Author Archive for Jerry Cooley, MD

Jerry Cooley, M.D. was born in Springfield, Missouri and graduated magna cum laude from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. After graduation, he worked in a research unit at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He attended medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received his medical degree in 1992 after graduating with honors. After a medical internship at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, he completed his dermatology residency at the University of Maryland where he served as chief resident. While in Baltimore, Dr. Cooley underwent intensive training in dermatologic surgery and hair transplantation. He trained in the office of Dr. James Vogel, a noted plastic surgeon from Johns Hopkins. During this time, he performed laboratory research on "cloning" hair follicle cells using cell culture. After residency, he established his practice in Charlotte, North Carolina. Although general and cosmetic dermatology are part of his practice, hair transplantation is his main focus. Dr. Cooley is board certified in dermatology and dermatologic surgery. Dr. Cooley is a member of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons and recommended by the American Hair Loss Association. Visit Dr. Cooley's Website: www.haircenter.com

Concerned About The Appearance of a Hair Transplant If Hair Loss Continues To Progress

If I have a hair transplant for my receding hairline will I look strange if I lose more hair behind it? I have limited funds and do not know if I will be able to afford a second hair transplant if I lose more hair. Is there a way that the hair transplant can be constructed so that this is never a problem?
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The issue of potential future hair loss is very important anytime a transplant is considered to correct a receded hairline. There is no way to do the transplant so this is “never a problem”.

These are the important considerations:

-age: the younger you are, the more likely significant progression of the hair loss is
-family history: the stronger your family history, ie the more men in your family with early or extensive baldness, the higher your risk
-willingness to take medicine: Finasteride gives you a high probability of keeping what you have; most men will have more hair five years after beginning it than we they started taking it.
-motivation: transplanting a hairline implies a commitment to restoring and maintaining your hair; think hard whether this is the right decision for you; going bald naturally or shaving your head are easy, cheap alternatives. I have my patients think it over and contact me later to schedule the surgery. I want them to be sure they’re making the right decision for themselves. Read more

Receding Hairline at 22 - Am I a Candidate For a Hair Transplant?

I am 22 years old and I have a receding hairline. My father started thinning in the front in his early 50’s and has a pretty decent head of hear. My mom’s father and brothers only experience a receding hairline and never had any hair loss in the crown area. I have very thick hair but the front has receded, am I a candidate for hair restoration?
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This is an excellent question. Whether to perform a hair transplant on a young man is a very controversial area among hair transplant specialists. My approach to this situation is based on the following considerations:

1. Hair loss when you are young (e.g. early 20’s) can be especially difficult because this is the time of life when you are typically entering the job world and actively dating. Hair loss can have a significant effect on self confidence and self esteem.

2. Hair loss due to male pattern baldness is a life long progressive condition. Any treatment plan has to be based on this fact. Having a strong family history of extensive baldness in one or both sides of the family makes it more likely you will experience the same fate. This makes a hair transplant more risky. Read more

Hair Loss Caused By Car Accident

My 17 year old  daughter was in a car accident about 4 months ago. Thankfully she is  recovering well with no permanent injuries, however during  the accident  her head hit the dashboard of the car causing tremendous  bruising. About 2 weeks after the accident all of the hair in that area  just began falling out. the hair has not returned. Could there have been  some permanent damage to the hair follicles so that the hair will not grow  back and if it does not grow back will a hair transplant work to replace  the lost hair?

The cause of the hair loss is what we call ‘anagen effluvium’ assuming that there is no severe scar tissue in the area of hair loss.  This means that the trauma caused an acute lack of blood supply (oxygen) to the hair follicles, causing them to shed hair.  Normally, we would expect all the hair to regrow.  If it does not all regrow, this would suggest that there have been some scarring under the skin that resulted in permanent follicles damage.  It would be best to wait at least 6 months to see if there is good hair regrowth, in which case a transplant would be unnecessary.  If there is no growth at that time, a transplant should be considered.

Jerry Cooley, MD
Member, International  Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons