Dr Leonards blog

I recently attended the III Brazilian Congress of Hair Restoration Surgery in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the topic of eyebrow transplantation was widely discussed. I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “eyebrows make the face.” Believe it or not, it’s true! The lack of eyebrow hair dramatically throws off the balance of the face.

A world-renowned expert on eyebrow transplantation spoke at the conference, explaining that the treatment is expected to grow in popularity over the next few years. In my experience, 95% of eyebrow transplant patients are female, though some of my colleagues have treated a higher percentage of male patients. It’s clear that the concern over thin or patchy eyebrows is universal among men and women. A lack of or low density eyebrow hair can cause anyone to feel self-conscious about his or her appearance.

I am confident that the growth in popularity of eyebrow transplantation is more than just a trend. I receive a number of requests for eyebrow transplantation each month from patients who describe their appearance as “sickly” and “odd-looking.” Over plucking, scarring and thinning are all common causes of eyebrow hair loss.

Much like traditional hair restoration surgery, eyebrow transplantation can restore a person’s self-esteem. In fact, the procedure is a form of hair transplantation. A tiny strip of donor hair (chosen for its thinner texture and natural direction of growth) is removed from the back of the scalp. Tiny grafts are then created from this strip and are meticulously placed at specific angles and directions to mimic the brow’s natural position and shape. Hundreds of single hairs can be placed into the eyebrows in a single procedure to achieve natural looking results.

Patients who undergo this procedure must commit to regular grooming to maintain a natural look. Since the implanted hair comes from the scalp, it will grow just like the hair on the head. It grows quicker and longer than eyebrow hair, and must be trimmed to avoid overgrowth. However, the human body is an amazing thing. After time, these hairs will “down regulate” to take on the characteristics of eyebrow hairs. Fascinating!

The recovery for this procedure is generally comfortable, though some bruising or swelling may occur. Patients can expect the transplanted hairs to fall out after about three weeks and grow back after three to four months.

Check the latest issue of my eNewsletter, Hairlines, for more highlights from the conference and my trip to beautiful Brazil!

Adeus!

- Doc

The journal Nature Genetics announced that scientists at McGill University, King’s College London and GlaxoSmithKline Inc. have discovered two genetic variants in Caucasians that together increase the risk sevenfold of male pattern baldness. The study tested a total of 2,775 Caucasian men experiencing male pattern baldness and found that these previously unknown genetic variants on chromosome 20 greatly increase the risk for hair loss. While this research does not present a plausible cure for hair loss, it is a starting point. Identifying the cause of a problem always helps the search for a solution. Nearly one third of men are affected by male pattern baldness – the most common form of baldness by age 45. Considering the social and economic impact of hair loss, this is an exciting breakthrough in the quest for answers as to why male pattern baldness occurs. We have opened a new door to discover the genetic cause of male pattern hair loss, though a ‘cure’ for hair loss

I’m excited to share some interesting news this week. Recently, researchers at Stanford University’s School of Medicine announced the discovery of a molecule that drives hair follicle growth in mice. The study, published in the August issue of the “Journal of Genes and Development,” explains that the molecule, called laminin-511, acts as an operator, transferring proteins between layers of skin and causing hair follicles to grow. The researchers believe that laminin-511 might one day be used to treat hair loss, stating that injecting the molecule between the inner and outer layer of the skin could possibly promote hair growth. However, more clinical trials are necessary to show how humans will react to the treatment. This research clearly shows how important hair loss is to the 80 million men and women suffering from male or female pattern baldness. The fact that new treatments are always being investigated gives me piece of mind that the field of hair restorat