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Dr. James Harris Advice on the Best Devices for Hair Transplantation

When James A. Harris, MD, FISHRS gets asked by patients what is the best device, here is what he had to say: “It’s not so much the device. That is the instrument we use in the procedure. It’s the surgeon, their experience, their team’s experience. That is what gives you the result.” If you are experiencing hair loss, the first …

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Dr. Timothy Carman Approaches Hair Transplantation Like His Art Canvas

In this video, Timothy Carman, MD, FISHRS marries his love of hair transplantation and artwork and shares how science and art meet in performing hair transplant surgery. Dr. Carman has been an ISHRS Fellow and member for over 14 years and practicing hair transplants for 17 years. As a painter and hair transplant surgeon, he combines the two things he …

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Male Body Image & Appearance Pressure – Psychosocial Support

In this video, Nilofer Farjo, MBChB, FISHRS interviewed Glen Jankowski PhD on the psychosocial issues surrounding hair loss. He is a senior lecturer in the School of Social Sciences at Leeds Beckett University in the UK and has been involved in androgenetic alopecia research since 2014. His PhD thesis was on men’s body image.

Bessam Farjo, MBChB, FISHRS -artistry in Placing Hair Grafts in Hair Transplantation

There are many online advertisements emphasizing the amount of grafts placed in hair transplant surgery. In this video, Dr. Bessam Farjo discusses the relationship of grafts to one another and how they can be placed with the illusion of more density with a lesser number of grafts. If you are considering hair restoration surgery, it is important to find a …

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Exogenous Testosterone and Hair Loss

In this video, Dr. Nilofer Farjo, ISHRS Vice President interviewed Dr. Vikram Jayaprakash on the the effect of testosterone injections on hair loss. He is seeing an increase in patients using testosterone around the “andropause” as well as younger men using it as part of their fitness and muscle building regime, and in those patients, he modifies his medication dosing. …

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Treatments for Hair Loss in Men

In this video, Dr. Allan Parungao, Assistant Medical Director at Bosley Medical Group Chicago, shares options for surgical and non-surgical treatments for hair loss. There’s no such thing as scarless surgery. The best results come when patients combine surgical and non-surgical therapies for their hair restoration. Two methods for hair transplant surgery are: Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) – This is …

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Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP): Semantics, Terminology, and Standards

Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) is a procedure that is used to create the illusion of shaved hair, stubble, or greater density in hair-bearing areas that have lost hair or require augmentation. It is becoming more popular around the world, and its value to hair restoration surgeons is demonstrated by the ISHRS including it alongside Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) and Follicular Unit …

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ISHRS 2017 Practice Census Infographic

HAIR RESTORATION SURGERIES JUMPED 60 PERCENT WORLDWIDE New survey reports Asia, Middle East and United States performing the most procedures GENEVA, IL. – September 19, 2017. Hair restoration surgery is having a moment, according to results released today of a new member survey conducted by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS). The worldwide volume of surgical hair restoration …

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UPDATE FROM ISHRS TASK FORCE ON FINASTERIDE ADVERSE EVENT CONTROVERSIES

Posted by ISHRS on December 17, 2015 Finasteride is approved by the U.S. FDA as a safe and effective treatment of hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia. That fact has not changed. However, the concern of possible persistent sexual dysfunction side effects from taking finasteride after the drug has been discontinued has received recent attention. The ISHRS Task Force on …

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2015 ISHRS PRACTICE CENSUS: GROWING GLOBAL DEMAND FOR PROVEN HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS

      Hair loss treatments Practice Census 2015   Every other year the ISHRS conducts a detailed study looking at the trends within hair restoration and hair loss treatments – both surgical and non-surgical.   As the largest medical association of leading hair loss and restoration physicians with more than 1,100 members throughout 70 countries, the ISHRS has a …

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MEDICAL TOURISM: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

Medical Tourism: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly     With the rise of the internet and globalization, the world is literally at our fingertips. Not only can we easily cross borders for leisure travel and tourism, it is possible to visit nearly any country to conduct business or to purchase goods and services.     In recent years, …

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BEFORE YOU CHOOSE A SURGEON

There’s no such thing as a dumb question… Before you make a final commitment for hair restoration surgery,  it’s a good idea to ask your hair restoration surgeon a lot of questions so you can have confidence in your decision.  If you need a starting point, here are some concerns that go through patients’ minds:   1. How do I …

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ISHRS LEGAL UPDATE: DELEGATION OF SURGERY IN HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

ISHRS LEGAL UPDATE: DELEGATION OF SURGERY IN HAIR TRANSPLANTATION October 2016 The ISHRS shares, from time to time, legal developments on issues potentially affecting members. One such issue is the permissibility of delegating portions of hair restoration procedures to unlicensed personnel. In the United States, a physician’s authority to delegate to unlicensed personnel varies from state to state and depends …

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ASK THE FELLOWS

Ask Your Hair restoration Doctor: The ISHRS Fellows answer your hair restoration and hair loss questions   Why are more doctors now preferring FUE? David Josephitis, DO, FISHRS        There are many different ways in which to address this observation. Over the past decade, there has been a great rise in the number of FUE procedures performed worldwide. In …

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Getting to the Root of Hair Loss in Young People is Key to Treatment

Hair loss experts recommend proper assessment at first signs of hair loss in youngsters   GENEVA, IL. – December 7, 2015. While hair loss at any age can be upsetting, it can be particularly hard when hair loss occurs in adolescents or young adults. And in the age of social media where posting selfies are the norm, premature hair loss can …

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COOLING CAP FOR CHEMOTHERAPY PATIENTS HELP SAVE HAIR FOLLICLES

  Cooling Cap for Chemotherapy Patients Help Save Hair Follicles   Hair loss is ranked the most troubling side effect of treatment for women. Most patients undergoing chemotherapy, lose some or all of their hair as a side affect to the treatment.   A new device which is a scalp cooling cap is currently in clinical trials. A New York City hospital …

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COMPARISON BETWEEN STRIP HARVESTING & FUE – PART 3

A comparison between strip harvesting and FUE hair transplants – Part 3 We conclude our three-part series, “Strip Harvesting versus FUE” in discussing a number of remaining issues between the two procedures. In strip harvesting doctors take strips of hair-bearing tissue from part of the head and place them elsewhere, while with FUE – follicular unit excision, doctors take follicular units …

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COMPARISON BETWEEN STRIP HARVESTING & FUE – PART 2

A comparison between strip harvesting and FUE hair transplants – Part 2 We continue our comparison of the hair restoration surgical procedures of strip harvesting versus FUE. In strip harvesting, doctors take strips of hair-bearing tissue from part of the head, dissect out individual follicular units and place them in the bald or thinning areas of the scalp.  FUE – …

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COMPARISON BETWEEN STRIP HARVESTING & FUE – PART 1

A comparison between strip harvesting and FUE hair transplants – Part 1 Years ago, experts started advocating a new way of performing hair transplant surgeries. Instead of the traditional strip harvesting– meaning that doctors would take strips of hair-bearing tissue from part of the head and place them elsewhere, the experts started advocating FUE hair transplants. FUE stands for follicular …

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LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY (LLLT) FOR TREATMENT OF PATTERN HAIR LOSS – PART 2

    Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) Devices   Some patients are turning to Low-Level Laser Therapy Devices as a non-surgical hair restoration treatment for pattern hair loss.   These devices, which feature laser light generated by low-powered cold lasers, include hand-held “comb”, “brush” or “cap” laser-fueled devices marketed for use at home. Larger “hood” or “cap” devices are used in …

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LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY (LLLT) FOR TREATMENT OF PATTERN HAIR LOSS – PART 1

  Laser light generated by low-powered cold lasers has recently come into use as a non-surgical hair restoration treatment for pattern hair loss.  Lasers have been used in the medical field for years. Use of laser light as a hair replacement therapy for treatment of hereditary hair loss, however, is a newer application of laser technology.   The “cold” lasers …

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FUE INSTRUMENTS AND THEIR USE

Improvements in instrument technology and technique have now made follicular unit extraction (FUE) a procedure competitive with strip harvesting for obtaining donor hair for transplantation. In FUE, a physician removes one FU – or follicular unit, at a time, targeting those that appear most likely to thrive and produce hair in a recipient site. It requires more skill from the …

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FOLLICULAR UNIT EXTRACTION: IT HAS GROWN IN POPULARITY, BUT TRANSECTION REMAINS A CONCERN

              Follicular unit extraction is one of the techniques for obtaining donor hair for hair transplantation. It is a technique that requires more skill from the physician hair restoration specialist and more cost from the patient than does strip harvesting (removal of a strip of scalp tissue bearing hundreds of follicular units). It is …

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EARLY HAIR LOSS – THE YOUNG PATIENT

    Authored by, Masahisa Nagai, MD, FISHRS   Physicians do not typically recommend performing hair transplant surgery on anyone younger than 20 years old. They may have patients who notice hair loss and an early age, and who are tempted to do something about it immediately. However, immediate surgery is not recommended for anyone under age 20. First, other …

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USING ROGAINE (MINOXIDIL) AS A HAIR LOSS TREATMENT

Minoxidil results: is Minoxidil a viable hair loss treatment for women?   posted by William M. Parsley, MD, FISHRS on April 30, 2015   Minoxidil 2% solution is a treatment for hair loss in both men and women. From 1986 to 1996, it was only available by prescription, but now is available over the counter as either a brand-name product (Rogaine ®) …

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HERBAL HAIR LOSS PROGRAM

  posted by Rajesh Rajput, MCh, FISHRS on April 6, 2015 Can a herbal treatment for hair loss really work? Best practices in herbal hair growth treatment   An herbal program for hair loss can work well for some patients. Those with grade III to IV hair loss are expected to thrive on the program. It is also beneficial for patients with …

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THE RECIPIENT SITE: WHERE THE SCIENCE & ART OF HAIR TRANSPLANT ARE APPLIED

  by Bessam K. Farjo, MBChB, FISHRS on March 31, 2015 Hair transplantation recipient sites: where the science and art of hair transplantation are applied In the terminology of hair transplantation, the recipient site is where hair is transplanted. It is the area of the scalp where hair follicles are transplanted to correct hair loss. The hair follicles used for transplantation are …

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EYEBROW & EYELASH HAIR RESTORATION SURGERY

Eyebrow hair restoration Surgery and eyelash surgery posted by James A. Harris, MD, FISHRS Eyebrows and eyelashes make an important contribution to facial symmetry and presentation of self to others. A person without eyebrows and/or eyelashes may feel very self-conscious about his/her appearance. Transplantation or reconstructive surgery can often restore eyebrows and eyelashes. Eyebrows and eyelashes are lost in a variety …

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ASK THE FELLOWS

Ask your hair restoration doctor: the ISHRS fellows answer your hair restoration and hair loss questions   How do you prevent and treat post-operative folliculitis?   Paul J. McAndrews, MD, FISHRS   Folliculitis is inflammation of the hair follicle from various etiologies—foreign body, bacterial, occlusive, chemical, etc.   It is my belief that the most common cause of folliculitis fol­lowing …

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MALE- AND FEMALE-PATTERN HAIR LOSS: ARE THEY PREDICTABLE?

  Is Male-Pattern Hair Loss in Your Future?   If you are an adult male with male-pattern hair loss in your close male relatives, you will probably want to know: Am I going to lose hair also? If so, when is hair loss likely to begin? What pattern of hair loss can I expect?   You are justified in asking …

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NOT YOUR FATHER’S HAIR REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE

  Modern hair transplant techniques: read all about natural-looking hair transplants   It’s time to erase those dated images you have in your head of what hair transplantation looks like.   Gone are the days when people could tell a hair transplant immediately. Back then, they often compared its appearance to rows of summer corn.   Today’s hair transplantation technique …

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WES WELKER

Hair restoration surgery sucess stories: Wes Welker by Robert T. Leonard, Jr., DO, FISHRS on February 3, 2015   Balding men everywhere got a small victory when NFL Player Wes Welker spoke publicly about his hair restoration surgery.   It’s not uncommon to see balding men consistently depicted in the media as bumbling and less than masculine.   For every Michael Jordan …

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HAIR LOSS DIAGNOSIS AND ANALYSIS

  Hair loss diagnosis and hair loss analysis: what to expect at your first hair restoration medical exam   You’ve decided it’s time to consider hair restoration. While you’re excited to get the process going, you might be wondering what will happen at that first exam.   Before recommending the best hair restoration procedure for you, your doctor will examine …

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ANNIVERSARY BY THE NUMBERS

  by Jennifer H. Martinick, MBBS on December 28, 2014   Twenty years of hair restoration by the numbers.   Anniversaries are natural times for reflection.  In October 2012, we celebrated our 20th anniversary as a professional society devoted to promoting the art and science of hair restoration.  Here are some milestone numbers that help put those past 20 years in perspective: …

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EYELASH TRANSPLANTATION: WHO, WHY AND HOW

  by Jennifer H. Martinick, MBBS on December 1, 2014   Eyelashes have an anatomical function of shielding the eye from injury, from dust and grit.   Eyelashes frame the eyes, and together with eyebrows, hairline, cheekbones, nose, lips and chin create the facial appearance that is unique to every individual.   A person without eyelashes has a strange appearance because they …

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TOP 16 WAYS PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED BY HAIR LOSS

    Hair loss in general affects individuals very differently. The emotional aspects of losing hair can be challenging.   eMed Expert recently updated their report on how people are affected in dealing with hair loss whether negatively or positively.   Here’s their list of the top 16 ways people are affected by hair loss:   1. The end of youth: concerns …

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7 INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES IN HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

    Research and Technology in hair transplant surgery have certainly come a long way; however, the innovative techniques have transformed hair transplant procedures tremendously.   Here are 7 cutting-edge techniques in hair transplantation:   Robotic Systems: Robotic devices assist physicians with removing donor grafts individually and cut down on surgical harvesting time.   Stem Cell Hair Loss Therapy: Latest research shows …

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YOUR HAIR SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOU

posted by ISHRS on November 12, 2014   Did you know that your hair could show you early signs of health issues?  Read how these 7 symptoms can show a bigger picture: Dry/Brittle Hair Heated styling aids like flat irons, can certainly add to the dryness of your hair. If you see large damaged areas or breakage and shedding, it …

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BALDNESS LINKED TO CORONARY HEART DISEASE

  Baldness Linked to Coronary Heart Disease   The International Journal of Cardiology published a study showing a possible link between Alopecia and coronary heart disease. A systematic literature search was conducted and looked at 31 studies involving 29,254 subjects with alopecia.   Researchers found that alopecia was linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (OR 1.22), metabolic …

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HAIR LOSS & INNOVATIONS – CUTTING EDGE RESEARCH PART 2

  posted by Nilofer P. Farjo, MBChB, FISHRS on October 20, 2014   New findings from research help explain why hair loss happens (ie. specific gene/hormone carried by individual).   Research by Rodney Sinclair’s lab in Melbourne studied patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) vs normal subjects.  His findings showed that the arrector pili muscle degenerated and was replaced by fat tissue in …

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SCALP FLAP SURGERY FOR HAIR RESTORATION

  posted by E. Antonio Mangubat, MD on October 3, 2014   Flap surgery is a hair restoration treatment for baldness. It involves moving a “flap” of skin from one area of the body to another. Scalp flap surgery has an important but limited role in hair restoration.   Patient Selection   Scalp flap surgery moves hair-bearing scalp to the bald area …

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WHY MEN ARE BALDING AT A YOUNGER AGE

A recent Men’s Health reported in a Spanish study, 62% of men who were balding experienced a loss of self-esteem as a result of their hair falling out. University of Pennsylvania researcher, Albert Mannes, Ph.D. states “hair loss is associated with aging and thick hair has always been associated with youth and masculinity.”  Male-pattern baldness is genetically driven and nearly two-thirds of …

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HOW MALE PATTERN BALDNESS AND PROSTATE CANCER ARE POSSIBLY LINKED

Male Pattern Baldness or Androgenic Alopecia is the most common form of hair loss in men and a study shows a link between baldness and prostate cancer. The Journal of Clinical Oncology’s September 2014 issue reported a link to an increased risk of prostate cancer, some more aggressive, in males sharing a common pathophysiologic mechanism. Their research studied over 39,000 …

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CELEBRITY HAIR LOSS

  posted by Craig L. Ziering, DO, FISHRS on July 28, 2014   Perhaps nowhere else in the world is one’s appearance tied to their profession quite like Hollywood. For both male and female celebrities, the right hairstyles can shape careers and set the latest trends but can also hinder his or her future – especially if one’s thinning hair or receding hairline is fast becoming …

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HAIR RESTORATION IN AFRICAN-AMERICANS

  posted by William D. Yates, MD on July 22, 2014   African American Hair transplantation is similar in the basic mechanics to other ethnicities in hair transplantations.  However, there are many unique factors which must be considered in the pre-op, operative and post-operative stages to ensure the most beneficial results.     The pre-op factors to consider history of keloid or …

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BODY HAIR TRANSPLANT

    posted by John P. Cole, MD on July 7, 2014   There are many different sources for body hair. These include anywhere from the nape of the neck down to the top of the toes. These also represent many different types of hair. The variations are characteristic of the source. The source may include finer hair, straighter hair, curlier hair, coarser …

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ALOPECIA NEI RAGAZZI

  Il trapianto di capelli è la risposta migliore?   È opinione comune che l’alopecia sia un problema che colpisce solo gli anziani.  In realtà, si manifesta anche in soggetti maschi più giovani e non ancora 21enni.   Poiché prima dei 21 anni l’alopecia è di solito un evento inatteso, può essere scioccante per un ragazzo di 15-20 anni scoprire …

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SCALP MICROPIGMENTATION (SMP)

Not eligible for a hair transplant? Scalp micropigmentation, or SMP, might be the answer for your hair loss problems   Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) is a tattoo technique where tattoo pigments are placed on the scalp in a stippling pattern to look like a shaved head of hair. When done properly, an observer can’t tell the difference between a shaved head …

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HAIR RESTORATION AND THE SCARRED SCALP

  posted by Sheldon S. Kabaker, MD, FISHRS on May 19, 2014   Baldness (alopecia) secondary to certain dermatologic diseases or scalp injury and subsequent scarring is called cicatricial or scarring alopecia. In medical terminology a scar is called a cicatrix.   The common causes of scarring alopecia are injury to the scalp caused by trauma, thermal burns, chemical burns, birth defects, …

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HAIR SCIENCES: A REVIEW OF FOLLICULAR CELL IMPLANTATION AND STEM CELL HAIR REGROWTH

  Follicular cell implantation and stem cell hair regrowth: a review     This article references the recent report from Cotsarelis and his group: Yang, R., et al. Generation of folliculogenic human epithelial stem cells from induced pluripotent stem cells. Nat Commun. 2014(Jan); 5:3071.   In a recent issue of the Forum, I reviewed some of the relevant research on …

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HEALTHY HAIR = HEALTHY DIET

  Want a strong, shiny, healthy head of hair? A balanced diet that includes protein, iron and other nutrients is key.  Online publication Style Bistro, consulted with ISHRS’ Dr. Alan Bauman on what foods are best to eat to maintain Hair Health.  Here are his recommendations:   Salmon “When it comes to foods that pack a beauty punch, it’s hard to …

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NEW HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS IN DEVELOPMENT

    WebMD recently sat down with ISHRS’ Dr. Kenneth Washenik to discuss the many treatments in the works. “The development of new treatments, including drugs and cell-based approaches for hair loss, is at an all-time high,” states Kenneth J. Washenik, MD, PhD.   At the American Academy of Dermatology’s annual meeting in March, various treatment topics were highlighted.   …

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NEW HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS IN DEVELOPMENT

  WebMD recently sat down with ISHRS’ Dr. Kenneth Washenik to discuss the many treatments in the works. “The development of new treatments, including drugs and cell-based approaches for hair loss, is at an all-time high,” states Kenneth J. Washenik, MD, PhD.   At the American Academy of Dermatology’s annual meeting in March, various treatment topics were highlighted.   Cell …

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CBC NEWS MENTIONS ISHRS IN BEARD TRANSPLANT STORY

  This week, the ISHRS was highlighted in the CBC News discussing the latest trend in Hair Restoration Surgery, Beard transplants. Society is changing its way and beards are far more acceptable now.  It’s a sign of masculinity.  There are many reasons patients are seeking beard transplantation. For some, it could be because their hair grows in patchy or for …

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BEARD TRANSPLANTS ON THE RISE

  The popularity of facial hair for men has certainly changed over the last several years.  Online publications reporting on beard transplants almost weekly.  Why you ask?   You will find many celebrities on the red carpet sporting a beard or goatee as it has become a fashion trend.  Patients want the Brad Pitt and George Clooney look while some …

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YOUR SHAMPOO MAY BE AIDING IN HAIR LOSS!

  ISHRS’ Dr. Robert Dorin sat down with Lois Joy Johnson of AARP to discuss hair loss and causes.  Surprisingly there are certain ingredients in shampoos and conditioners that can cause hair thinning and slow hair growth.   Dr. Dorin recommends checking your label and avoiding these additives: Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) which is used to create foamy lather “strips hair of essential oils, …

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HELMET TO STIMULATE HAIR GROWTH

Recently the FDA approved an at-home device containing 80 low powered laser diodes. Read more about when this will be available.  

ALOPECIA SUFFERER LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN

  Alopecia sufferer Jayne Waddell establishes a campaign to raise funds for more medical research into Alopecia.   Follow her story: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/real-life/alopecia-sufferer-whose-hair-fell-2798983

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FUE AND FUT DONOR HARVESTING TECHNIQUES

  A detailed review of the two most common hair restoration procedures are Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT). Dr. Robert True talks about the differences between these two donor harvesting techniques.

THE FACTS: SCARRING FROM FUE & FUT DONOR HARVESTING

  Many are touting FUE as “scarless” procedure and FUT as a “likely scarring” procedure within the world of hair restoration. Dr. Robert True lays out the facts about scarring with both treatments for baldness.

HAIR TRANSPLANTS SO NATURAL YOUR STYLIST WON’T EVEN KNOW

  Dr. Edwin Epstein discusses how advancements and techniques in hair restoration and bald hair treatment have dramatically changed over the last 15 years. With follicular unit transplanting, doctors move natural occurring hair groupings into areas for natural hair growth and the new treatments for baldness available for patients make for a natural-looking hairline.

IS RECOVERY FROM HAIR RESTORATION SURGERY PAINFUL?

  Typically hair restoration surgeries (surgical hair implants) are relatively pain-free post surgery. Dr. Robert True talks about how to treat any potential discomfort or pain as a result of your hair restoration procedure.

Is There Such a Thing As Temporary Hair Loss?

  Sometimes you lose your hair or shed hair for no reason or after pregnancy, general shock to your body such as surgery or a bad illness. Dr. Bernard Nusbaum talks about various causes for temporary hair loss, temporary baldness, hair thinning and the possibility of natural recovery.

THE EVOLUTION OF HAIR RESTORATION

  Hair restoration has come a long way and continues to innovate and improve over the years. On behalf of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), Dr. Paul Rose talks about how hair restoration has evolved.

HOW TO CHOOSE A HAIR RESTORATION PHYSICIAN

  Drs. Nusbaum and Washenick discuss important things to look for when choosing a hair restoration surgeon for a baldness cure.  Finding a known, qualified and respected doctor who dedicates his practice and specializes in hair restoration surgery. Make sure the medical team is established and is familiar with the baldness treatment process.

MALE AND FEMALE PATTERN BALDNESS: GENETICS, STRESS & HAIR LOSS

  Dr. Sharon Keene talks causes of Androgenic Alopecia.  After the Human Genome Project, it was discovered that just having a particular gene doesn’t mean you will have that disease or carry a particular trait. Genes have to be active and the study of Epigenetics looks into those factors, many being environmental.  Stressors such as exposure to chemicals, UV light, …

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HAIR RESTORATION SURGERY STEP 1: THE CONSULTATION

  The consultation is the most important conversation you will have with a hair loss physician.  Your doctor will evaluate your needs, expectations and whether you are a candidate for surgical treatment or other types of baldness treatments. Evaluation, answering questions and anything you need to know about hair loss and baldness patterns will be addressed in your consultation.

ISHRS MISSION

  ISHRS makes it their mission to achieve excellence in patient outcomes and baldness treatment. Through member education, international collegiality, research and strong ethics, they bring public awareness about hair loss and best treatments for baldness available.

Hair Restoration Surgery Step 4: Post Treatment

   

HAIR LOSS IN YOUNG MEN

  Hair loss in young men: this is your father’s male patterned baldness.   Unfortunately for some young men or teens, this is your father’s hair loss you now see in the mirror.  Male pattern baldness can strike some men at a very young age, causing some brief panic that spurs them to make rash or hasty decisions.  But here’s …

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Hair Restoration Surgery Step 2: The Treatment Plan

   

Hair Restoration Surgery Step 3: The Procedure

HAIR LOSS MYTHS

  Myths about hair loss.   You’ve probably been a part of a conversation like this—maybe around the holidays or at a bar with some friends.  One friend will tell you:  “Jim is losing his hair because he wears a hat all day on the job.”   Usually, comments like that are met with quiet acceptance.  Absent with facts at …

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GREY HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

  Is hair transplantation a young man’s game only?   Hair transplant commercials would have you believe hair transplantation is a young man’s game.  Scenes of muscular young men swimming, cavorting with comely women and working out all conjure up an image of youth and vitality.  The truth is, age has little to do with whether someone is a good …

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With Medical History, Honesty is the Best Policy

  Everyone has a bad habit they are not particularly proud to talk about.  Few people boast about how many packs of cigarettes they smoke or cans of beer they consume, with good reason.  However, when it comes to your personal health, especially when you are completing your medical history for your hair restoration surgeon, honesty, and openness is the …

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MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOUR HAIR LOSS TREATMENT

  This topic examines how to talk with a hair restoration doctor to get the most out of your hair loss treatment program.   Q: What’s the best way to get the best possible outcome from a hair restoration program?   A: The outcome should be the best possible result for you at this time in your life.   Q: …

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OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION RISKS

    Don’t Assume Over-The-Counter Is Step One.   So you’re ready for your hair restoration surgery and are eagerly awaiting the positive results the new look will have on your lifestyle. Stop.   Before you take the final step and schedule your hair restoration surgery, take a quick over-the-counter medication inventory and share the results with your surgeon so …

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REASONS TO DELAY YOUR HAIR TRANSPLANTATION SURGERY

    Stop: Good reasons to delay your hair transplantation surgery. Some young men with male-pattern baldness begin seeing their hair recede at an early age may be inclined to rush to begin the hair restoration process.  But hair restoration surgeons know that, with young men, it sometimes pays to be patient. Some factors that may persuade you from jumping …

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SCALP REDUCTION SURGERY FOR HAIR RESTORATION

    Alopecia reduction-also called scalp reduction is a surgical hair restoration procedure that (1) surgically removes bald scalp, and (2) stretches hair-bearing scalp upward to replace bald scalp that has been removed. In selected patients alopecia reduction is a very effective method of hair restoration when performed by a skilled and experienced physician hair restoration specialist. Depending on individual …

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ABOUT YOUR NEW HAIRLINE

    When you have a full head of hair you probably don’t pay much attention to your hairline. Like your other facial features, it is just there—the place where your scalp hair borders your forehead and frames your face.   When you lose all or part of your hairline due to androgenetic alopecia or other cause, you lose a …

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HAIR GROOMING & STYLING AFTER HAIR RESTORATION SURGERY

    Hair grooming and styling are the final steps in giving a person the desired appearance after surgical hair restoration. Transplantation or other surgical hair restoration procedures (see Surgical Hair Restoration Treatments for information about procedures) restore hair to scalp areas where it was lost. Hair grooming and styling, when well done and regularly maintained, improve the final result of hair …

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AFTER HAIR RESTORATION SURGERY

  The pain associated with the procedure is one of the greatest fears confronting the potential hair restoration patient. You should be concerned about the discomfort associated with the surgery. This is natural and questions about discomfort and its control should be discussed with the physician prior to surgery.   Surgical hair restoration actually results in less operative discomfort than …

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HAIRPIECES, HAIR WEAVES AND EXTENSIONS

    Some people want “a little extra” to enhance medical or surgical hair restoration (hair implants). Other people are temporarily or permanently unable to grow hair and are therefore not candidates for transplantation. And some may want to avoid any type of surgical procedure (hair implants) or may be attracted to the promise of unlimited density and fullness.   …

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DO-IT-YOURSELF HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS

    Have you been using an over-the-counter hair loss treatment that “guarantees” to stop hair loss and stimulate growth of new hair? Has it performed as the label promises?   Is your hair loss continuing, without a sign of new hair growth?   If the answer is “yes” to all of the above, you have joined a very large club made …

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HAIR LOSS AND THE HAIR GROWTH CYCLE

    It is important to understand the normal hair growth cycle to understand why hair loss occurs. The hair follicle is an anatomical structure which evolved to produce and extrude (push out) a hair shaft. Hair is made up of proteins called keratins. Human hair grows in a continuous cyclic pattern of growth and rest known as the “hair …

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YOUNG MALE HAIR LOSS

  Is Hair Transplantation the Answer?   Hair Loss is commonly thought of as something that occurs only in older men. But it happens in younger men, too—those who are not yet 21 years old.   Because hair loss is generally unexpected before age 21 it can be a shock for a young man 15 to 20 years old to …

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EFFECTIVENESS OF 5% MINOXIDIL IN TREATING MALE-PATTERN HAIR LOSS

    Two new studies of the effects of 5% minoxidil in treating male-pattern hair loss report that a majority of patients found:   rapid onset of action in promoting new hair growth; very effective to effective results in promoting new hair growth over the period of treatment, decreased hair loss; and, minimal side effects.   Minoxidil is a topical …

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MALE HAIR LOSS & PATTERN BALDNESS IN MEN

  It is estimated that 35 million men in the United States are affected by male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia. “Andro” refers to the androgens (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone) necessary to produce male-pattern hair loss (MPHL). “Genetic” refers to the inherited gene necessary for MPHL to occur. In men who develop male pattern baldness the hair loss may begin any time after puberty when …

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TISSUE ENGINEERING (HAIR FOLLICLE CLONING)

    The possibility of creating a large number of hair follicles from a single hair follicle is sometimes inaccurately referred to as “hair follicle cloning”. The term cloning is used by scientists to refer to the technique where genes are inserted into a cell, and the daughter cells all have the same gene. Genes are sequences of DNA which …

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FOLLICULAR UNIT TRANSPLANTATION & EXTRACTION

    Follicular unit transplantation and follicular unit extraction (FUE, also known as the FOX Procedure) are recent and widely discussed surgical procedures for hair restoration.   Follicular unit (FU) extraction is a procedure for obtaining follicular graft units from donor areas on the scalp. Follicular unit transplantation is the surgical procedure for transplanting follicular unit into the scalp.   …

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REVISING PREVIOUS HAIR TRANSPLANTS

    Hair transplantation is, in the majority of cases, a cosmetic enhancement that serves a patient for life. Occasionally life situations can change and a hair transplant needs to be revised to meet the patient’s present and future needs.   Can this be done? Is this something that a patient can reasonably ask a physician hair restoration specialist to …

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UNRAVELING THE SECRETS OF THE HAIR CYCLE

    We look in the mirror to comb and brush our hair in the morning, to rearrange mussed-up hair, to check on hair styling and perhaps to regret the loss of hair. When we comb and brush we find strands of hair in the comb and brush, on the vanity stand under the mirror, and on our clothing.   …

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HAIR RESTORATION SURGERY BEGINS WITH WHY YOU WANT HAIR RESTORATION SURGERY AND WHAT YOU EXPECT IT TO DO FOR YOU

    Hair restoration surgery (hair transplantation, scalp expansion, flap grafting, etc.- See Surgical Hair Restoration) does exactly what its name says it does-it restores hair to areas of hair loss. It is a cosmetic procedure. Its purpose is to improve the esthetic image of the man or woman who has experienced loss of hair and wishes to restore his/her appearance. …

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TOUCHING ALL THE BASES: QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION POINTS

    Touching All the Bases: Questions and Discussion Points Should All be Addressed Before Hair Transplantation is Undertaken   Hair transplantation is a cosmetic surgery procedure and that means its outcome is on view all day, every day-to the patient every time he/she looks in a mirror and to everyone else. There is no better argument for making certain …

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TOUCHING ALL THE BASES: QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION POINTS

    Touching All the Bases: Questions and Discussion Points Should All be Addressed Before Hair Transplantation is Undertaken   Hair transplantation is a cosmetic surgery procedure and that means its outcome is on view all day, every day-to the patient every time he/she looks in a mirror and to everyone else. There is no better argument for making certain …

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OTHER HAIR LOSS CAUSES

  Here are some other possible causes for your hair loss: Alopecia Areata   Alopecia areata (AA) is a recurrent disease, which can cause hairloss in any hair-bearing area. The most common type of alopecia areata presents as round or oval patches of hair loss most noticeably on the scalp or in the eyebrows. The hair usually grows back within …

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FOLLICULAR UNIT EXTRACTION (FUE): MANUAL AND POWERED-DEVICE-ASSISTED

  Improvements in instrument technology and technique have made follicular unit extraction (FUE) a procedure competitive with strip harvesting for obtaining donor hair for hair transplantation.   Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is one of the techniques for obtaining donor hair for hair transplantation Donor Site: The Savings and Loan of Hair Transplantation. FUE is a technique Hair Follicular Units that requires more skill …

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LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY (LLLT) FOR TREATMENT OF MALE AND FEMALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS

  The Cold Laser: A Newer Medical Treatment for Pattern Hair Loss   Laser light generated by low-powered (cold) lasers has recently come into use as a non-surgical hair restoration treatment for pattern hair loss. Hand-held “comb”, “brush” or “cap” laser devices are marketed for use at home. Larger “hood” or “cap” devices are used in hair restoration clinics.   …

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COMPARISON BETWEEN STRIP HARVESTING AND FOLLICULAR UNIT EXTRACTION: A FAIR AND BALANCED VIEW

  ISHRS Position Statement on Qualifications for Scalp Surgery   Ten years ago the use of follicular unit extraction (FUE) was advocated as an alternative to traditional strip harvesting of the donor tissue. The use of the technique has been slow to be accepted as a new standard. Many physicians have, in fact, tried the technique but with markedly varying …

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EXPECTATIONS AND DECISION-MAKING IN HAIR RESTORATION SURGERY

  When a prospective patient consults a physician hair restoration specialist, he comes with a set of reasons for seeking hair restoration. The patient may be a man or woman; most often, the patient is a man whose hair loss is due to hereditary androgenetic alopecia (See About Hair Loss).   For both patient and physician, the patient’s expectations for hair …

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PLATELET-RICH PLASMA IN HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

Introduction: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)   Men and women who are considering hair transplantation are likely to research the subject first, including search of the World Wide Web. A Web search of “hair transplantation” and related terms may turn up references to “platelet-rich plasma” or its acronym PRP, described as a procedure to enhance healing and hair growth after hair transplantation. …

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MEDICAL BOARDS, MEDICAL SPECIALIZATION AND MEDICAL COMPETENCE: MEDICINE’S SELF-REGULATION IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST

  Hair restoration surgery is a medical and surgical subspecialty that has matured over the decades since its introduction in the 1960s. By the 1990s, it was evident to leaders in hair restoration surgery that the subspecialty had matured to the point of needing a standards-setting mechanism for assuring the highest level of knowledge and skill in practitioners of hair …

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WHAT HAIR LOSS MEANS TO ME AND MY IMAGE OF MYSELF

    To say that every person is a unique individual is somewhat trite, but it is a trite saying that is also true. We inherit genes from our parents that shape our physical selves and we live in social and cultural environments that influence the way we think and act. Yet, no matter how similar (or different) we may …

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HAIR RESTORATION MEDICATIONS: A SUMMARY AT A GLANCE

    You notice that you are beginning to lose hair and you want to halt or reverse hair loss if you can. One of your options is a medical approach to hair restoration—using one of the medications that are offered with a claim to stop loss of hair and stimulate hair regrowth. But which one?   Choosing a hair …

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TRANSPLANTATION OF GRAYING AND GRAY HAIR

    Can gray hair be transplanted?   That is a question often asked when a person with graying or gray hair begins to experience hair loss due to androgenetic alopecia, the condition commonly called male- or female-pattern hair loss (Click on About Your Hair Loss).   The answer is “Yes, gray hair can be transplanted as safely and successfully as …

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ETHNIC AND GENDER CONSIDERATIONS IN HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

    Vive le difference is a phrase that celebrates the features making us individuals. Features contributing to an individual’s include gender (male-ness or female-ness) and ethnicity (for example, East Asian, South Asian, sub-Saharan African, North African, Mediterranean Caucasian, Nordic Caucasian among many ethnic “types”).   Gender and ethnic differences are manifested most prominently in the overall appearance of an individual—the …

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ETHNIC AND GENDER CONSIDERATIONS IN HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

  Vive le difference is a phrase that celebrates the features making us individuals. Features contributing to an individual’s include gender (male-ness or female-ness) and ethnicity (for example, East Asian, South Asian, sub-Saharan African, North African, Mediterranean Caucasian, Nordic Caucasian among many ethnic “types”). Gender and ethnic differences are manifested most prominently in the overall appearance of an individual—the “look” that …

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WORRYING ABOUT HAIR LOSS: AN EXPERT CONSULTATION CAN REFRAME YOUR QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE ANSWERS

    Sometimes your mirror raises the first question: Is that a spot where I’m beginning to lose hair?   Or, it may be your comb and brush or the shower drain: It looks like I’m losing a lot more hair than usual.   If you have been losing hair for a while and have visible bald spots, you may …

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COMBINED SURGICAL AND MEDICAL HAIR RESTORATION THERAPY: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH

  Medical hair restoration therapy and hair transplantation are two different approaches to the correction of hair loss due to androgenetic alopecia. Either medical hair restoration or surgical hair restoration may be the best approach to hair loss for an individual, depending on variable factors such as degree of hair loss, rapidity of hair loss, pattern of hair loss, and response to medical treatment. Some persons …

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COMPARING APPLES TO APPLES: BENCHMARKS TO PREDICT OUTCOME

  Comparing Apples with Apples and Oranges with Oranges in Hair Transplantation: What Benchmarks Should a Patient Rely on to Predict Outcome?   The purpose of hair transplantation is cosmetic improvement, but this has multiple layers of meaning for different people. One may seek hair transplantation to feel better about one’s self, to have more confidence about one’s appearance to …

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ANESTHESIA: MAXIMIZING PATIENT COMFORT IN SURGICAL HAIR RESTORATION

    An important-and for some prospective patients the most important-question regarding hair restoration surgery is: Will it be painful? Different people have different levels of susceptibility to the unpleasant sensations associated with physical trauma. Those with a low level of susceptibility can tolerate skin injury with a “grin and bear it” attitude. People with higher levels of susceptibility do …

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HAIR GRAFT PLACEMENT: THE FINAL STEP IN HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

  The final and esthetically important surgical step in hair transplantation is placement of hair grafts into the scalp. A graft is the tissue unit of one or more hair follicles that has been removed from a donor site on the scalp, to be inserted into an area of hair loss.   Graft placement is a surgical procedure that the …

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HAIR CHARACTERISTICS: A MAJOR CONSIDERATION IN HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

    What are the characteristics of scalp hair that contribute to a person’s unique appearance?   The characteristics commonly noted are: Color-blond, red, brown, black and varying shades of each. Caliber (diameter of hair shaft)-fine, medium, or thick in cross-section. Geometric property-straight, wavy, curly, frizzy.   These commonly noted hair characteristics are often associated with other features that contribute …

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SMOKING, DRINKING, MEDICATIONS AND HERBAL PRODUCTS CAN ALL AFFECT THE COURSE OF YOUR HAIR RESTORATION SURGERY

  Do you smoke? Do you drink alcoholic beverages? What medications do you take? Do you use herbal “health food” products? These are questions a patient will be asked before undergoing hair restoration surgery-or, for that matter, any type of surgery. What is the connection between smoking, drinking and surgery? What does it matter what medications a patient takes, or …

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HAIR LOSS AND THE APPEARANCE OF AGING

Age-Appropriate Appearance   One of the most common reasons for men and women to consider hair transplantation is to overcome what they perceive to be an age-inappropriate appearance. They don’t want to appear older than their calendar age or appear older than they wish to appear.   The reasons to avoid age-inappropriate appearance can be personal, work-related, or a combination …

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MALE AND FEMALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS: GENE DRIVEN BUT NOT YOUR GENETIC FATE

  Androgenetic alopecia-male- and female-pattern hair loss-is known to have a genetic basis. It is an inheritable condition, commonly described as “running in the family”. (See About Hair Loss). Having close family members with androgenetic alopecia significantly increases your risk for having some degree of hair loss between adolescence and middle age. How much hair you will lose and in what …

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EXPECTATIONS AND DECISION-MAKING IN HAIR RESTORATION SURGERY

  When a prospective patient consults a physician hair restoration specialist, he comes with a set of reasons for seeking hair restoration. The patient may be a man or woman; most often, the patient is a man whose hair loss is due to hereditary androgenetic alopecia (See About Hair Loss).   For both patient and physician, the patient’s expectations for hair …

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UNDERSTANDING SOMEONE ELSE’S HAIR TRANSPLANT

  Maybe you have never given much thought to hair transplantation. That’s very likely if you are an adult man or woman who has a full head of hair. It may well be the case if you have been losing hair, but take your thinning hair in stride and don’t understand why other people feel differently.   What happens when …

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STRATEGIES FOR COSMETIC IMPROVEMENT WHEN HAIR TRANSPLANTATION MUST BE DELAYED

  Some men with male-pattern hair loss are candidates for a delayed approach to hair transplantation. This may be especially applicable to adolescent and very young adult men who are beginning to lose hair.   The physician hair restoration specialist may recommend a delayed approach to hair transplantation for a young male, even when the young man is distressed by …

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HAIR COLOR: WHY DO YOU HAVE BLOND, RED, BROWN OR BLACK HAIR, AND WHY DOES IT TURN GRAY AND WHITE?

    The color of your hair is largely determined by the genes that you inherited from your parents and their ancestors. There are a few exceptions, mostly associated with disease or congenital anomalies that induce change in hair color.   Knowing that hair color is under genetic control is only the beginning of the hair color story. Scientists are …

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HAIR RESTORATION IN THE SCARRED SCALP

  Your head is one of the parts of your body most vulnerable to injury. Head injury often includes injury to the scalp and eyebrows, with resulting destruction of hair follicles in those areas. The injured areas are often bald after healing (see Scarred Alopecia).   A common cause of scalp injury is automobile accidents; jagged metal and glass can cause …

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TEMPORARY HAIR LOSS: IT’S TEMPORARY BUT CAN BE WORRISOME

  From infancy to old age, everyone loses hair every day as hair follicles go through their normal cyclic activity of anagen (growth phase), catagen (shedding phase) and telogen (resting phase). (See About Hair Loss for more information about The Hair Growth Cycle).   A full anagen-catagen-telogen cycle can take years to complete. Each follicle goes through the complete cycle 10 to 20 …

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Using Finasteride (Propecia®) as a Hair Loss Treatment

  Finasteride (brand name Propecia®) is an orally administered medication for male pattern hair loss (MPHL). It is the only specific MPHL treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for prescription by a physician. Several years of investigation and use by more than a million patients show that finasteride has long-term effectiveness and safety in treating MPHL in …

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USING FINASTERIDE (PROPECIA®) AS A HAIR LOSS TREATMENT

    Finasteride (brand name Propecia®) is an orally administered medication for male pattern hair loss (MPHL). It is the only specific MPHL treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for prescription by a physician. Several years of investigation and use by more than a million patients show that finasteride has long-term effectiveness and safety in treating MPHL …

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USING FINASTERIDE (PROPECIA®) AS A HAIR LOSS TREATMENT

  Finasteride (brand name Propecia®) is an orally administered medication for male pattern hair loss (MPHL). It is the only specific MPHL treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for prescription by a physician. Several years of investigation and use by more than a million patients show that finasteride has long-term effectiveness and safety in treating MPHL in …

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HAIR TRANSPLANTATION AFTER AGE 50: EXCELLENT RESULTS ARE THE RULE IN OLDER PATIENTS

    Older men with hair loss can be confident that age, in itself, does not exclude them from having hair transplantation. Men are seldom “too old” to consider hair transplantation as a treatment for hair loss.   Men 50 years old and older can usually expect excellent results from first-time hair transplantation. Excellent results are common in men age …

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HAIR LOSS & HAIR RESTORATION REQUIRE PERSONAL & INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION

  Science is rapidly advancing our understanding of the causes of hair loss. The successful treatment of hair loss is being rapidly advanced by physician hair restoration specialists who use scientific knowledge to create innovative approaches to hair restoration.   As scientific knowledge advances, it becomes clear that the causes of hair loss are complex and may vary in multiple …

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HAIR LOSS, MIRACLE CURES AND WOMEN

    As the percentage of women who suffer hair loss grows, so too will the number of products sold to women for their hair loss.  These products, hawked by late-night pitches via infomercials, prey on those who may be concerned about recent or dramatic hair loss.  We at ISHRS prescribe to the “if it sounds too good to be …

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USING YOUR HAIR TO CREATE YOUR UNIQUELY INDIVIDUAL HAIR RESTORATION: FROM DONOR SITE TO RECIPIENT SITE AND END RESULT

  The goal of hair transplantation is to give you, the patient, completely natural-appearing hair growth that expresses your unique individuality. Advances in hair transplantation techniques, procedures, and technology make this goal achievable for most patients today.   When hair transplantation was first developed in mid-Twentieth Century, the goal was “coverage” using plug-graft technology and techniques of the day. Patients …

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THE DONOR SITE: SAVINGS & LOAN OF HAIR FOR TRANSPLANTATION

  Definition of the Donor Site     When hair-bearing tissue is withdrawn from one area of the scalp for transplantation to an area that is hairless due to male-pattern hair loss (MPHL), the withdrawal is made from the donor site-an area unaffected by the genetics of MPHL. The donor site in the balding male is hair-bearing scalp tissue that …

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FOLLOWUP HAIR RESTORATION PROCEDURES

  Surgical hair restoration is a permanent solution for male or female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). Often patients require a second procedure or series of hair replacement procedures for the following reasons: Hair continues to be lost due to androgenetic alopecia and a follow-up hair replacement procedure or series of procedures is necessary to maintain the desired hair coverage. Hair …

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YOUR MEDICAL TREATMENT HISTORY: IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH YOUR HAIR RESTORATION PHYSICIAN

    What do treatment for severe acne, daily aspirin to prevent heart attack, and heavy smoking or drinking have to do with hair restoration surgery? They are all risk factors that have the potential to affect the successful outcome of hair transplantation or other form of hair restoration surgery. Here are some examples:   Acne and hair loss are …

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HAIR TRANSPLANTATION BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN YOU

    Several recent television reality programs took cosmetic surgery “makeover” as their theme. A typical story line was to present a person who’s real or self-perceived cosmetic imperfections are corrected by cosmetic surgery.   “Makeover” programs have a positive effect when they reinforce the idea that no one has to live with cosmetic imperfections that surgical or medical treatment …

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IT’S OKAY TO SAY NO TO HAIR LOSS & YES TO HAIR RESTORATION

    In Shakespeare’s play “The Comedy of Errors”, characters make the rueful observation that Father Time is unkind to men, causing them to lose hair as they age. And, other than wearing a wig (“the lost hair of another man”) there isn’t much a man can do about it.   “There’s no time for a man to recover his …

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HARVESTING OF DONOR HAIR FOR HAIR TRANSPLANTS

  Hair transplant surgery takes hair and follicles from a hair-bearing area of scalp and places them into a scalp area where hair has been lost. The donor site is the scalp area from which hair and follicles are removed. The recipient site is the scalp area where the donor hair is transplanted. The donor hair transplanted to the recipient …

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HAIR UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

    Hair restoration has progressed rapidly since its introduction about 50 years ago. Innovative hair restoration surgeons steadily improved surgical techniques which led to refinement of the aesthetic aspects of hair transplant surgery.   Contributing to progress in hair transplantation is scientific research into the physical and chemical properties of hair. While biochemical research was discovering more about the …

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FINASTERIDE AND PROSTATE CANCER

  Headline Facts and Figures   The Influence of Finasteride 5 mg (Proscar®) on the Development of Prostate Cancer:   What Does This New England Journal of Medicine Paper Mean for Users of Finesteride 1 mg (Propecia®)?   The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial reported in the July 17, 2003, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine studied the effect …

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HAIR RESTORATION – PROGRESS & EVOLUTION

  The treatment of hair loss, like any other field of medicine and surgery, is constantly evolving in response to new findings from research, new developments in medical and surgical technology, and review of previous experience. Because hair transplants is a form of cosmetic surgery, it also evolves in response to changing expectations of patients regarding the “look” that they …

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HAIR FOLLICLE ORIGIN

    In the very early development of the human embryo, there is no indication of anything resembling a hair follicle. Neither is there an indication of anything resembling bone, nerves, internal organs or skin. The only cells in the early human embryo are precursor cells—stem cells—that are nudged into becoming specialized bone, nerve, internal organ or skin cells by …

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HAIR RESTORATION AND SERVICE NAMES

    If you have been thinking about hair restoration, you have probably discovered that hair restoration, replacement and transplants are surgical procedures marketed under many service-marked names. You can probably find a half-dozen or more service marks involving hair restoration by scanning your daily newspaper, a few consumer magazines, and by a brief search of the Web. What common …

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THE WEATHERING OF HAIR: HOW HAIR DAMAGE MAKES THE LEAST OF WHAT YOU HAVE

  The wrinkled, bone-dry, parchment-like skin of a person who spends much of their life in the wind and sun is said to be “weathered”. While “weathering” is a term very familiar in association with skin, hair is also subject to cosmetic and structural damage that some experts call “weathering”. An example of weathered hair we all recognize is “surfer’s …

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SCALP SKIN CONDITIONS & DISORDERS

  Among the most common conditions of the human scalp are flaking dead skin cells (dandruff), excessive oiliness (seborrhea), and oily crusts adhering to inflamed, itchy, moist scalp skin (seborrheic dermatitis). These conditions usually begin while a person still has a full head of hair, and they persist as hair begins to be lost due to androgenetic alopecia (male or …

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HAIR RESTORATION IN EAST ASIANS

  Surgical hair restoration in East Asians (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) is similar in most respects to surgical hair restoration in white Caucasians. In hair transplants, especially, there are anatomic and cultural differences between East Asians and white Caucasians that may influence the choice of procedure. Anatomic   East Asians have thicker individual hairs than Caucasians, but fewer hairs per square …

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