Will FUE Scars Be Noticable?

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /, ,

If I get the FUE procedure, to fill in the scar on the side of my head, will the fue scars be noticeable? I do a lot of television commercials and stuff on TV, so I really need it to not be detectabe, because I constantly have people doing stuff with my hair, and parting it in all sorts of ways. What I’m trying to say is, will the fue scars really be detectable if I want to have braids or my hair up? My agent actually told me I should get this scar repaired, and I really want to find the best, and I heard you are one of the best, and I’m really worried, becuase I don’t know what to do.
(The scar is not that big at all but my agent is bugging me about it).
PS- I got it when i fell against a desk when I was five. :)

Many doctors claim their expertise in Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). Thank you for the complement. You may want to read the first article on the follicular extraction technique, which I co-wrote and was published in 2002 — Follicular Unit Extraction: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Hair Transplantation.

All incisions on the skin will produce a scar. However a FUE scar is so small, it would be virtually undetectable especially among your scalp hair. Furthermore, in covering up your desk accident scar, FUE would be an ideal technique from its minimal invasiveness to its fast healing times.

If you are interested you should set up a consultation so that the entire procedure can be explained in detail. You may also be interested in coming to one of our monthly open house events so that you can potentially see a patient who has had a FUE procedure.

Tags: fue, scar, hairloss, hair loss, hair transplant

10 Days After Hair Transplant (with Photos)

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

You have not shown a patient with black hair and light skin after a hair transpant. That is what I have and I need to know what I will look like. I am mostly balding in the front of my head. I can take time off work but i am planning my vacation for later this summer and want a transplant to coincide with it.

This patient had 2571 grafts done 10 days before these photos were taken. His hair is black as is yours. Many of the hairs have already fallen out, as expected. They will regrow in 2-4 months on average. As you enlarge the photographs, please note that what you are looking at is a beard of hair where no hair existed 10 days before. Imagine what you would look like if you did not shave for 10 days. Click the photos to enlarge.




Tags: hairloss, hair loss, photos, hair transplant

Hats, Hot Showers, and Other Hair Loss Myths

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

I am a teenager of 15 years old that is experincing hair loss in the front of my hair(hair line). i have become woried and obssesed with finding a solution so i have made an apointment to get medical attention. i think the reason for my hair loss is using too many hats, taking showers with hot water, and shampoing everyday. now i learned this was wrong so i stoped.

Question: is there anything natural and healthy for the hair that you can recommend for me to use?

I heard that aloe vera plant, boiled cinammon glove is good treatment to restore the health of the hair. is this true?

CapWearing hats, taking showers with hot water, and shampoing everyday will not damage your hair unless you are pulling on it or picking it. I strongly doubt that among the values claimed for the aloe vera plant, that hair growth is one of them. On the internet, I did find suggestions that boiled cinnamon sticks in solution will help increase hair health, but I would suggest that if you use this, you might let it cool down first. Sounds like you are obsessing over your hair. See a good dermatologist and find out what is happening to you now, before you worry more and let this impact your life.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, myth, myths, shampoo, hats, hat, cap, caps, shower

Bald is Sexy, Right?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

I think that you can be bald and sexy. Don’t you agree?

Patrick StewartI do not believe that only hairy men (that is, men with hair on their heads) are sexy. For example, most people would agree that Patrick Stewart, Evan Handler, Michael Jordan, Bruce Willis, and Tyson Beckford reflect some very sexy and handsom men. For others, balding does little to enhance facial features on men like Jason Alexander, Phil Collins, Larry David, Michael Bolton (circa 1997). Could it be that with hair, these men would look sexy? Well, I would rather not answer that question. Look at my picture on the right and even with 1600 hair transplants done a few years ago, I am not in Sean Connery’s class of good looking men.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, bald, celebrity

Ejaculation Problems from Propecia?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Are there any side effects of propecia? I heard that there will be ejaculation problems.

I’ve discussed possible side effects of Propecia many times before. Always discuss your concerns with your prescribing doctor, as an open line of communication will usually result in the best solutions. Propecia can reduce the size of the ejaculant in some men. The potency of the sperm remains good so the smaller ejaculant does not translate into less potency.

Tags: propecia, finasteride, proscar, hairloss, hair loss, ejaculation, side effect

Working Out and Hair Loss

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Dear Dr. Rassman,
Is working out/weight training a cause for hair loss. I have read that DHT levels increase after workouts. Could you comment on this and suggest alternatives?
thanks.

I would doubt that working out will increase hair loss even if there are subtle changes in DHT levels. Stress reduction benefits and general body health should produce healthier hair because your body is healthier.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, workout, fitness, gym

Propecia Started Working in Only 2 Weeks!

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /

I’m noticing a very, very clear reduction in hairloss only TWO WEEKS after I begun taking Propecia…10% of me wants to say “great! be happy!” but the other 90% of me thinks there’s something ‘wrong’ (I guess you can tell i’m quite a pessemestic person sometimes..). I’m almost certain that i’m not imagining this (again, i’m quite pessemestic so if anything, I thought it would be the complete opposite).

I’ve gone from losing dozens of hairs every day when combing my fingers through my hair to just a few. The Procepia phamplet said it could take as long as 12-18 months to see results, your website says as long as 8 months (generally 3 months)…so you can see why i’m so pessemestic and confused as hell. Is this really possible??! Or should I expect things to change again in a few short days / weeks?

Propecia will often slow or stop the hair loss in weeks, so this is not an unusual observation. The 8-18 month time-frame is reflecting new hair growth or benefits upon decreasing miniaturization in the hair shafts, which will increase the general fullness that you will see with the naked eye.

Tags: propecia, finasteride, hairloss, hair loss, proscar

I Stopped Using Minoxidil — Too Late To Restart?

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /

I used Minoxidil 2% for about two years, then –through bad advice — stopped using it for about 4 months now. I just started realising the reoccurance of my hair loss. I will re-start immediately but am wondering if it is too late and whether I will lose all the hair that had regrown during the past two years?
Thank you very much.

Hair that is being lost or miniaturized, or new hair that grows from the drug does get minoxidil dependent so when the drug is stopped, the dependent hair often falls out. Minoxidil is thought to increase the length of the hair growth cycle, but can bring on new hair where there was none. If the hair fell out upon stopping the minoxidil, then a new cycle must kick in and that might take months. I would hope that some of the hair will return to the level before you stopped taking minoxidil, but I can not give you the assurance you are looking for.

Tags: minoxidil, hair loss, hairloss, rogaine

Can Hair Loss From Stress Be Limited to the Crown?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /


Thanks in advance for taking time to answer my question. I am 18 years old and have been noticing hair loss on the back of my head (in the crown area) for about 10 months. I guess it has gotten worse with time, I am still getting the same comments/questions from friends, “Are you going bald?” It’s not the best question to be asked at 18 years old. I am having trouble accepting the fact that I am loosing my hair because I would venture to say that I am physical-look-conscious. haha. I have an appointment with the dermatologist in about 2 weeks. The hair I have lost isn’t all that great, but when looking specifically at the area you can tell 2 thinning patches, one on both sides of my head. Will I be able to grow my hair back to normal or will I be able to stop the hair loss? What can I do on my own to help myself either grow hair, reduce the loss, or make it look as though I am not loosing hair? I was under a lot of stress over the past year, but I don’t believe that hair loss would just happen in those areas if I lost my hair due to stress, or could it? Thanks again for reading and answering!

Stress can induce hair loss. The place where the hair loss occurs is usually the weakest hairs first, then the less weak hairs in the ‘patterned’ hair loss that men experience. Where it is lost is genetically programmed in each and every man. If you are losing hair in the front, then if you get stressed, the frontal hair may experience accelerated hair loss. If you are losing it in the crown and not the front, then the crown may experience accelerated hair loss before the front is impacted. What I just said reflects genetic balding, not some other condition causing hair loss. Women do not have patterned hair loss, so they can lose hair anywhere with stress.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, stress

Is There ANY Way to Restore Hair Non-Surgically?!

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

Dr. Rassman,

I have been impressed by your credentials and history as a leader in hair loss treatment and restoration. I’m a 22-year old who recently graduated from college. I’m engaged to be married on December 30th and, sadly, already experiencing initial stages of receding and thinning. I’m not currently financially able to have surgery and don’t really ever want to, but I’m just wondering if there is ANY possible way to restore hair non-surgically. I know Propecia and Rogaine can prevent/slow hair loss, but I’m interested in more than that – gaining old hair back.

You probably laugh at my ignorance – I’ve just started researching this and don’t know a lot about such things, but I’m curious and thought I’d try to ask around. Thanks for your help!

I like to be scientific and establish solid baselines for planning purposes. Throughout this blog I say over and over (and over) again to get you hair mapped out for miniaturization so that you can help predict what may happen to you. You are correct in your assumption that hair transplants (particularly in the front) is the only way to put hair back. In the back, if the hair loss is recent I would hope that someone of your age may see reversal of some or all of the process. You are educated by schooling, now get yourself educated with regard to your health and your looks and take charge of it once you know it all. My website newhair.com and my book (available by download or free by mail) are places to go to get educated.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, hair transplants

19 Year Old Male Wants Options!

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

Dr. Rassman,

I am a nineteen year old middle-eastern male. Since about five years ago, I have noticed mild thinning on the front of my scalp (that is, top and sides). In direct light it is very evident that my hair is thinning.

I feel as though my hair is not “that bad” that I need to start a Propecia regimen or that I need to consider hair transplant. Since my hair doesn’t seem to be worsening (my hair is just as thin as it was over the past few years) I feel as though my thinning hair is a result of a hormone/testosterone surge during puberty. Now that I am on the tail end of puberty, my hair is not worsening but what was lost is still noticeable. An endocrinologist confirmed this for me.

Here’s my question: what would you say would be the best option for me? I am not bald/balding; I just need something of a “shove” to restore lost hair. I (and my endocrinologist) strongly feel that it is not continual hair loss and it was just due to testosterone imbalances several years ago. The options I’ve researched are as follows:

–Gaunitz HairGrowth Laser Therapy. A handheld laser that restores bloodflow to the scalp. Taken with supplements.
–Biotin suppplements. A friend reccomended these to me, but according to a post I found on your website, these will not do much?
–Minoxidil application
–Shampoos that lack sodium lauryl-sulfate

Which combination of these would you reccomend? Cost is not an issue. Thank you so much.

First, as a healthy 19 year old, I am surprised you have an endocrinologist.

Second, if you are of middle-eastern descent who typically have a very low frontal hair line, your frontal hair loss may be a part of juvenile hair loss which is not considered a male pattern hair loss. Perhaps this is why your endocrinologist has advised you that your hair loss may not progress much further (he/she just did not use term, “juvenile hair line”).

Third, you are still concerned about hair loss, see a hair transplant doctor so he can evaluate for miniaturization and patterns of hair loss. The products you have listed have very little (if any) medical benefit for hair growth. Even finasteride (Propecia) which has the highest medical success has minimal benefit or regrowth on the frontal hair line, but it may prevent further hair loss. If you have the diagnosis of genetic patterned hair loss established by mapping your scalp for miniaturization, then if you do not take Propecia (finasteride), the process will progress. The concept of a “shove” is not valid here because genetic hair loss is progressive.

Finally, if money is of no concern, I cannot stop you from trying your ideas. It may help, at least in making you feel that you are doing something but be prepared for it not working and if it does not work, then what will you do if you never follow through getting a proper diagnosis of your situation? Too many people who say that money is not a problem will become victims of those wanting to take your money, promise you lots of hair, and actions even include some doctors.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss

Laser Therapy, Unknown Pills Without Side Effects

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /,

Hi Dr. Rassman,
I’m 27 year old male suffering from inherited male pattern baldness. I have tried propecia for 5months but had to stop due to loss of sexual drives. Now I’m attending Advanced Hair Studio in Australia (have you heard about this company?) and paying a lot of money for laser therapy, some unknown pills that they claim doesnt have any side effects (what are these??), minoxidil, shampoo and topical hair thickener. I have read about lasercomb. Do you think this laser salon is just a waste of big money and can be replaced with lasercomb and minoxidil? I desperately need to do something about hairloss but can you recommend any other drug to replace propecia??
Thanks for your time.

The story is out on the laser for hair loss. One company here in Los Angeles has embarked on a courageous FDA controlled study to answer the question — what does the laser actually do? I have read hundreds of medical articles which support laser treatment for hair loss as a valuable addition, yet good scientific numbers are just not there. I have tested the laser treatment on multiple patients and some report a gain from it, but that is subjective. For my patients I do not charge for the laser so that I can develop a somewhat objective view and have taken photographs over time to document any potential changes. The problem is that many of my patients are also on Propecia, so I can not distinguish between any possible benefits from the drug and the laser. Possibly the laser comb and minoxidil may work, as it is probably a less expensive approach than the laser salon route.

Tags: lasercomb, laser, hairloss, hair loss

High Forehead and the Rule of Thirds

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /, ,

I had a question concerning hair transplant. I am 20 and do not have an issue with balding yet, but I do have a larger forhead than I would like. Is there a way for me to be able to get my forhead to the 1/3 proportion of my face? I’ve always dreamed of not having a high forhead….i hate when people mention it…they say I have Dawson’s forhead from Dawson’s creek. I was planning on visiting your area. Is there a way you can help me while also making it look natural?

thanks

DavidThe rule of thirds (1/3rd chin to nose, 1/3rd nose to gully between the eyes and 1/3rd the gully between the eyes to the hairline) does not apply to very many people. Although Michaelangelo made David according to the rule of thirds, I rarely have seen any man have those proportions. I measure these elements in every patient coming through my office so I am more than a casual authority on this matter. The normal proportion is equal distance of chin to nose tip and gully between the eyes to hairline. This is generally the normal male mature hairline, which is higher than the child hairline in most people (by 2/3rds inch). With that said, high hairlines which do not show this proportion can be treated and the hairlines can be lowered. What always worried me is that in young men like you who may have genetic balding (a 50% risk in most men), such a surgery may accelerate the genetic hair loss.

As you suggested, visit me at my office and let’s bond. Best way to deal with this problem is to command it and anticipate the future on a worst case scenario.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, hairline, forehead

Having a Second Hair Transplant

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /, ,

Hi, I have good hair on the side and back and I think I would be a good candidate for the transplant. I also still have fine hair on the top of my head still. I wanted to know how thick will it grow out? How come you never see people on the hair websites that have really long hair? Does it not grow that long? Will the scar show when I go swimming after my hair gets wet? Does Biotin Vitamins work for thinning hair, does it grow hair? Is it possible to hair a second hair transplant if the remaining hair falls out on top? Do they cut the donor from the same area? Will hair grow out of the scar? How far off is hair cloning?

thanks

  1. We have many patients who grow their hair long — I wouldn’t say they are the majority, but there is certainly quite a few. As to why they aren’t shown on any websites, I guess because those patients with long hair didn’t sign photo releases to appear on the sites. I really wouldn’t know. But what I do know is that the transplanted hair grows just like the rest of your scalp hair.
  2. The scar should not show after swimming, but I can’t make any guarantees as the results of each patient could be different.
  3. Biotin vitamins do not work to make hair thicker or reverse the effects of thinning from genetic hair loss. Scars should not be a problem, but there is a 5% risk of some scarring in a single first session (scars greater than 3mm), slightly higher risk in subsequent sessions. Transplanted hair from the first transplant does not fall out in the second transplant, in fact, it is hidden well by the first one. Any second session is taken from the same place as the first donor strip is taken from, keeping the wounds in the same place. This best controls scarring risks. Scars can be created so that hair grows out of the scar (see trichophytic closure).
  4. Hair cloning may not appear on the scene in my working lifetime (10+ years). See the Hair Cloning category.
Tags: scar, hairloss, hair loss, hair transplant, vitamins, long hair