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The NeoGraft hair transplant machine, touting itself as “state-of-the-art” and “game-changing” has received a lot of press lately with promises to make follicular unit extraction (FUE), a complex and labor intensive procedure requiring a highly skilled surgeon and staff, simpler, faster and more effective. However, NeoGraft has failed to garner the support of many of the world’s expert FUE practitioners (of which there exists only a handful) due to several key concerns.

Consisting of an adjustable, slowly rotating, motorized punch and a pneumatic pressure suction device that allegedly allows each follicular unit to slide in and out smoothly and uniformly, the NeoGraft method of extraction theoretically exerts less force on the grafts than manual extraction. This spinning punch however, while facilitating graft removal, may subject the follicular unit grafts to unnecessary and detrimental torsional forces. In addition, due to the potential for grafts to be wider at one end, there is also a possibility for transection as they are forced through the rotating punch.

Once extracted, the grafts are then sucked through a series of tubes into a collection canister where they are misted to keep them moist while they await implantation. Leading FUE physicians have expressed concerns that the route that the grafts take as they are sucked through the punch and into the collection canister may expose them to further damage. Furthermore, there are concerns that the resulting air flow from the pneumatic pressure may result in rapid desiccation (dehydration) of the extracted follicles. Dehydration of the follicles during surgical hair restoration is one of the primary causes of poor hair growth.

Recent results published by a joint team of stem cell researchers from Sweden and Scotland may one day offer hope for those suffering from hair loss. The team, led by Professor Yann Barrandon, head of the stem cell lab at the University of Lausanne, had been searching for a way to help burn victims by growing viable skin when they unexpectedly changed one cell type into a completely different one. In the process, they ended up with skin cells complete with working hair follicles.

While testing how stem cells extracted from the thymus of lab rats would perform if transplanted into growing skin, the team discovered that the cells ceased behaving as they did in the thymus and began performing just like healthy skin cells. “These cells really change track, expressing different genes and becoming more potent,” said Prof. Barrandon.  Past attempts to grow skin cells resulted in tissue that lasted only three weeks. The tissue produced in this method has lasted up to one year and includes the precious hair follicles lacking in previous attempts.

It is important to note that these are preliminary results that have only been tested in rats. It is uncertain at this time how this process may work in humans and how it might be implemented in order to restore hair to a balding head. However, it does offer one more avenue of hope to those men and women who have been eagerly awaiting a baldness cure.

Throughout history, men and women have been searching for the secret to curing hair loss. In fact, the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates (The father of modern medicine) was not unlike modern day hair loss sufferers attempting to reverse their balding. Among other “treatments” to curb hair loss, Hippocrates devised an ancient hair loss remedy that included a mixture of horseradish, cumin, pigeon droppings, and nettles to be applied to the scalp. As you may have guessed, this and hundreds of other wacky treatments have proven to be ineffective in combating thinning hair. The good news for the men and women of the 21^st century is that real options, both surgical and non-surgical now exist.

Despite the number of proven treatments today, many men and women are convinced that the real “cure” already exists and is known only to a select few individuals including the rich and the famous. Unfortunately, these hair loss sufferers quite often find themselves parting with hundreds or thousands of dollars as they gobble up every whimsical lotion, tonic, pill or device being hawked on late-night TV or in the back of magazines. So how do you know what works and what doesn’t in the world of hair restoration?

Balding men and woman are often eagerly awaiting the next big hair restoration breakthrough – sometimes spending hours scouring forums and Googling key words in the hopes that a cure or at least a better solution to hair loss is right around the corner. More often than not, the promise of something better gives way to the tried and true.

The NeoGraft FUE hair transplant machine has been promoted as a bright light on the horizon: a device that promised to make Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) easier, more reliable and more affordable. But has it delivered on this promise? Will this machine change the way hair transplants are performed? How can you separate fact from fiction?

In the thread entitled NeoGraft Chicago?, started by forum member “flashcab”, The Hair Transplant Network’s editorial assistant Blake Bloxham (Future_HT_Doc) debates the pros and cons of the NeoGraft with their  representative Doug Monty.  You are encouraged to read and contribute to this topic.

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David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher 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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Technorati Tags: Balding, hair restoration, hair loss, NeoGraft, FUE, hair transplant, Follicular Unit Extraction

On June 25th through the 27th, 2010, The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ISHRS) is hosting a conference in Bangkok, Thailand. The conference, which focuses on new advances in Asian hair transplantation, features two hair transplant surgeons recommended by the Hair Transplant Network - Dr. Damkerng Pathomvanich, and Coalition physician Dr. Jerry Wong.

Dr. Pathomvanich is presenting an introductory speech and giving presentations on hairline placement in Asian hair restoration patients, eyebrow transplantation in Asian patients, and stem cell and growth factor hair loss treatments. He’ll also be sitting on several question and answer panels and assisting in several follicular unit transplantation (FUT) cases.

Dr. Wong is giving presentations on the difference between pre-made follicular unit incision sites and stick-and-place incisions, mega sessions for Asian patients, facial hair transplantation, and temple hair transplantation. He too will be sitting on several panels and assisting in follicular unit transplantation cases.

Congratulations to both Dr. Pathomvanich and Dr. Wong!

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

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Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Technorati Tags: Hair Restoration, Asian hair transplantation, hair transplant surgeons, hairline placement, Asian hair restoration, eyebrow transplantation, stem cell, growth factor, hair loss, follicular unit transplantation, FUT, follicular unit incision sites, mega sessions, facial hair transplantation, temple hair transplantation

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