This question comes from a member of the Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums:

Years ago, I underwent an antiquated hair transplant surgery where multi-unit, hair plug grafts were implanted in my hairline. After years of turmoil, I’ve decided to have these pluggy grafts removed, or punched-out, and seek a modern, state-of-the-art hair transplant procedure at a later date. However, I’m wondering how long it will take before the redness caused by the hair plug removal procedure fades away?

Because of the size of multi-unit, plug grafts, it’s reasonable to worry about redness and swealling from a removal procedure. Keep in mind that although hair plugs are removed much like follicular unit grafts in a follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedure, the trauma caused by the size of the punch grafts will result in some swelling and redness in the extraction area. For the sake of comparison, a typical follicular unit extraction tool will measure 0.7 – 0.9 mm in diameter, whereas the average plug graft measures (and will require an extraction tool) 3.5 – 4 mm in width.

On average, the redness created by hair plug removal will last anywhere from 2 – 3 weeks. However, keep in mind that the wider the graft, the more trauma caused during extraction, and the longer the area will remain red. For example, a micro or mini-graft (a plug graft dissected into smaller, but still unnecessarily large segments) extraction would remain red for less time than a punch or plug graft removal.

This question comes from a concerned member of the Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums:

I’m a male, late 30s, with a salt and pepper mixture of gray and dark hair investigating a hair transplant procedure. My question involves my gray hairs and transplanting gray hairs from the universal donor zone. Should my hair transplant surgeon try to remove a strip with as little gray hair as possible? Will the gray hairs be difficult to properly prepare under a microscope? Should the hair technicians try to blend black and gray hairs when preparing the follicular unit grafts?

First, it’s important to realize that many hair restoration patients possess gray or graying hair, and this issue is handled by experienced hair transplant surgeons on a daily basis. Meaning that transplanting gray hairs during a follicular unit transplantation (FUT) or follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedure should not be an issue.

Removing a follicular unit transplant strip to purposely avoid gray hairs is not an optimal strategy and would most likely not be done by a reputable transplant surgeon. The universal safe zone (where follicular unit grafts can be safely extracted because these follicles are resistant to the hormone that causes hair loss) is limited, and the surgeon will likely want to safely extract a significant amount of grafts during the procedure. Because of this, strategically ignoring pieces of the donor area because of gray hairs would not be a good idea. Especially because, under normal circumstances, gray hairs are just as viable as ones that still retain a natural hair coloring.