I am thinking about getting a hair transplant but I would like to know what percentage of people experience shock loss. Is there any data for this? Is there any way to know beforehand what your chances are of having that happen?

Unfortunately, I am not aware of any scientific studies which have sought to determine the exact frequency of post operative shock loss. Even if such a study were performed, the results might not be applicable in the real world because there are so many individual factors that influence its occurrence. Nevertheless, it is clear that it is a real problem, especially for certain subsets of patients. Patients who seem to be at highest risk include: 1. Those who are experiencing rapid hair loss; 2. Women; 3. Those who have miniaturized hair in the recipient area; and 4. Those who are having a transplant densely packed into an area of the scalp with a lot of the existing hair. The incidence of post operative shock loss in each of these cases varies. I would estimate that some shock loss occurs in up to 50% of the high risk cases; whereas, I would estimate some occurs in about 10% of regular cases. Read the Story

I’d like to start taking Propecia, but I heard that it can cause prostate cancer. Is this true and if so what else can I take to stop my hair loss?

To my knowledge there has never been any evidence linking the use of Propecia and the development of Prostate Cancer. There was a recent study that followed a large group of men taking Propecia for several years. The study showed that in addition to the slowing down of hair loss, men taking Propecia had a lower incidence of BPH (Benign Prostate Hypertrophy) and a lower rate of Prostate Cancer than the general population. However the few people who did develop Prostate Cancer had higher grades of Cancer. The authors reasoning for this is that Propecia helps to keep the Prostate gland smaller which in turn leads to a lower rate of Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (enlargement) converting to Prostate Cancer. For those patients whose predisposition for developing Cancer was so strong (higher grade of Cancer) the Propecia had no effect on them. Read the Story

I am writing because I am wondering what to do for my situation. I am 25 years old with extreme diffuse thinning. Lucky me huh? I think it resembles more female pattern type hair loss and the donor hair, side top everywhere is evenly thinned. I think I’ve done enough research to figure out that I am probably not a candidate for a hair transplant due to not having a very stable donor hair area, and also I hear doctors don’t want to transplant guys that are too young. So this is one of those times age isn’t on my side. What do I do? I don’t want to depress anyone, but this has ruined my life, or perhaps more appropriately stated, robbed me of the one I had before. Not a lot of 25 year old women wanting to date a guy with hair like their grandfather. Do guys with diffuse thinning respond well to Propecia or Rogaine? thanks.

You are correct that if you have diffuse thinning by age 25, you would not be a candidate for a hair transplant. I would use both Finasteride and Rogaine and begin these medications as soon as possible. With diffuse thinning, it is possible to have a dramatic response. Read the Story

I figure the best way to know what questions to ask a surgeon I may see for possible hair transplant surgery, is to actually ASK a hair transplant surgeon. Can you give me a list of things I should watch out for or be aware of and possible questions to ask to the doctor I see for a consultation? Thank you in advance.

Thank you for your letter. You are absolutely correct that you may ask the surgeon any question that you would like and you have to feel comfortable with the way the surgeon answers your questions as well as the answers that he/she gives you.

The list of possible questions is lengthy and will depend on your individual situation and areas of particular interest. In general there should be no area that is off limits or too sensitive to ask the physician including training their experience. You should also be able to ask any question about the medical or surgical treatment of hair loss and how each may benefit you. If you have specific questions after you have done some research into hair restoration, by all means ask. Read the Story

Is it possible to take the donor hair from the beard area. I don’t have any donor hair left, and need a new side burn. -Steve

Dear Steve,
It IS in fact possible to harvest donor hair from the beard, but there is still a good chance that the wisest and best course of action may be to take it instead from the back of your scalp. There are two different ways to harvest beard hair: The older method was to cut out an eliptical strip from under the chin and then dissect this strip into individual FU grafts, but the drawback is that this method leaves a thin scar under the chin; so this method is only to be used if the man is absolutely committed to keeping a beard in that area of the face for the rest of his life, which makes the scar undetectable. Another probably better way to harvest beard hair is by “FUE,” or folliicular unit extraction, a procedure in which the surgeon uses a very small punch around 1mm in diameter and cuts into the very superficial skin surrounding the follicular unit, then follows up with a dull punch, which carries the dissection bluntly down the sides of the FU without cutting the follicles. The FU graft is then gently “plucked” out of this site, and the holes heal up beautifully in just 4-6 days and are hard to detect very soon thereafter. Read the Story