Category: Hair Transplantation

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Hair Loss InformationAny Idea Why I’m Still Experiencing Pain in My Scalp 5 Years After a Hair Transplant? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

im am experiencing increasing amount of pain and discomfort causing lack of sleep and loss of concentration and its been 5 years since i had a hair transplant and 4 years since scar revision which has caused this pain (pulling, burning). I ve seen many doctors, neurologists and have been to pain clinics with no success. any thoughts as to why this is happening? thanks

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Did you follow up with the doctor who performed your surgery? I do not even know if your pain is related to the surgery. It is possible (speculative) that you have a nerve entrapment which can sometimes be determined in your examination. I have seen patients present to me with a long-term nerve problem from this cause. I am sorry, but there really is no way for me to tell especially after what you tell me of seeing all the specialists. If those doctors (who actually examined you) cannot help you, I highly doubt I can tell you what is going on, certainly not without a direct examination.

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Hair Loss InformationTransplanting Men In Their Early 20s – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,
I am about to turn 23 and recently (though I believe it started a year or two ago) I have noticed more and more that my hairline is thinning and receding. The recession isn’t in the dramatic “m” pattern, more of a general recession all the way across, though when pulled back can definitely see the edges going back further (the furthest on the left, the hairline all the way across has become a bit uneven and can see lone hairs as well as other thinned hairs).

My main question is what your feeling on a hairline transplant would be for someone my age. I think I would be more than happy with a transplanted area about a half inch wide or so across the forehead(i’m not sure how many graphs this would approximate to…essentially lowering my hairline a half inch or so). The rest of my head, both behind the hairline and on the crown seem to all be fine. I know I saw a video on newhair.com which showed the results of someone 24 who had a transplant which prompted me to inquire for myself.

I greatly appreciate your time and information

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I have transplanted hair in men of your age. There is no 100% applicable age rule, but there are some requirements that must be met, including:

  • Maturity
  • Realistic expectation
  • Being on Propecia
  • Enough balding to make a difference
  • Enough donor hair to do the short term and long term job
  • A pattern of hair loss that I can anticipate

It would be best to come to an open house event where you can meet with myself or Dr Pak, meet directly with a dozen patients who had the surgery, and view an ongoing surgery that day. There is no better way to do your research in my opinion.

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I Have No Hair Loss, But I Want a Forelock Transplanted to Frame My Face – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I would like to first say how much I appreciate your site here and how valuable a resource it is.

I am now 24 and have been fortunate to not have any experience with any extensive hair loss. It is not in my families history but I do take avodart at 2.5 mg just in case that I inherited the genes my uncle on my father’s side has. Strangely he (my uncle) has almost completely lost all the hair on the top of his head while my father has almost retained his preadolescence hair. They are both about the same age and well into their 60s. Anyways, I am seeking advice about something I would like to do about getting a forelock. I know this sounds strange but I am really into the look and being of the theatrical I would like to go into acting and I think a slight forelock at the front middle would frame my face nicely. Having some experience with photoshop I think I have a pretty good idea about how this would turn out. I think the look suits me (much as it does other actors such as Colin Farrel, but would not want mine to be so blunt). I would not mind sending you pictures of the befores and afters I have done.

I know it is risky even with medication but I am absolutely certain that I would like to have the procedure. Thank you for your time and feel free to get back to me at your convenience.

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First of all, if you do not have hair loss, I would highly advise you reconsider taking Avodart (dutasteride) 2.5mg. I can’t see how your doctor could’ve possibly prescribed this to you! Not only can it affect your sperm production and the long term effects in young men are not well established, but as far as I’m aware, the dosage that has been commonly used (off-label) for treating hair loss is 0.5mg — so you’re taking 5x the dosage and you’re not even losing hair, I’m worried that you’re going to end up getting yourself in a corner. It is simply not a medication that has been FDA approved for treating hair loss despite the fact people do take it off-label.

If you are considering a hair transplant to your forelock you should start off by seeing a good hair transplant surgeon that you trust. If you are not balding and want a strong forelock (not a widow’s peak?), then it is pure cosmetic surgery, which is something that we do. I really cannot advise you on what you are doing or what my opinion is on your goal, because I really don’t know if you have realistic expectations and/or goals. These are things that need to be done during an office visit.

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Over 2 Months After Transplant, I Colored My Hair and Now My Scalp Is Scabby and Raw – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi, I am a male 25, I have had two previous hair transplants in the FRONT of my scalp..turned out GREAT. On March 4th 2008 I had my THIRD hair transplant on the CROWN area..I had 1500 grafts, its been two and a half months. On April 18th I coloured my hair. i didnt leave it on that long (10mins)… on the crown area I have scabs still and when i wash them off, the crown area is extremely pink and RAW with puss. Is this normal?

Also I lost MORE hair around the crown then before my surgery? no hairs have grown yet..is it normal for me to have puss and scabs two and a half months after surgery? Thanks

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You seem to have two problems going on. Concerning the dye, you may have sustained a chemical burn and this can cause permanent hair loss. If you are losing more hair since the transplant I would want to know if you were taking Propecia (finasteride) before the surgery to protect against shock loss. The chemical dyes may have also impacted the hair you have in your crown area. See your hair transplant doctor and ask him/her to examine you and render an opinion. Pus and scabs two months after surgery is not a normal occurrence.

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In the News – Restoration Robotics and the Automated Hair Transplant – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

From the article:

A robot that can pluck and move individual hair follicles on a person’s head makes hair transplants look more natural than those performed by humans, a US company claims.

The robot can also perform the procedure twice as fast as human clinicians, with less pain and scarring for the patient, says Restoration Robotics of Mountain View, California.

Read the full text at NewScientist.com – Surgical robot gives hair transplants a natural look

I am well aware of Restoration Robotics. They approached me a year or so ago to obtain rights to use our U.S. Patent to perform such surgery. Dr. Pak was the engineer back in 1998 when he helped me design the first prototype. I am eager to finally see this project get on its way.

I must disclose that if they succeed, I have a financial interest in their success from the license grant.


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Hair Loss InformationDr Rassman, Why Do You Insist on Young Men Taking Pills Rather Than Just Get a Hair Transplant? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,

I’m wondering why you seem to insist upon young men trying Propecia first before pursuing a hair transplant. What with the possible side effects and the need to continually take it, a miniturization examination and possible transplant seem a far safer – and even cost effective – plan in the end.

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As a doctor, I do what is appropriate for all my patients, not for my bank account. If you do not need a hair transplant surgery and may benefit more from taking a simple daily pill, that is the best for the patient.

From a side effect point of view, most men do not get side effects, so it is worth a try. Moreover, Propecia is a safe medicine. Even after or before having a hair transplant surgery, I mostly recommend taking Propecia so that my patients do not lose more of their native hair. From a cost effective point of view, a lifetime supply of finasteride is much less than a hair transplant procedure, especially if you take the generic finasteride 5mg and cut it into 1/4 pills.

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Two Doctors with Good Reputations, One With a Much Better Price – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am a healthy and robust 75 year old male. I have visited two local hair transplant doctors. They both have good general reputations. They suggest 1500 front and hairline grafts. I don’t know which to choose. One of them is willing to give me a much better price. Also, my big concern is shock loss. Any advice?

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Please read through the information I’ve supplied in the very lengthy post called The Truth About Cheap Hair Transplants to get tips on how to select a doctor. You should put price into the formula only after all other criteria have been met. Then, of course, it is a free enterprise society and the prices may be the only distinguishing characteristic.

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Skin Necrosis After Hair Transplant Infection – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello. I’ve had my third FUT surgery about 2 months ago and due to infection the sutures incision line didn’t heal and skin necrosis happened. 16cm (6.7 inches) to 3 cm (1.2 inches) split skin graft was implemented 3 weeks ago on my donor area. Can FUE be a solution to cover up this area? And how many grafts may be sufficient?

Best regards

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FUE is not the way to go in your case. A balloon expander for a problem of this size is the right thing to do. You can learn more about tissue expansion at American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

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Hair Loss InformationScabs After Hair Transplant (with Photos) – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

So I think I am finally ready to have a procedure, on average, how long does it take for the scabbing to go away? I do not want to go back to work before it does.

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The last two patients done this past week had no scabs when they left surgery or on the days following surgery. This is what we expect in over 90% of patients and most can go out into the real world without a hat on. Some people keep the scabs longer. The length of time relates to the:

  1. size of the wound (the smaller the wound the shorter the scab period)
  2. washing skills
  3. patient variables

Two of these are in control of the doctor and the patient, while the third is not controlled be addressing #1 and #2 alone.

Update: Here are 2 photos of a patient — the photo on the left was taken under an hour after the surgery of 1500 grafts was complete; the photo on the right was taken 11 days after surgery. This is the typical post-operative appearance of our patient surgeries. Click to enlarge.

 

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I Want a Hair Transplant, But I Won’t Take Propecia to Maintain – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi, I have read before that you will only do HTs on men who agree to take propecia, and are hesitant to do it on young people. I am 22 and cannot take Propecia due to side effects, but I now have a prominent bald spot in the front of my head. The thing is, I would be happy to get a HT very soon, and I couldn’t care less if it looks stupid 10 years from now and I have a visible ugly scar. It won’t look as stupid as being 22 with a bald spot at the front. This is the prime of my life, and I’m much more concerned with my physical appearance over the next 8 years than I will be for the rest of the years of my life. So why not do HTs on people like me? Of course I want an ethical doctor, but really your 20’s are when looks matter the most.

PropeciaAt the age of 22 (unless you are already completely bald) you would generally not be a good candidate for a hair transplant surgery, particularly with your attitude, which appears immature to me. Surgery can sometimes accelerate hair loss and you may look worse after a surgery. Hair transplantation is a permanent process. 10 years from now you will be 32 years old and you will definitely care how you look. Three of the contributing editors on this site are in their 30s and I don’t believe any one of them would agree with your comment, “I couldn’t care less if it looks stupid 10 years from now and I have a visible ugly scar“. Even at 64 years old, you will care how you look. Trust me. I have seen plenty of men with your mentality who regret having had a bad surgery in their early twenties and having had accelerated hair loss.

I am not saying you should absolutely not have surgery, because I do not know your specific situation and degree of hair loss, but there has to be some maturity and understanding and realistic expectations with a hair transplant surgery. You should start with a good consultation with a doctor you trust. If it seems that I have been harsh with you, it is because I’m not trying to make a sale, but I am absolutely certain that 90% of the hair transplant doctors out there would love to get your money.

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