Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

This question, asked by a member of the Hair Loss Discussion Forums, was answered by Coalition physician Dr. Cam Simmons:

Is tattooing the head with simulated little micro hairs to give the look of a short cropped hairstyle  a good idea? From the pictures I’ve seen, the results seem good. I hear it is temporary and can be undone if necessary. Having been informed that I’m not an ideal candidate for a hair transplant, this looks like a good alternative. What do you think?

Usually, micropigmentation is tattooing and should be thought of as permanent. Laser tattoo removal isn’t perfect. In my experience, micropigmentation looks better from further away than from close up as there is no texture like there is with hair. The micropigmented hairlines are often too straight and look unnatural but the artistry could be changed to create more irregularity. As with hair transplantation, creating a low, full, permanent “hairline” on a young man could look terrible after he ages and/or experiences further balding.

I have been consulted by a man who had a 2nd session of micropigmentation to correct the hairline from his first micropigmentation session. He feels that the hairline looks too straight and smooth and that he has to keep his hair buzzed or the micropigmentation looks unnatural. He is not happy with the results and would like a hair transplant. He would prefer follicular unit transplantation (FUT) due to its reliability and lower cost when compared to follicular unit extraction (FUE) but he is reluctant to grow his sides and back long enough to hide the sutures. He is still weighing his options.

After various questions on the Hair Restoration Discussion Forums, Spex – a senior member and consultant to Coalition surgeon Dr. Alan Feller, decided to address the issue of seasonal hair shedding or temporary seasonal hair loss:

Shedding is something that guys (and girls) need to be well aware of so that when it occurs (often seasonally), you do not panic and start organizing your next hair transplant surgery in a desperate attempt to regain your lack of “density”.

Shedding unfortunately is part of the hair transplant ”process”. Seasonal shedding along with medication shedding (if you are taking hair loss medications such as Propecia (finasteride) or Rogaine (minoxidil)) happens to all of us. I personally experienced a shed recently which left my hair looking very thin, and even though I knew it was only a shed it still made me anxious and very self-conscious. This feeling happens every time, but I know through experience it occurs because of the periodic “shedding process” and that given time it will slowly but surely come back in. Yes, a waiting game …yet again!

When it does occur just park and ride it out – like in the early days of your hair restoration surgery. Try not to scrutinize by watching the shedding process, applying products, washing your hair, conditioning it, washing it again (etc.)!  Also, remember the time period when you start and stop the shedding process. This way,  the next time it occurs you can limit the anxiety levels associated with seasonal shedding.

How can you be sure that you will receive all the grafts that you paid for? When a doctor says he is going to transplant 3,000 or 4,000 grafts, how can you be sure that you will not be fooled and receive less than the planned number? Is there a way to figure it out ?

This insightful answer was provided by Dr. William Lindsey of Mclean, VA who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians.

Several hair transplant physicians, including me, have the techs complete a worksheet during the procedure. At the end of the day, I collect the worksheets, tally up the 1s, 2s and 3s and show the results to the patient as we review all the pics taken during that day. If we are running late and the patient’s ride is waiting, we might not get to do that until day 7 when the sutures come out, but almost always we do that before the patient leaves the day of surgery. That allows the patient to know what was actually done, and also may affect the total price as well.

Counting crunches is impossible. Plus, how does the patient know that all the holes were filled; or that more than one graft were not placed in a single slit?

To some extent, trust is involved. I try to make our office as transparent as possible, but short of having a film crew film all the techs and slits closeup, there is no absolute way of proving graft count.

This question was asked by a member of the Hair Restoration Social Community and hair loss forum:

For years, I’ve had a beard and experienced male pattern baldness. Recently, I started using Propecia to fight my hair loss, but I’m worried the drug will affect my beard hairs. Will Propecia (finasteride) affect my beard, or is my worrying unfounded?

As you may well know, finasteride (Propecia), works by inhibiting the process where the hormone Testosterone is converted to Dihydrotestosterone (the hormone directly responsible for genetic male baldness). Ironically enough, the hormone responsible for scalp hair loss (Dihydrotestosterone or DHT) also causes increased body hair growth. This means that when DHT is decreased in the body scalp hair loss ceases, but body hair thinning actually increases.

However, the role of DHT and beard hair is not as clear. Most individuals who report body hair thinning on Propecia do not experience beard hair thinning or issues maintaining facial hair. Interestingly enough, a study once found that increased DHT in females caused facial hair growth, but female balding is a more complicated process. Altogether, it is possible that your body hair may thin on Propecia, but unlikely that your beard hair will be affected.

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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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Surgical hair restoration is not without its share of hotly debated topics. One of the favorite areas for debate among physicians and the “follicularly challenged” alike is closing the hair transplant donor wound with staples vs. sutures. It’s no secret that each of the top doctors has his or her own preference when it comes to closing the donor site. But one thing leading physicians tend to agree on is the importance of the highly popular trichophytic closure which allows hair to grow through the scar itself helping to hide it.

In a recent discussion topic entitled, “Importance of two layer closure when closing donor site?”, “hair lossguy222” wants to know why top hair restoration physicians use varying techniques to close the donor site. You are encouraged to read and respond to this hair loss forum discussion topic with your input.

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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: hair restoration, hair transplant, trichophytic closure, hair restoration physicians

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.

I’m 2 months post-op from my hair transplant. Most of the transplanted hair has fallen out, but some is still there. It is neither growing nor falling out. It is practically at the same length as it was initially. Is this normal?

The transplanted hair follicles often do grow a little bit before they fall out. However, sometimes the hair is stunted and has a longer delay before it either falls out or starts growing. In most cases these hairs will eventually go through the normal hair growth cycles. No sense in worrying at this point.

Glenn M. Charles, D.O.

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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: hair transplant, transplanted hair, hair growth

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

A few months ago I underwent a successful hair transplant procedure and was satisfied with the results. However, like many surgical patients, the scalp redness in the recipient region (where the incisions were made and the follicular unit grafts were placed) of my head took several months to fully subside. After the redness finally went away, I decided to go out and have some drinks with a few friends. Unfortunately, I awoke the next morning and found that redness in the transplanted area of my scalp had returned! Is it possible that alcohol caused the redness to return?

Most hair restoration clinics recommend avoiding alcohol for 48 hours after the hair transplant surgery, but do not address the subject any further. However, it’s interesting to point out that you are not the only hair loss patient to experience this phenomenon, and there may be a valid explanation.

Dr. William Lindsey, a recommended hair transplant surgeon and trained facial plastic surgeon, states that he’s seen this situation twice in his practice, and both situations involved either consuming alcohol or aerobic exercise. At face value, these two activities seem unrelated, but both possess a common factor – widened blood vessels and increased blood flow to the procedural areas.

The reality of hair transplantation is that a patient will rarely meet their hair restoration goals with a single procedure. The younger patient who has a small session to restore a receding hairline may find that the progressive nature of hair loss will require him to return in the future to add density while an older patient with advanced balding (4 or 5 on the Norwood scale) may require two sessions over a period of time. But how many procedures will you need? Do all patients require more than one hair transplant procedure?

Forum member “Thinking2” recently started the thread “Multiple Hair Transplants” to discuss this important topic. You are encouraged to share your experience and join in the conversation.

Hair Transplant Network Managing Publisher Bill Seemiller (Falceros) has had four transplants totaling 9618 grafts. Click here to visit Bill’s patient website where he has chronicled his progress in detail.

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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
Follow our community on Twitter
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Technorati Tags: hair transplantation, hair restoration, receding hairline, hair loss, balding, hair transplant

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

Follow our community on Twitter

Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

The initial down time associated with post-hair transplant recovery differs for every individual. The extent to which your recent hair restoration surgery is detectable in the weeks following your procedure will depend upon several factors. This includes the density and characteristics of existing hair available to cover the balding recipient site, whether or not your doctor requires you to shave, and your hair and skin color.

For many men, wearing a hat to work is simply not an option. Since most of us can’t take a month or more off during this stage, what can be done to keep your hair transplant a well kept secret?

Recently, hair loss forum member “Can’t decide” started a thread asking members to share their experiences and suggestions. To get ideas or provide your own tips and tricks, follow the link, How to Cope With Down Time After Hair Transplant Surgery?

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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
Follow our community on Twitter
Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, hair restoration surgery, balding, hair loss