NEW YORK (April 4, 2003)– Advances in hair follicle microsurgery, hair follicle cloning and hair restoration drug development are compelling topics today in the rapidly evolving field of hair restoration surgery. These and many other topics relevant to the rapidly advancing field will be presented and discussed when hundreds of hair restoration surgeons from all around the world meet in New York in October.
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) will hold its 11th Annual Scientific Meeting at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York, October 15-19, 2003. Several hundred surgeons from dozens of countries are expected to attend. The ISHRS is the world's largest professional organization of hair restoration surgeons.
The ISHRS Annual Meeting is the premier scientific and educational event for hair restoration surgeons. The program includes presentation of original scientific and clinical papers, scientific and clinical posters, general session lectures, hands-on and observational workshops, special workshops for surgical assistants and 40 technical exhibits.
Robert S. Haber, MD, ISHRS President, notes that the scientific and clinical content of the 11th Annual Meeting highlights rapid progress in the field of hair restoration surgery.
"Over the past decade," he said, "the field of hair restoration surgery has evolved into one of the fastest growing and most well respected cosmetic surgical subspecialties, attracting as patients celebrities such as movie stars and TV personalities as well as people from all walks of life."
As hair restoration techniques improved, so did results of hair restoration surgery, according to Jerry E. Cooley, MD, Chair, ISHRS Annual Scientific Meeting.
"Although the public often thinks of hair transplants in terms of their older "pluggy" or "rows of corn" appearance, modern hair transplant techniques can produce natural, undetectable results," Dr. Cooley said. A dramatic demonstration of advances will be presented by former ISHRS President Bobby Limmer, MD, and a patient.
These results are in large part due to newer, often microsurgical, techniques that will be discussed during the meeting and demonstrated in hands-on and observational workshops. Also contributing to improved results is the use of hair restoration pharmaceutical agents such as the topical agent minoxidil and the oral agent finasteride, often in combination with surgical hair restoration. While minoxidil and finasteride are the only hair restoration drugs currently approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, other agents are being developed and may soon be considered for clinical trials. Results with one of the newer agents currently approved for use in Europe will be discussed during the ISHRS Annual Meeting.
"The ISHRS Annual Meeting allows surgeons to share the latest advances in surgical technique and research, " Dr. Cooley said. "Lectures, video presentations and actual live surgery presentations will feature latest techniques such as 'dense packing' with follicular units to produce naturalness and density in one treatment session, and follicular unit (single follicle) extraction that leaves a minimal scar at the donor site."
Dr. Cooley also noted that attendees will hear from some of the world's leading hair scientists about the latest findings in hair-growth and hair-restoration research:
- "One-pass results" in hair restoration surgery, with densely packed follicular units;
- Hair follicle cloning using advanced bioengineering techniques; and,
- Coronal angled grafting, a newer approach to making recipient sites for transplants.
Topics and speakers featured at general sessions include:
- Latest findings in hair research-Dr. Angela Christiano, Associate Professor of Dermatology and Genetics & Development, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbis University, New York;
- The 5-alpha-reductase story (research in hair restoration pharmaceutical agents)-Dr. Julianne Imperato-McGinley, Chief of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Cornell Medical Center, New York; and,
- Compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in surgical practice-Justin Kuralt, Total Medical Compliance, Charlotte, NC.
A press room will be open to members of the legitimate lay and medical media every day of the meeting, October 15-19. The press room will have copies of all media releases, and will assist in arranging interviews. Only credentialed members of the lay and medical press will receive press badges. You may arrange badging in advance by communicating with the ISHRS office listed below. For pro9gram information, arranging interviews, etc., contact James Breeling at the address below.
For more information about hair loss and its treatments, log on to ISHRS.org, a comprehensive Website for public and patient information and education.