Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

As a hair loss sufferer visiting this hair restoration blog I’d like to inform you that Dr. Alvi Armani has filed a lawsuit against the Hair Transplant Network community for comments made on our forum that were critical of him and his clinic.

Yet another hair transplant surgeon does not feel that me or certain other members of this hair restoration community have the right to express our opinions or share our experiences.

I invite you to exercise your right to free expression by visiting our forum topic, Dr. Armani Lawsuit Against the Hair Transplant Network, and reply to demonstrate that you are prepared to exercise your right to free speech.

Fortunately our forefathers had the good sense to make the first amendment protecting free speech the very first amendment. Many people, including me, have expressed numerous reservations online about Dr. Armani and his questionable ethics, deceptive marketing practices, as well as issues with his hair transplant technique.

Two posters, one of whom claimed to be a patient of Dr. Armani, were banned on Hair Loss Help when they expressed reservations about Dr. Armani,his practice and his results. They then came to this forum and exercised their right to share their experiences and concerns. One of Dr. Armani’s online representatives then contacted us. We encouraged them to exercise their right to reply and refute any claims that they felt were not accurate. However, instead of replying they chose to sue the Hair Transplant Network.

These questions were posed directly to Dr. Ken Siporin of Beverly Hills, CA who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians by a hair loss sufferer seeking hair transplantation as a means to regrow hair.  His professional answer is below.

After hair transplant surgery, will I be able to shave my head without showing scarring?  If I continue to lose hair, will I need additional hair transplants?  How many follicular unit grafts will I require?  How much am I looking at spending to restore my hair?

You ask some very good questions, and honestly, I am not sure I can do them justice within the constraints of writing. Having said that, I will try to answer your questions, but understand, there is no substitute to seeing you and examining you in person. According to your the photographs that you have sent me, which gives me limited information, and I have no idea what your hair restoration goals are, but saying you just wanted to reestablish your hairline and increase the hair density in your midscalp, I would roughly estimate the number of follicular unit grafts to be around 1500-1700.

I would also recommend you get on Propecia (finasteride), which would limit your future hair loss, and therefore make it less likely that you would have to continually chase your baldness in the future, with additional hair replacement procedures.  However, you may not want to take Propecia; you may start Propecia and then stop because of the rare sexual side effects (1.8% incidence), or you may not get any benefit from Propecia (unlikely, as 95 % of men maintain there hair count in the crown at 3 years), so your question regarding needing additional hair transplant procedures because of future hair loss is not so straightforward.

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair transplantation, regrow hair, hair transplant, follicular unit grafts, hair restoration, hair density, follicular unit grafts, Propecia, finasteride, baldness, hair replacement, future hair loss

Attached are my hair transplant preoperative pictures.  I have been told that I need about 2400 follicular unit grafts, does that sound about accurate?  Can you recommend for me an affordable and quality hair transplant doctor in India?

Without knowing your hair restoration goals, based on what I am seeing you are most likely going to need more than 2400 follicular unit grafts to achieve both full hair coverage and adequate hair density.  Though it is more accurate to receive an estimate from a qualified hair transplant clinic, in my opinion and based on my experience in being a three time hair transplant patient, I would estimate that you would need approximately 4000 follicular unit grafts. 

Some hair restoration physicians have the staffing capability, skills, and experience in that they might be able to accomplish this number of hair grafts in one single hair transplant session depending on your donor hair density and scalp elasticity.  Other hair transplant surgeons lack the staffing and/or experience to do this large of a session and will most likely take more than one session to accomplish your hair restoration goals. 

Keep in mind also that if you lose more additional natural hair, subsequent hair transplant procedures may be necessary as hair transplantation is NOT a hair loss cure.

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, follicular unit grafts, hair transplant doctor, hair restoration, hair coverage, hair density, hair transplant clinic, hair transplant patient, hair grafts, hair transplant session, donor hair, scalp elasticity, hair transplant surgeon, natural hair, hair transplant procedure, hair transplantation, hair loss cure

I am a hair loss sufferer and am considering hair transplantation.  What will I expect to pay for a hair transplant?  What other things should I consider?  Should I be taking any medication for hair loss, and if so, what?

The cost of hair replacement surgery will depend on a number of things including the price charged per follicular unit graft by the hair transplant clinic, the type of hair transplant surgery undergone (follicular unit hair transplantation - FUT or follicular unit extraction - FUE / follicular isolation technique - FIT), the number of hair grafts required, and the number of hair restoration surgeries required.  See also more information on hair transplant costs.

Though hair transplant cost is an important factor to consider it shouldn’t be the first. Finding a quality hair transplant physician who has a proven track record of providing positive hair transplant patient results is extremely important.  I strongly encourage you to research and consult with a physician who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians who has met the high level of membership standards of the Hair Transplant Network. 

A balding male or female suffering from genetic hair loss must also develop realistic expectations and hair restoration goals which should be discussed in detail with your hair transplant surgeon. I do not recommend undergoing hair transplant surgery until you are comfortable with the long term hair restoration plan that has been laid out for you.

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair transplantation, hair transplant, hair replacement, hair transplant clinic, follicular unit hair transplantation, FUT, follicular unit extraction, FUE, follicular isolation technique, FIT, hair grafts, hair restoration, hair transplant cost, hair transplant physician, hair transplant patient, balding, genetic hair loss, hair transplant surgeon, hair transplant surgery

This question was posed by a hair loss sufferer and answered by Dr. William Reed of La Jolla, CA who is a well respected member of the Coalition of Hair Restoration Surgeons.  His professional answer is below.

Thank you for your inquiry. Hair transplant cost is dependent upon how many hair grafts would be necessary. The number of follicular unit grafts necessary is related not only to the surface area needing grafting but also the density of hair that is appropriate with the hairline that we would be creating and, thus, the stage of balding that we are mimicking. ( I know that’s a mouthful, but break it down and it makes sense, I think, and an attempted elaboration follows.) A higher hairline mimicks a more advanced degree of balding; the more advanced degree of balding not only receeds the hairline but drops the density of the remaining hair. A very modest degree of balding may often require the density than can be achieved only with two procedures depending upon the second important factor determining how many grafts you need: styling.

When one thinks about it, what we are trying to do with hair transplantation is get hair mass in an area of scalp that doesn’t have enough. Hair mass is the result of three things:

1. Density, i.e., the number of hairs growing in the area / square inch
2. The diameter, color and waviness of the hair shaft and

Technorati Tags: hair loss, Hair transplant, hair grafts, follicular unit grafts, density of hair, balding, hair transplantation, hair mass

This question was posed directly to Dr. Ken Siporin of Beverly Hills, CA who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians by a hair loss sufferer seeking hair transplantation as a means to regrow hair.  His professional answer is below.

What is the cost for hair transplantation treatment?

You have asked a very important question regarding hair transplantation, and a question that is very important to most hair transplant patients. However, I hope it is not the only criteria by which you choose a hair restoration surgeon.

First of all, any quote that I give you by e mail is just an estimate, as there is  no way to properly diagnose you and make a plan, without meeting you in person, in order to perform a detailed examination and discussion of all the alternatives, and of your personal goals. Achieving your hair restoration goals is first and foremost our aim. It is impossible to give you an accurate cost without having a detailed discussion with you to determine your goals.

Technorati Tags: hair loss, regrow hair, hair transplantation, hair transplant patient, hair restoration surgeon, hair restoration

I am considering a hair transplant.  How much will it cost?

Thank you for your inquiry.

The price for a hair transplant will vary on three important factors: 

• The cost per follicular unit graft of the hair transplant clinic 
• How many follicular unit grafts you will need to help you achieve your hair restoration goals.
• Which hair restoration surgical method you choose: Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) Or Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) / Follicular Isolation Technique (FIT)

I recommend reading the following articles that will give you additional information about available and needed grafts and pricing:

How many grafts will I need for a hair transplant?
How many grafts are available for hair transplantation?
What is the Cost of a hair transplant?

Selecting the right hair transplant physician is important to ensure a satisfactory and natural looking hair transplant.  I recommend using the map feature of our website to find a quality hair restoration physician in your area. 

However - don’t let location determine who you ultimately choose.  It is best to choose a hair transplant doctor based on the public display of consistent and positive results.  Feel free to use the “find” feature of our Hair Restoration Discussion Forum to view real patient experiences and before/after photos.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, follicular unit graft, hair transplant clinic, follicular unit grafts, hair restoration, FUE, FIT, hair restoration physician, hair transplant doctor

I am looking to get a hair transplant and have estimated that I will need about 7100 follicular unit grafts to meet my goals.  How much will this cost?

Thanks for your inquiry.

The cost of hair transplantation is dependent on a few things:

• Cost will vary between hair restoration clinics. 
• Cost will vary depending on the type of hair restoration surgery you select.  (FUT or FUE)

To learn more about the difference between FUT and FUE, click here.  To learn about some of the advantages and disadvantages of each surgical method, click here.

The average cost for FUT is between $4-$5 per follicular unit graft and between $6-$10 for FUE surgery.  Most FUT surgeons will discount after the first 2000 follicular unit grafts in a single session to approximately $2.50. 

Keep in mind however, that very few hair transplant patients have the hair density and scalp laxity to extract 7100 follicular unit grafts in a single session.  If indeed you need approximately 7100 grafts, you will most likely have to do this in two sessions!

If you are going for strip surgery I’d estimate that the cost will be between $22,000 and $27,000.  Using FUE solely will probably cost you between $40,000-$70,000.

I hope this helps.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, follicular unit grafts, hair transplantation, hair restoration clinic, hair restoration, FUT, FUE, follicular unit graft, hair transplant patient, hair density, scalp laxity

What would I expect to pay for my hair transplant?

This is a question that hair loss sufferers who are considering a hair transplant ask pretty frequently.  However, since the price of a hair transplant will vary depending on the number of follicular unit grafts needed for each patient, the cost therefore will vary.

The cost of a hair Transplant therefore can be discussed as cost per follicular unit graft. 

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT - Strip Surgery):

Though this will vary from clinic to clinic, competitive prices for strip surgery range between $4-$6 per follicular unit graft.  Many hair restoration clinics will discount the price after the first 2000 grafts.  To learn more about follicular unit transplantation, click here.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)/Follicular Isolation Technique (FIT):

Pricing for FUE/FIT will also vary from clinic to clinic, however prices are typically twice the cost of FUT.  To learn more about FUE/FIT, click here.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, hair loss, follicular unit graft, follicular unit, FUT, Strip Surgery, hair restoration, FUE, Follicular Isolation Technique, FIT

I am considering a hair transplant.  I’ve heard about Strip Surgery and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).  Which is better and why?                                                                    

Good question!

Because this question requires a subjective answer, rather than answering the question “which is better”, I will present the some of what I see as the benefits and drawbacks as I see it to both methods.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), especially in recent times has proven highly effective if performed by the right doctor, however Strip surgery is still dominant and very effective in Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT).  Here I will sum up some things to consider regarding strip and FUE which hopefully help you make an informed decision.

Growth Yield: From what I’ve read, Follicular Unit Extraction has approximately a 90% survival rate (at best and in the hands of a top clinic) whereas strip is between 95-98%. Percentages are close, but strip still wins with the higher percentage. Whether or not the difference is worth it to some is definitely a matter of opinion. This information, however, has been disputed by at least one reputable doctor who claim that yield is the same.

Session Size: Strip of course has the upper hand when talking about large sessions….so for those who need a larger session, strip is still the way to go. The very large session size for strip surgery has exceeded 7000 follicular unit grafts in applicable patients, whereas typically 1000 grafts is typically considered a large session size for FUE. FUE is definitely a consideration for those who need smaller sessions.

Technorati Tags: FUE, Strip surgery, FUT, Follicular Unit Extraction, follicular unit grafts