Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

This question comes from a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums: 

I recently underwent hair transplant surgery and the physician recommended I complete several laser treatment (Low Level Laser Therapy or LLLT) sessions after the procedure. Is this necessary? Will it help with post-operative growth and healing?

Laser treatment (sometimes known as Low Lever Laser Therapy or LLLT) is a pretty controversial topic in the hair restoration community. Some believe it is a valid therapy for stimulating follicular growth and aiding in post-operative healing, while others think it is simply ineffective and not recommended.

Frankly, I’ve seen some pretty convincing evidence that LLLT is not an effective hair restoration treatment. Furthermore, I have not been presented with conclusive or persuasive counter-evidence refuting these findings.

Regardless of whether or not you believe LLLT is effective, one thing is certain: our network hosts thousands of hair transplant cases from patients who have undergone surgery without adjunct laser therapy and still manage to achieve excellent results. For me, this is the most convincing proof that surgical hair restoration can stand alone as a restorative therapy without LLLT. Personally, I’d feel comfortable moving forward with this information.

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Blake – 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

Dr. Shelly Friedman of Scottsdale, Arizona discusses the treatments and services he and his hair restoration clinic offer to hair loss suffering men and women including Propecia (finasteride), low light laser therapy (LLLT), and Rogaine (minoxidil). He also discusses surgical hair restoration including today’s state of the art hair transplants.

Dr. Friedman is recommended on the Hair Transplant Network. His surgical technique, and patient results were carefully reviewed by our patient based online hair loss community. To view the highlights of this review, click here.

To see all of our hair transplant videos, visit our Hair Transplant Video Channel on YouTube.

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David (TakingThePlunge) Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Restoration Forum and Social Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.

Get Proven Hair Loss Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new Online Hair Loss Product Store

Technorati Tags: Dr. Shelly Friedman, hair restoration, hair loss, Propecia, finasteride, low light laser therapy, LLLT, Rogaine, minoxidil, hair transplants, Hair Transplant, hair transplant videos, YouTube

Recently, recommended hair restoration physician Dr. Ricardo Mejia sat down for an interview with Skin and Allergy News and discussed future hair loss treatments. During the interview, Dr. Mejia commented on exciting future therapies like hair cloning, stem cell hair loss treatments, and automated follicular unit extraction (FUE) technology.

Additionally, Dr Mejia provided his opinion on more controversial topics like low level laser treatments and the NeoGraft follicular unit extraction device.

When asked about the future of medical hair restoration Dr. Mejia said the following:

Robotic hair transfer, multiple technologies to optimize new growth, and even hair cloning could help overcome current limitations in hair transplantation … promising technologies could someday supplant donor strip and follicular unit extraction techniques, and we’re even [moving toward] more robotic involvement

Furthermore, Dr. Mejia had the following to say about eagerly awaited cell-based hair loss treatments:

Dermal papilla cells or fibroblasts are the starting point, because they stimulate formation of new hairs. Multiple companies are working on proprietary processes to spur these fibroblasts to produce enough follicles in culture to replace an entire scalp … research includes fibroblasts grown in subatmospheric oxygen tension, addition of wound-healing factors, and injections of a “hair-stimulating complex” to promote greater hair growth.

It’s always exciting to hear a hair loss expert‘s opinion on new “hair restoration breakthrough” therapies and how they may be integrated in the future. Click here to read the entire article.

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Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Laser therapy for hair loss remains a hot topic amongst hair restoration professionals and patients alike. While some see it as an effective method of treating androgenic alopecia and other forms of hair loss, others condemn it as quackery. This discrepancy may be due in part to the ambiguous marketing of products like the HairMax LaserComb.

While the HairMax laser comb device was found by the FDA to be safe based on its “substantial equivalence” to previously approved laser light therapy devices and thus “cleared” (not “approved”), it was unclear to what extent the FDA reviewed or cleared it based on its effectiveness in treating balding. However, it appears that this device and similar devices are often touted as being “FDA approved” to treat thinning hair.

With very little verifiable data and mostly anecdotal information to support or refute its efficacy, this debate is likely to continue for awhile.

To read more about the experiences of our members and add your own thoughts and comments, join the discussion thread, Laser Hair Restoration, Fact or Fiction? started by Hair Restoration Forum member “jzachary”.

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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

Get Proven Hair Loss Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new Online Hair Loss Product Store

Technorati Tags: Laser therapy, hair loss, hair restoration, androgenic alopecia, HairMax LaserComb, laser light therapy, balding, thinning hair

This question comes from a member of our Hair Restoration Social Community and Discussion Forums:

I previously underwent two hair transplant procedures, and although the results are satisfactory, I’m looking to thicken my existing hair and do not want to undergo hair transplant surgery again. Is Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or laser hair restoration an option? Is this method effective? Should I try low level laser therapy for my hair loss?

Low Level Laser Therapy (laser hair restoration) is a pretty controversial topic within the hair restoration community. Certain hair restoration experts believe there is some efficacy to laser therapy, and even offer laser sessions in their practices.

Other experts believe that the research behind laser therapy is greatly lacking and raise some valid concerns with regard to the mechanism behind laser therapy, the way the treatment is marketed, and its validity compared to hair transplantation. While studies exist that show some effectiveness in hair regrowth, many hair loss doctors feel that more research is needed.   Thus,  I think it’s probably safest to utilize proven hair loss treatments like Rogaine (minoxidil), Propecia (finasteride).

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Blake – 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

Follow our community on Twitter

Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Get Proven Hair Loss Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new Online Hair Loss Product Store

This informative article was written by Dr. Michael Meshkin of Newport Beach, CA who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians.

Finasteride (Propecia), an oral medication available by prescription only, has been introduced to the market in the past decade. Finasteride is approved only for use by men. Through scientific studies, it has been shown to regrow hair in some men and stop hair loss in an even higher percentage. Finasteride works by decreasing the formation of DHT, a hormone responsible in large for male pattern hair loss, while not reducing testosterone, the overall male hormone responsible for masculinity. Therefore, any side effects that may involve male sexual function are mild and occur in less than 2% of all patients.

Finasteride has been available for over 10 years and has been shown to be somewhat safe and effective. Finasteride (Propecia) works best for early and moderate hair loss, but it may also help patients with more advanced hair loss to preserve their remaining hair, and its use is suggested by hair restoration surgeons as an effective medication to slow down or reverse male pattern hair loss in many men. It is often used as a complimentary treatment for hair transplant patients.

Topical minoxidil (Rogaine) has been around for over 15 years and is helpful in slowing down hair loss, but less effective in helping new hair to grow. A higher concentration (5% solution) of minoxidil is now available for men and has been shown to be more effective than the 2% solution. 5% minoxidil solution is generally not recommended for use by women because it may stimulate the growth of facial hair, and also because at least one study suggests that it is not more effective than the 2% in females.

This hair loss question was answered by  Dr. Robert True of New York, NY who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.   His professional answer is below.

When can I start using hair care products after hair transplant surgery?

A few weeks after the hair restoration procedure, you can return to use of any of your preferred hair care products such as  shampoos, conditioners, gels, mousses, etc.

We do believe that the Head and Shoulders and Neutrogena product lines are excellent for maintaining hair and scalp health, but you can use the products you know and like the best.

You can color your hair beginning one month after your treatment.   It is safe to use semi-permanent or permanent coloring agents. Try to avoid strong bleaching agents as these can be damaging to your hair whether transplanted or native.

You can also use alopecia (hair loss)  masking cosmetics such as Toppik, Courve, Nanogen,  or DermMatch.

You can use a laser comb if you like. We know this will not hurt anything. Although there are claims otherwise, we have not seen adequate scientific evidence that low level laser therapy  prevents hair loss or restores lost hair. There is evidence that ongoing use promotes thickening of existing individual hair shafts. It is ok to use this if you want. We have no preference of models or manufacturers.

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Bill
Associate Publisher/Editor

With all the new hair loss products regularly marketed in the media, it’s vital to be able to differentiate what really works from the hype.

Our educational and supportive hair loss resource and community is interested in keeping you up to speed with the latest and greatest discoveries that can really help you deal with baldness and restore your hair.

Below you will find answers to 5 of this week’s top topic  questions provided by  educated patients  and expert physicians. You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or do a free online consult with one of our physicians.

Increasing Hair Transplant Graft Survival and Postoperative Healing Time (Dr. Cooley)

Does Daily Protein Intake and Weight Loss Cause Hair Loss? (Dr. Ross)

How Much Hair Shedding is Normal on a Daily Basis? (Dr. Beehner)

Why Xandrox Might Cause Unwanted Body Hair Growth in Women

Is Treating Hair Loss with Laser Therapy worth $6000?

Bill
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss products, hair loss, baldness

Getting your hair loss questions answered quickly and accurately is what draws members and guests to our hair restoration discussion forum. Thankfully, we have a great multitude of knowledgeable hair transplant patients and quality physicians regularly contributing their experience and expertise.

Below you will find answers to 5 of this week’s top topic hair loss related questions provided by real hair loss sufferers and physician experts.

Experiencing Dizziness using Rogaine for Hair Loss (Dr. Paul Shapiro)

Can Propecia and Rogaine Prevent Frontal Hair Loss?

How Soon After a Hair Transplant Can You Return to Work? (Dr. William Lindsey)

Can Other Treatments Maintain Hair Regrowth from Minoxidil?

Is Laser Therapy Worth the Cost of $6000 to Treat My Hair Loss?

Additionally, hair loss and transplant related questions are answered daily on our news and blog sites including the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, the Hair Transplant Network, and the Hair Loss Learning Center.

Have a question that hasn’t been answered? Post it on our hair restoration forum publicly or contact us privately using our free online contact form.

Bill
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair restoration, hair transplant

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.