Does a partial hair system blend well with a hair transplant?  Is it undetectable?

This hair loss question was answered by Dr. William Lindsey of Reston, VA who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians.

This type of approach is reasonable for select hair loss patients. First, I have worked with several guys who were able to have a hair restoration procedure, slightly modify the way they wore or styled their hair system, and “pull off” the surgery without their friends/customers knowing. Then in a few months they can modify the system again to show the hair transplant result, and consider moving forward with a second procedure much later.

I posted a fellow on this hair loss forum a few months ago who had a limited donor hair supply, such as a hair plugs repair case.  We could really improve the front, but this patient does not have sufficient resources to cover the top and balding crown. For a patient like this, a combination of hair restoration surgery to give a natural hairline, and hair system to cover the top; works extremely well.

William Lindsey, M.D.

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Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Recently, we recognized a number of world class hair restoration physicians who attended the Annual 2008 ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery Conference in Montreal. See the Highlights of the Annual ISHRS Scientific Meeting.

I’ve been in touch with hair loss forum member Ailene who is the Clinical Supervisor for Dr. Jerry Cooley and asked if she’d be willing to share her experience with the ISHRS Assistants program. Unfortunately in the past, this program was largely unrecognized. Ailene was the chair of the hair transplant Assistants program last year and like other dedicated staff members participating in this program, this is a volunteer position.

To learn more about how the ISHRS Assistants program provides great benefit for hair replacement surgeons and ultimately their patients, visit our hair loss forum.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

I’m currently using a topical hair loss treatment which makes my hair oily.  As a result, I wash my hair every day.  Does daily washing increase hair loss?

Male pattern baldness or genetic female hair loss is initiated by the male hormone DHT.  As DHT attaches itself to the hair follicle receptor, hairs susceptible to it will begin to miniaturize and eventually die.  Increased hair shedding is typical as the normal hair growth cycle speeds up.

You are safe to wash your hair as much as you’d like without facilitating or increasing hair loss.  Hair shedding in the shower or even while you are sleeping is typical, but only hair that has already disconnected from the hair follicle will be found on your pillow or in the shower drain.   

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

This insightful information was posted on our hair restoration forum by Dr. Timothy Carman of La Jolla, CA, who is recommended on the Hair Transplant Network.

I’ve been doing some research on this, but haven’t been able to find the answer anywhere.  When you have a second hair transplant, do you receive multiple scars or does the hair restoration physician “overlap” the old one, removing it entirely along with the second strip?

If the previous donor hair was taken in a much lower position on the scalp than is the usual case (NOT a common occurrence), it may not be prudent to attempt to remove the first donor scar as the re-occurrence rate and/or development of an even wider scar in that area is a very real possibility.

In general, amongst experienced hair restoration surgeons who are current in their techniques, there should be fairly small variability in the size and location of donor hair chosen, and thus the residual scars, so that the salient points brought up by hair loss forum member “tofueornottofue” should be the rare occasion.

Also, then, as he points out, most hair transplant surgeons will remove the previous donor scar so that at any one time, only one minimal scar is present.

Hope that helps,

Dr. Timothy Carman

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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

Hair transplant megasessions are often attributed to a select group of hair restoration surgeons and their dedicated staff who have evolved and mastered the latest and greatest techniques in hair transplant surgery. The above is certainly true, but are megasessions always possible? What conditions, if any, prevent even the best surgeons from performing large densely packed sessions?

You may have heard that a patient’s physiology has a lot to do with the number of follicular unit grafts harvested in a single follicular unit hair transplant session. In this conversation, hair loss forum members discuss the benefits and limitations of scalp elasticity and whether or not scalp exercises can improve the chances of receiving a larger session. Follow the link to offer your own input and experiences.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor