Laser Hair Removal Central

Hair loss sufferers seeking real hair loss help often come to our hair restoration forum asking questions about hair restoration methods that might work best for them.  This hair restoration forum member asked whether or not a synthetic hair transplant is a viable option.  This insightful answer was posted by well respected hair restoration discussion forum member “BeHappy”.

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Synthetic hair transplants are illegal in the USA because of the problems and complaints synthetic hair transplant patients were making as a result of having it done.  I looked into doing this as one of my hair restoration options because it was still being done then.  It was banned shortly after I was considering it.  The hair transplant doctor would attach hair (could be real or fake) to tiny aluminum (or or something similar such as plastic) tips, sort of like putting a small piece of metal around the end of the hair and crimping the metal so the hair stays on it. Then they make the slits in the recipient area and put the synthetic or real hair grafts in so the metal ends are in your scalp. After a few days the healing of the holes they made will grow around and over the metal tips, so they can’t come out.

The synthetic hair transplant patient will end up with several thousand little pieces of metal/plastic small “pipes” in their heads. The hair doesn’t grow whether real or fake, so it’s always the same length. Over time natural occurrences such as combing your hair, strong winds if your hair is being blown around, shampooing your hair, etc slowly makes the implanted hair come out, many times leaving the tips lodged in your head. After a few years the synthetic hair transplant patient will have to go back to do an overall fill in to replace all of those that fell out. This includes surgically removing any of the pieces that remain lodged into your scalp. After this is performed a few times the hair transplant patient’s scalp is often very scarred and it is inevitable that the patient will have to continue going back for a refill every few years forever.  Small infections may occur on an ongoing basis because of having thousands of little pins in your head constantly. Your body doesn’t like that and will keep trying to reject them. This can lead to pain and stinging when you try to comb your hair or when someone puts their hands through your hair.

Nearly everyone who has had synthetic hair transplantation has eventually had them all removed for one reason or another (money, infections, pain, etc). The hair transplant patient is then left with a bald head full of scars which makes it harder to have a real hair replacement surgery which would have been a more sound hair loss treatment.

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Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Our hair restoration discussion forum is regularly is chalked full of important answers to hair loss and hair transplant related questions.  Additionally, questions are answered daily on our news and blog sites including the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, the Hair Transplant Network, and the Hair Loss Learning Center.

Be sure to check frequently as new highlighted questions and answers will be featured on our hair restoration forum!

Some recent hot hair restoration topics include:

How Does Stress Play a Roll in Causing Hair Loss? Many online articles indicate that stress can play a role in the balding process. Read this article to learn the truth of stress related hair loss and whether or not you are at risk.

Why are Some Patients Better Candidates for Hair Transplant Surgery? Some bald men and women are better candidates for hair replacement surgery than others. Read this article to see why some patients are better candidates than others.

Minimizing Scar Stretching After Hair Transplantation: Read this article to learn how a hair transplant surgeon creates a minimal scar and what you can do to assist.

Bill Seemiller - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

When considering hair transplantation, one must consider the varying philosophies and techniques between hair restoration physicians.  Some hair transplant surgeons seem to prefer smaller hair transplant sessions of follicular unit hair transplantation and prefer to accomplish a patient’s hair restoration goals over multiple sessions for those with extensive balding. I know those who typically believe in smaller hair transplant sessions typically are concerned mostly about minimizing the risk of donor scarring.  This is what is typically referred to on our hair restoration forum as the “conservative” approach.

Larger hair transplant megasessions are performed by some hair transplant clinics when appropriate and is typically referred to as the “liberal” approach.  Those hair transplant surgeons who perform hair transplant megasessions on a regular basis believe there is no additional risk of scarring assuming the patient has proper scalp elasticity.  There is also some debate as to what is considered a hair transplant megasession.  Because of many of the recent advancements in hair transplantation, some hair restoration physicians are doing 2500 to 4000 follicular unit grafts in a single hair transplant session on a regular basis.  Depending on the hair transplant patient’s hair characteristics, these hair transplant surgeons may even be able to excise 5000+ follicular unit grafts from the donor hair in a single hair transplant procedure.  This enables many hair transplant patients to meet their hair restoration goals in fewer sessions than those who are receiving smaller hair transplant sessions. 

Hair restoration physicians who are members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Surgeons perform these hair transplant megasessions on a regular basis when appropriate for the hair transplant patient.  Additionally, these Coalition physicians also perform state of the art ultra refined follicular unit hair transplantation.  With minimally invasive incisions being made in the bald areas, hair transplant physicians can dense pack transplanted hairs closer together.  Additionally, shock loss is minimized and postoperative healing occurs much more quickly.

View real patient hair transplant photos from these hair transplant doctors on our hair restoration forum. 

Bill Seemiller - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

This question was posed by a hair loss sufferer on our hair restoration forum and answered by Dr. Michael Beehner of Saratoga Springs, NY who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians. His professional answer is below.

The whole issue of hair loss drugs such as Propecia / Proscar (finasteride) or Rogaine (minoxodil) only working in the crown/vertex region of the scalp for hair loss is totally false. The reason these two companies have to say that in their advertising is that the studies they conducted on these hair loss medications were done in those areas, and, because of the strict rules of the FDA, one can only say hair loss drugs work in the area in which you studied it. I have had many, many hair restoration patients given either or both hair loss treatments who have benefited in all other areas of the scalp, including the midscalp on top, the frontal region, and even rarely in the balding recessions in front.

Topical minoxidil and oral finasteride do work synergistically, but I find most male hair loss sufferers aren’t motivated enough or willing to invest the money into taking both.  Research also shows that the prescription-strength Nizoral shampoo  or Revita Shampoo in the form of 2% ketoconazole may also have a slight chance to regrow hair also.

I’m still somewhat of a skeptic on laser therapy devices such as the laser comb and would want to see far more convincing proof before making it a routine hair restoration recommendation in my practice.

Mike Beehner, M.D.

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Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

I am suffering from hair loss in Cincinnati, OH and considering a hair transplant. But after looking at some shocking results, I am nervous.  Do you have any advice on a hair transplant doctor you would recommend?  Do you feel that hair replacement surgery is worth it?

Whether or not hair transplant surgery is right for you is something that you will have to determine through extensive research.  Personally speaking, hair replacement surgery was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

With any surgery, there are certainly risks, though in the hands of a first-rate hair transplant clinic, the risks lessen significantly.  Risks however, are never eliminated therefore, it is extremely important to learn about the benefits, limitations, and potential risks associated with hair restoration surgery.

In selecting a quality hair transplant surgeon, don’t let proximity determine which hair restoration physician you ultimately select for surgery.  However, you are lucky enough to have Dr. Haber, an elite member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians local in the state of Ohio.  I’d encourage you to at least consult with him as you are researching your hair restoration options.  Be sure to research thoroughly all surgeons you are considering and look for positive consistency in hair transplant patient results.

Reading real patient posted experiences and viewing hair transplant photos is a great way to research hair restoration physicians.  You can find a number of hair transplant pictures and real experiences shared on our hair restoration forum.  Feel free also to ask questions and interact with our helpful and knowledgeable members.

I hope this helps.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog