Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

Our popular hair loss forum community includes dozens of active patient and physician members devoted to answering your hair loss questions daily. Get past the hype and learn about proven treatments that really work to stop baldness.

Below, we’ve compiled answers to hot topic questions we received from real patients and expert hair restoration physicians.

Feel free to ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or privately by using the contact us form.

Graft Survival Rates and High Hair Densities (Dr. Brad Limmer)

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Why Some Clinics Can Perform Hair Transplant Sessions Exceeding 5000 Grafts

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Managing Publisher of 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: hair loss forum, hair loss, baldness, hair restoration

If the recipient area is exposed to sunlight (through glass) after a hair restoration procedure, can this damage the grafts or impede hair growth? I sit in front of a window with a thin curtain for about an hour a day.

This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Glenn Charles of Florida who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians. His professional answer is below.

Technically, you can get a sunburn through the window. Too much sun exposure after a hair transplant is not recommended. The recipient area is usually irritated already and sun exposure can only make it worse.

Sunlight through a window with a curtain will not likely cause any damage depending on the thickness of the curtain and the angle at which the sunlight hits the scalp.

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Anthony – Editorial Assistant / Forum Co-Moderator of 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 out Hair Restoration Discussion Forum.
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Technorati Tags: hair restoration, hair growth, hair loss, hair transplant

I’m worried about not being able to sleep properly after my hair transplant (strip) procedure. I understand that patients are normally advised to stack pillows, but how does this prevent you from rolling over onto the grafts? That’s really my primary concern. I tend to toss and turn a lot during the night, so any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

This is a fairly common post operative concern. Many patients feel more secure sleeping with the aid of a neck support pillow; it’s a very practical way to keep your head propped up and comfortably stabilized during the first few nights of your recovery.

You can purchase one of these for under $20 at most medical supply stores. They’re usually a bit more expensive at airport shops, but making sure you pick one up is definitely a solid little investment, in my opinion.

Ideally, you’ll also want to keep your head raised at a 45 degree angle for the first 3-4 nights following your hair restoration procedure to prevent swelling. You might stack several pillows underneath your neck support device to insure that you remain in the correct position during sleep. Others might choose to settle into a recliner chair instead.

Hair transplant patients invariably will experience some degree of awkwardness during this stage of their recovery, but you can feasibly reduce the discomfort following follicular unit transplantation (FUT) by being prepared and taking your prescribed pain medication as directed.

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I’m approaching the 3 month mark after hair transplant surgery and I’m starting to get some pimples in the receipeint area. My question is if i pop them will it hurt the grafts?  I know that they say at 10 days you would have to surgically remove the follicular units and that you cannot lose them, but what damage can  popping the pimples do?

This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Cam Simmons of Toronto, Canada, who is a highly esteemed member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians. 

If you are getting more than a couple of pimples at a time, please contact your hair restoration doctor. Pimples don’t usually affect the final results but they can be a nuisance. There are some simple measures that your doctor can recommend to reduce the number of pimples you get. These could include such things as warm salt-water soaks, topical antibiotics or other lotions, or oral antibiotics (like acne medications for teenagers.) The treatment your hair loss doctor will choose would depend on the severity of the pimples.

I would recommend against squeezing any pimples. If they break inwards instead of outwards you could get inflammation and scarring under the skin. Big or painful pimples can be punctured with a sterilized needle to release the pressure but you should follow your own doctor’s recommendations.

Ironically the pimples tend to be at their worst before the transplanted hair has grown enough to hide them. Hopefully your pimples will disappear and you will see some good hair growth soon.

Our popular hair loss forum community includes dozens of active patient and physician members devoted to answering your hair loss questions daily. Get past the hype and learn about proven treatments that really work to stop baldness.

Below, we’ve compiled answers to hot topic hair loss questions we received from our Publishers and expert hair restoration physicians.

Dealing with the Depression of Hair Loss at a Young Age: Many young men and women experiencing balding begin suffering from depression. Read this article to learn why what’s in your head is more important than what’s on it.

Are Hair Transplant Megasessions Safe? Learn why Coalition member Dr. Timothy Carman believes that large densely packed hair transplant sessions can be appropriate for some, but not all patients.

Is FUE the Solution for Young Hair Loss Sufferers? Learn why recommended physician Dr. Cam Simmons believes FUE is overhyped and why patients considering hair transplant surgery should be thinking long term.

What to Do in the Event of Propecia Side Effects: Though Propecia (finasteride) is arguably the most effective non-surgical hair loss treatment available, many men are concerned about the possibility of sexual side effects. Read this article and learn what to do in the event you experience side effects.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Managing Publisher of 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

Though men and women are excited by the prospect of restoring their own naturally growing hair via surgical hair restoration, many are concerned about people finding out that they’ve had a hair transplant. Keeping your hair transplant a secret from strangers is a piece of cake, especially since results are usually undetectable even by professional hair stylists. But what about keeping it hidden from significant others, family members, friends, and co-workers who you see on a daily basis?

The reality is people will notice something. But isn’t that the point? Hair transplant patients have indicated that they’ve received compliments from a number of people who could tell there was something different about them, but couldn’t quite put their finger on what’s new. The more observant folks may even notice you have a thicker and fuller head of hair.

The primary apprehension of patients however, isn’t the compliments they’ll receive once their hair transplant grows full and long. It’s during the awkward healing and hair growth process many are concerned with.

How to keep your hair transplant a secret has recently been brought up and discussed on our hair loss discussion forum. You are encouraged to read other’s input and join in the discussion yourself.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
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Balding men and women who undergo a successful surgical hair replacement procedure usually not only seek to restore their hair, but their confidence too. And while most hair transplant patients want to conceal their procedure from the world during the awkward healing phases and while waiting for new hair growth, most hope to receive some additional positive attention due to the improvement in their appearance and overall self confidence – especially from members of the opposite sex.

Forum member “Julius” recently started a topic to discuss how women have responded to men after they’ve undergone hair replacement surgery. You are encouraged to join the discussion to offer your input and see what others have to say.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Managing Publisher of 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: Balding, hair replacement, hair transplant, hair growth, Bill Seemiller, Falceros

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is becoming an increasingly popular hair transplant procedure for men who don’t want a linear strip scar.  However, men with advanced hair loss are quickly learning that the available donor hair supply via FUE is typically less abundant than via follicular unit transplantation (FUT).  Thus, follicular unit extraction enthusiasts are turning to body and beard hair for alternative sources of donor hair to fill remaining balding areas.

The idea of using beard hair as a rich source of donor has enticed members of our community.  Though body hair has been notoriously inconsistent in terms of hair growth yield, beard hair is considered a viable and robust source of donor hair.  However, patients are reluctant to make use of this donor source due to risks of scarring on the face.

To learn about the benefits and risks of using beard hair for transplanting, visit “Beard Hair Transplant – Donor Scarring”.  You are encouraged to offer your input.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Managing Publisher of 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, hair loss, donor hair, FUE, follicular unit extraction, beard hair, balding, body hair, hair growth, beard hair for transplanting, Bill Seemiller, Falceros

This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Glenn Charles of Florida who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.  His professional answer is below.

How often do patients ask hair transplant doctor to take hair from the unsafe areas of the sides and back of the head?  Could this hair be susceptible to the effects of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and use that for the front? Is this common at all? Thanks!

In my experience this is not very common. Most hair restoration patients trust the doctor to only take donor from an area that is most likely permanent. If a patient is already having hair loss or thinning hair and the doctor feels that it is due to male pattern baldness (mpb), it would not make sense to take donor tissue from an area that may be lost later.

Dr. Glenn Charles, D.O.

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Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Managing Publisher of 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 loss, hair transplant, DHT, dihydrotestosterone, hair restoration, thinning hair, male pattern baldness, mpb, Bill Seemiller, Falceros

This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Paul Shapiro of Bloomington, MN who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians. 

My hair transplant is booked for Dec 14th 2009. I was told not to engage in physical activity for at least 1 month post-op.  Im not sure how to do this.  I work out 4-5x/week. I take about 1 week a year off maximum.  Exercise has been and is a form of stress relief/therapy.  If there are any other exercise fanatics out there how have you dealt with this ?

Wounds heal in three stages:

The first stage is the inflammatory phase. In this phase the wound swells and the ingredients such as white blood cells, clotting factors, and fibrinogen for the adherence of the wound, prepare the wound for healing. This stage peaks at three to five days and the wound is very weak at this point. That is why it is very important to take it easy in the first week after surgical hair restoration if one wants to avoid a wide scar.

The second stage of healing is the collagen phase which starts at about one week after the hair transplant procedure. During this stage the collagen content increases and the wound strengthens. Sutures can be removed during this stage and we remove our sutures at 10 to 14 days.  The second stage of healing last 2 to 4 weeks as the collagen content increases and the wound strengthens.