hair growth cycle. Hairs

Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss <<Back to Index Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss It is normal to lose up to about 100 hairs a day on one's comb, brush, in the sink or on the pillow. This is the result of the normal hair growth cycle. Hairs will grow for a few years, then rest for a few months, shed, and regrow. Telogen is the name for the resting stage of the hair growth cycle. A telogen effluvium is when some stress causes hair roots to be pushed prematurely into the resting state. Telogen effluvium can be acute or chronic. If there is some "shock to the system", as many as 70% of the scalp hairs are then shed in large numbers about 2 months after the "shock". This sudden increase in hair loss, usually described as the hair coming out in handfuls, is acute telogen effluvium. This is a different problem than gradual genetic hair thinning. However, this can be seen in the less common chronic telogen effluvium, only after a significant amount of hair has already been lost. A considerable number of different causes for telogen effluvium exist. Among the common causes are high fevers, childbirth, severe infections, severe chronic illness, severe psychological stress, major surgery or illnesses, over or under active thyroid gland, crash diets with inadequate protein, and a variety of medications. Most hair loss from medications is this type and causes include retinoids, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants, and NSAIDS (including ibuprofen). Typically, abrupt diffuse hair loss is noticed several weeks to several months after the incident has initiated the biologic program for hair loss. While the most often noticed hair loss occurs on the scalp, some individuals may also notice hair loss elsewhere on the body. Significant hair shedding usually occurs when shampooing, combing, or even when gently manipulating the hair. Shedding usually slowly decreases over 6 to 8 months once the cause for the hair loss is no longer present. As some of the causes represent ongoing problems, it is important to determine the likely cause when possible and take appropriate measures to prevent continued hair loss. These shed or loose hairs all have club-shaped "roots" typical of resting, telogen hairs and may be easily identified under the microscope. After shampooing, the bulk of existing loose hair has often been shed and loose hair may not again appear until additional hairs enter this resting phase. When there is any doubt about the presence of this condition, a small piece of skin may be taken from the scalp as a biopsy to be examined under the microscope. In this way, the condition of the hair follicles, the tissues that produce the hair, may be determined. No treatment is needed for most cases of telogen effluvium. Remember that the hairs fall out when a new hair growing beneath it pushes it out. Thus with this type of hair loss, hair falling out is a sign of hair regrowth. As the new hair first comes up through the scalp and pushes out the dead hair a fine fringe of new hair is often evident along the forehead hairline. The most important issue in telogen effluvium is to determine if an underlying cause for the problem is present. Blood tests may need to be done if the cause is not obvious, such as mild iron deficiency. If the telogen effluvium is caused by a medication, the medication needs to be stopped. When the cause of the hair loss is something like giving birth, a transient illness, or other self-limited problem the induced telogen effluvium is also usually self-limited and requires no treatment. Chronic telogen effluvium is recently recognized and not uncommon. It often occurs in women who previously had very thick hair in their teens and twenties and still have an apparently normal head of hair to a casual observer. It affects the entire scalp with no obvious cause apparent. It usually affects women of 30 to 60 years of age, starts suddenly and has a tendency to fluctuate for a period of years. The degree of shedding is usually severe in the early stages and the hair may come out in handfuls. It does not cause complete baldness and does appear to be self-limiting in the long run. SEARCH THE DATABASE All Words Any Word <<Back to Index The medical information provided in this site is for educational purposes only and is the property of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice and shall not create a physician - patient relationship. If you have a specific question or concern about a skin lesion or disease, please consult a dermatologist . Any use, re-creation, dissemination, forwarding or copying of this information is strictly prohibited unless expressed written permission is given by the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. [ Find a D.O. 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Hair School Mccollum &

Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School Information College Search > Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School Information Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School 1433 Hollywood Jackson, Tennessee 38301 (901)323-2100 Website: Not Available Type of college: Less than 2-year private, for-profit Degree types offered: One but less than two years Degree Programs offered: Cosmetologist Classification: Not Available 2004 Enrollment Total enrollment 88 Undergraduate enrollment 88 Percent of undergraduate enrollment by gender Men 11% Women 89% Percent of undergraduate enrollment by race/ethnicity Non-resident alien 0% Black non-Hispanic 74% American Indian or Alaskan Native 0% Asian or Pacific Islander 0% Hispanic 1% White non-Hispanic 25% Information provided by the National Center for Education Statistics and the Carnegie Foundation. Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School Information If you are an educator at a post-secondary institution and wish to update/ add your school's information, please contact us at the e-mail address listed on our " about us " page. Related Colleges: More Related Colleges Tennessee Colleges Jackson Tennessee Colleges Tennessee Colleges Degree Program Listings: Tennessee Agriculture Colleges Tennessee Architecture Colleges Tennessee Art Colleges Tennessee Beautician / Cosmetology Colleges Tennessee Business Colleges Tennessee Communications Colleges Tennessee Computer Science Colleges Tennessee Construction Colleges Tennessee Criminal Justice Colleges Tennessee Culinary Colleges Tennessee Cultural Studies Colleges Tennessee Education Colleges Tennessee Engineering Colleges Tennessee English / Literature Colleges Tennessee Firefighting Colleges Tennessee Foreign Language Colleges Tennessee Graphic Design Colleges Tennessee Healthcare Colleges Tennessee History Colleges Tennessee Interior Design Colleges Tennessee Law Colleges Tennessee Liberal Arts Colleges Tennessee Library Colleges Tennessee Marketing Colleges Tennessee Mathemetics Colleges Tennessee Mortuary Colleges Tennessee Music Colleges Tennessee Parks And Recreation Colleges Tennessee Physical Therapy Colleges Tennessee Politics Colleges Tennessee Printing And Drafting Colleges Tennessee Psychology Colleges Tennessee Public Administration Colleges Tennessee Sciences Colleges Tennessee Social Studies Colleges Tennessee Textiles Colleges Tennessee Theological Studies Colleges Tennessee Tourism Colleges Tennessee Veterinary Colleges Tennessee Visual And Performing Arts Colleges Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School Home Colleges by State Colleges by Degree Colleges by Name Online Colleges College Financial Aid Occupations Guide About Us Link to Us Newsletter (enter e-mail address) Other Searches: USCollegeSearch is a great tool for high school students, parents, and anyone seeking for Colleges like Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School . USCollegeSearch keeps a database of 9734 4 year Universities, Technical Colleges, Technical Certification Programs, Vocational Schools, Junior Colleges, Job Training Programs, and 2 Year Colleges. Search by Serious If you have a particular major program in mind, this is the search for you. Pick from several main major categories. You can then narrow your search by City and state. We also list degree programs provided for each of the college. Check this page for degree programs offered by Search By school Name Get statistics on your favorite school. Want to find out about a college a guidance counselor pointed out? Check over our huge listings of technical college names, listed alphabetically. Online Colleges For Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School pupils on the last, additional online training classes are turing into a flexible means to earn a major or study a new tradeskill. Although rather new, online courses are turing into just as suitable as physical classroom curricula. Dont forget to check out our extra resources: College Financing Page - Study about the finest sites online to find loans, grants, and scholarships for Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School . Occupations Guide - Learn about pay ranges, working environments, and employment opportunities in over one hundred occupations USCollegeSearch is devoted to supplying the most comprehensive list of colleges and education centers in the US. We presently listing Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School and 9700 other school names, addresses, telephone, website, degree program offering, degree type, and Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School student statistical resources. Interested students are encouraged to contact Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School and request more information. Is Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School Right For You? Tip 1: Ascertain what you may like to study or major in at Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School . You dont need to develop a solution here - most 1st year students are "undeclared" -- but if you do know, then you will be able to search for universities that feature a program that equals your interest. Tip 2: Have a list of criteria you wish to use to evaluate and weed out degree programs. There are scores of potential criteria, such as minor programs, costs, caliber, standing, ranking, positioning record, faculty sizing, and others Tip 3: Pull together all of your resources and info about Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School. Go to each University internet site and assemble the necessary data. Tip 4: Use the criteria from Tip 2 to shrink your listing of majors to a more minor total. Get the listing down to a range you are comfy with. Tip 5: Inspect Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School. If you can't inspect Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School personally, get a video or take a virtual tour. Tip 6: Apply to Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School. Carefully fill out the application and file it on time. Tip 7: While you're waiting to get word fromMccollum & Ross-The Hair School, begin to read books or the WWW to find subsidizations. There can be masses of information to find scholarship information. Tip 8:Good Luck!Get ready for the best time of your life! Mccollum & Ross-The Hair School

Hair Transplant/Hair Restoration Photos

Hair Transplant Surgery/Hair Restoration Surgery in Bangkok,Thailand Hair Transplant Surgery/Hair Restoration Surgery • Home • About Dr.Pichet • Services • Knowledge • FAQ • Contact Us • Office Map • Useful Links • Testimonials Click Here Hair Transplant/Hair Restoration Photos - Bofore/After Why Hair Transplant/Hair Restoration Works Every single follicle of hair on the human scalp is genetically programmed before birth to either become sensitive to the male hormones which begin to appear during puberty causing the follicle to wither and die in time or not to become sensitive to these hormones and continue growing throughout ones lifetime. Choosing to have hair transplant surgery (hair restoration surgery) is an important decision. You are seeking a treatment that will permantently alter your appearance. In today's procedure-dominated medical industry, many doctors make decisions based upon their own economic interests rather than considering what is in the best interest of the patients. Hair Transplant Surgery/Hair Restoration Surgery Photo Not Available Here, If you would like to see any photos, please contact : pichet@bangkokplasticsurgery.com Therefore, it is crucial that you take the time to educate yourself about both, the hair transplant (hair restoration) procedure and the physician who will perform surgery. This will help to ensure that you have a safe procedure and that you achieve the best possible cosmetic result. Lifelong hair follicles are found in good supply in virtually all men, even severely bald men. These lifelong hairs are concentrated in a horseshoe-shaped area at the very back of the head. We call this region the donor area. Our hair transplantation surgeon take excess hairs follicles and all from this plentiful area and relocate them to areas of thinning and balding on the top or front of the head. At Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center, the surgical transplanting of hair follicles is a remarkably simple outpatient procedure. All Our Services Pricing Hair Transplant Surgery Less than 1,000 Grafts 2,000 USD (opd) Vagina Posterior repair 2,000 USD (2d) colon cut vaginoplasty 4,000 USD (4d) Reduction labioplasty 1,200 USD (opd) Lip Hair lip surgery 1,000 USD (opd) Palate repair 1,500 USD (1d) Thining lip 500 USD (opd) Gummy smile 1,500 USD (opd) Wrinkle Correction Botox : Crow's feet, fore head and gabella line at the one bottle 500 USD Gabella flow lines 120 USD Dermalive injection 450 USD/syryrnge Dermadeep injection 450 USD/syryrnge Nose (opd) Augmented Rhinoplasty 1,000 USD (opd) Alaplasty 500 USD (opd) Hump correction 1,500 USD (opd) Rhino shaving or reconstruction 2,000 USD (opd) Face Face lift surgery (cheek bone area lift, cheek area lift, chin lift and neck lift) 3,000 USD (2d) Brow lift 1,500 USD (opd) Mid face lift (1 night stay) 2,000 USD Neck lift 1,500 USD (opd) Chin Augmented chin 2,000 USD (opd) Sliding chin (Bone Sliding of jaw) 2,500 USD (2d) Eyelid Surgery Double eyelid fold 800 USD (opd) Upper blepharoplasty 800 USD (opd) Lower blepharoplasty 1,000 USD (opd) Breast Surgery Breast enlargement 2,000 USD (2d) Breast reduction 3,000 USD (3d) Breast uplift 3,000 USD (3d) Abdomen (tummy tuck) Abdominall lipectomy 3,000 USD (5d) Liposuction (start to the first point) (next point) 1,600 USD (opd) 500 USD Ear Protuding ear 1,200/side USD(2opd) Mandible (Jaw surgery) Angle resection 2,500 USD (3 night stay in hospital) Botox injection for making jaw muscle smile on both side 500 USD for 25 u on each side Liposuction First point 1,600 USD(opd) Next point 500 USD(opd) Sex Reassignment Surgery Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty 4,000 USD (4d) Scrotal Skin Graft Vaginoplasty 5,000 USD (4d) Colon cut Vaginoplasty 6,500 USD (5d) Testis removal (Orchidectomy) 1,600 USD (opd) Sigmoid colon cut Vaginoplasty 4,000 USD (4 night to stay in hospital) Cheek Cheek dimple 500 USD (opd) Cheek bone implant 2,000 USD (opd) Cheek bone reduction 2,500 USD (2 night stay in hospital) Adam's Apple Reshaving 1,000 USD (opd) Contact Form Your Name : required Email : required *** Subject : required Country : Home Phone : Work Phone : Mobile Phone : Additional Information : Call Hot Line 24 Hrs : +661-933-1010 & +661-813-0373 (Japanese) If you haven't receive any response from me within 72 hrs, please submit this form again or mail to pichet@bangkokplasticsurgery.com All Our Services Rhinoplasty Surgery (Nose Surgery) Blepharoplasty Surgery Breast Uplift Surgery Double Eyelid Surgery Facial Plastic Surgery Breast Augmentation Surgery Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) Hair Transplant Surgery Face Lift Surgery Sex Change Surgery (SRS) Liposuction Surgery Lip Augmentation Surgery Cheek Implants Surgery Abdominoplasty Surgery E-mail : pichet@bangkokplasticsurgery.com ©2001-2004 Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center All Rights Reserved. Pichet Rodchareon M.D. A board certified Plastic surgeon , Pichet Plastic Surgery Clinic 519 between Indramara soi 33 and 35 Soothisarn road ,Dindaeng district, Bangkok 10400 Thailand Mobile phone : +661-933-1010 (local contact 01-933-1010) Clinic : +662-690-8000 (Auto) Fax : +662-277-5907 E-mail : pichet@bangkokplasticsurgery.com Mobile phone : +66-9999-0123 (Japanese) E-mail (Japanese) : pochanee@bangkokplasticsurgery.com Hair Transplant Surgery/Hair Restoration Surgery

hair restoration begins. The

Hair Replacement Is a Transplant the Answer? Web EzineArticles.com Submit Articles Watch the Video -- Members Login Benefits Recent Articles Expert Authors Experts By Location Read Endorsements Editorial Guidelines Author TOS Terms of Service Ezines / Email Alerts Manage Subscriptions EzineArticles RSS Blog Forums About Us What's New Contact Us Affiliates Link To Us Privacy Policy Site Map Search All Options Search Article IDs Search Article Titles Search Articles Search Expert Authors Search Article Keywords Search Article Summary Advanced Search Power Search Email Address: Your Name: Got an Ezine Marketing or Email Newsletter Question? AskChrisKnight.com HOME :: Health-and-Fitness / Hair-Loss Hair Replacement Is a Transplant the Answer? By Christopher Luck Article Word Count: 588 [ View Summary ] Comments (0) How do hair transplants work? We live in a society that is anti-aging. We go to great lengths to look younger than we really are, and a big part of that is finding ways to reverse the effects of hair loss. One such hair replacement solution that has gained popularity in recent years is hair transplant. Though it is a much more popular procedure than it was in the past, many of us still dont know how it is done. Before making the call that a hair transplant is the right form of transplant for you, it is important that you understand how the process works. First off it is important to know how hair transplants are used to make hair replacement a reality. The gist of it is that there is hair on your body, probably on the back of your head, which grows well and grows healthy. In a transplant, that hair is taken and transplanted into the places where your hair has fallen out or thinned down. So how do they make that happen? The first thing that happens is that the surgeon will draw a hairline for you; he or she will draw a new hairline so you can see. The scalp is then numbered as part of the hair replacement process and the hair that is to be placed in those spots is shaved. Once those steps are completed, the skin that the hair being transplanted is attached to and is removed from your head. The next thing that happens in this complex hair replacement process is that the scalp gets stapled back together. The hairs that are to be transplanted are turned over to technicians who remove each hair follicle. They then put them in a saline solution to await transplant. While those are in wait, small incisions are made in the front of the head where the surgeon drew your new hairline. In fact, a separate cut is made for each follicle to be transplanted, sometimes as many as 2,000 incisions. Then the real hair restoration begins. The surgeon takes the follicles and starts to insert them. Your doctor will carefully place each one, trying to ensure that the hair is positioned to grow straight. Once everything looks the way it should, your surgeon will pronounce your procedure done. It will take about a week for your incisions to heal and the scabs to fall off where the procedure was done. However, your hair replacement will be basically complete. For hair growth, however, you will likely have to wait as long as a year. Also, you may be prescribed a hair loss medication like Propecia to minimize the likelihood that you will need a future hair replacement surgery. We live in a society that is anti-aging and obsessed with appearance. With that comes a need for ways to enhance looks and reverse the effects of aging. One of the most common effects, especially in men, is hair loss. There are a lot of remedies out there, but perhaps the fastest growing available hair replacement technique is hair transplant . It is a fairly complex procedure, but if you take the time to understand the entire process you can make a decision about whether or not it is a good procedure for you to look into more. Consult a doctor, however, before making your final decision. If you would like the latest information on hair replacement , or find more of my personal articles like the one you just read, visit my health site ! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Luck Additional EzineArticles from the Health-and-Fitness:Hair-Loss Category: The Shocking Truth About Female Hair Loss Hair Loss -A Discussion Top 10 Myths About Hair Loss Female Hair Loss Treatment and Information Facts for Men and Women Experiencing Hair Loss Hair Loss Remedies Around the Globe Natural Hair Loss Prevention and Treatment Options for Hair Loss Hair Loss - What Causes It? Hair Loss - How To Deal With It Emotionally Hair Loss Treatment Useful Tips for Successful Hair Loss Treatment Sudden Hair Loss: The Stress Factor Part I Hair Loss Basic Understanding Beating Hair Loss and Also Understanding How it Comes About Hair Replacement 10 Things You Need to Know When Considering a Hair Replacement Is My Hair Loss Temporary? Laser Hair Removal Know The Facts Hair Restoration: What to Expect Stem Cell Therapy For Hair Loss Vitamins for Hair Loss - The Wow Factor - Dramatic Hair Regrowth in Men and Women Innovations in Hair Transplant and Other Alternatives to Hair Loss Hair Loss Factors Home Hair Loss Remedies Avoid Drug Side Effects Natural Hair Loss Treatments The Best in Hair Removal Options for You Medical Hair Restoration the Best Choice Hairloss Treatments Ancient Treatments Still Work Today Hair Loss Treatments - What Makes Sense Coping with Female Hair Loss Stop Losing Your Hair Now! 5 Tips to Eliminating Women's Facial Hair Hair Loss and Your Health This article has been viewed 55 time(s). Article Submitted On: December 17, 2005 Please Rate This Article: Select Rating Excellent Very Good Interesting Fair Could Use Improvement Number of ratings: 1 Rating: 5 © EzineArticles.com - All Rights Reserved Worldwide. EzineArticles.com is a Member of the EmailUniverse.com Network

thinning hair to help

Hair Loss, Hair Transplant, Bald and Balding, Thinning Hair: The New York Hair Loss Center Frequently Asked Questions Our FAQ page is being updated. Please check back soon. Hair Loss Remedies, Hair Transplant Surgery, Medical Hair Restoration, Products and More Why Am I Losing My Hair? (And When Should I Start Treating It?) Answer Why Me? The Psychology of Hair Loss Answer What Can My Hairstylist Do? "The Illusion of Hair" Answer What Vitamins Promote Hair Growth? Answer What Are the Best Cosmetic Hair Loss Coverups Available? What Are the Benefits and Pitfalls of Each? Answer What Is a Hair Transplant? Answer Does the Transplant Hair Always Take and for How Long Will It Last? Answer Who Is a Candidate for Hair Transplant Surgery? Answer Are My Activities Restricted Before My Hair Transplant? Answer Are My Activities Restricted After My Hair Transplant? Answer Why Am I Losing My Hair? (And When Should I Start Treating It?) During fetal development, hair can be found all over the body. At birth, the newborn is surrounded by vellus or very fine hair which remains as such on various parts of the body for life. As the baby gets older, various vellus hairs become what we call true hair (terminal or thicker pigmented hair), and this is what we grow on our childhood and adult scalps. Male and female pattern hair loss (or androgenetic hair loss) involves the reversion of true hairs back to the almost invisible vellus hair. This is what most of us refer to as hair loss, but this is not the only cause of hair loss, just the most common. The causes of hair loss have been categorized in more recent years and are described in detail below. Knowing which applies to you is your best chance of finding the right solution. What Is Male Pattern Baldness? Fifty percent of men suffer noticeable hair loss by age fifty. It characteristically appears after the onset of puberty and peaks in the twenty-one to forty-five age group. The patterns and types of loss have been charted by both Dr. James Hamilton (a full professor of anatomy at the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center) and Dr. O'tar Norwood, a dermatologist with extensive research and publications in hair loss. It can begin in the crown (monk's cap) or in the front and can progress to complete (not the sides or back) hair loss on top. What Role Does Testosterone Play in Male Pattern Baldness? There was a singing group in Italy called the Castrata. These were young males castrated prior to puberty to preserve their soprano voices. Oddly enough, none of them suffered male pattern baldness. Dr. Hamilton decided to experiment on a group of volunteer Castrata. He administered testosterone to them in various dosages to bring their male hormone levels to normal. He noticed roughly 65 percent of these men developed male pattern baldness. When he stopped the testosterone, guess what happened - the hair loss remained permanently. Dr. Hamilton was thus the first to show that male pattern baldness is caused by testosterone and the hereditary sensitivity to it of hair follicles on the top of the scalp. Further research has shown that it is really five dihydrotestosterone (5DHT) that does the damage. This breakdown product of testosterone binds to the follicles and essentially destroys them by choking off the blood supply and nutrients. At different ages different peaks in the testosterone level will cause sensitive follicles to involute (die). Here's how: Testosterone circulating throughout the body has receptors to which an enzyme, 5 alpha dihydrotestosterone reductase, attaches itself. (There is a natural attraction for enzymes and receptor sites to combine in all of us.) When this happens, the enzyme allows the conversion of regular circulating testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, 5DHT. Further experiments were performed to see if people who did not lose their hair had receptor sites for the 5 alpha dihydrotestosterone reductase. At first, investigators felt that perhaps it was the lack of sites that allowed people to keep their hair. But deeper investigation proved that all scalp hairs have sites for the enzyme. This then allowed the further conclusion that only hair follicles whose genetic code allowed the dihydrotestosterone to choke off the blood and nutrient supply would react negatively to the 5 DHT. In fact it soon became evident that the 5DHT affected only scalp hair and not body hair at all. Later experimentation actually showed a difference in testosterone metabolism (breakdown) between scalps destined to have hair loss and those that would keep a full head of growing hair upon it. In essence, these later results confirmed that male pattern hair loss is dependent on hair root sensitivity to various levels of 5DHT although other factors are still being investigated. What Role Does Genetics Play in Male Pattern Baldness? Another interesting aspect of male hair loss has to do with the inheritance of the gene for baldness. Not that many years ago we were taught that genetic hair loss was sex linked and thereby transmitted from mother's side only. We have since learned that this was only the tip of the iceberg. Like a political investigation, as the research goes deeper, more and more players (in our case, chromosomes) are implicated. Although male pattern baldness is definitely transmitted on the X chromosome (XY is a male, XX is a female), there are numerous other chromosomes (humans have forty-six) that help determine the age of occurrence, rate and degree of hair loss. So just because your maternal grandfather is bald doesn't mean you will be also. What Role Does Stress Play in Male Pattern Baldness? We now know that stress can speed up the rate of hair loss. Although it usually does not cause permanent loss in an area not meant to bald, it can considerably move up the time frame in which genetically doomed hair dies. Stress such as the loss of a loved one can similarly speed up hair loss. Physical stress such as heavy athletic training as well as even the simple stress of moving to a new country with a new language can push the fast forward button on male pattern hair loss. We'll discuss the treatments later. For now it's important to understand that stress can help cause hair loss other than that determined by heredity. We see this in alopecia areata (described below) as well as other more dramatic forms of baldness, such as that which occurs during chemotherapy. What is important to remember is that with the exception of hereditary and exotic causes for balding, hair will generally grow back. When a male patient asks me how I know his hair loss is genetic, I usually tell him that there is little else that will cause a man to lose the hair from the top of his head but spare the hair on the sides and back. Although the crazy myths that we will explore later may seem logical to the male victim of balding, simple reasoning will help him get back on track. What Are the Other Causes of Hair Loss? Trichotillomania This is a condition affecting both man and beast (we see it in nervous French poodles and African Grey Parrots). In the human form, a person constantly twirls his hair with one hand while either talking, reading, writing, etc., causing and inflammatory reaction at the hair follicle from the constant tugging and ripping. Subsequently this causes permanent hair loss in an uneven random pattern. This can occur in any hair-bearing area. Animals cause the same result by biting and ripping out their fur or feathers. For example, African Grey parrots will rip out most of their feathers if they suffer a separation anxiety from their owner, leaving a bald talking bird. This topic leads us to the next and somewhat related category. Traction Hair Loss Tight braiding or cornrowing hair over a prolonged period of time causes the same result as trichotillomania, that is, inflammation and eventual death of the hair follicle. Many African-American women present themselves after extensive hair loss (which is too often permanent), seeking a solution they wouldn't need if they had prior knowledge of the damage they were causing. This is also the case in various types of prosthetic hair replacements where hairpieces or tufts of hair are attached for long periods of time to the person's own existing hair. It is especially true in hair weaving where braids of the person's own hair are used to attach a larger hairpiece unit to it. Tightening the hairpiece to the braids causes continuous traction. Similarly, in bonding, where hairpiece systems are glued directly to the person's remaining hair, any motion or manipulation of the system exerts traction on the living hairs of the scalp that are covered by the unit. Hair extensions where tufts of hair are added to the person's own remaining hair by tying them together will also cause added traction stress. Alopecia Areata and Totalis (Universalis) Alopecia areata is thought to be an autoimmune reaction where the body actually attacks itself, destroying the hair follicles. The condition is probably stress-related and causes circular patchy areas of hair loss. Generally, whether it is treated or not, hair growth will return in less than six months but it can be recurrent and, in some cases, if the hair hasn't returned after a year, there is a good chance the damage is permanent. Although various forms of medical treatment are available to aid the hair in regrowing, there is certainly no guarantee. Areas where hair is permanently lost can and have been successfully transplanted so the condition is not as hopeless as it may sound. Of course, transplanting hair requires areas of healthy growing hair to use as a donor and this is certainly not available in alopecia universalis. In any case, please see a physician regarding your hair loss. Delays can be very costly. Alopecia areata is not by any means a rare condition. There is a National Alopecia Areata Foundation that answers over ten thousand separate inquiries per year. Each year they also supply a video to over two thousand children to help them explain alopecia areata to their schoolmates. Their services do not stop here. They maintain direct contact with over five thousand people who have needed the support services that they provide. In an effort to educate the public and those who are afflicted to the diagnosis, problems, and consequences of alopecia areata, the foundation runs an annual conference. Scholarships and grants are awarded to needy patients and innovative researchers respectively. Grants in recent years have amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars, all of which are the product of private fund-raising. Their active public affairs section has been successful in placing over one hundred publicity pieces in magazines, newspapers, radio, and television annually. Alopecia totalis is the extreme version of the above where all body hair is completely lost. This is usually permanent and traumatic to the patient. Drugs Various drugs can cause a usually temporary hair loss of the scalp. Some of these are amphetamines anticoagulants such as Coumadin and high doses of aspirin overactive hyperthyroid medicines slowing thyroid function and thus causing hair loss chemotherapy for cancer antidepressant drugs such as lithium oral contraceptives, as well as some drugs treating high blood pressure such as Hydrodiuril and Captopril Always check with your doctor and pharmacist as to the possible side effects of any medication you are about to take. Diseases Various imbalances such as fast or slow thyroid function (hyper or hypo thyroid) can significantly thin the hair. Medical treatment usually corrects this by returning your thyroid hormone production to its normal rate. Infections These can cause scalp scarring and thus permanent hair loss. They range from fungal, viral, and bacterial topical infections (i.e. ringworm) to body-affecting diseases such as syphilis. Yes, George Washington who died of syphilis was bald and wore a hairpiece. Miscellaneous There are some more obscure reasons for hair loss, such as radiation or malignant tumor cells on the scalp. Whenever hair loss occurs it's always best to have a physician examine your scalp in person. What Will Not Cause Hair Loss? I could write a book just talking about the excuses patients have given me for losing their hair. No, hats do not cause hair loss even if they are football helmets. Going into the military and having your head shaved doesn't do it either. Deceased blood flow to the scalp will not cause it. (You have more than you need.) Neither does poor diet. Nor does lack of vitamins or minerals. No, your hair follicles are not getting clogged, causing your hair to continue growing under the scalp until you use some miracle drug to release them. Losing your hair is not an allergic reaction to your pet. Working in a dusty environment will not cause hair loss. Smoking may be linked to lung cancer, but it is not linked to baldness. Baldness is not a punishment for not leading a righteous life. It is not a result of brushing your hair with a stiff hairbrush too often. Up to Top Why Me? The Psychology of Hair Loss How Do Men Suffer Psychologically? Most men have similar hair loss experiences. An otherwise healthy young male is suddenly faced with a gradual yet dramatic change in his appearance for, he believes, the worse. This change is progressive and permanent. The dilemma is compounded by the fact that socially and historically it is unmanly for a male to be concerned about his appearance. Thus conflicted, many men suffer tremendous anxiety about their hair loss. They are on one hand depressed about the appearance and stigma of baldness and on the other hand they are often ashamed to admit that the condition bothers them for fear they would be considered vain. So many men try to compensate physically, psychologically, and socially. They often manage by secretly trying to cover up their bald spots. Many patients today confirm that they too could spend upwards of one or two hours per day trying to cover what nature was removing. Others seek hope in the opposite route. They shave everything. But nothing can help escape the fact that they are losing their hair. How Do Women Suffer Psychologically? In the past women often avoided discussing hair loss with anyone but their hairdressers. Because they most often suffer from a diffuse thinning, it was generally easy to disguise the problem. But women were nonetheless disturbed by it. Some woman say that they feared detection because, although it was normal for men to lose hair, female hair thinning was considered unnatural, a sign of some disease process. However, women are becoming much more open about this perfectly ordinary problem. What Are the Psychological Phases Men and Women Experience? When their hair begins to thin, both men and women go through the same psychological phases that follow the loss of anything or anyone dear to us (hair is certainly up there on the list). These are as follows: Denial Panic Anger Withdrawal and depression Acceptance and resolution Denial Can This Really Be Happening to Me? No one wants to believe that this is really happening to themselves. The early hair loss sufferer sees a change in his hair, the temples are receding, or the crown seems a bit thin, but he denies the obvious. He checks the shower drain, comb, or hairbrush and then looks at his scalp under the brightest and dimmest of lights. He or she carefully listens for comments from others and then reviews all available photos of themselves from second grade onward to see if it's really true. The new sufferer studies his relatives and carefully asks questions about their hair loss, looking for discreet differences between himself and his genetics. This strategy only works for so long. Sooner or later the thinning increases or a "sensitive" friend points out his increasingly visible scalp at a social gathering. Every time he talks to someone their eyes seem to travel to his vanishing hairline. When you begin to realize the inevitable, it's time to go on to phase two. Panic Oh My God, Does This Mean I'm Old Now? After denial there is usually panic. All the social implications of baldness start running through the sufferer's head. To be bald you are older, boring, unmanly or unwomanly, possibly diseased, and deficient in sex appeal. There are no positive characteristics associated with baldness. The fact that more victims in our society do not go into a severe state of depression from hair loss is a great demonstration of the resiliency of the human species. But panic can cause its own set of problems. Anger Are You Looking at Me? Then Who Are You Looking At? You wash your hair every day and you're very careful about blow-drying, brushing, or otherwise damaging it - you haven't done anything wrong. So someone else, the victim at this stage reasons, must be to blame. No matter how angry you get, remember one thing - it's the fault of genetics in most cases and pointing blame does not cure the problem. Although you know you want to do something about it (or you wouldn't be angry) you will still suffer through phase three in some form before you can proceed to phase four. Withdrawal and Depression Will I Ever Get Another Date? Depression often does occur at the onset of hair loss and in some cases never goes away. The image we see in the mirror can certainly affect our conduct in society. Someone has made a comment! Now you wear hats and avoid photographs. You avoid social situations because they may lead to embarrassment. So it's time to hibernate. You find reasons not to go to the beach or swim or play in active sports where you can't wear a hat. Sometimes you just stay home. In other words, you are letting your hair rule - and maybe ruin - your life. Acceptance and Resolution Actually, Don't You Think It Looks a Bit Sexy? Next comes acceptance. Many men simply accept hair loss as part of the passage of life. After all, hair loss is a normal genetic trait passed on from generation to generation. There are certainly many handsome masculine individuals who have chosen to accept or simply ignore their hair loss. This is certainly the best and healthiest attitude one can take. Whether we are destined to be short or tall, handsome or homely, athletic or awkward, hairy or bald, these are all part of the genetic cards we are dealt and we should accept them. Some men go so far as to embrace baldness. They wear it as a badge of honor, proudly proclaiming I am Bald and Proud. The Bald-Headed Men's Club of America, in Moorehead, N.C. has members from around the world who correspond and get together to support hair loss as a mature, sexy, virile appearance that society should look upon with admiration. Most men deal with hair loss as inevitable and natural and move on with their lives and careers. Appearance is comprised of many aspects, not the least of which is our personality and intelligence. A good personality and interesting mind have more of an influence on our attractiveness than any physical characteristic. Unfortunately not all men are created entirely equal and acceptance of the inevitable is a characteristic that varies dramatically from person to person. Hair loss is not something we are born with; it happens later in life, after we have gotten used to seeing ourselves a certain way. Our hairline is the frame of our face, and just as an attractive frame and matting compliments a picture, our hair compliments the features on our face. As with a picture, if we take away the frame, the face appears more ordinary and far less attractive. The feeling that their appearance has suffered is a significant reason why men often do not accept baldness. Although generally a young man suffers when going bald more than a mature male in his fifties or sixties, I often meet with older men who feel their hair loss has unfairly aged them. They do not want to change their appearance but rather want to restore it to a fairer picture of who they are. Just as hair loss is not the cause for all your problems, it is also not the cure. For individuals to succeed socially and professionally it is much more important to have personality, intelligence, and strong character than a fuller hairline. Hair can improve our appearance and self-image but only strong character and motivation can help us to succeed in life. It is important that when we look into the mirror for answers to our problems we should look deeper than the surface for the solutions. You now know it's true and it's time to either accept it or do something about it. You can shave your head as many sports figures do You can begin to look into various treatments But first you do what most of my patients and I have done. You consult your hairstylist. Up to Top What Can My Hairstylist Do? "The Illusion of Hair" Your hair has thinned. You may either have a bald spot or simply "see through" hair. In any case, it's time for that first consultation with the person who you feel knows you best; for most people, it's their hairstylist. What Hair Styles Can Hide Hair Loss? A good hairstylist knows how to cut and shape thinning hair to help maximize its covering power. Privacy is important and I often tell people to ask for your hairstyling consultation "behind closed doors" (neighbors in the salon and barber shop love to listen to other's problems). Your professional may recommend a "body wave" to thicken limp or fine thinning hair, or he/she might layer it to give the look of significant thickness. The hairstylist may also cut portions of the thinning areas shorter because short, not long hair, covers better. This is because the weight of longer strands of hair tend to cause it to separate. Thinning hair becomes less noticeable when the hair is shorter because it is acceptable to see some scalp through shorter hair (think of military recruits who even with full heads of hair exhibit a thinning appearance after the short haircuts given in basic training). Combine this with slightly longer hair elsewhere and a lower part, and you've effectively camouflaged the problem. Hair color helps as well. When hair is thinning, the less the contrast in color between the hair and scalp, the less noticeable the problem. Thus blond-haired Caucasians look less bald than their dark-haired counterparts with the same degree and pattern of hair loss. What Should I Not Do? Don't braid or use rollers to give your hair extra body - they will cause breakage and further thinning. Don't try to dye your hair because the chemicals (as mentioned) can permanently damage the scalp. Don't keep your hair too long because the weight of long hair tends to make it separate and thereby expose thinning areas of the scalp. Don't blow-dry your hair constantly and too closely with hot air as this will also cause hair breakage. Don't brush your hair constantly because this too will cause breakage and thus thinning of your hair. What Hair Care Products Help Conceal Hair Loss? Hair care products can often help your assault on thinning hair. Your hairstylist can help you choose those that are best suited for you. Shampoo Shampoos advertise all sorts of claims. These are the most important things to remember. Change your shampoo regularly; the hair adapts to the same product if used daily. The goal of shampooing is to leave the hair clean and manageable. Beware of "coating" shampoos which in actuality coat your hair with a chemical and so make it appear dirty and less manageable. A detergent shampoo is meant to cleanse the scalp by removing sebum (the discharge from sebaceous glands) and dirt; however, some sebum is necessary to retain your hair's sheen. Foaming shampoos are not better than nonfoaming ones. Kinky hair should be shampooed less often than straight hair as sebum is necessary for grooming kinky hair. Conditioners Conditioners counteract the detergent effect of shampoos. They "smooth" the hair shaft and remove static cling while attracting light reflection. Thus, they create shiny, manageable hair. Remember, different hair types (e.g. fine vs. coarse hair) adapt differently to different agents. Coating conditioners (hair thickeners) can actually add such weight to fine hair as to make it unmanageable. This is why your stylist is your best guide to hair care products. Gels and Mousse In the professional hair care world, gels and mousse are known as "left in" conditioning agents. They can vary from the pomades that African-Americans often apply to kinky hair to add luster and body, to the moisture-absorbing "gels" that add thickness and body to limp hair. Many of these products also contain silicone which helps the hair feel smooth and silky to the touch. The primary purpose of these products in our context, though, is to give more holding power to thinner hair. Hair Spray Hair spray, like mousse and gels, is directed at giving increasing holding power to finer or thinner hair. The base of many hair sprays, however, is alcohol and can thus dry and dull hair. The key is to be smart and sparing. Hair should be able to blow somewhat freely in a breeze. The helmet look may be okay to some, but can be as artificial as a bad hairpiece to many others. Hairstylists have the proper training in what is best for you. Perms and Waves Perms and waves are chemical methods to make fine, thin, or straight hair appear thicker by making it wavier or curlier. They generally will last about four months and can be helpful to those people in various stages of hair loss. They can also be damaging, as I have mentioned before. If you decide to go ahead, make sure you go to a professional who performs these techniques regularly and will carefully monitor the application. Haircolor As mentioned earlier, many people do not realize that what makes thinning hair very obvious is the contrast of skin and hair color. For example, thinning black hair on a fair-skinned person is much more obvious than the same amount of blond hair thinning on the same skin type. Therefore, proper hair coloring (vs. skin) and highlighting can help hide a "multitude of thinning sins." Once again - all chemical treatments of hair can be dangerous and should be performed only by a competent professional. Up to Top What Vitamins Promote Hair Growth? Although vitamins are important and can affect hair sheen, lack of them is not a cause of hair loss. You should not confuse hair quality and hair care with hair loss. Vitamins and minerals may be partially contributing to good hair care, as well as other vital body functions, but they will not cure hereditary baldness. The person who sold Vitamins For Your Hair along with Right Places Breast Enlargement Pills served prison time for mail fraud. There is a good reason for this. Spend your money on products that help, not ripoffs. If you take vitamins they should be for the right reason, not for some false hope. Up to Top What Are the Best Cosmetic Hair Loss Coverups Available? What Are the Benefits and Pitfalls of Each? Temporary hairpieces. They can be made to clip to existing hair for security and to prevent damaging adherence to fresh surgical sites. Invisible concealer. This is inexpensive makeup with a fine applicator which works great on the scalp reduction lines as well as on small areas of scabbing. Most are hypoallergenic and I have never seen a topical reaction to it. DerMatch. This is a water-resistant scalp coloring which can be safely applied over even fresh surgical sites to give the appearance of thicker hair. It can also be used in sites with existing thin hair as well. It does not run when wet nor when caught in the rain and it looks very natural. The problem is applying it. You must use your fingertip for good application, although every package now comes with a new applicator to remedy this. It also can stain your fingers if not washed off immediately, requiring longer, harder scrubbing to completely remove the coloring. Couvre. This is an excellent scalp colorant (as per DermMatch) and applies very easily. The problem with this product is that it runs in water (which can be embarrassing) and stains your pillowcase and shirt collar. Used correctly, it can be a big help because of the quick application and excellent coloring matches. HairSoReal. It is a fiber that adheres to surrounding hair to give it increased fullness and thickness. It sprinkles on easily and does not run. Like all colorants, it is available in a variety of shades and colors. This is a great product with a funny name. Don't let the package or the silly name fool you - this works well for easily and safely covering thinning spots. Although I would advise any patient to be careful and consult their physician before using any product, this physician loves the HairSoReal best for general camouflage. Spray-On (shoe polish). The spray-ons can be messy and can also stain pillowcases and clothing. More importantly, in many cases they inflame the scalp and in my opinion are not safe for use on recent scalp surgical sites. Up to Top What Is a Hair Transplant? A hair transplant is a minor Surgical Hair Restoration where healthy areas of skin, hair, and their roots are transplanted from the sides or back of the head (the donor area) to bald or balding areas of the scalp of the same person (the recipient area). Transplanted hair will generally continue to grow permanently because it is taken from an area where the hair roots were never programmed to fall out. The hair transplant graft always retains the same characteristics as it did prior to the procedure. It will even turn gray as you age. In the past the areas from which the hair had been taken were allowed to remain open and heal naturally, creating a pegboard effect in the donor area. Today's donor areas are sutured closed and heal with thin scars in most cases. Donor areas are chosen to match as best as possible the type of hair that should grow in the area being transplanted. For example, hairline hair is generally taken from lower sides where the hair is finer and will help feather the front. Does It Hurt? The answer is - it depends on your doctor's technique and skill in numbing along with your own tolerance for any pain. Patients are given the option for Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) while the local anesthesia is applied. This is usually the only discomfort you will feel during the procedure, and lasts only a few minutes. At The New York Hair Loss Center we use a computer assisted anesthesia delivery system which dramatically reduces any patient discomfort that may arise in the first few minutes of surgery. Once numb, you will hear funny noises (the scalp conducts sound) but will feel no pain. Long-acting anesthesia really helps to prevent the wear-off ache and makes the transplant very comfortable at night. When Will the Hair Grow? All scalp hair grows in a growing phase (anagen) and in a resting phase (telogen). Every hair on our heads replaces itself every six years. Think of the resting phase as a three-month hibernation cycle where the follicle is alive under the skin but there is no cosmetic hair produced. After its three-month dormancy, the follicle once again produces a new cosmetic hair. Certain factors will throw growing hair prematurely into a resting phase. Any type of minor trauma, such as surgery, will fool the follicle into an early three-month resting cycle. This is no different than moving a flowering plant from one soil area to another. The plant roots survive, but the flower may not. Transplanting hair temporarily interrupts blood supply and thus will cause the growing hair to shed. As such it's not unusual for patients to call frantically telling me that the transplant didn't work because the hair fell out. In fact, the hair only temporarily falls out and the root remains in a three-month resting phase. The new hair then begins to grow and will resume its old genetically programmed cycle. And no, they don't all fall out every six years. The smaller (or narrower) transplant grafts will grow quicker because they heal faster. But this is only thin frontal hair and the patient should assume then the best is yet to come. So to answer the question directly - new hair growth will start in two to four months in general. For some reason it starts quicker in the front than in the back (crown), and the more transplant sessions you have, the longer it takes for the subsequent transplanted hair to begin growing. What Was a Plug? A plug is a circular hair transplant graft taken from a donor area (usually made by using a power tool) and transplanted to a prepared circular site on the top of the balding scalp. It's called a plug because a slightly larger graft is "plugged" into a smaller bald site, which can cause a thick, tufted result. Since the plugs are slightly separated from one another, the result was the often described cornrow effect. Different size circular "plugs" were inserted between the prior healed or growing ones, but there was always a small space between the grafts making them noticeable, especially in dark-haired patients with contrasting light-colored skin. Generally plugs were very large in diameter and would contain fifteen to twenty hairs. The typical procedure would require three or four visits of about one hundred plugs each in a very bald gentleman. Hair was usually styled to the side to cover the hairline and any of the plugs in the center of the bald area which were always spaced further apart than those on the hairline or frontal region. In the past patients were told, "Look it's not perfect, but at least you have hair." There were two schools of thought in the past. Some doctors believed that only twenty to thirty plugs should be transplanted in each (of multiple) sessions. Others felt that larger sessions were better for the patient and the result because circulation, and therefore, subsequent growth lessened with multiple procedures. What Are Slit Graft Transplants? Slits grafts were the first real attempt at avoiding the plug look. In essence, they were simple cuts made in the bald area into which we inserted small strips of hairs and their roots. The problem, of course, is that no bald tissue is removed and thus, like trying to lay too much carpet in a room, you will eventually get buckling (or in some cases pitting) to accommodate the extra tissue. This is called the carpet effect. When a person has only thinning hair (as in female pattern hair loss) slit grafts can be useful because they add hair without removing the surrounding thinner hair. But let me emphasize that if an area is balding significantly, slit grafts can look worse than the old plugs because they can look like little tufts or hair coming from beneath the surface of the scalp. What Are Single-hair Transplants and Megasessions? Single-hair transplanting is the attempt to once again avoid "plugs" and thereby create a natural result. In this procedure, large numbers of single-hair grafts, sometimes even several thousand, are made from strips of hair removed from one's donor area, and are individually inserted into the top of the scalp. These megasessions can take up to twelve hours each. The benefit of this type of session is that the result looks natural, but as several patients have asked me, "Where's the hair?" Megasessions usually create a thin result, and often, the patient is fooled into believing that one giant session will solve their whole problem. What About the Donor Area? Well, years ago, surgeons let the donor area close on its own, leaving small white scars where the hair was removed. This pegboard effect could only be noticed if you lifted the hair in the donor area or if the hair was shaved closely. By the late 80's surgeons started closing the donor area with sutures. This seemed to work because everyone has more skin than they need in the back of the head and suturing it closed seemed easy. The problems began with the big sessions where wide strips of hair were removed. In these cases, the closure was under tension, and the results were wide scars that we later had to revise. Most doctors today know that too wide a strip of donor hair is a problem and thus would rather take a donor strip that's longer and thinner. By doing this, we are reducing the tension on the wound and allowing it to heal rapidly and with the thinnest of scar lines. Will the Doctor Remove the Old Scars from the Donor Area? Another valuable question to ask when interviewing a physician who may perform your procedure is, does he remove the old scars? By this I mean that a good physician will usually incorporate the scar of the previous donor area in the very corner of the next donor strip he removes. By doing this, when your transplant sessions are finished, you should wind up with only one thin scar in the donor area. What if I Had Previous Transplants and My Donor Area Was Taken the Old Way? Even if your donor area was plucked thoroughly and left with circles or no hair, we can now harvest (the medical term for remove) strips of donor. We simply use the good hair and discard the scars. We then cleanly sew the donor area back together and the result usually looks as good if not better than before you took the strip. The trick, once again, is long and narrow when removing the donor strips. Is the Procedure Safe? Part of interviewing your prospective doctor should include questions about instruments and sterility. Your doctor should have a hospital-type autoclave (sterilizer) and should have special disposal systems for medical waste. The doctor and his technical staff should all have current Federal Occupational Safety Hazard Association (OSHA) certification and training. A hair transplant is a clean procedure (hair can't be sterilized) but all instruments must be! Ask for a tour of your doctor's lab and ask to speak to one or several of his assistants. Do not be shy here! We all want hair, but we want it safely. Medical Risks Bleeding Now we use a form of laser technology to seal bleeding vessels in the donor area and then suture the area closed. This virtually eliminates the problem. The recipient area rarely has any bleeding unless an accident occurs, and bleeding here is easily controllable with pressure. Infection The scalp rarely gets infected. Old military manuals (circa 1950's and 60's) will advise medics that they don't even need gloves to sew up or treat scalp injuries. This is because the scalp has such a good blood supply that the body's defenses easily prevent infection from setting in. Today, doctors all wear gloves as protection for both the patient and physician. Infection after a hair transplant is rare. We always place patients on preventative antibiotics after treating them and have them return for follow up in seven to ten days. We encourage them to call with questions and if in doubt, bring them into the office for a checkup. Aesthetic Risks Placing aside bleeding and infection, a poor result can be the biggest risk in hair transplantation. The most common problems that I see are as follows. Lack of Density In their quest for a more natural result, many doctors have swung the pendulum too far and have decided to use only micrografting. This may be suitable for those who are looking for a thin, yet more natural result, but it can be devastating for those who expected a good amount of hair and wound up paying thousands for a "see-through" look. Fortunately, lack of density is usually treatable. Cornrow Hairline This is usually the product of old transplant procedures or inexperience. It generally involves doctors forgetting that hairlines don't go from desert to forest. We all have a little buffer zone and this is what makes the hairline look natural. Because of new technology, this is an easy correction. Cobblestoning One of the big complications with the old plugs was the elevation of the individual grafts (actual bumps). This occurred because the grafts were always a bit larger than the receptor sites and thus they would not fit flush. Instead they would bulge like a cobblestone street. People with prior transplants with bumpiness can be helped now. Frizziness Hair which has been transplanted may not always grow with the same texture as the area from which it has been taken. This was especially true during the "plug" era where larger circular plugs of hair and their roots were placed into sites which were narrower in diameter. This acted to squeeze the tissue tighter and caused the resulting hairs to grow frizzy. Much of this problem stopped when grafts stopped being condensed into smaller sites. Doughnut Effect This was definitely a function of the old round plugs. Some patients would develop a thin white circular area. Although this did not matter as much in areas of the scalp hidden by hair, it did matter when it occurred along the hairline. Today's transplanted grafts rarely have this problem. In the case of prior ones which do, single-hair grafting or linear grafting through the white borders effectively eliminates the problem. Misdirected Hair Grafts Hair grows in specific directions on the front and vertex (crown) of the head. It is vital that transplanted hair grafts be directed to follow these directions. Transplanted Grafts Spaced Too Far Apart One of the biggest mistakes of the inexperienced transplant surgeon is placing the transplanted hair grafts far apart in the effort to cover more area. This is a real problem because once a fair number of grafts are placed in a bald area, the patient is committed to finishing the transplant in that area. Now we run into the problem of filling in the in-between areas to make them look acceptable and this can be a devastating task. So if you are fairly bald, concentrate on finishing the front half first. This way you are assured of a completed result in that area rather than a half complete job over the whole bald scalp. Poor Growth You can't transplant a tree by breaking off a branch and sticking it in the soil. Similarly, you can't transplant hair by moving the shafts and not the roots - they won't grow. The most common cause of poor growth is technique. If a doctor removes the donor area properly, he should have taken the hairs out at the proper angles to preserve the roots. If he ignores the fact that hair grows at different angles from the scalp and that the roots are parallel to the shafts of hair, he can transect the roots causing little or no hair growth. Having the grafts placed too close together can also cause poor growth. Blood supply initially feeds the grafts and promotes growth, but too many grafts in too small an area can decrease the hair yield per graft. This can also happen when a patient has transplant sessions very close together, not allowing enough time for healing and proper return of the blood supply. Up to Top Does the Transplant Hair Always Take and for How Long Will It Last? This question is as common as "Does it hurt?" The answer is, if done properly by an experienced physician, it will generally always take and will grow for the rest of your life plus two weeks (hair and nails grow for two weeks after we depart). Remember, the hair lasts as long on the same person in the new area as it did where it came from. So if the donor area was selected properly, it will continue to grow in the previously bald sites. Up to Top Who Is a Candidate for Hair Transplant Surgery? When I talk with a prospective patient I often investigate the following. What are his concerns about his hair loss? What are his expectations? This is important because a person with good donor area and a reasonable amount of hair loss may be bad candidate if he expects unrealistic results. A good candidate is someone who is realistic about his goals based on his existing pattern of hair loss and remaining hair density. He or she understands that it will take time for the hair to grow and is willing to undergo several sessions if necessary to achieve the desired result. Hair transplantation is an art as well as a science, and art takes time and work. If the patient is young, a good candidate will allow the hairline to be a bit higher (in case of extensive baldness occurring in later years) and will understand that future sessions may be needed if further hair loss occurs. The doctor and the patient are a team. Both should be patient and available to work together to achieve the desired result. Knowing this makes for a good candidate. Up to Top Are My Activities Restricted Before My Hair Transplant? Prior to having a transplant, there are several general precautions that most doctors will take. Further specifics are usually given prior to the transplant procedure. Typical preoperative instructions include the following. Do not get a haircut prior to a transplant because any trimming required will be done by the hair transplant technician. If the hair is cut too close, the doctor may not be able to determine where to put the transplants. Also, shampoo your hair well as close to the hair transplant time as possible. Even though we will place an antiseptic on the ear, it's nicer to start with a clean scalp. Eat a good meal during the day, but do not eat or drink anything within one hour prior to scheduled transplant. This is because hungry people are more nervous. The one-hour period not to eat is to prevent nausea during nitrous oxide anesthesia. Do not exercise twenty-four hours prior to transplant. Exercise tends to raise blood pressure temporarily. This usually increases the chance of bleeding during the procedure. Wear a shirt which buttons rather than a pullover as your head may have a small dressing. If you have a hairpiece, you will not be able to wear it until the second day. It is important that no alcoholic consumption takes place within forty-eight hours of transplant surgery. Alcohol interferes with your blood platelets and slows down the clotting process. Do not take any aspirin or aspirin-containing products for the same reason you shouldn't drink alcohol. Don't forget to write down your questions for the doctor before the procedure. This is because nervousness may make you forget to have your concerns answered at the time. Write the answers down so you will remember them. Up to Top Are My Activities Restricted After My Hair Transplant? The biggest restrictions after a transplant involve no heavy physical activity for five to seven days. This is usually the most contested instruction, as most people feel fine after the procedure. Nevertheless, the first place that gets robbed of circulation when you're active is the skin and scalp. Blood gets diverted to the muscles; blood pressure rises, and people bang their transplanted area. Any surgery, even minor, requires rest afterwards, this is no different. Don't drink alcohol or take aspirin for forty-eight hours for the same reason as before. Postoperative medicines are prescribed, and in some cases, such as with tetracycline and/or minoxidil with Retin A, they can restrict your ability to go out in direct sunlight. Do not pick at the scabs - let them fall off. Extreme care must be exerted so that your comb or brush does not catch on the scabs during the healing process. You may shampoo your hair on the third day. While shampooing, use only your fingertips. Vitamin E oil can be applied at night to help promote healing after two weeks. You can generally return to work in two or three days, but if the work requires heavy lifting, accommodations should be made. In my experience, at the end of seven to ten days, there are no further restrictions. The patients can resume all their prior activities in full. Now begins the waiting game, but rest assured, if your procedure was performed by a competent surgeon and you've followed his instructions, your hair will grow. Up to Top -- Helpful Hair Loss Links American Hair Loss Council www.ahlc.org The American Hair Loss Council is a nonprofit organization founded to facilitate the exchange of information between medical and non-medical specialists and the public. Hair Loss Central www.hair-loss-central.com Hair Loss Central is a shopping guide and search engine for hair loss products and services. Contents include: hair growth treatments, hair loss concealers, toupees, wigs, hairpieces, vitamins for hair loss, hair care tips and hair transplant surgeon directory. Hair MD www.hair.md Hair Loss and Hair Transplant Information Hair Transplant Help Desk www.hair-transplant-helpdesk.com Educate yourself on hair loss, hair transplants and more. Hair Transplant New York www.hair-transplant-new-york.com and www.hairtransplant.bz Up to Top Hair Loss Treatments | Hair Transplant | Medical Hair Restoration © 2004 The New York Hair Loss Center. All rights reserved. Disclaimer