Hair Transplant

Bad Hair Transplant Results - How Can I Improve My Situation?

Written by Richard Keller, MD on May 8, 2009

I’ve had two poor hair transplants in 2003 and 2004 and I am at my wits end. Unfortunately, I did not do enough research and have just found your organization. I am hoping to repair my hair line to make it look more natural than it does now. I still have a lot of donor hair but definitely need a touch up to make things appear less obvious. Where do I go from here?- Ted
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Dear Ted,

Much has changed since 2003 and 2004 in respect to hairlines. Correct hairline creation is based on anatomic markers and artistry. Every head is shaped differently, however the anatomical apex and temporal points are consistent. Once consistent anatomical markers are found then the hairline is created. To look natural, the hairline is gradually thickened by a technique called feathering. Single hair grafts are used to outline the front hairline and thicker grafts are blended behind this front border. The hairline is not created straight and rounded but irregular-what some call a snail tract. Even the differences in the hair shaft thickness is utilized in proper hairline creation with the most thin hairs placed in the very front. Read the story »

My Son’s Hair Transplant Has Resulted In a Tightness and Pulling Feeling - Need Advice

Written by Sara Wasserbauer, MD on April 27, 2009

My son had a hair transplant done 9 yrs ago and has had a major problem ever since.  He has tightness/pulling over half of his head 24/7 with no relief.  His lifestyle has not been the same ever since.  He cannot work full time as this condition causes much anxiety and stress.  He has seen several doctors and the place that did the transplant tells him they have never heard of this before.

He is pretty much handicapped with this condition and would appreciate any help or advice anyone can give. He is considering a scar revision to see if there is anything that was messed up when they did the surgery. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated! Thank You!
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What a frustrating situation!  I am so sorry to hear of your son’s plight and not at all surprised that the other doctors he has gone to have not encountered his symptoms since this sort of complication is exceedingly rare these days.  Without examining him, it is tough to fully understand what is going on - but let me try to help as best I can;

There are a few scenarios for what might have happened to your son.  He might have had a tight or inelastic scalp to begin with, or the closure on the surgery day might have been tight as well meaning the incision might have been slightly wider than average. Read the story »

Are Thin Hair Shafts a Problem For Facial Hair Transplants?

Written by Robert Haber, MD on April 10, 2009

This is in regards to facial hair restoration.  My father could grow a good goatee and moustache, but he had no sideburns. I’ve got that same stupid gene, only a much much worse version of it. I have, for all intents and purposes no hair on the sides of my face. I only have a little on the bottom of my chin and a very thin moustache. I have practically a full head of hair. I am not Asian. It has bothered me for most of my life off and on, and I often wished that I could at least grow a moustache/goatee.

My questions are, at my age, 52, can facial hair transplants be done? Also, even though I have a full head of hair, is it a problem if the hair follicle itself is very thin? Thirdly, do you have a clinic near Cleveland Ohio, or do you know of other clinics in that area that perform these procedures? Thank You. - Frank
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Dear Frank:

The good news is that facial hair transplantation can be performed very successfully. You are at a very good age for transplantation, as men your age generally have mature expectations and a well established degree of hair loss. You describe yourself as having a good head of hair, although with what sounds like thin hair shafts. Thin hair does not create the same cosmetic density as thicker hairs, but this is not a major problem. As with all areas of transplantation, achieving a satisfactory result depends on moving a sufficient number of hairs into the area of loss. Read the story »