Have you heard of the Ahi technique based on FUE. Is this truly original or simply a marketing spin on the FUE method of hair transplant. The company in question is http://www.ailesburyhairclinic.com/

Their site says that it’s just follicular unit extraction (FUE) but the difference is, “the AHI variation of this method is that we use a specially designed implantation pen to place hair follicles…”

Many clinics use FUE extraction tools and the implantation instrument they’re likely using is called the Choi Implanter. The Choi implanter has had variable results in its use — many complete failures and some excellent results with those who have mastered it. The Choi is probably the most universally used instrument for implantation, but few use it in the US, where there is more accountability to failures of the transplant.

Dr. Richard Shiell recently reported: “I think the original device was invented by a non-doctor who was doing eyebrow grafts at a Leper hospital in Korea some 30 years ago.” There are many innovative people in this world who, when challenged, rise to the situation and create new technology.

Hello, I am 21 years old and have been on Finasteride for three months now. Since that time, I believe I have seen benefits from the medication (I no longer pull out any ‘stray’ hairs whenever I run my hands through my hair). However, I have been shedding some short, thin hairs on the sides of my head, specifically above my sideburns. The hair on my sides has always been a bit thinner than the rest of my hair, so is it possible that the medication is reacting harder to regions that are genetically weaker than elsewhere on my head?

Thanks.

I haven’t heard that before. Anything is possible, but likely not probable. Perhaps there are other issues and you do not have the correct diagnosis of androgenic alopecia.

There is also a rare condition known as triangle alopecia where men lose hair on the side of the scalp in the shape of a triangle at or near the temple peaks on the side of the head. This condition is usually genetic and may impact only one side. Generally Propecia does not work for triangle alopecia, and if this is what you have, transplants work well for it. This is all guessing on my part. You should follow up with your doctor.

What is the best way to stop finasteride ? all of a sudden or gradually ? , can sudden withdrawal cause rebound effect and more worsening (speaking of side effects not hairloss) ? and if gradual withdrawal is the best then how can i do so ?

thanks

The half-life of the drug in your body is somewhere between 4-6 hours. That means essentially that most of the drug that you take today will be gone tomorrow. Once the drug levels drop below a certain level, you will lose the effectiveness of the drug and it may take 1-3 months for the impact of the loss to be seen in your hair falling out. Tissue levels may maintain the effect of the drug for a couple of weeks or so.

The answer to your question — there’s no “best” way to stop the medication.

Snippet from the article:

Doctors have treated a life-threatening blood disease by repairing flaws in the genetic code of a living animal, the first time such an ambitious feat has been achieved. The work raises the prospect of powerful new therapies that can target and repair the genetic defects behind a wide range of human diseases that cannot be tackled with modern medicines.

The new technique, called genome editing, holds particular promise for a group of illnesses that run in families and are caused by faults in genes that underpin the healthy working of the immune system, bone marrow and liver.

To demonstrate the therapy, researchers treated mice that were bred to develop haemophilia B, an inherited bleeding disorder that destroys the body’s ability to form blood clots. Normally, when the body suffers a cut or graze, proteins called clotting factors combine with platelet cells in the blood to make it sticky and form a clot that stops any bleeding.

Read the full story — Doctors make breakthrough in repairing genetic defects

This is fascinating… and while not directly about hair loss, imagine the possibilities for genome editing in the future.

Does finasteride thicken up hair shafts DURING the growth phase, or (with good results of course) does it thicken up only when a new cycle begins?

I do not have a definite answer to your question, but I can venture a guess. As the usual hair cycle is over 2 years in most men and we see benefits from Propecia in 8-12 months, I would guess that as the hair shaft emerges from its source, the shaft thickens. Of course, as the hair growth above the skin grows at about 1/2 inch per month, I would expect that the thickening of the hair shaft starts quickly and increases over time.

All miniaturized hairs are not equal. Let’s say that the shafts that have lost 90% of their bulk will be slower to benefit (if they benefit at all) than those miniaturized hairs which have lost 20% of their bulk. The impact on new hair should be better if these new hairs are healthy ‘terminal’ hairs that have considerable life left in them. When I see patients for follow-up examinations and comparison studies, I see that there are less miniaturized hairs and more of thicker shaft hairs, and as we use the bulk analysis instrument on more patients, the answer to your questions will be much more clear.

I think you have a great question from a scientific perspective. I wish there was a time lapse photo of a hair shaft under the influence of Propecia (or even Rogaine).

For all of us desperately following the advances in hair multiplication, do you think that any information would be available before the ISHRS annual meeting (September)in Alaska if discovered or is that venue the most likely outlet for bringing advances to the public? (So I can stop my daily obsessive searches.)

While anything is possible, if a company had a big announcement to make (such as hair multiplication being available to the general public), I doubt they’d wait to announce it just for the ISHRS meeting. These companies are usually looking for financial investors or commercial interest, so it wouldn’t necessarily make sense to hold back any good news just for an annual meeting of doctors. Now if a physician had a presentation for the meeting, that’s a different story.

Though new information could and hopefully will come out from the meeting in Anchorage, I wouldn’t expect a new hair multiplication procedure to be announced as available to the public this year. I guess we’ll find out in September.

hey, doc. I have asked you guys a question about testosterone and hair loss, and you mentioned how testosterone does not cause hairloss by itself, and it only DHT.

I went to see an endocrinologist today and he said “everyone experiences temple recession(different from mpb), and that temple recession is caused by high testosterone, not DHT.” He also said that propecia is a good drug for hairloss but its basically a 50/50 risk when taking it. either it will work and stop hairloss, or destroy the hairline, but keep the crown. he was pretty confident with his statement. I asked if there is scientific proof, he said its common sense. not sure whether to take his theory with a grain of salt or its true.

what do you think doctor rassman? do you agree with him or disagree? your opinion on this is very important to me, and probably to others

This is not a place to get a second opinion and I do not like to second guess other doctors when I have not even examined the patient (you) myself.

That being said, Propecia does not “destroy” hairlines, and the percentage is better than 50/50 that you will see benefits. I cannot find a source that states temple hair loss is caused by high testosterone, so I’m not sure where your endocrinologist got that information.

Dear Doctor,

How do reconcile your two statements below?

“Studies have shown that there is little difference in balding statistics between races.” source – Sept 29, 2008

“Asians (non-balding) generally have less hair than their Caucasian counterpart and also have less balding than their Caucasian counterparts according to studies I have researched in the past.” source – March 11, 2009

Touché.

There is a common belief that Asians bald less, but I really do not know this. The only race that does not bald is the American Indians who migrated over the Alaska Bridge.

This patient came to see us in March 2007 for 1004 grafts and then for a follow-up procedure in May 2009 of another 1045 grafts. All of these grafts were placed into the hairline to cover up old plugs. On his recent visit to the office, I couldn’t even find the old plugs… and when I told him that, he smiled ear to ear. Click the photos to enlarge.

AFTER (2049 GRAFTS TOTAL):

BEFORE:

Is it possible for Prince William to have a hair transplant, and reach his father’s level of baldness ? Having a similar pattern of baldness I felt sorry for Prince William during his wedding. I believe his hair loss made him less attractive. In fact, my sister even said that Prince Harry is more attractive now. I can say the credit goes to the fullness of hair. Would a frontal coverage for that type of hair loss would be good in the long run. How would you apply a master plan toward a case like this ?

Based on pictures alone, Prince William would likely be a great candidate for a hair transplant. We have treated many men with even more hair loss than he shows.

Here’s an open letter to the royal:

Dear Prince William,

It would be an honor if you would consider having NHI establish a Master Plan for your hair loss. If a hair transplant surgery could meet your goals, please consider us when choosing your doctors.

Thank you and best regards!