GENEVA, IL. – July 9, 2009. From new research and approaches to hair loss in women to how hair restoration surgeons continue to refine hair transplants and are working towards virtually invisible donor areas, the latest findings and technological breakthroughs in hair restoration will be presented by the world’s foremost hair restoration experts at the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery’s (ISHRS) 17th Annual Scientific Meeting.
More than 500 physicians and surgical assistants from around the world dedicated to advancing the art and science of hair restoration are expected to attend this premier educational event, July 22-26, 2009, at the RAI Congress Centre in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
"We know from our recent member survey that more people than ever from all corners of the world are seeking treatment for hair loss,” said William M. Parsley, MD, president of the ISHRS. “I believe this demand is a direct correlation to the continual advances in hair restoration surgery, and this meeting is a good example of how the field’s leading pioneers come together to present the latest research and techniques and learn from each other’s clinical experiences."
A sampling of the hot topics to be presented at the ISHRS Annual Meeting include:
- The first FDA-approved product to promote eyelash growth containing the active ingredient bimatoprost is garnering rave reviews for its ability to grow longer, thicker and darker eyelashes.
- What the experts are saying about platelet rich plasma (PRP) – is it hype or a potentially groundbreaking way to grow hair?
- Ongoing studies involving pharmacologic agents being tested for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, including a phase III clinical trial examining the effect of dutasteride on male-pattern hair loss.
- In vitro and in vivo research testing the viability of growth factors and hair cloning as future resources for new hair growth.
- The art and science of designing natural-looking hairlines, eyebrows, temporal points and cosmetically optimized donor sites are enhancing patient satisfaction.
One of this year's featured guest speakers is Michael R. Hamblin, PhD, associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, and principal investigator at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, who will speak on "The Mechanism of Action of Low Level Light Therapy." Dr. Hamblin’s research interests are now broadly in the area of phototherapy for multiple diseases. One focus is the study of new photosensitizers for infections, cancer and heart disease. A second focus is low-level light therapy (LLLT) for wound healing, arthritis, traumatic brain injury and hair regrowth. He has published over 95 peer-reviewed articles, over 100 conference proceedings, book chapters and international abstracts and holds eight patents. Dr. Hamblin’s presentation will take place during the meeting’s General Session on Friday, July 24, at 1:30 p.m. and is part of a plenary session on the subject of using LLLT in the treatment of hair loss.
For a complete copy of the program, visit https://ishrs.org/17thAnnualMeeting.html
About the ISHRS
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) is a global non-profit medical association and the leading authority on hair loss treatment and restoration with more than 1,100 members throughout 70 countries worldwide. Above all, the ISHRS is dedicated to achieving excellence in patient outcomes by promoting the highest standards of medical practice, medical ethics, and research in the medical hair restoration industry. The ISHRS also provides continuing medical education to physicians specializing in hair transplant surgery and is committed to delivering the latest information on medical and surgical treatments to consumers suffering from hair loss, and most commonly from androgenetic alopecia–male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss. It was founded in 1993 as the first international society to promote continuing quality improvement and education for professionals in the field of hair restoration surgery. For more information and to locate a physician, visit www.ishrs.org.
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