Category: Hair Transplantation

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Transplanting Hair from the Back of the Head to the Sides of the Head – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Dr. Rassman,

In researching hair transplantation, I have been unable to find an answer to what seems to me to be a pretty basic question: Can donor hair be relocated to the sides of the head? If so, would this be an option for me?

Here is a rundown of my situation: I am not sure what my pattern is, but I have lost a good amount off my hairline and the front 1/4’s of the sides of my head. The back of my head is pretty full, and the back 3/4 of the sides and area beyond the hairline on top are also relatively full.

Thanks so much for all your nice work

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In men, hairs from the back of the head are considered permanent. This is the donor area in hair transplant surgery. You can transplant it anywhere on the body and it should grow. Thus, you can transplant hair from the back to the sides.

As to what you are referring to as “the sides” remains to be seen, as I do not know what you are exactly describing. If you would like a consultation you can always email us at hairdoc@newhair.com with photos.

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Hair Transplant Patients Under 30 Years Old? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Dr.Rassman

Really informative website, love it. I just have a couple questions.

1. Just wanted to know how come there is a lack of hair transplant photos on the NHI website of patients 30 and under?
2. How many patients under the age of 30 that you have done surgeries on, either in the front or crown of the scalp, have to come back for more additional procedures to make it look thicker and fill in areas or because they are losing hair behind their transplanted hair?

Thank you kindly.

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There are many photos on our NHI website, and I’m sure there are some younger patients in there. If there is a lack of these younger patients, it isn’t on purpose — we post the photos that our patients allow us to post, and many of the younger patients don’t wish to appear on our site.

Our average age for transplant patients is around 30 to 40s, but we have done surgery in men as young as 20 (who was a bald NW 6) to as old as 80. This becomes a one-on-one assessment comparing the risks of too early transplants with waiting too long. It’s not something that I can easily convey here in this post.

Men with frontal hairline loss often come to surgery earlier, because they are bothered by the man in the mirror. Younger men who are rapidly losing hair will likely benefit from finasteride (Propecia) over surgery in certain cases. It is not unusual for a young man under 30 with fine hair to have two procedures with us.

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Hair Loss InformationCan I Have Several Smaller Scars Along Langer’s Lines Instead of 1 Large Linear Scar? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr.Rassman/Dr.Pak,
Is it possible for an FUT patient:-

– to have several small (5cms) donor-strip scars rather than the normal one large scar, and would such scars heal better if they followed Langer’s lines?
– to have donor-strip scars incorporated into existing scars (in permanent zone)?
– to have, using your experience and artistry, donor-strip scars with the appearance of naturally-occurring scars: the normal scars that most people receive from the everyday knocks and bumps of an active childhood/adulthood (falling out of trees, falling off bikes, sport injuries, fisticuffs, etc.).

I appreciate that all surgery inevitably leaves scarring and even with the standard of your work some compromise is necessary. But, perhaps like many men, I’m uncomfortable with the thought of having scars that are so obviously due to hair transplant surgery – even though such scars can be covered by wearing longer hair and/or camouflaged by SMP. However, if the scars could be disguised as accident-related scars much of the anxiety of having FUT surgery would be removed and, within reason, any amount of scars would be acceptable.

Thank you.

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Multiple small scars were offered in the past, all placed horizontally in Langer’s lines (the lines in the skin where collagen fibers are naturally oriented). Some were significantly less detectable; however, they may not be very efficient if a lot of hair is needed (as in the Norwood class 6 or 7 patients) and multiple small scars often have some hair loss associated with them.

I frankly do not know of any doctors offering this approach. If for any reason, you are a person that widens scars, this approach would leave your head full of scars.

I had three strip surgeries all in the same place for my balding crown, but only one scar remains that is so small, few can see it. In my situation, having only one scar was the right decision and I did not need Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP), as I did not need to hide what was already hidden.

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Acne in the Recipient Area After a Hair Transplant – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Would getting acne in the recipient area in the days and weeks post-op have any effect on the grafts? If so, for how long after? Thanks.

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Sometimes hair transplant patients may experience folliculitis weeks to months after surgery, which looks like acne. It is generally advised to follow up with the surgeon and use warm towel compresses to address the area. Some doctors prescribe a short term oral antibiotic for it as well.

The cysts that form reflect the sebum production of the transplanted hair that can not exit the skin, because there is no pore present. It generally does not affect the grafts.

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Do Thin Eyebrows Mean a Thyroid Condition? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi doctor, I see that you mention that a thyroid condition may cause balding. I’ve read that one of the symptoms of a thyroid conditions is thin eyebrows. If I’ve always had thin eyebrows since I was a kid (especially on the outer edge), does that mean I have a thyroid condition – or that I just had naturally thin eyebrows?

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Thin eyebrows just means you have thin eyebrows, especially since you report having this as a child. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have a thyroid issue. If you think you have a thyroid condition, then you should see your primary care doctor. It is a simple blood test.

If you want thicker eyebrows, you can always consider an eyebrow transplant, which takes hair from the back of the scalp. We’ve successfully transplanted eyebrows for many patients with great results, but the patient has to remember to trim their new eyebrows regularly since the hairs will continue to grow like it would on the scalp.

There’s some examples of eyebrow transplants here, here, and here.

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In the News – Mustache Transplants Are Big in the Middle East – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Snippet from the article:

Thick, handsome mustaches have long been prized by men throughout the Middle East as symbols of masculine virility, wisdom and maturity.

But not all mustaches are created equal, and in recent years, increasing numbers of Middle Eastern men have been going under the knife to attain the perfect specimen.

Turkish plastic surgeon Selahattin Tulunay says the number of mustache implants he performs has boomed in the last few years. He now performs 50-60 of the procedures a month, on patients who hail mostly from the Middle East and travel to Turkey as medical tourists.

He said his patients generally want thick mustaches as they felt they would make them look mature and dignified.

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Read the rest at CNN — Mideast men go under knife for manly mustaches

The article was published just in time for Movember.

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Hair Loss InformationI’m a Woman Considering a Hair Transplant – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am a female in my early twenties and I am considering having a hair transplantation surgery. However, I am not sure which method to choose or if I should even have the surgery done.

When I was young, I had a bad habit of pulling my hair. I also used to tie my hair very tightly, which resulted in receding hairline, very thin or almost bald spots at the front of my head.The increased size of my forehead and the presence of almost bald spots made me insecure and uncomfortable with my looks.

I have a somewhat thick hair even after losing so much hair last year due to stress. I also had very low levels of vitamin D which could have attributed to my recent hair loss. A few months ago, I started taking multi vitamins and high doses of vitamin D. I also started some oil treatments and I noticed some thin hair growing in the front.

Since I was able to detect some natural improvements, I felt like I should continue and see if I can regrow my hair naturally. It would be safer, scar-free, and much cheaper to do it this way. I have seen some encouraging before and after photos on the internet and I know a relative who managed to regrow front hair without surgery.

On the other hand, surgery provides more guaranteed results and allows me to choose the shape of my hairline. I contacted some doctors and I have been told that I should make an appointment before the new year or the prices will rise. I will probably need around 1500 grafts.

In case you think that I should have HT, do you recommend FUT or FUE?

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The method of harvesting is not an issue in women who keep reasonably long hair. The cost differential might make a difference if you go the transplant route (FUT/strip will cost less per graft than FUE). Each technique has various pros and cons that we’ve written about before.

People who pull at their hair and see permanent hair loss from it (trichotillomania) must make sure that the problem is stopped before transplanting the area. Most women who pull their hair, will continue to pull their hair, and that causes failure of the transplant process. Are you sure, absolutely sure, that the pulling is over?

Encouraging photos on the internet are one thing, but I really doubt there’s any medication or vitamins that will get hair to regrow at the hairline. If it works for you, that’s a great thing…. but I wouldn’t expect too much.

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Hair Loss InformationHow Fast Do Transplanted Hairs Shed? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am 2.5 weeks post-op, and already seem to be shedding transplanted hairs in the recipient area. This seems quick to me. Are transplanted hairs shed quicker if there is no or minimal crusting post-op ?

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Transplanted hairs shed in 19 out of 20 patients and they usually start shedding at 10 days or so, unless the crusts remain (which will hold onto the hair inside the crusting). I prefer having no crusts, as these grafts are more secure in their recipient sites.

One patient out of 20 will grow out their hair without shedding the transplant hair (no dormant phase), and these remarkable patients have 2 inch long hairs at 4 months post-procedure… and great joy from beating the odds

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Hair Loss InformationCan You Control the Transplanted Hair Rotation? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi and thanks for your website. My question is pretty straight forward. When transplanting hair, I can see how you can control the direction, but can you control the rotation? If your hair has a slight curve, it is possible the hair will curve in the opposite direction to the existing hair.

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Yes, hair rotation can be controlled and it should be controlled in most experienced hands. It is particularly important for the eyebrow, for example, where you want the hair to lie down against the forehead, not stick up all pointy. All of my staff have been trained to place the rotation in a consistent manner that strategically fits with the plan.