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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!

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

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.

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?
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Blake Bloxham – aka Future_HT_Doc

This question comes from an interesting thread started on the Hair Restoration Discussion Forums:

Which member has received the most follicular unit grafts throughout their series of hair transplant surgeries? How many grafts were available in your donor area? How many hair restoration procedures did it take?

Although this topic is discussed quite frequently, it’s difficult to provide a universal, generalized answer. Since each patient is unique, the maximum number of grafts available in the universal donor area, the number of hair transplant procedures necessary to harvest these units, and the number of follicular units that can be safely harvested vary. Variables, such as donor laxity (the “looseness” of the scalp), hair characteristics, level of baldness, type of procedure (follicular unit transplantation -FUT versus follicular unit extraction – FUE) performed, and density in the donor region all contribute to the number of available grafts, the number of procedures necessary to extract the grafts, and the number of grafts that can be safely transplanted.

Despite these numerous variables, members at the Hair Restoration Discussion Forums are discussing the issue and trying to discover which hair loss patient has received the largest number of grafts, how many procedures it took, and if there are units left in the donor area. Very large numbers, ranging from 10,000 to 13,000 grafts, 4 to 5 procedures, and different methods of extraction are being reviewed. Do you think you’ve received the greatest number of follicular units, or know the maximum number of units available in your donor area? If so, feel free to participate in the ongoing thread – Who has had the most work done?

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

I’m investigating a hair transplant procedure and I’m wondering if it is possible to figure out how many follicular unit grafts my case requires? Should I post pictures on my hair loss weblog, or rely solely on my hair restoration physician‘s recommendation?

Estimating the appropriate number of follicular unit grafts for a hair transplant procedure is not an easy or standardized task. Several variables – such as donor region laxity, desired density in the transplanted region, and donor hair characteristics, make it difficult to offer static values.  Posting pictures, asking advice from seasoned members of the Hair Transplant Network, and consulting with several recommended hair transplant surgeons are all wise ideas, but do not paint the entire picture.

A comprehensive approach, where a hair loss patient defines realistic goals, keeps the aging process and natural hairline design in mind, consults with several knowledgeable sources, and creates a plan with their physician, gives the best chance at accurate estimation. Additionally, using a program like the hair loss learning center graft calculator helps create rough graft estimates and allows patients to efficiently move forward on their hair restoration journey.

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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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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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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

This question was posed by a hair loss sufferer seeking hair loss help on our hair restoration forum and answered by Dr. Michael Beehner of Saratoga Springs, NY.  Dr. Beehner is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians. His professional answer is below.

I read a post on this community’s hair loss forum that one should wait about a year (at least) between hair transplant procedures. Why is this?  What are the dangers or risks of having another one done too soon?

There are basically four reasons that I advise my patients to have their next hair restoration session no sooner than 12 months (we do allow 10 months between a 1st and 2nd in some cases).

1) With today’s typically large hair transplant megasessions, it takes a little more time for the scalp’s blood supply to be restored to being normal and supportive for the next onslaught of grafts

2) It takes time for the donor area to once again regain its laxity and looseness, so that a donor strip can be taken out with the minimal risk for a wide scar.

3) As stated by Coalition member Dr. Charles, you want enough time to have passed so that all of the hair grafts have peeked their heads out and there is no danger of the surgeon making an incision site right on a graft that hasn’t yet emerged.

Our popular community is dedicated to providing the most recent and up to date news on hair loss, hair transplants, and helping balding men and women find the world’s leading hair restoration physicians.

Below, we’ve compiled some of the latest hot topic hair loss questions and answers we received from our Associate Publisher Bill Seemiller 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.

Why Hair Transplant Ultra Megasessions May or May Not be Right for You

Multiple Hair Transplants and the Available Donor Supply (Dr. Timothy Carman)

Are Hair Transplant Megasessions Safe? (Dr. Glenn Charles)

Can Physical Trauma Cause Hair Loss?

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, hair transplants, balding, Bill Seemiller, hair restoration, Dr. Timothy Carman, Dr. Glenn Charles

Thousands of people across the world fixate on their favorite celebrities wishing they could achieve their fame, riches, and good looks. And for men and women suffering from hair loss, their eyes gravitate toward their adored superstar’s lustrous locks with envy.

Thanks to the advancements of today’s ultra refined hair restoration techniques, many men and women can restore a full and natural looking head of hair in only one or two hair transplant procedures. However, can our new head of hair really measure up to our favorite celebrity’s?

Recently, forum member “Julius” posted photos of one of his favorite celebrities and asked whether or not surgical hair restoration can give him Johnny Depp Hair. Join in the discussion to learn what can realistically be accomplished with hair transplant surgery, and get some insight on which celebrities have undergone surgical hair replacement.

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, hair transplant, hair restoration, hair replacement, Bill Seemiller, Falceros

Our popular hair loss forum community is made up of thousands of balding men and women searching for real hair restoration solutions and dozens of prescreened expert hair loss doctors. See how we prescreen hair restoration physicians. Many of these physicians regularly contribute their expert opinions and advice on important issues related to hair restoration.

Below, we’ve compiled some of the most recent and vital input we’ve received from leading physician member of our community and presented them below for your benefit.

Are Hair Transplant Megasessions Safe? Learn why Coalition member Dr. Glenn Charles feels hair transplant megasessions are appropriate for some, but not all patients.

Hair Transplant Graft Survival and High Hair Densities: Discover why Coalition member Dr. Brad Limmer believes a 2 pass approach is often appropriate to help patients achieve the density they want.

Determining How Many Grafts are Required by Measuring Baldness: Learn how Coalition member Dr. Paul Shapiro determines the number of grafts needed to help patients achieve the coverage and density they want.

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 restoration, hair loss doctors, hair transplant, Bill Seemiller, Falceros