Author Archive for Sara Wasserbauer, MD

Dr. Sara Wasserbauer is Board Certified by the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery and is currently located in the Bay Area, outside of San Francisco, in Walnut Creek, California. She completed her undergraduate studies with a B.A. in Classical Archeology and minors in Chemistry, Biology and Psychology at the prestigious Dartmouth College. She then went on to earn her medical degree from the renowned Medical College of Ohio where she was designated Class Leader. After finishing her training in Internal Medicine, Dr. Wasserbauer discovered she had a natural aptitude and eye for aesthetic surgery. Growing up in a family that experienced severe hair loss in both the men AND women, she found herself drawn to hair restoration and the dramatic change it could have on one’s appearance With the technological advancements in hair restoration surgery over the past 10 years she saw the potential of natural follicular unit hair restoration surgery to transform a person’s outward appearance and inner self esteem. She states, “Hair loss can have debilitating effects on an individual’s self image, impacting all facets of their lives from social to professional.” Dr. Wasserbauer felt that with her surgical skills, training and natural empathy she could make a true difference in her patient’s lives. Dr. Wasserbauer is a member of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons and recommended by the American Hair Loss Association. Visit Dr. Wasserbauer's Website: www.californiahairsurgeon.com

Trying To Understand The Benefits of an FUE Hair Transplant

I really would like to have a hair transplant, but I’d prefer not to have long scar on the back of my head. My concern is if the back of my hair thins over time that the scar will become visible.

Does it make more sense to have FUE as opposed to a strip hair transplant, just in case I do thin out more in the back and the sides? I figure that if this does happen, I can always just shave my head to a #2 and go on with my life without the fear of having a visible scar. Is this a logical approach, or have I misunderstood the benefits of FUE?
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Thank you for taking the time to write. You question is astute in that you are trying to take into account future hair loss - something not every patient thinks about. Let me try to answer you as best I can without examining you.

If you have thin hair at the back of your head, FUE may be your best option. You definitely need to check with a hair surgeon though to make sure you don’t have a diffuse unpatterned alopecia (in which case surgery would be ill-advised). FUE is a viable option for you providing you have been tested and found to be a good candidate. Read more

Confused By The Different Hair Transplant Techniques Being Offered - Is There One Gold Standard?

I’ve been researching hair transplantation online and I’ve become very confused. It seems that a lot of doctors have developed their own techniques and claim they are unique. I’m reading about FUE, FUT, FIT, BHT, follicular unit grafting, follicular unit coupling, megasessions, dense packing, lunch time FUE and the list seems to go on. Is there one gold standard for hair transplantation? - Markus
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Dear Markus,

Funny you should ask!

This is an excellent question so thank you for taking the time to write. For a very long time, few surgeons specialized in hair transplantation, and those surgeons worked to refine the techniques for naturalness, aesthetic appeal, obtaining grafts, decreasing scar formation, etc. Often, surgeons would come up with similar techniques and name it themselves - hence the proliferation of multiple monikers for essentially the same thing. Now that the internet has provided a nationwide (and, indeed, worldwide) forum for this procedure, all the different names get tossed in the same pot of information - and it is up to the consumer to sift through it! This is no easy task, and even I sometimes have trouble keeping track. Read more

Hair Transplant For Balding Crown - Is This a Good Idea?

I’m 43 years old and I have been slowly losing my hair for the past 15 years. I seemed to have retained a pretty good hairline, even though it is slightly higher than it used to be, however, the baldness in my crown has grown over the years. I recently began using Propecia and noticed less hair falling out in the shower, but I haven’t really noticed any regrowth. I would very much like to fill in the balding area of my crown with a hair transplant. Considering my current situation, would this be an appropriate step to take? Thanks, Tom
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Dear Tom,

Thank you for taking the time to write. Your situation is a common one and I’m pleased to hear that you have already started taking Propecia. This is one of the most significant factors for optimizing your long-term cosmetic results. In my experience, it cannot be counted on to preserve frontal density indefinitely, but Propecia WILL stop crown loss from enlarging appreciably. Besides, it is cheaper than surgery!

It is difficult to make an accurate assessment without seeing you, but at a consult with a reputable hair surgeon you should discuss your goals and expectations for your hair first and foremost. In your case, you seem to have a reasonable goal of filling in your crown. Read more