Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

It can be hard looking in the mirror and realizing for the first time, that you are going bald. And while some just accept hair loss as a part of life, it can often be the source of anxiety and depression in both men and women. Thankfully with today’s evolved hair loss treatment methods, going bald isn’t the only choice.

Discovering what’s causing you to lose your hair is the first step to working out an appropriate treatment plan. Though the most common cause of hair loss is genetic, there are many other causes worth evaluating. Consulting with a qualified hair restoration physician can help you understand your balding condition and treat it.

Today, Propecia and Rogaine, two FDA approved hair loss treatments can help slow down or stop the progression of male pattern baldness. Other treatments like low level laser therapy and a multitude of alternative treatments may be effective, but are controversial and some lack the compelling evidence that Propecia and Rogaine have. Unfortunately for those who’ve already experienced extensive hair loss, even the proven non-surgical treatments can’t bring back hair once it’s gone.

Today’s hair replacement systems and strand techniques give severely balding men and women an instant solution to their hair loss problem. Ongoing cost and maintenance is typically the biggest concern for those who are considering this solution.

Does a partial hair system blend well with a hair transplant?  Is it undetectable?

This hair loss question was answered by Dr. William Lindsey of Reston, VA who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians.

This type of approach is reasonable for select hair loss patients. First, I have worked with several guys who were able to have a hair restoration procedure, slightly modify the way they wore or styled their hair system, and “pull off” the surgery without their friends/customers knowing. Then in a few months they can modify the system again to show the hair transplant result, and consider moving forward with a second procedure much later.

I posted a fellow on this hair loss forum a few months ago who had a limited donor hair supply, such as a hair plugs repair case.  We could really improve the front, but this patient does not have sufficient resources to cover the top and balding crown. For a patient like this, a combination of hair restoration surgery to give a natural hairline, and hair system to cover the top; works extremely well.

William Lindsey, M.D.

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Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair system, hair transplant, hair loss, hair restoration, donor hair, hair plugs, balding

I have very find hair and although I am told by hair stylists that I have a lot of it, it appears very thin on top.  I don’t think hair transplant surgery is the right procedure for me.  Do you know of any hair loss treatment that will give me more hair to cover the wide part of my scalp showing through the hair?  I have tried Rogaine which worked temporarily despite continued use.  I spent a lot of money on a hair piece alopecia wig that is not comfortable and I believe looks obvious.  It is very difficult to hide the wide part with anything and I do not like the short and spiky hair with bands that are the mainstay of hair pieces.  I hope you can help and please be specific if you have any hair loss solutions.

You have mentioned a number of possibilities already however, there are a few more.  Sadly, none of them are miracle cures or perfect solutions, but are worth considering.

Non-Surgical Hair Loss Treatments

Propecia for men only (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) are FDA approved hair growth drugs and when used together, they may boost your chances of hair regrowth. 

Ketoconazole hair loss shampoo such as Nizoral and Revita may be helpful adjunct treatments given the “weak” DHT blocking properties of ketoconazole. 

Laser hair treatment has been FDA “cleared” however, in my opinion, not enough evidence publicly exists for me to recommend it. 

I have worn a hair system for over 10 years. It looks pretty good and I have been successful in hiding this fact from all but my family. Now, realizing that a hair transplant will take time to start showing results, I am concerned with the sudden transition from a full head of hair to the stubble that I will have right after the hair transplantation. My degree of baldness is pretty severe in the front and most of the way to the crown.

Has anyone else been down this path and if so how did you deal with this?

Nine years ago I was you. I had been wearing a hair system for seven years and was ready to jump into hair transplants. However, back then a big mega session was only 1,500 grafts. But I basically did two hair transplant sessions to restore the frontal area, while still wearing my hair system.

What I did was switch my attachment to clips so I could remove my system at night (i.e. grass grows better without being covered by carpet) and I cut the tape very thin and placed it at the very front of my tape tab and then I wore the front edge of the system just in front of my newly transplanted hairline.