A miniaturization study is very important in order to know what the level of hair miniaturization is for the patient. Using this method, the Doctor can also know what rate the hair is thinning. The hair restoration surgeon can compare the hair loss area to the individual’s normal healthy hair. The hormone that causes hair to thin is known as the DHT hormone. The hairs that are not affected by the DHT hormone are in the donor area, which includes the hairs on the sides and back of the head.

Hair goes through a cycling phase, where a hair shaft falls and after a few weeks another one begins to grow from the same follicle. In most cases the cycle won’t pass 20% of the hair shafts in any area. Hair loss will become active because the follicles of the hair go through a growth cycle. During the growth cycle process, there are resting intervals where the hairs slowly start to get thinner and miniaturization occurs. Only a small percentage of the hairs will be in resting phase. Miniaturization occurs when the hair shaft is no longer as thick as it was before. At that time the hairs become very thin and it is not seen to the naked eye.

 
When the hair restoration surgeon is doing the microscopic evaluation, he or she will determine the percentage of miniaturized hairs by area. When they look under the microscope at areas of the head, they estimate the percentage of miniaturization. If there is any part of the head that is over 20% miniaturization, that would be considered abnormal. That area would need to be evaluated and treated because that shows the surgeon that the patient will eventually lose the hair in that area. At that time the hair restoration surgeon will explain the different options that you have to prevent hair loss.  If your hair loss has been active for a while, the Doctor can also recommended that you have a hair restoration procedure.

In a recent email sent to our office from a recent patient, he writes in regards to his scalp evaluation and regarding Propecia (Finasteride). He asks, “Could finasteride worsen the hairline due to the rise of testosterone?” and, “if there’s any safe and minor treatments to slow the progress of maturation or reverse it that you would recommend at this stage?”

Early stages of male patterned hair loss may not always be obvious enough to be differentiated from normal levels of miniaturized hair during scalp microscopic evaluation. Propecia (finasteride) is still the most recommended hair loss medication to prevent additional balding. Some patients have even been prescribed Propecia without proper diagnosis or documentation of their hair loss condition making it difficult to tell if they have gotten better since they started or worsened.

Propecia (finasteride) is designed to block DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) which is the main cause of male patterned hair loss. With this in mind, finasteride cannot deteriorate your hair loss or cause changes in the hairline. Maturation of the hairline is normal in all men and should not be confused with balding. We also do not have any further recommendation on medications that can stop the maturation of the hairline.

A recent patient of ours is looking into lowering her hairline to give her a more feminine and youthful frame for her face. She was a bit concerned when she read on our site that not many female hair loss patients are good candidates for hair restoration surgery.  Her concerns also included the probability of losing her newly transplanted hair, recovery time and if hair restoration surgery has any negative effect on the body itself.
Hair transplant surgery is a very useful procedure for those whom have lost a significant amount of hair.

One question many patients have asked our facility is, “How do I know if I’m a good hair transplant candidate?”.  Of the many patients whom are most concerned are our female hair loss patients.  Women with significant miniaturization or thinning of hair shafts associated to female pattern baldness are not good candidates for the surgery. On the topic of hair line lowering, as long as the donor area has not been compromised by female pattern hair loss it is possible to do the surgery.

Hair transplant surgery is a permanent and safe procedure for both men and women. In some cases, patients may experience some degree of shock loss or loss of native hair after the hair transplant procedure. This is sometimes seen in patients whom have a high level of miniaturization as is seen in male or female pattern baldness.

Recovery time does vary for each patient but it is not enough to limit your everyday function. Most patients can go back to school or work the next day after their surgery and can conceal their transplant easily with a hat, head cover or by combing their hair in a different style temporarily. The most common residual effect is generally swelling and redness at the recipient area. This is usually resolved within or after 3-4 days from surgery. Most clinics, like ours, will provide our patients with special medication to alleviate these symptoms.

Hair restoration surgery does not have any adverse effect on the rest of the body. The most that can result from hair transplant surgery is primarily in regards to the induced medications the day of surgery. We always recommend that you disclose any allergic reactions possibly associated to medications and to food to prevent any complications or even discomfort during or after the procedure. Hair transplant surgery is considered a minimally invasive procedure and the possibility of it having a negative effect on the body are considered unlikely.