Should I try to have all of my hair translated in a single surgery rather than Two or Three?
The decision on how many surgeries you need and if you can do all of the transplant work in a single session is a matter of: (1) your needs for hair, (2) the size of your balding area, (3) the skill of your surgical team and their experience, (4) your donor density (the higher the density the more hair can be moved in a single session) and (5) your budget. Safety is the most important of the 5 situations listed above. Some less than scrupulous doctors push hair graft numbers beyond what is needed so that if they charge by the graft, they make more money, so make sure that your doctor is skilled, competent and ethical.
2017-02-02 08:02:112017-02-02 08:02:11Should I try to have all of my hair translated in a single surgery rather than Two or Three?
Hair Potions and Lotions
What do you think about all of the vitamins and other things sold in the health food stores that claim that they reduce or reverse hair loss?
The word ‘claims’ in this usage, reflects the lack of scientific proofs for naturally produced substances sold in heatlh food stores. Many of the items sold are sold on their potential and a ‘hipe’ that is created by word of mouth. There is little regulation for natural food additives, so there is no way to determine the proof of the claims that are made. Some of the natural substances may have DHT blocking abilities, as claimed, but there is no proof of such activities.
It is common to find substances sold in health food stores that claim DHT blocking properties. There is no way to confirm or deny this, so it again becomes a ‘buyer beware’ issue, leaving the final action in the hand of those willing to spend the money on it. At least Propecia is a proven DHT blocker and we know that because it has been thoroughly investigated by the drug company to meet a high standard of FDA regulations. We also know about the side effects (very low) and long term use statistics. A large company behind this medication tells us that someone is accountable if things go wrong. I can not say that for most of what is sold in the health food stores.
For example, Saw Palmetto, is thought to be a natural DHT blocker, and there are various articles that purport to prove it is an effective DHT blocker. But, a recent article that I read in a well respected medical journal indicated that it was a very weak DHT blocker. Did you know that Saw Palmetto was added to the GI’s food in World War II battle zones to suppress the soldiers sex drive so that they would not get distracted? Now if you link these two (weak DHT action and sex drive suppressant), why would anyone want to take it?
Two Different Doctors Refuse to Prescribe 5mg Finasteride
Thank you very much for your useful blog. I have been taking propecia for a year and a half with great success. I have tried to get a prescription for finasteride 5mg from two different doctor but they both refused to prescribe it to me. So my question is do you know anyone that can do this in the London?
Some doctors aren’t open to prescribing the 5mg, but I couldn’t say for sure which ones would. You made sure to tell those doctors that you know you’re supposed to cut each pill when treating hair loss and you just want it to save money, right?
Dr Bessam Farjo is an occasional contributor to BaldingBlog, and he has an office in London. I can’t say for sure if he’d prescribe the 5mg dose, but it’s worth a try. Good luck!
Hair System vs Wig
What is the difference between a hair system and a wig or a toupee?
It is the same as the difference between a garbage collector and a sanitation engineer! Everything is in the packaging!
Shakespeare wrote, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.†I would change this for the sanitation engineer: “That which we call garbage smells the same under any name you choose to give it. Unfortunately, for many wig wearers, there is a smell that comes with chronic use of wigs unless you have replacement wigs that you wash with some regularity.” It’s not quite as romantic, but it fits.
So to answer your question straightforward — no difference, except for the name. Hair system was coined to market fake hair so that it sound better than wig or toupee.
The picture shows a ‘hair system’ from the bottom (you almost can’t see the hair). What you are looking at in the photo above is the part that attaches to the scalp. To get the best fit, the scalp should be shaved and then the device is glued to the skin with some ‘attachment’ compound. Once glued, it stays in place on the scalp until it is removed and reattached. Many wearers do not do this for themselves, but rather pay someone to do it for them. If the device stays on for a week or more, the sweaty scalp produces an odor which then transfers to the ‘device’. Some people remove it at night and this allows them to shower and wash their scalp. They may also wash their device, but washing it makes it wear out earlier. Alternatives to glue include weaves, which use the existing hair around the head to be weaved through the mesh of the device like thread or clips which can attach the ‘device’ to the existing hair around the edges of the ‘unit’. The clips are better, because they can be easily removed while the weaves can not be moved and must be reworked as the hair grows longer. The average weave becomes more and more loose the longer it stays in place and to make matters worse, it moves as the hair gets longer.
The constant movement of the ‘device’ as the hair gets longer, or the pull from the clips or the glue, creates traction alopecia (hair loss from pulling) which is permanent in almost every person. The sad thing in all of this is that these devices will cause permanent hair loss and dependence upon them. This dependence creates business for the life of the customer.
The reason I think that hair transplants are a better solution is that rather than create dependence, it creates independence. Most of my hair transplant patients say goodbye to me after one or two sessions. From a financial point of view there is no comparison, as the wigs run an average of $3000/year for purchases, replacements, adjustments, repairs and services (and more and more services). Just think of the money a person will spend at $3000/year in 10 years ($30,000) — a far more expensive process than two hair transplants that run between $10,000-$20,000 (hopefully with a stopping point at just two sessions). The existence of a good Master Plan with an honest and reputable hair transplant doctor is critical for the hair transplant candidate who wants to ask “when will it end?”
Umbilical Cord Blood, Is It the Future?
Umbilical cord blood is stored by more and more people today at great expense. It is used to treat rare blood cancer and bone marrow disorders. They can be used to form beating heart cells, treat heart disease, form neurons, and treat neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s, with almost endless possibilities (including brain injuries, stroke, spinal cord injuries, and even multiple sclerosis). A recent study treated cerebral palsy successfully in experiential trials. This is very exciting stuff! Maybe in 10 years, we will see cures never imagined.
2018-08-24 06:38:542018-09-13 14:00:14Umbilical Cord Blood, Is It the Future?
Hair Transplant After Radiation Therapy
I would like to know whether it is possible to do hair transplants to someone who had radiation therapy for 6 weeks. The area is about the size of the palm of a hand. Balloon expander was suggested… but 6 months and 2 “operations†is too long and not worth the result…or is it?
Thanks for your advice.
Hair transplants may work in the radiated area, but that depends upon the status of the quality of the skin in the recipient area. I can not render an opinion without seeing you, but it seems like you got advice already from a doctor and an area as large as you report seems appropriate for a balloon expander at first blush.
When I transplant a patient’s hair into an area that received radiation, I often do a test transplant to be sure that the transplants take 100% and are strong and robust.
2009-11-17 12:33:382009-11-13 08:24:04Hair Transplant After Radiation Therapy
Unwanted Facial Hair from Minoxidil
(male)
Hi, i use minoxidil 5% for about 5 months now with really great result !But now, i see some facial hair over my eyes and over my eyebrows… Does this unwanted hair with continue to growth with time ? should i stop or simply remove it with laser or electrolysis ?
thanks
Those unwanted hairs may be a side effect from topical minoxidil. I would consult with a doctor before doing anything drastic like laser hair removal or electrolysis. I would guess that if it was a side effect from minoxidil, those hairs should shed after you stop applying the medication.
Another point to consider is always wash your hands after using minoxidil on your scalp. It’s possible that you still had some medication on your hands and then touched your face.
2011-01-25 10:48:282011-01-21 08:44:25Unwanted Facial Hair from Minoxidil
Hair Transplant Growth Success Rate
What is the growth success in 100 grafts that are transplanted?
This is a good question. We really do not know exactly. I suspect that the growth rate success in our hands is over 90%, but it is almost impossible to count the transplanted hairs and compare their numbers to what was moved.
I have had opportunities to transplant a limited number of hairs in a scar, or an area of the head that was easy to separate from the rest of the areas and when I counted them, they all grew. I do test grafting in people with Alopecia Areata when I believe that the disease is inactive. In those patients who have inactive disease, I put in about 20 grafts into various areas of a bald patch of scalp. If the disease is really inactive, all 20 grafts are counted after some 6 months. I do the same for some burn patients where the scars may not support the grafts. When the scars can support the grafts, all grafts are then counted and if one grows, they all grow. This experience does show what is probably the case in our typical hair transplant sessions.
What we stress is a quality control process to minimize those factors that can cause hair loss in the transplant process. For the natural hair that is still present, we use drugs like Propecia before surgery. Various technical systems are enforced which guarantee that the grafts do not dry out (the leading cause of graft death), gentle handling (the second most common cause of graft death) and very experienced technicians (we have no turnover of clinical staff). A good transplant with a high success rate depends upon good team work with employees that know how to work together. Just like a good football team, every player in every position must work at peak efficiency to win the game. Winning the game in hair transplantation is a combination of 100% growth and good esthetics. This is why we show off our patients after their procedures at our open house events and also have a live surgery so that you can see, first hand, what will happen to you both in surgery and then 8 months later.
Using a Slant Board to Increase Blood Circulation in Scalp
Dear Dr.Rassman
Thank you firstly for your assistance and for answering previous question. My question, I have read that using a slant board is good for increasing blood circulation to scalp, 15 mins a day etc. Seems logical,is this okay to do after FUE surgery, I am nearly 2 weeks post-op. Many thanks again.
I had a patient who had gone to Brazil and amongst his many treatments for hair loss, he hung upside down for 20 minutes four times a day. He was told that it would increase his blood flow to his balding scalp. Bats are not bald so maybe that is where the people in Brazil got the idea. He continued to bald even after 6 months of upside-down treatment. Maybe it would work better in the Northern Hemisphere.
If you like the slant board, I do not see a problem using it. Just make sure the tilt does not distort your perspective. And yes, at 2 weeks post-op you are fine to hang upside down.