Blog – US Hair Restoration

Rogaine – How Does it Work?

admin — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 20:31:26 +0000

Minoxidil, which is often referred to by the brand name Rogaine, is used by patients to try and stimulate hair regrowth and stop their remaining hair from continuing to thin. The key active ingredient in Rogaine is minoxidil and it has been available for use since 1986 when its 2% formula was introduced. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of both male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness, and it is available as a liquid or a foam over the counter.

Rogaine – A (Sort Of) Look at How it Works

The first thing to know about how Rogaine works is that the way it works is not fully understood by the medical community. There is a theory that the anti-androgenic, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilating effects of minoxidil might be a contributing factor to the results it provides.

It is important for patients to know that Rogaine does not work for everyone. It is only effective in treating certain types of baldness and it must be used by the patient on a consistent basis. It is also likely that the patient will not grow back all of the hair they lost but some hair regrowth is possible.

Rogaine is considered to be a vasodilator by medical experts which means it is believed to partially enlarge hair follicles treated by the medication. In turn, it is believed that this allows the growth phase of the hair to last longer. No matter how it works, the results will only be maintained as long as the patient continues to use the product on an ongoing basis. If the person stops using Rogaine regularly, the hair will return to its earlier appearance and additional hair loss can occur.

Rogaine – Who Sees the Best Results?

As mentioned above, Rogaine can be used to treat both male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness. This type of hair loss is quite common and often happens to members of the same family. Rogaine has been shown to work for patients with hair loss that is hereditary and located at the area at the back of the head known as the vertex (located just under the crown). It is also a good option for men who have hair loss in the front of the scalp and women with a general thinning of their hair on the top area of the scalp.

One other group of people who often see good results is those who begin to use Rogaine once they start to see the first signs of hair loss on the scalp. It is not likely to help someone who is already bald. Rogaine should not be used by a person who uses hair products or chemicals that can cause hair loss, someone who has other reasons for their hair loss such as chemotherapy, alopecia areata, or thyroid disease, and anyone who is pregnant or currently breastfeeding a child.

Rogaine – Are There Any Side Effects?

In general. Rogaine is considered to be safe, and any side effects will not cause any serious health issues. Some of the most common side effects include irritation of the scalp, changes in the texture or color of the hair, and hair growth in other areas that are adjacent to the treated area (such as the forehead).

There are some patients who are afraid that their treatment is not working correctly when they start because they might see a greater amount of hair shedding at this time. This is normal as the hair follicles are pushing out the old hair to make room for the growth of new hair.

Rogaine – When to Consult with a Doctor

Once a person starts to experience hair loss, it is best to contact a doctor as soon as possible in order to start treating the condition. Some of the early hair loss symptoms that can be noticed by patients include thinning hair, a more noticeable receding hairline, and the formation of a bald spot.

It is also important to talk to a doctor to make sure the person is an ideal candidate for the use of Rogaine. The loss of hair might be the result of an infection, a hairstyle that constantly pulls on the hair, or some other medical condition. These issues can be addressed by the doctor and treated without the need to use Rogaine on a daily basis.

The doctor will also set realistic expectations when it comes to how quickly the results will start to be seen and the extent of the results the patient can expect to achieve. It can take up to four months for some patients to see hair regrowth from the treatment. However, Rogaine can start to work within a few weeks even if the patient is not seeing any results. This is one of the reasons that realistic expectations are important as the patient needs to know what to expect and have a general timeline of when results will start to occur and/or become visible.

Scalp Micropigmentation – What Patients Need to Know

admin — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 19:52:31 +0000

The desire for a full and healthy head of hair is shared by almost everyone. Unfortunately, it is not always easy for people to gain the desired appearance to their hair. Patients who want to enjoy the appearance of a full head of hair without the need for a hair transplant often turn to scalp micropigmentation (SMP) to obtain the look of a closely shaved head of hair. In addition, SMP is able to blend-in the look of a closely shaved head of hair with the appearance of the natural hair of the patient. Interested in learning more about how SMP transforms the look of a balding scalp? Keep reading for more information!

Scalp Micropigmentation – What is It?

In general, scalp micropigmentation is performed as a minimally invasive treatment that is able to place microscopic dots of pigment into the scalp of the patient. The placement of the pigment will fill in the areas of the scalp that are showing more skin thanks to the balding process or the appearance of thinning hair.

The procedure needs to be performed with specialized medical tools in order to ensure the pigments properly match the scalp of the person. The look of hair on the scalp is created by the placement of the pigment in the papillary layer of the dermis. The natural appearance of a closely shaved head requires more than the simple placement of the pigment. The doctor needs to have an artistic eye as well as the necessary experience and training to gain the surgical skills that provide the desired look.

Specialty pigments are needed to achieve the look of a closely shaved head that is not obvious to others who view the scalp. In addition to the look of a closely shaved head, the pigment also creates the appearance of additional hair in the thinning or balding areas of the scalp when it is performed at the same time as a hair transplant in the targeted area. By matching the color of the pigment with the hair color of the patient, a natural look is obtained to the point that it is not easy for the average eye to spot the difference between the pigment and the natural hair follicles of the patient.

Scalp Micropigmentation – Ideal Candidates Revealed

Both male and female patients can be ideal candidates for SMP:

If the person does not have enough hair to the point that they are lacking enough hair density to cover a balding area on the scalp, they can benefit from scalp micropigmentation.
Men who are experiencing male patterned baldness and want to eliminate a visible balding horseshoe pattern on their scalp can use scalp micropigmentation to obtain the appearance of a healthier and fuller head of hair.
A person with a visible scalp scar from an earlier surgery can reduce its visibility through SMP.

Scalp Micropigmentation – Recovery Period and Results

At the start of the SMP recovery period, a patient will experience some redness on the scalp for a period of seven to fourteen days. Plus, there will likely be an itchy or dry feeling to the scalp for that same amount of time.

Patients should not worry if the pigment has a darker look than desired immediately after the procedure as the desired color will start to appear as the recovery time continues.

While the results of SMP are not permanent in nature, they can last anywhere from three to five years. Once the pigment begins to fade over time, it will not automatically change color to the point that the changes in the look of the scalp are noticeable. A follow-up treatment will be needed to touch-up the results and help maintain the appearance of a closely shaved head. It is not necessary to have a regularly scheduled touch-up treatment, but it does help reduce the amount of fading that can happen on the scalp.

Scalp Micropigmentation – Benefits Revealed

The appearance of a fuller and healthy head of hair is not the only benefit provided by SMP. The procedure can treat hypopigmentation issues in the donor area that can occur after Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) surgery. SMP is also an ideal treatment option for someone who is experiencing conditions with the hair, such as Alopecia Areata and Alopecia Totalis, that are not normally addressed by hair transplant surgery.

In order to obtain these benefits, the patient should schedule a consultation appointment with a doctor who is trained and experienced in performing scalp micropigmentation. The doctor can examine the scalp and also answer any questions the patient has about the process or the type of results they can expect to see after the treatment. It is also important for the patient to be medically examined by the doctor to ensure the person is healthy enough for the procedure as well as an ideal scalp micropigmentation patient.

Sugary Beverages and Hair Loss – Connection Examined

admin — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 23:41:20 +0000

Male pattern hair loss is the most common form of hair loss in men and recent studies show that the rate of male pattern hair loss might be increasing. For example, a survey from China showed the condition impacting 21.3% of men in 2010 and then increasing to 27.5% in 2021. In the past, there has been some speculation regarding the connection between male pattern hair loss and the consumption of sugar so let’s see how this nutrition choice can impact men when it comes to hair loss.

Male Pattern Hair Loss and Sugar – Research Results

Recently, a team of researchers from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, examined the connection that might exist between male pattern hair loss and the consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. The research team found that a higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages correlated to a higher risk of male pattern hair loss.

Dr. Ken L. Williams Jr., D.O., FISHRS, ABHRS, a surgeon in Irvine, CA (who was not involved in the study) told Medical News Today, “Traditionally, most physicians or hair restoration surgeons understand that nutrients and diet play a key role in the overall health and well-being of our patients. Exercise, avoidance of tobacco products and illicit drugs, good nutrition, and a balanced diet are key to our patient’s health and longevity.”

The study, which was published in Nutrients, involved 1028 college teachers and students, with an average age of 27.8 years, from a total of thirty-one provinces in China. The people that participated in the study received a survey that asked about their basic socio-demographic information, dietary intake, hair status, lifestyle, and psychological status. The extent of their sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was gathered from their responses to a fifteen-item Beverage Intake Questionnaire which inquired about their beverage consumption in the last month. The list of beverages on the questionnaire included soft drinks, energy and sports drinks, sweetened juice beverages, and also sweetened milk, tea, and coffee.

In total, over 57.6% of participants reported male pattern hair loss while the others did not. The research team also determined that the individuals who did have male pattern baldness were more likely to be older, have a lower level of education, smoke (or be a past smoker), perform less physical activity, have experienced some form of PTSD or severe anxiety, and also sleep for a shorter duration of time. They also had a positive family history of male pattern hair loss, and had conditions related to the formation of pattern hair loss. In addition, their food consumption included deep-fried foods, homey, sweets, sugar, and ice cream along with fewer vegetables than those without the hair loss condition.

People with male pattern hair loss were found to have consumed an average of 4.3-liters of beverages sweetened with sugar each week as opposed to the 2.5-liters per week among those who did not have the condition.

The research team also found that a history of disease influenced the link between the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and male pattern hair loss along with a link between the frequency of sugar-sweetened beverages intake and anxiety disorders, and male pattern hair loss and anxiety disorder.

Sugar Intake – How it Impacts Hair

One of the authors of the study, Dr. Ai Zhao, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Vanke School of Public Health at Tsinghua University, was asked how the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was able to influence male pattern hair loss. The doctor told Medical News Today that higher levels of sugar consumption increase the concentration of blood sugar, which triggers polyol pathways, which convert glucose to sugar. The doctor also noted that in vitro and vivo studies show this process is able to reduce the amount of glucose in the outer parts of hair follicles. In turn, this could lead to male pattern hair loss.

Dr. Zhao mentioned that some earlier studies showed that a high intake of sugar is linked to mental health problems. For example, one meta-analysis found that someone who drinks the equivalent of three cans of cola per day has a twenty-five percent higher risk of depression than someone who does not consume sugary beverages.

In closing, Dr. Zhao remarked that the findings were actually limited as the results relied on data that was self-reported as opposed to any clinical diagnoses. Plus, the research did not gather data regarding the consumption of additional sweetened products, and the researchers were not able to distinguish the severity level of male pattern hair loss.

While the study is detailed and well-designed, it does not recommend the elimination of the consumption of all beverages that contain sugar. The study does conclude with the notion that the use of common sense matters in situations that involve the health and nutrition of individuals. In general, people should follow a balanced diet that contains healthy food groups and multiple sources of nutrition in order to enjoy a lifestyle filled with overall good health.

Hair Transplant to Hide a Scar – Does it Work?

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 00:39:02 +0000

If a person suffers some kind or accident or trauma to the scalp, there is a chance that the injury will result in a scar appearing on the scalp. Thankfully, there is an opportunity for the scar to be hidden from the view of others thanks to the patient undergoing a hair transplant. Let’s take a look at how a hair transplant can treat scars on the scalp and the type of results you can expect to see after the surgery.

Hair Transplants and Scar Tissue

Once a scar forms on the body, hair will not grow naturally in the scar tissue since there are not any hair follicles located in the scar. Hair follicles are capsules that are located under the skin of a person and the blood vessels under the follicles help them to grow. However, when a scar forms on damaged skin, the hair follicles do not grow back because scars are composed of collagen that form in order to protect the skin underneath it. This means there is usually not any room for hair follicles in the scar so a typical hair transplant cannot be used to insert hair into follicles that currently exist.

Instead, the surgeon will need to transplant hair grafts that are still contained in their follicles into the scar. By doing this step, the hair grafts can start to take root and grow again once they come into contact with the blood vessels. The hair follicles will start to grow back once the impacted area has healed and the follicles have taken hold in the skin and are receiving a flow of blood from the nearby blood vessels.

If the scar tissue is raised and thick, the doctor might recommend corticosteroid injections around the scar to flatten its surface and give the treated area a more natural appearance.

Hair Transplant to Hide a Scar – Procedure Revealed

During Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) surgery, the surgeon will individually remove hair follicles from the skin.in order to insert them into openings created in the scar tissue. The hair follicles are taken from the back or sides of the scalp as the hair in these areas are resistant to balding.

During the first few days after the surgery, the doctor might recommend pain medication to address any discomfort felt by the patient. The patient might also take antibiotics that help to reduce the chance of an infection and anti-inflammatory medications, such as steroids, for swelling.

Do not worry if the transplanted hair starts to fall out after the treatment as this is a normal part of the healing process. The transplanted hair will begin to grow back and then grow like the natural hair in the scalp.

Hair Transplant to Hide a Scar – Possible Risks and Complications

Patients need to be sure and contact their doctor for advice and steps to take if they experience one (or more) of the following risks or complications:

Infection
Intense pain
Prolonged or unbearable itching
Bleeding from the treated area
Prolonged numbness
Drainage of fluid or pus from the treated area
Scalp irritation
Dizziness

Hair Transplant to Treat a Scar – First Steps

The first step in reducing the appearance of a scar through a hair transplant is to schedule a consultation appointment with a doctor who is experienced in performing this type of surgery. The patient also needs to make sure the surgeon has the proper board-certification and the necessary medical background and knowledge. A patient can also look at actual patient reviews to get a better idea about how the doctor interacts with patients and to check their level of satisfaction with the surgeon and the medical staff.

The consultation appointment is the ideal time to ask any questions about the procedure and to try and get an idea about the type of results that can be expected from the surgery. In addition, a consultation appointment is an opportunity for the patient to make sure they are comfortable with the doctor and that they feel a sense of trust and safety when it comes to choosing this surgeon to perform their hair transplant surgery.

The doctor will also examine the patient to make sure the person is healthy enough to have surgery and that the issue with the scar can be addressed and improved through a hair transplant. The doctor will examine the scar to determine its size and to develop a treatment plan that will provide the desired results. It is also important for the doctor to set realistic expectations when it comes to the final results so the patient will not be surprised or disappointed by the type of results that are visible after the procedure.

Anyone who has lost hope that the scar on their scalp cannot be hidden from the view of others needs to do proper research in order to decide if a hair transplant is the procedure they want to undergo to improve the appearance of their scalp.

Alopecia Explained – Discover the Different Types

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 19:33:37 +0000

The word “alopecia” can be viewed as kind of an umbrella term for conditions that are characterized by hair loss. One of the most common types of alopecia is Alopecia Areata which is an autoimmune disease. However, not all forms of alopecia are related to a condition that occurs due to an unusual response made by the immune system. For instance, there are some alopecia conditions that are caused by lifestyle or genetic factors as well as psychological conditions. The treatment option depends on the type of alopecia that is being addressed.

Alopecia – Overview of the Different Types

Alopecia Areata – As mentioned above, alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder which means the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles of the body. It is actually similar to the way the immune system might try and fight an infection that is present on the body. The fact that the immune system is attacking the hair follicle can result in a loss of hair.
Alopecia Totalis – If the entire scalp of a patient experiences hair loss, the condition is known as alopecia totalis. Even though the exact cause of this condition is unknown, it is generally thought to be an autoimmune condition. There is also a theory that genetic factors contribute to the development of this condition since it has been reported that 20% of patients impacted by the disease have a family member with alopecia.
Alopecia Universalis – As implied by its name, this condition involves complete hair loss on the scalp and the body. It is also considered to be an autoimmune condition.
Diffuse Alopecia Areata – While many people consider this form of alopecia to be the same thing as telogen effluvium (a reversible condition where hair falls out of the scalp due to a stressful experience), diffuse alopecia areata is mainly a variation of alopecia areata. Instead of falling out in patches, this condition is when the hair thins and then falls out in scattered sections on the scalp.
Traction Alopecia – This is a form of alopecia that is caused by the repeated pulling of the hair in the same direction over an extended period of time.
Androgenic Alopecia – This is a common form of hair loss in both men and women of various ages. Male pattern baldness often begins with hair loss on the crown or a receding hairline. On the other hand, female pattern baldness usually begins with the appearance of thinning hair along the natural part line of the hair.
Cicatricial Alopecia – If the skin is impacted by a severe infection or burn, this hair loss condition can happen to a person. The loss of hair can occur slowly by appearing as patches or it can start to occur at a rapid pace in larger areas of the scalp. In addition, the skin that is located under the impacted section of the body can start to become inflamed or itchy.

Alopecia – How Can It be Treated?

There is not a “one size fits all cure” for alopecia and the treatment performed by a hair restoration doctor depends on the extent of the hair loss and the type of alopecia that is being treated. Some of the most commonly used treatments include:

Corticosteroids can suppress the immune system of a person and also reduce the damage that is happening to healthy hair follicles. They can be administered as oral, injectable, or topical treatments.
A hair transplant can take hair grafts from the donor area of the scalp (back and sides of the scalp) or from other areas of the body such as the chest and beard. The hair grafts will be transplanted into the scalp in the areas that are experiencing thinning or balding.
Minoxidil, which is also known by the brand name Rogaine, is applied to the scalp topically and it is placed on the areas of the head that are experiencing a loss of hair.
Immunotherapy, including oral medications such as cyclosporine and tofacitinib, has been suggested as a treatment to suppress the immune system according to one study that was published in 2018.

Alopecia – Next Steps for Patients

A person who is experiencing hair loss is advised to schedule a consultation appointment with an experienced and board-certified surgeon who identifies hair loss conditions and treats them on a regular basis. The surgeon will examine the scalp of the patient to determine the cause of the hair loss on the scalp (or elsewhere on the body) in order to diagnose the type of hair loss being experienced by the patient.

If the hair loss is identified as alopecia, the doctor can develop a treatment plan to try and restore healthy hair growth on the part of the patient. A successful treatment plan will not restore healthy hair overnight, but the hair restoration doctor will be able to explain the reasons for the hair loss and the reasons why the chosen hair restoration treatment is the best option for the patient.

Hair Transplant Procedure Explained

admin — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 23:37:43 +0000

A hair transplant is an ideal hair restoration procedure for patients who are experiencing hair loss on the scalp. The hair loss can be visible to others in the form of bald spots on the scalp or it can take the form of thinning hair. Hair loss does not have to be a permanent condition as hair transplants are able to restore the hairline and give the impacted areas of the scalp a full and dense appearance.

Curious about what is involved in undergoing a hair transplant? Let’s look at how it is performed as well as the most popular hair transplant method.

Hair Transplant Consultation Appointment

The first step in the hair restoration process is scheduling a consultation appointment with a board-certified and experienced hair transplant surgeon. The doctor will examine the scalp of the patient in order to determine the extent of the hair loss as well as the cause of the condition. The doctor will also examine the medical history of the person to make sure the patient is healthy enough to have a hair transplant.

The doctor will also discuss the type of results the patient hopes to see once the surgery and the recovery process are completed. The surgeon will set realistic expectations so the person will know what type of results they can expect after the surgery. It is important to set realistic expectations so the patient will not be surprised or disappointed by their new look.

FUE Explained

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant involves hair grafts being transplanted on an individual basis to the targeted area of the scalp. The hair grafts are normally taken from the “donor area” of the scalp and this area is located on the back and sides of the scalp. The hair located in these areas have been shown to be resistant to balding which is why hair transplant surgeons like to use the hair from the donor area.

If there is not enough high-quality hair located in the “donor area,” the necessary hair grafts can come from other areas on the body such as the beard and the chest. The number of hair grafts that are needed depends on the amount of hair loss on the scalp. In addition, the number of necessary hair grafts is also determined by the final results desired by the patient. A larger number of hair grafts might be needed to provide the planned hair restoration results to the hairline. However, hair transplant surgeons will not transplant an excess number of hair grafts that make the results look unrealistic in appearance.

As mentioned earlier, the hair grafts are transplanted individually into the balding area of the scalp. Unlike older hair transplant methods such as Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) that leave a scar since the hair grafts are surgically removed in a strip of skin from the scalp, the individual removal of the hair grafts means there is no visible scarring in the donor area of the scalp. The transplanted hair grafts will settle into their new location and begin to grow like the native hair that is already located in the targeted area.

While the final results of a Follicular Unit Extraction procedure are permanent, this does not mean that additional balding or thinning of the hair cannot occur as a person continues to age. The additional loss of hair will not occur where the hair grafts were transplanted. It can happen on other areas of the scalp which means future hair restoration procedures might be necessary to address new areas of hair loss in the future.

FUE – Final Results

The final results of FUE hair transplant do not happen overnight. While the amount of recovery time varies for each patient, the results are generally seen anywhere from 12-18 months after the surgery.

The transplanted hair grafts will grow naturally once they are placed in the scalp so the new hair will not suddenly appear and make it obvious to others that a surgical procedure was performed to restore the hair. Instead, the hair will grow at a normal pace so it will not be obvious to others that a hair transplant was performed.

Hair Transplant Surgery – Next Steps

A person who is interested in having a hair transplant needs to perform proper research to learn more about the procedure and how it is performed. A well-informed patient is one that is prepared to make a decision about having the procedure.

Once the consultation appointment is made, the patient should make a list of questions they want to ask the surgeon. The consultation appointment is a good “one on one” opportunity to ask questions and share any concerns about the process. A surgeon who is not willing to answer questions or does not give clear answers that are easy to understand is likely not the right choice to perform the surgery. It is important for a patient to feel comfortable interacting with the doctor.

Once the patient has the necessary information about the complete hair transplant process, a final decision can be made about having a hair transplant.

The Best Age to Get a Hair Transplant – What is it?

admin — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 00:26:22 +0000

The loss of hair on the scalp can impact both men and women. According to the American Hair Loss Association, an average of two-thirds of men will experience a large degree of hair loss by the age of fifty. However, each individual will experience their hair loss in a different way which means each person will need a personalized treatment plan that addresses their specific hair loss needs. Having said that, many people want to know if there is a certain age where they should address the issue of their hair loss.

Average Age for a Hair Transplant – What is It?

According to a ISHRS 2017 practice consensus (a study that brought together information from hundreds of hair restoration practitioners), the most common age for male hair transplant patients falls between the ages of 30-39 (32%). This does not mean that this age range is the ideal time for some to undergo a hair transplant. For example, many men will begin to exhibit hair loss in their early twenties while others do not show signs of hair loss before the ages of 40-50.

Plus, some people will need a hair transplant during the initial stages of hair loss. Others wait until they are further along with their hair loss before they worry about hair restoration. In general, this means a hair transplant can happen for patients in their early twenties to people in their eighties.

A Hair Transplant Before the Age of 20 – Is It Possible?

There used to be a theory that patients could not have a hair transplant before the age of twenty-four as hair transplant surgeons said patients needed to wait until they showed full hair loss, or they started to show the pattern where the hair loss was going. However, advances in technology means hair transplant surgeons no longer need to wait as long as they did in the past. There are even some instances where a person can have a hair transplant before the age of 20 (in certain cases).

Some of the reasons surgeons do not have to wait as long anymore to perform a hair transplant include:

The performance of a microscopic evaluation of the scalp, as well as the hair, allows a doctor to accurately determine the areas where a patient is experiencing active hair loss on the scalp.
It is no longer necessary to wait until the loss of scalp hair reaches the point that a patient is showing their final hair loss pattern.
Doctors can examine the family pattern of hair loss to get a better idea of where the hairline will travel (thanks to the genetics of the patient).

Is There a Time When it is Too Late to Get a Hair Transplant?

Patients will be happy to know there is no upper age limit for having a hair transplant. Thanks to hair restoration techniques such as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), a person is able to have a hair transplant at any age as long the person is healthy enough to undergo the procedure.

Best Age to Get a Hair Transplant – What is it?

As much as people want a definitive answer about the best age to have a hair transplant, the ideal age for hair restoration varies per person. It is often said the ideal time for someone to have a hair transplant is when their hair loss is bothering them, and they want to address the issue. In addition, the person should not have any medical treatments available to them that will work well enough to resolve the problem.

Overall, there is not an age limit when it comes to hair restoration as long as the patient has undergone a proper evaluation before being named an ideal patient for the procedure. Studies of hair loss and hair restoration have shown that a loss of hair at an early age can become a large source of anxiety for young adults and even have a negative impact on both their social and professional lives. This is one of the main reasons many patients want to have a hair transplant at an early age.

What Should be Considered When it Comes to the Best Age for a Hair Transplant?

The surgeon should keep the family pattern of the hair loss in mind as this will often show how hair loss will continue over time. Any existing hair loss might also be treated with medications at an early stage in the hair loss process. The response of the patient to the medications can also determine the age when a person is able to have a hair transplant. Some patients respond well to medication during an early stage of hair loss which allows them to postpone when they will need to get a hair transplant. Other factors to consider include the self-image of the patient as well as the impact on their social life and career aspects. Each of these factors impact the age and timing of a hair transplant procedure.

A Celebration of All Things Bald in NYC – Details Here

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 19:02:21 +0000

There is an old saying that “bald is beautiful” and this was definitely the case earlier this month is New York City. The city was the home of “Bald Fest” which was promoted as a celebration for people who are either losing their hair or are already bald.

“Bald Fest” – How it Came to Be in NYC

Rami Even-Esh, who is a rapper known professionally by the name Kosha Dillz, was the person who came up with the idea for the festival. While speaking to the New York Post, Even-Esh said the event was a way of putting two fingers up in the air towards the celebrated fashion week held each year in New York City.

“Bald Fest is a celebration of owning your own fate. People who are losing hair, receding hair, bald, Alopecia, bald allies, and bald-owned businesses. Everyone goes bald. It’s a good way to bring everyone together. Bald solidarity.”

He added, “It’s the opposite of fashion week. Bald Fest will celebrate the things people don’t have – which is hair.”

The lineup for the event featured a large supply of Bic razors to keep the crowd happy while they enjoyed music and fun with friends.

Steve Harvey – Game Show Host Speaks Out on Baldness

There are many people suffering from hair loss that decide to undergo a hair transplant to make a change in their appearance. A hair transplant is when hair is transferred from a donor area on the body (typically the back and sides of the scalp) into premade incisions that are created in the balding area of the scalp. The transplanted hair begins to grow and provides a fuller and more youthful hairline for the patient.

There are also others who simply decide that being bald is the ideal option for their look.

One person who is sporting the bald look is Steve Harvey, a comedian and game show host. On his talk show in 2019, Harvey advised men watching the show to simply reach for their clippers when they started to notice male pattern baldness happening on their scalp. The comic and TV personality said, “You gotta accept it when it comes. I noticed some stuff was happening to my hair, so I said instead of fighting it, I’m going to just come on and get with it. A lot of you don’t know when it’s time to come on and get with it.”

Harvey went on to list a few (not so serious) signs that it might be time for people with a balding scalp to embrace their baldness:

“If you have been wearing a fitted hat for years, same hat, same size, all of a sudden it’s loose? Come on.”
“If your barber starts charging you half price…it’s time for you to start thinking about letting it go.”
“If you have a lot of hair on the side of your head, and when you take your baseball hat off, everyone in the rooms says ‘Woah’…Come on, partner…If your combover don’t go all the way over, then it’s over.”

Bald Fest – Where was it Held?

The event was held on September 13^th, which was also “National Bald is Beautiful Day”, at the legendary underground Rubulad club in Brooklyn. The club is so underground that it does not have an official location that the public can search for online. The only way to get the address for the event was to buy a ticker from the Bald Fest website. The event was for a good cause as well as being in good fun. All of the profits from the event went towards Haitian earthquake relief.

The gathering promised enough space for hundreds of people to attend and celebrate bring bald. If anyone happened to come across the event, since it didn’t have an official address listed online, they were promised free admission if they were willing to have their head shaved by a barber that was on-site for the festival.

Some of the entertainment that was scheduled for the festival included bald poetry readings, bald performances and even a “bald mitzvah” which promised to “celebrate a man coming into his own and becoming bald.” The “bald mitzvah” portion of the evening even came complete with yarmulkes.

Some of the famous New York City bald performers that were scheduled to appear at the baldness celebration included Nicholas Heller (the Instagram influencer known as New York Nico) and Tic and Tac (a pair of street acrobats). Attendees were going to be able to try their luck at bald trivia and (as mentioned above) they could expect to end the evening with a lot of free Bic razors.

Heller told the newspaper, “I am new to all this. I shaved my head. I was balding.” After often wearing a hat and not having much “bald pride” in his appearance, Heller felt the event might be his “opportunity to really embrace it and lose the hat for a little while.”

Hair Loss – See the Possible Reasons for Losing Hair

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 20:37:02 +0000

A report from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that there are several potential reasons for hair loss on the scalp of a patient. It is important, however, to distinguish between hair shedding and hair loss. Shedding some hair is absolutely normal on a daily basis. On average, a person loses 50 to 100 hairs each day. Actual hair loss results in visible thinning or patches of hair loss on the head.

It can be difficult to determine the cause of hair loss. Factors that can contribute to hair loss are hormone changes, stress, weight loss and medications. But hair loss from these causes does not have to be permanent. There are many options for a long-lasting hair loss treatment depending on the type of hair loss suffered by the patient.

Types of Hair Loss

There are several types of hair loss and Androgenetic Alopecia and Telogen Effluvium are two of the most common hair loss causes. Androgenetic Alopecia affects men and women and is usually genetic in nature. People who have Androgenetic Alopecia have more androgens in their hair follicles than other people. Androgens are a type of hormone and these androgens shorten the growth cycle of the hair and they also can cause thinner and shorter strands of hair that do not regrow quickly after they are shed.

Telogen Effluvium is hair loss that is related to stress and is seen as a general thinning across the scalp. The occurrence of severe or sudden stress can cause a large number of hair follicles to enter the sleep phase at once. The result is hair loss, or thinning hair, over a large section of the scalp.

Hair Loss Reasons

The first step in determining how to best deal with the specific type of hair loss is to identify its cause. There are multiple reasons for hair loss as shown below:

Heredity

Sometimes hair loss can be genetic. This type of hair loss is not considered to be a disease as much as a natural condition that can be caused by a combination of aging, genetics and the hormone levels of a person. In general, most men and women will experience some form of hair loss, or thinning of the hair, as they continue to age.

Hormones

Hair thinning can be caused by changes in hormone levels. A slight change in androgen levels may cause the hair on the head to thin. Women often notice changes in their amount of hair during menopause. Approximately two-thirds of women experience some hair loss during, and after, menopause.

Nutrition

Nutritional deficiencies are associated with both Androgenic Alopecia and Telogen Effluvium. Lower levels of some vitamins and minerals lead to hair loss. Low iron is a common issue that can lead to hair loss. Some women take iron supplements to help with hair loss but evidence has not proven its overall effectiveness for hair loss. Patients experiencing hair loss should check their levels of zinc, niacin, selenium and vitamin D.

Stress

It is common to experience hair loss when a person is going through times of elevated stress or anxiety levels. Some people consume less food when they are upset. A lower food intake can contribute to hair loss because it can increase the risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Thyroid Issues

Another possible cause of hair loss is thyroid dysfunction. If the hair is thinning, a patient may want to ask their physician to run tests to see if the thyroid gland is functioning properly. In fact, some health professionals recommend that any patient with hair loss be screened for thyroid issues.

Medications

There are several medications that have been linked to hair loss. Here is a list of some of the medications commonly associated with hair loss:

Allopurinol (which is sometimes prescribed for people with kidney stones)
Bromocriptine (which can be used to treat Parkinson’s disease)
Cyclophosphamide (a chemotherapy drug)
Levodopa (a medication-based treatment for Parkinson’s disease)
Tamoxifen (used to treat breast cancer)

Weight Loss

Weight loss by itself is not always considered a potential hair loss cause. That does not mean a person will not experience hair loss if they lose a significant amount of weight. Dieting can stress the body and lead to nutritional deficiencies that result in hair loss.

Hair Loss Treatment Options

Once a patient begins to notice significant patterns of hair loss, it is a good idea to schedule a consultation appointment with a board-certified surgeon experienced in treating hair loss. The doctor can determine the cause of the hair loss and the best option to treat the issue. The doctor can also determine if the patient is an ideal candidate for a hair transplant to restore the look of the hairline and provide a full and healthy look to the hair. A hair transplant provides results that last a lifetime and are also natural in appearance.

Alopecia Areata – What You Need to Know

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 19:29:46 +0000

Alopecia Areata is a common autoimmune disorder that can result in an unpredictable amount of hair loss for the person suffering from the disease. Some people experience hair loss that is seen as small patches on the scalp around the size of a coin while others experience a more extreme form of hair loss such as complete loss of hair on the scalp (and even hair loss on the body). Let’s take a look at the causes of this hair loss condition as well as some possible treatment options.

Alopecia Areata Facts

Both men and women can suffer from this autoimmune disease. The immune system makes antibodies along with white blood cells to protect the body against viruses and bacteria. The immune system perceives the viruses and bacteria to be foreign objects so an autoimmune disease is when the immune system mistakes parts of the body to be foreign objects.

Alopecia Areata is when the white blood cells that gather around the hair follicles are seen as foreign and this can result in bald patches being created by the hair falling out.

Thankfully, the impacted hair follicles are able to produce normal hair again when, and if, the autoimmune disease become less severe or intense.

Alopecia Areata Treatment

There are multiple treatment options used by doctors to treat the loss of hair from this condition:

Corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatory drugs that can suppress the immune system, can be administered orally, through injections or applied as a topical ointment
Minoxidil can also be applied to the scalp to promote hair regrowth
Some doctors even recommend not treating the condition at all as its effects are often reversed without the need for any treatments

Alopecia Areata Causes

As mentioned above, Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease which means the white blood cells attack the cells in the hair follicles. This causes the hair follicles to shrink and slow down the amount of hair production.

There is a theory that genetics might be involved in the development of Alopecia Areata as the condition has been shown to more likely occur in a patient who has a family member that suffers from the disease. It has been estimated that one in five people with Alopecia Areata also has a family member who has developed the disease.

While some people think that stress could be a factor (like in Telogen Effluvium), there is little scientific backing for this theory. Most research leans towards a genetic cause for the condition as discussed above.

Alopecia Areata – Can it be Treated at Home?

Since there are not many conventional treatments for this hair loss condition, some patients want to try and treat the condition using home remedies. However, there is not much in the way of evidence that supports the use of home remedies such as rubbing garlic juice, almond oil, honey or coconut milk into the scalp. While these home treatment options will not hurt the scalp, they are also not likely to help treat the condition.

Alopecia Areata – Where, and When it Occurs on the Body

While the most prominent area of the body that shows the results from Alopecia Areata is the scalp, the condition can also be seen on other parts of the body. Anywhere on the body where hair growth occurs can be impacted and this includes the eyelashes and the beard of a person.

It should also be noted that the hair loss can be quite sudden with the loss occurring within a few days or even a few weeks. Patients might experience some burning or itching before the loss of hair. The hair loss can be an extensive “one time amount” or it can be a continuing cycle of hair loss and hair regrowth.

Alopecia Areata Diagnosis

The condition is generally able to be diagnosed rather easily by doctors experienced in treating hair loss.

They often examine the degree of hair loss suffered by the patient along with closely examining the hair from the impacted area on the scalp under a microscope. A blood test or skin biopsy might also be needed to determine if the condition is Alopecia Areata.

Since the symptoms of this hair loss condition are distinctive and easily recognizable, the ability to make a diagnosis is usually rather straightforward.

Alopecia Areata – Will a Hair Transplant Treat it?

There are some patients that recover from the condition and enjoy full hair regrowth while others experience permanent hair loss and retain any balding patches on the scalp.

As long as the disease is active and still present, it is not advised that a patient have a hair transplant. If the hair transplant is performed while the disease is present, the patient could potentially lose the transplanted hair due to the same mechanism that resulted in the initial loss of hair.

The time to consider a hair transplant is when the disease is no longer active and the patient has enjoyed years of inactivity of the condition.