Biocompatible Protein Polymers For Hair Transplant Use

I am a student doing research on biocompatible protein polymers. This is a cosmetic question concerning the problem of baldness in both men and women. With the new field of biocompatible polymers opening up, why cant they be made into hair-like strands, and implanted under the scalp without the fear of rejection taking place. The problems with real hair transplantation is that there is never quite enough donor area to acquire the desired thickness on the top of the head, and this would eliminate the problem. Of course predetermined length and style would come into it, but that isnt a real problem. Tissue would grow to the polymers and anchor the hair like the real article. Today micro-grafts allow for a single hair to be implanted and this polymer concept could give a nice hairline. It would never have to be dyed, unless desired. Plus it would be protein based as is the real hair.
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The use of new polymers purported to be “biocompatible” certainly sparks the imagination. I applaud ANY student who can think out of the box by looking for real-world applications for a new material. Such thinking is rare indeed and should be encouraged. Read more

SAFE System FUE Hair Transplant, What Do I Need To Know About This Hair Transplant Procedure?

I have been researching hair transplants for about 3 years and have visited with eight different surgeons and seem to learn something new every time. I am 34 years old and have been losing hair in the front and a little in the crown for 3 years. Since taking Proscar for one year, my hair loss seems to have stabilized.

I would go forward with a hair transplant, but I fear getting the procedure may be more detrimental to my looks than just going natural. I see a lot of bad hair transplants and my main concern is that even if I choose a qualified doctor, what can I expect in future? I would rather have the ability to shave my head than have very thin transplanted hair. Ultimately, I would like to do something about it and my solution would be to get a transplant using SAFE fue technique which promotes low transection rates and minimal scaring. Even if I lose a significant amount of hair due to shock loss, I would have at least doubled the thickness with transplanted hair. And in the future, if I don’t like what I see, I can always cut my hair fairly short.

My question to you is, are there any known unknown variables I need to consider if I undergo this FUE technique.

Thank you for your letter. I would first like to say that qualified hair restoration surgeons can provide a result that appears perfectly natural; this should not be major area of concern if you pick the right surgeon. Examine the surgeon’s portfolio looking at patients with hair characteristics similar to yours, talk to his/her patients, and examine a patient if possible. This will give you a very good idea of the quality of their work.
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Hair Transplant Aftercare is Propecia and Rogaine - Will Increasing Propecia Dosage Produce Better Results?

A few years ago I had a very successful micro-graft hair transplant surgery (two sessions) and aftercare has been combination of Rogaine and Propecia with great results. Wondering if I should stay with the 1mg Propecia — or any benefits of ramping Propecia up with the 5mg. tablets?

There is no scientific data to suggest that increasing the propecia 1 mg per day to proscar 5 mg per day will improve growth or prevent further loss better than your present regiment. The side effects of finasteride are dose related. That means that you increase your chances of side effects with the 5 mg dose per day without increasing the clinical benefit. Stay with your present regimen and it appears the results have been favorable.

Lawrence Samuels, MD
Member, International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons

Hair Transplant Cost and Recovery

I have been struggling with my hair loss for most of my life. I just turned forty and I am tired of being bald. It’s affected my life in a very profound way. I wear a baseball cap whenever I can and even my kids ask me why I always wear a hat. My wife suggested that I get a hair transplant if it will make me happier. So here I am. I’d like to know the average hair transplant cost and how long I will be out of commission for?

The cost of a hair transplant varies greatly from city to city throughout the United States. Prices range from as little as $3.00 to as high as $8.00 with the standard being around $5 to $6 per follicular unit graft. If and when you speak to a hair restoration specialist, be sure to ask about additional fees including anesthetics, surgical facility costs and follow-up care as they may not be included in the procedure fee. Although hair transplantation is a substantial investment, the results are permanent and may be less expensive than other hair loss treatments when factored over a lifetime. The improvement in self-image and confidence is well worth the cost for most people. Read more

Currently Taking Propecia, Should I Also Take Avodart?

I am 18 years old and notice male pattern baldness taking place. I am currently take propecia, but still notice that my hair is receding at the temples. This is really bothering me, it is all I think about and my self- esteem has gone down. Should I take Avodart along with propecia? I really don’t want to go bald. Please if there’s anything else I can do please let me know.

Hello. I certainly understand your concern but I suggest you take a step back and take a deep breath before considering any aggressive and potentially harmful options to treat your hair loss.  First, from your description, it’s likely that you are the only one who notices your hair loss at this point.  So I suggest you get an objective opinion from a reputable hair restoration specialist before doing anything else.  Second, if you are thinking about your hair loss all the time then I strongly suggest you speak with a professional therapist who can help you put this issue into perspective and keep it from becoming an obsession.  I would certainly continue the Propecia and consider adding minoxidil 5%, even applied along the hairline.  It does sometimes help there.  At your age, I would strongly advise against Avodart.  This medication, which has not been proven to be any more effective than Propecia, does have disconcerting side effects in some men such as a significant reduction in your sperm count.  Your hair restoration specialist will be able to follow your progress objectively with photographs and modify your treatment when needed.

Gregory Pistone, MD
Member, International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons

Facial Hair Restoration - Which Is Better, FUE or a Regular Hair Transplant

I’m interested in having my mustache thickened up. I wanted to know what the best method for facial hair restoration would be. Should I have FUE or a regular hair transplant.

The best method for facial hair restoration is transplantation most often using hair from the back of the head to, in your case, your mustache. It is important to find hair in the donor area that matches the texture of the existing hair in your mustache with regard to hair shaft diameter, color, and curl. Sometimes hair on the back of the head can be dramatically different in color and hair shaft diameter that facial hair. In such cases I have taken beard hair from under the chin, using FUE, to transplant to the mustache. Some doctors have described taking a strip from under the chin but I have seen unacceptable scarring using this method therefore if facial hair is needed I use FUE for harvesting.

The most important technical aspect concerning a facial hair transplant is to leave the hair on the grafts long enough to be able to tell the angle of the hair exiting the skin. When placed it is important that the angulation is correct. Some doctors recommend strip excision for this reason as the hair on the grafts can be left longer. The advantages of FUE are that there are no sutures, less pain, and less visible scarring. Since small numbers of grafts are generally needed for mustache transplants, FUE is ideal from that aspect. Also the exact number of grafts can be harvested after the incisions are made. Read more

15 Year Old Son Is Losing His Hair, Need Help - Can He Get a Hair Transplant?

My 15 year old son has been losing hair in the shower and when he combs his hair. He feels his hair is thinning and is worried about it. We are also very concerned because he had surgery on his head when he was an infant which left a very large scar and also left his skill asymmetrical which has always been covered by hair. We are interested in finding a physician to help his hair loss and see if it is possible to have hair transplanted onto his scar. Does it sound like he would be able to have a hair transplant? What could be causing his hair loss at such a young age? Please help we need a Christmas miracle.

Your son’s situation is quite complex and needs to be carefully analyzed. Although he may be an excellent candidate for surgical hair restoration, surgical intervention can lead to a variety of problems later in life if he develops a more extensive balding pattern than what is being predicted at this time.

First off, follicular-unit grafts seem to grow quite well in many scars. Follicular-unit restoration has proven to be a very successful technique for camouflaging the adverse cosmetic appearance of scalp and facial scars. I tend to favor a much more conservative approach when placing grafts in scar tissue. Scar tissue has a significantly reduced blood supply compared to intact skin. A compromised blood supply can adversely affect healing and graft regrowth. Read more

Traveling Outside of the Country For a Hair Transplant

I am considering a hair transplant. I have consulted with two surgeons in San Francisco (near where I live) and am considering having the work done at one of their clinics. The transplant procedure recommended by both surgeons is for about 1800 grafts and the cost would be approximately $8500.-$9000.

I have been considering the possibility of having the procedure done by a well qualified surgeon in another part of the country or even outside of the US (i.e Latin America). I believe that even after considering travel costs I can save money and receive the same quality work that I would receive in the Bay Area. What do you think about traveling outside of the country for hair restoration work?

There are internationally renown physicians around the world. If you are looking at Latin America you will find Dr Carl Bazan and Dr. Hector D. Sandoval both in Mexico, Drs Carlos O. Uebel and Marcelo Gandelman of Brazil are greatly regarded by their peers , as is Dr Guillermo S. Blugerman of Argentina. Also south but not on the same continent are Drs Russell Knudsen and Mario Marzola both in Australia. Read more

Hair Transplant Didn’t Grow, Left With a Scar - Can It Be Fixed?

Two years ago I had a hair transplant in Washington state with very poor results. I spent over $8000 and very little of the transplanted hair has grown in. I was also left with a scar that can only be covered if I grow my hair out about 3 inches or so. The entire experience was bad. Is it possible to fix the bad hair transplant and do doctors guarantee their results?

I’m sorry you had a bad experience with your first hair transplant procedure. It’s a little hard from your letter to tell whether you really had poor growth, that is, a low survival rate of the follicles planted at your surgery - or whether the doctor or clinic led you on initially with some expectation that wasn’t lived up to in your eyes. Sometimes a clinic will promise a “full head of hair,” and that just isn’t possible in a single session by almost anybody. I’m assuming it was probably a little bit of both of the above, but the only way to be sure would be to have a graft count of what was placed, see your “before” photos, and then personally examine you. Photos would help some, but wouldn’t be as good as your possibly going to another reputable doctor in your area of the country and having him or her look at your results. Certainly, at the two year mark, you should be seeing everything you are going to get from your transplant. Read more

Women’s Hair Transplant - Shock Loss | Minoxidil Isn’t Working, Please Help

I have a question about shock loss and recurrent shedding (I am a woman, age 55). In May of 2002 I underwent a hair transplant of 750 micrografts, mostly on top and in front, some on the crown. After the procedure, I went into a bad shock loss - in addition to losing the original hair around the new transplants, I also lost a lot on the back of my head to above my ears, above the donor incision, which took a half inch strip of scalp out from ear to ear. On top of that, I was on minoxidil which kicked in further hair loss like it always does in the beginning. The shock loss areas grew back but not anywhere near as thick as they were before - which was never that thick! The minoxidil did nothing for me that I could see, although it may have speeded up the regrowth of the shock loss areas.

Here is my question - it is now nearly 4 years later and I am having a terrible problem with shedding the past few months, and once again I am thin on top and above the scar all the way up to and including the crown. In fact, it’s every place above the donor area, same as the first time. Is it possible that when you lose a lot to shock, the hair cycle of all those follicles resets to that specific point in time, and if the cycle is 4 years long, you will lose it all again in 4 years? Or, after a shock loss, do the follicles involved revert to their previous individually staggered cycles the next time around? Read more

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