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As a well-informed reader of our Hair Loss Q & A Blog, you’re most likely aware of the many surgical innovations that have made hair transplantation the most commonly sought after cosmetic procedure among men in the 21st century. And with a veritable wealth of resources currently available at their fingertips, other tech-savvy individuals now have access to more information about proven hair loss remedies than ever before.

Unfortunately, hair loss sufferers didn’t always have things so easy. Just a few decades ago, there were no authoritative boards, no support groups, and no internet. Needless to say, antiquated surgical techniques left many patients with sub-par results. But thanks to the hard work and dedication of an elite group of surgeons, the modern hair transplant technique has evolved to the point where it can mimic nature seamlessly.

Today, ultra refined follicular unit hair transplantation is the “gold standard” in hair restoration, performed using minimally invasive tools in an extremely safe, clean environment. Naturally occurring follicular units are microscopically dissected and redistributed in the most cosmetically appealing way possible.

Selecting a quality hair transplant surgeon is truly the key component to any successful hair restoration plan. The importance of independent research cannot be overstated. Surgeons recommended on the Hair Transplant Network not only possess complete clinical command of the procedure, but unparalleled artistic mastery as well. Guided by ethical principles and committed to producing consistent results in a variety of patients, members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians continue to raise the bar with every hair transplant performed. To learn more about our own stringent screening process for recommending hair restoration physicians, click here.

While no cure for hair loss yet exists, millions of balding men and women worldwide hope that hair multiplication (HM) will end baldness once and for all. By cloning derma papilla cells and injecting them into hairless scalp tissue, hair multiplication/cloning may eventually provide balding men and women with an unlimited supply of their own natural hair.

Intercytex and Aderans Research Institute are two major contenders in developing hair cloning amongst other treatments. However recently, Intercytex announced that they’re closing the doors after several long hard years of working to develop this hair loss treatment.

Patrick Hennessey, publisher of the Hair Transplant Network visited Intercytex’s hair multiplication operation in Manchester, England when he visited the Farjo Clinic back in May of 2007. While they appeared to have good management and promising preliminary results, their subsequent Phase II testing on humans failed to produce cosmetically significant hair regrowth.

Given the inconsistencies in hair growth observed in clinical studies, it would appear that discovering the potential of hair multiplication is still in its infancy stages. It’s suggested that the key to success may lie in growing stem cells in vitro to a hair follicle stage and then transplanting the hair follicles using today’s state of the art surgical hair restoration techniques.

To learn more about Intercytex and who may be taking over their research, visit “Intercytex discontinues its hair multiplication development operations”. You can also discuss this topic on our hair restoration forum.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) has become exceedingly popular in balding men who desire to keep their hair cropped short on the sides and back of their head. Though both Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) via microscopic dissection and FUE cause some scarring, the main advantage of FUE is that it does not create a linear scar like FUT via strip.

However, due to the extra forces placed on the hair follicles during the extraction process, the chance of damage to fragile follicles are greater, thus potentially decreasing overall hair growth yield. Learn more about the Benefits, Limitations, and Potential Problems with FUE.

Recently, a handful of dedicated hair restoration surgeons with a realistic view of what can be accomplished with follicular unit extraction have engineered new and innovative tools designed to improve the effectiveness and speed of the procedure. To learn how each tool works and is supposed to help overcome the potential problems associated with FUE, click on the respective links below:

Recommended physician Dr. Harris’ New FUE Tool

Coalition Member Dr. Devroye’s New FUE Tool (with video)

Coalition Member Dr. Feller’s New FUE Tool

Though these hair transplant tools may help make the FUE procedure faster, easier, and more effective, the skill and experience of the surgeon performing the procedure is paramount. To discuss FUE, its benefits, limitations, and potential problems, visit our discussion forum.

As Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) becomes increasingly popular amongst male hair loss sufferers, more and more hair transplant surgeons, clinics, and hair restoration companies are designing new tools and machines that allegedly work to make FUEeasier, faster, and more effective. However, with all these new “revolutionary” tools on the market, how does the hair loss sufferer know which tools will deliver the best results?

Recently, forum member “LT” saw the new automated NeoGraft FUE hair transplant machine advertised on TV as a revolutionary tool that performs faster and more effective FUE. It also claims to eliminate scarring. To discuss the new NeoGraft machine and whether or not it’s the next major advancement in hair transplant surgery, visit this discussion topic.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair transplant, hair restoration, FUE, Bill Seemiller, Falceros

Coalition member Dr. Glenn Charles has a excellent reputation for performing ultra refined hair transplants with world class results. His dedication to patient care is further demonstrated by his regular participation in answering hair loss related questions on our discussion forum and popular Hair Loss Q&A Blog.

For your viewing pleasure, Dr. Charles will be performing two hair transplant surgeries on twin brothers using Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) live via webcast.

The dates and times of the procedures are as follows:

Procedure 1: Tuesday, December 15th – 10:00am to 3:00pm EST

Procedure 2: Thursday, December 17th – 10:00am to 3:00pm EST

Be sure to tune in at the above times for a live demonstration of ultra refined hair transplant surgery using PRP technology.

Direct communication with the good doctor is possible during the live surgeries. To get immediate answers to your questions dial 1-866-395-5544 during the dates and times of the procedures listed above.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, Dr. Charles, hair transplant, PRP, Bill Seemiller, Falceros

A new surgical tool designed to make the follicular unit extraction (FUE) surgical hair restoration procedure easier and more effective has been recently released publicly by Coalition member Dr. Alan Feller.

The development of this new motorized FUE tool was designed to reduce the extra forces on the hair follicles such as torsion, traction, compression, overheating, and desiccation. It also helps to create more viable and better quality grafts more quickly.

Its design in follicular unit extraction is to reduce damage to the follicles due to torsion by oscillating instead of spinning. Once the surgeon is finished using the motorized tool to score the skin around the graft, the grafts are delivered with minimal traction by a technique known as “perforation”. Because the tool is motorized, most of the stress and strain associated with manual FUE is removed, thus seemingly making the process easier and more efficient than traditional FUE.

Coalition member Dr. Ron Shapiro reported that he’s been using this tool for a few months in his practice and believes it helps makes extracting follicles easier and less fatiguing.

Recently, Dr. Feller started the hair loss forum topic A New Surgical Instrument for FUE Procedures to garner input from patients and other hair transplant surgeons. Visit the above topic to view the input of hair restoration patients and leading surgeons such as Dr. Mohmand, Dr. Nakatsui, and Dr. Devroye who had some personal experience with this surgical tool. View also a video demonstration of how this FUE tool is used.

Coalition member Dr. Alan Feller recently released a new and revolutionary surgical tool designed to make the follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedure easier and more effective. Since FUE places forces on the hair follicles during extraction that could potentially damage the grafts, the development of this tool was designed to reduce these forces and create more viable and better quality grafts during hair transplant surgery.

Though state of the art tools can assist in making the hair restoration procedure safer and more effective, ultimately, nothing replaces the experience and skill of a dedicated hair restoration physician who can adapt as needed based on patient characteristics and circumstances.

To learn more about and discuss this revolutionary tool for follicular unit extraction, visit this hair loss discussion thread. You are encouraged to offer your experience and input on this important topic. You can also view a video demonstration of how this FUE tool is used to effectively reduce the risks of follicle transection.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: FUE, hair transplant, hair restoration, hair restoration physician, follicular unit extraction

This insightful information was posted on our hair restoration forum by Dr. Alan Feller of Great Neck, NY who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.

I would like to announce the unveiling of a new tool designed specifically for the performance of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) surgery. It is my hope that every hair transplant doctor already performing FUE surgery, or those who would simply like to start offering this wonderful procedure to their patients, will explore this new tool and perhaps add it to their own clinical practice.

Incorporated into its design are practical solutions to problems that have plagued the follicular unit extraction industry since it’s introduction to the Western Hemisphere in 2001. Deleterious forces resulting in graft damage during FUE procedures such as: Torsion, Traction, Compression, Overheating, and Desiccation are addressed and minimized using this new instrument like none other.

This tool also offers the unique combination of lowering operator skill level requirements while actually raising the quality of each and every extraction. This translates to faster “ramp-up” times for new hair restoration doctors interested in adding FUE Hair Transplant surgery to their practices; as well as making for easy and near seamless integration into clinics that already offer FUE to their patients.

This device allows not only for greater quality of extraction, but greater speed as well. Much greater. And all without any extra risk to the grafts themselves. The same cannot be said of other FUE tools on the market.

Members and guests who regularly visit our hair loss community strongly benefit from the wisdom of knowledgeable members of our discussion forum and websites, many of which have successfully restored their hair with today’s revolutionary hair transplant procedures. In addition, many leading hair restoration surgeons contribute their expertise and share regular examples of their work on the “Results Posted by Leading Hair Restoration Clinics” forum and Q&A blog.

Dr. Robert Bernstein, a high esteemed member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians and co-author of the “Hair Loss & Replacement for Dummies” will be hosting an informational webinar on the latest advancements in non-surgical and surgical hair restoration on February 10th, 2009 from 2:00pm – 3:00pm EST. We encourage all members and guests interested in learning more about hair restoration to attend this educational meeting.

Registration is free and easy and can be accomplished by visiting https://www2.gotomeeting.com/island/webinar/registration.tmpl?id=767844639.

This webinar is open to the public, but space is limited. Therefore, we encourage you to register now to reserve your spot.

View the official Press Release.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair restoration

This insightful hair loss information was posted on our hair restoration forum by Dr. Jerry Cooley of Charlotte, NC who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.

Graft survival and the use of platelet rich plasma in hair transplantation

Over the last year (2008), we have been testing the use of platelet – rich plasma (PRP) in hair transplant surgery. Our interest was stimulated by two previous hair restoration physicians, Carlos Uebel from Brazil and Joseph Greco from Florida, who reported improved healing and graft survival with use of PRP. Before discussing PRP, it is useful to take a look at the hair transplantation process in general.

Although we may sometimes take it for granted, it is quite amazing that hair follicles can be cut out of one area of the scalp and placed into an incision in another part of the scalp, and survive. Graft survival has been an interest of mine for many years, and I have written textbook chapters and given numerous lectures on this topic. We can divide these factors into three main categories: 1) follicle trauma 2) biochemical factors and 3) vascular factors (oxygenation / revascularization).

Follicle trauma refers to the transection, dehydration, and crushing that follicles can be subjected to during the surgery. Use of microscopes and follicular unit techniques minimizes transection. Keeping grafts moist throughout the process, especially graft placement, helps eliminate dehydration. Careful graft placement by an experienced placer will reduce crushing and damage to the graft. Most surgeons agree that reducing follicle trauma is the most important factor in determining graft survival.