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

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

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

Move Over Magnet Therapy, Here Comes Low Level Laser Light Therapy

Move over Magnet Therapy, here comes Low Laser Light Therapy. You all may not believe it, but the latest insult to the intelligence of the general public now comes from those who advocate the use of laser beams to re-grow hair.

The never ending effort to role back common sense in the pursuit of quick cash is ever present in this enterprise. Among it’s conspirators (witting and unwitting) are doctors, scientists, news reporters, and even the U.S. Government…the very people and groups whom the general public traditionally trusts and looks to for verification and validity.

What’s all the hubbub about? I’m embarrassed to say that its about the cute little laser pointer that you may have bought at your local toy store to entertain your kids or your pets. You know the one, the little cylinder you can put on your keychain to shine a small red dot on the wall across the room. That one. Read more

17 Years Old and Losing Hair Rapidly - Should I Have a Hair Transplant?

I’m 17 yeas old and I’m losing my hair like crazy. I went to my family doctor and he recommended Rogaine, but it is not working for me. What else can I do and should I eventually just go for a hair transplant?

I would recommend that you see a specialist in hair loss such as a hair restoration specialist or a dermatologist with a special interest in hair loss to examine your scalp and give you a likely reason for your hair loss. Something to consider is that a person with a full head of hair may lose 100 or more hairs per day as the follicles go into their normal resting or “telogen” phases. If you are seeing approximately this number in the drain after you wash your hair or in your brush or comb this may be “normal” daily loss. You should also keep in mind the history of the men in your family, both your mother’s and father’s side. If they have lost their hair at an early age you may in fact have early onset androgenetic alopecia, in other words, male pattern baldness. If this is the case then medical therapy is critical in order to slow or possibly stop the process. Read more

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