What is the difference between female and male hair loss? Female hair loss is not as common as male hair loss. Male hair loss is known as male patterned baldness. Female hair loss usually doesn’t lead to complete baldness like male hair loss. Female hair loss could be known more as thinning.

Female Patterned Baldness (FPB) touches the entire scalp, unlike Male Patterned Baldness (MPB). For female hair loss the donor hair in the back is not protected like it is for males. After the age of 50, most men have some degree of hair loss.

Women can benefit from hair restoration, so they can restore their hair in the balding areas. For women, the most important factor in receiving a hair transplant is the amount of hair they have in the donor area. If a women’s hair loss is similar to a male’s hair loss, the woman will be a better candidate for a hair restoration procedure.

Women’s expectations will not be the same as men’s expectations. A good hair transplant surgeon should be aware of that and set realistic expectations. If a man is bald, having 50% of his original density might seem like a dream come true. For a woman however, having 50% density will most likely not be enough.

If a woman goes to see a hair transplant surgeon wanting 100% of her hair density back, the surgeon should be honest with her and tell her that she might not receive the 100% density back in just one surgery. In order for a woman to be a candidate for hair restoration, the hair transplant surgeon should look at the different factors that will determine the candidacy for the woman.

The different factors that need to be determined for women regarding hair restoration surgery is the limited balding area, the donor/recipient mismatch, and realistic expectations.

• The Limited Balding Area means that the area that the woman’s head is balding shouldn’t be all over the head, it should just be in a certain area.

• The donor/recipient mismatch means that the donor hair on the back of the woman’s head should be in a much better quality than the area’s that are balding.

• Realistic expectations mean that the hair transplant surgeon should make sure the woman understands the reality of a hair transplant surgery. The hair transplant surgery only moves hair from one area to another area that needs to be covered.

Overall, the final factor that a women needs to consider before having a hair restoration procedure is making sure the hair restoration surgeon is experienced in handling hair restoration procedures in women. A well knowledgeable and experienced surgeon will do the best job possible to help the woman reach the goal that they want to reach.

 Updates on Hair Transplant Repair

One of the misgivings people have about hair restoration through hair transplantation is based on results patients received years ago. The old hair transplant surgeries utilized plugs, mini-grafts or micrografts which left undesirable artificial looking results.

Our medical specialty has come a long way in the twenty-first century.  US Hair Restoration is a modern hair transplant medical practice providing patients with natural, proven and permanent results. A hair transplant results that makes them feels better about their selves and brings about big smiles. The techniques and procedures practiced in our centers also allow us to repair the less pleasing results of older hair restoration procedures.

Many patients who have had a bad experience with old technique hair transplant surgeries are unaware of modern hair transplant advantages and are reluctant to seek help. However, those who are well informed on updated repair procedures can enjoy a normal hair line and a quite natural look again.

Today, we are able to revise the abnormal appearance to a perfectly natural and refined hairline which is undetectable from a natural head of hair.  Our goal is to create the most natural appearance for your hair and we succeed.

Follicular Unit Extraction and Scalp Micropigmentation

 Most men will suffer hair loss to some degree in their life. This is because of DHT a male hormone that negatively affects the hair follicles of the scalp; most aggressively at the temples, crown and top of the head. So men bear this change or maturation of male pattern baldness (MPB) well; but many experience the well documented ‘psychological effects’ which culminate in low self image, esteem and confidence.

It is no wonder that hair restoration through hair transplant surgery is  one of the leading medical cosmetic concerns among men.  Today’s follicular unit transplant (FUT) surgery is providing the undetectable and natural solution that patients’ seek.

Nevertheless, some people with advanced hair loss and limited donor hair for the surgery have fewer choices. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) surgery combined with scalp micropigmentation (SMP) offers and innovative approach for men with advanced male pattern baldness (MPB).

A combination of these less invasive procedures can provide excellent results under the skills of today’s leading hair transplant surgeons.  A combined FUE and SMP procedure means:

• Individual follicular units (FUs) will be transplanted for balanced and even coverage
• Individual FUs will be transplanted to created an attractive age appropriate hairline

• will include selection of dermal pigment to match your hair color
• micro injections of dermal pigment to simulate ‘stubble hair’

• to support the development of transplanted hair a short term prescription of Propecia may be prescribed

 These two advanced hair restoration procedures can provide a patient with the option of having a shaved or ‘military type hair style that is attractive and a safe medical solution to their hair loss. s where the entire scalp and hairline frames the face with closely cropped ‘stubble’ hair. A person with limited donor hair can be a prime candidate for this safe and less invasive hair transplant procedure.

Skilled hair restoration surgeons can take individual follicular units (FUs) and create the maximum balanced coverage over the scalp. They can then create further ‘look of density’ by simulating hair stubble with scalp micro-pigmentation (SMP). Los Angeles hair transplant centers are innovative leaders in hair restoration procedures.

SMP is a procedure where special surgical needles are used to inject dermal pigments into the scalp or other areas such as eyebrows into the skin.  The color of pigment selected is close to that of the patient’s hair resulting in a cosmetic hair shadow.  SMP is a safe and very non invasive procedure.

Combining FUE and SMP to resolve the challenge of hair loss for people with little alternatives and represents an advancement in modern hair restoration.  This solution is not for everyone but is a welcome choice for some people who previously had limited alternatives to resolve their hair loss problem.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) for Scar Revision

FUE hair transplant procedure is used for completely restoring hair to balding areas of scalp. The nature of this surgery makes it more time consuming because each follicular unit (FU) is extracted singularly. The FUs can have one, two, three or even four hair shafts. This type of procedure on like ‘Strip Method’ hair transplant procedures allows for a limited number of grafts to be extracted.

Since the extraction of individual follicular units (FUs) is done individually it is perfect for the small procedure of revisioning a hair transplant scar from a previous hair transplant. The surgeon can extract a small number of grafts from the permanent zone and artistically and strategically place them in the scar. This process of using FUE uses hair to obscure and blend the margins of the scar to the surrounding scalp.

 The Cause and Problem of  Hair Loss

Dihydrotestosterone (5α-Dihydrotestosterone), [DHT] is a male sex hormone, an androgen. Male and female adults can lose hair as a consequence of changes in the metabolism of androgen in the body – men far more commonly than women. Most men experience hair loss from the effects throughout their life. The incidence increase with age; however, some men can experience it even in their adolescent years.

Male pattern baldness, [MBP] is also known as androgenic alopecia or androgenetic alopecia, is caused by the hair follicle’s sensitivity to DHT. The follicles miniaturize [shrink], reducing the lifespan of the follicle resulting in abnormal production of hair. Hair loss is considered to be a legitimate medical problem that in some individuals leads to serious depression.  DHT plays a major role in hair loss.

Female Pattern Baldness, [FPB] also has an androgenic component but can also have some other contributing factors.  The best hair restoration surgeons will order additional tests to isolate that the cause is androgenic. In patients where this is accurate than hair transplant is a natural, proven and permanent solution.

Hair Transplant Surgery is a Great Solution (watch video)

Psychological Considerations

There are many things that can adversely affect a person’s self image and consequently their self esteem. Medical science recognizes with certainty that these two factors directly impact our quality of life. Hair loss affects millions of people men and women. Amongst this  group of people there is a number of individuals who undergo male pattern baldness at a very early age. The emotional impact on these individuals can be even more devastating.. Today we have more insight to the negative consequences of hair loss and that fact it can be prevented in many cases.

Study on Hair Loss Psychological Affects

“Psychology of hair restoration surgery” is a study that was presented in 15th annual scientific meeting of Internal Society of Hair Restoration Surgery in 2007. In this study we sent questionnaires to 200 men who had only one hair transplant in past and we asked them about the psycho-social aspects of their lives following their procedures.  We have compared the responses from the patients with higher classes of hair loss with early stages.  We also compared the changes that younger patients experienced in comparison to the older ones.  We have found a significant improvement in future outlook in younger patients who received a hair restoration as opposed to the older ones. I am attaching the graph right off the presentation I had back in 2007 that compares the impacts of a hair restoration on younger patients vs. older ones.

Advanced Evaluation

Hair transplant surgeons used to have a strict criteria in past as of strictly not perform a hair transplant on anyone younger than 24.  However, today there are more treatment options, as well as, more documentation on the long term effects of hair restoration medications.  Hair restoration doctors did not want to do a hair transplant until they can clearly see the pattern of baldness.  Modern miniaturization study with microscopic evaluation allows for more accurate predictability along with other evaluating factors.  This gives us a reasonably reliable way to predict the activity of hair loss in different areas with some certainty. We can predict the final pattern of male patterned baldness (MPB) utilizing the patient’s miniaturization study in addition to a thorough evaluation of his family hair loss history.

Ethics of Hair Transplant at a young age

I recognize as many people have mentioned that there has been unethical practices in some instances. As medical doctors we must hold to the highest of ethical standards and best practices. Performing a hair transplant when the miniaturization study and the psychological profile does indicate would be a breach of these standards. I appreciate the feedback in this forum and plan to write an article on the indications and specifications of “Early Intervention for Hair Transplant Surgery” soon.

Hair loss is correlated to stress. Hair loss induced by stress usually occurs after severe stress, such as surgery or illness. Stress and hair loss don’t have to be permanent. Getting your emotional stress under control or alleviating a physical stressor usually results in your hair growing back.

Parsa Mohebi, MD reviews stress related hair loss effects.

Sudden hair loss can signal an underlying medical condition that requires treatment. If needed, your doctor may suggest treatment options for the hair loss as well. And if efforts to manage your stress on your own don’t work, talk to your doctor about stress management techniques. Be sure to consult a physician if you notice sudden or patchy hair loss or more than usual hair loss when combing or washing your hair.

Stress is defined as “a demand upon physical or mental energy.” A physical or emotional demand that is a person is finding difficult to overcome. Stress puts demands on people to perform well above their capacity. Stress has a negative perception and connotation, however, stress is an everyday occurrence that affects most people at some time in their life. This longer the duration of the demand the more difficult it is to maintain without relief.

Stress can also be:

• Stress is can be a recent phenomenon and is everywhere we turn to
• Stress does not feel good; it is not experienced in pleasant situations
• Stress exists when problems go out of control

Dr. Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D. of the Mayo Clinic points out that three specific hair loss conditions are related to stress.

• Alopecia areata. A variety of factors are thought to cause alopecia areata, possibly including severe stress. With alopecia areata, white blood cells attack the hair follicle, stopping hair growth and making hair fall out.
• Telogen effluvium. In this condition, emotional or physical stress pushes large numbers of growing hairs into a resting phase. Within a few months, the affected hairs may fall out suddenly when simply combing or washing your hair.
• Trichotillomania. Trichotillomania (trik-oh-til-oh-MAY-nee-uh) is an irresistible urge to pull out hair from your scalp, eyebrows or other areas of your body. Hair pulling can be a way of dealing with negative or uncomfortable feelings, such as stress, anxiety, tension, loneliness, fatigue or frustration.

When experiencing hair loss an evaluation by a Los Angeles hair restoration doctor can be very helpful.

Follicular Unit Transplants (FUT) has come of age. This advanced type of modern hair restoration provides patients with a natural, proven and permanent hair loss solution.  Many people do not understand that FUT hair restoration is available in two distinct forms of hair transplant surgeries. They are

1. the ‘Strip Method’ and
2. ‘Follicular Unit Extraction’ method

Both these procedures consist of transplanting hair from the permanent zone. This is the area of the scalp where hair loss does not occur.  The harvesting method in each procedure is different. This blog is particularly devoted to the ‘Strip Method.”

Strip Method Hair Transplants

In this form of FUT hair restoration surgery a donor strip is taken from the back of the patients scalp. The size of the donor strip is determined in the patient’s pre-op consult and microscopic evaluation.  The donor strip is removed by your hair transplant surgeon and separated into naturally occurring follicular grafts of 1, 2, 3 and 4 hairs. These grafts are meticulously and artistically placed in recipient incisions made by your doctor in the balding areas.  Below are some of the advantages that patients who elect the FUT strip method enjoy.

Advantages of FUT Strip Hair Transplant

1. Maximization of the number of grafts that can be harvested in a single hair transplant session.   This advance technique allows for the transplanting of over 3500 grafts. Many patients who have never had a hair transplant can complete their hair restoration in a single surgery.
2. Damaged to hair grafts is minimized. The strip procedure allows the surgical team to harvest and process the grafts under microscope effectively reducing transection (damaging hair follicles).
3. The surgery is less labor intensive then its FUE counterpart and can be elected at a more affordable cost.

Modern technology has allowed our society with proven, natural permanent hair loss options.

Modern technology has allowed our society with options not possible a half century ago. Medical and scientific advancement presents promising changes with each advancing generation. An example is the loss of vision typical with age like hair loss. People with vision problems, had the disadvantage of wearing glasses; although there are contact lenses as well.  There is still a dependence upon outside tools to reduce the loss of vision; which inconvenient and sometimes greatly reducing the quality of life. Now the near miraculous advancements in LASIK vision correction has made vision correction possible. No longer are middle agers at tables in restaurants pulling out their glasses or squinting helplessly to read the menu; the stubborn problem of fading eyesight for millions of people is solved.

If someone chooses to undergo a LASIK procedure, does it make him an insecure person? Not in the least! Rather, they are using their resources to correct a medical problem and look their best.

Hair Restoration Is Nothing to Be Embarrassed About

Our Los Angeles based US Hair Restoration clinics consistently receive calls and emails from people who need hair restoration for their baldness, but they are shy to provide their names as they inquire to be able to get more information about hair restoration options.; It is amazing how many want to hide the fact they contacted us for advice. We are proud of our fine medical staff and patient advocates who are exceptionally sensitive to the needs of those seeking our help. It is one of the deeply rewarding aspects of our profession that we can provide encouragement to our patients, as well as, give them new hope, confidence, and a fresh perception of how their suffering from hair loss can be alleviated.

Hair loss is a disease, a common one and like many other diseases there are treatments for it.

So, we are proud to say: “Today, most people no longer have to endure being bald”

Modern Medical and Technological Advancements for Hair Loss

Modern medical and technological advancements provide similar relief for hair loss sufferers as Lasik for people with vision loss. One day we hope the stigma of addressing hair loss through medical treatment lessens its impact on people who suffer from baldness as it has for those with vision impairment.

At our Southern California centers our team uses the latest technologies and procedures to perform FUT and FUE hair restoration surgeries. These procedures provide our patients with a permanent natural treatment for their hair loss. The progress in hair transplant surgery now provides our patients with results that are proven, natural and permanent.