Dr Leonards blog

We have the winners! I am pleased to announce that we have the first and second prize winners of the You Deserve Hair contest I launched earlier this summer to give back to the community where I have been blessed to have practiced for the last 20 years. With the economy still in a dismal condition in the Northeast, with Rhode Island's unemployment rate at 12.7% and Massachusetts' at a level double form last year, I wanted to offer a free hair transplant and facial treatment with Botox Cosmetic or a dermal filler such as Juvederm or Radiesse. For two decades, patients have told me how negatively their hair loss affects their self image, self esteem and self confidence. So I thought that by offering a chance for an unemployed individual to have these procedures, then, hopefully, their self confidence to go out and put their best foot forward in interviews would be enhanced with their boost in self confidence with their new head of hair. Lynn Lopes of North Providence is the first priz

We need your vote! The finalists have been chosen for my contest for unemployed MA or RI residents to improve their physical appearance and job status. Now we’re asking the public to vote on the candidate they feel is most deserving. Please visit http://www.youdeservehair.com to place your vote and help someone restore their hair and their self-confidence! Every vote counts! Vote multiple times and encourage your friends and family to vote, too. Remember, each vote will help one person restore their hair and their self-confidence. The winner and runner up of the contest will be announced on September 4th. Check back to see who wins! Doc

It is with great sadness that I report that Amy Finn, one of my very special patients, lost her courageous battle with brain cancer.

She was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, underwent brain surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments.

After all of this, she permanently lost a great deal of her hair. This bothered her tremendously-so much so that she only felt comfortable wearing a hat or bandana all the time in public. Her recovery was not complete without her hair.

She sought information about hair transplantation and my staff and I transplanted Amy's balding areas in two sessions. She was very pleased with her new growing hair. In fact, she wanted to help other women with hair loss. That's the type of person she was. She agreed to tell her story in Rhode Island Monthly magazine and to be highlighted in an NBC affiliate health segment news story, which followed her hair growth and continued recovery from her devastating illness over a year's period of time.

She always kept a positive attitude though her cancer returned after a long remission. She fought hard and recently indicated that she had a wonderful life.

My condolences to her family and to her many friends.

May her memory be eternal!

Doc

Greetings from beautiful Amsterdam where I am presenting and attending the 17^th Annual Conference of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.

All day yesterday, I participated in the Board of Governors meeting followed by a reception where I was one of the ISHSR ambassadors making welcome new members of the Society. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. M. A. Taghipour from Iran. Will keep you informed on the latest from the meeting. Cheers! Doc

What I mean by this is doing things that can damage existing hair. We all know that if people are losing hair, every single hair their head is precious to them! What needs to be understood is that proper daily hair care is important. Many young men, for example, do not wash their hair regularly because every time they shampoo, they see lots of hair in the drain. Women are commonly told that they should wash their hair only once a week. This is not correct. The process of shampooing is NOT causing this fall out-genetics is! If regular shampooing is not done, there is a detrimental effect on the follicles, which will set up for even further hair loss. So, I recommend to nearly all patients (with a few exceptions) that they shampoo every day. This will remove dead cells and debris from the scalp that otherwise would continue to accumulate there. Shampoos without harsh detergents (surfactants) are the best for the health of your hair. The additions of moisturizers and volumizers as w

Hello Everyone!

I have heard over the years, especially from my female patients, how they are upset with their thin, sparse, short eyelashes. They are tired of having to use mascara all the time for them to feel comfortable with the appearance of their eyes.

Now there is a new treatment for those who are unhappy with their eyelashes: Latisse. This is the only FDA-approved topical treatment which grows eyelashes longer, thicker, and more fulsome. It is a medication by prescription-only that has been shown to be very effective.

A new innovation in lashes

Latisse is applied to the upper eyelids each night. It takes about eight weeks for growth to become noticeable and 16 weeks for the treatment to show its maximum benefits. For the last month, a number of my staff members and several patients have been using Latisse. Early feedback has been very positive! I have Latisse available through my Cranston and Newton offices. Give me a call if you would like to begin treatment.

Latisse Before and After

Click below to see me interviewed during Barbara Morse Silva’s Health Check 10 segment on Latisse:

http://www.turnto10.com/jar/lifestyles/health_med_fit/

It looks like winter finally is coming to an end - especially here in Fort Lauderdale where I am delivering a lecture on "Current Trends in Hair Restoration"! I heard of some new, very interesting data about the connection between baldness and heart disease in men. The following is a synopsis of these data: There is a 23% increase in heart disease in men who have bald crowns. The data increases to 36% if the entire top of the head is bald. It jumps significantly to 79% in the man has high blood pressure and baldness. It skyrockets to 178% if the guy has baldness, high blood pressure and smokes! The take home message is that often the last doctor a man visits was his pediatrician and will only seek out medical services in times of crisis thereafter. It is very important for all men to have a primary care physician that he is comfortable with before he really needs one. If you are a man reading this, then you probably have hair loss. If you do not

I hope that this year will bring you and your family good health, happiness,prosperity, and peace. The beginning of any new year gives all of us the opportunity to think about issues that need to be addressed from mending broken friendships to living a healthier lifestyle to setting personal and business goals to actually doing something to make ourselves feel better about ourselves. Let’s face it; none of us is getting any younger-at least chronologically! Resolutions made this time of year are often unrealistic and unachievable; that is why so may of us fail in reaching them. One of the things I pride myself in is to offer honest and realistic expectations in all dealings with my patients-whether in discussing hair restoration results, timetable, progression of their condition, necessity for additional work, et cetera. Likewise, in talking about the facial fillers (Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra) I use to rejuvenate a patient’s face, lips, and hands or the use of Botox

Many Americans are stressed due to the tough economic climate, and recently some of my patients have attributed their thinning hair to stress. While I always listen to my patients' concerns, I typically tell them that stress is not the cause of their hair loss and explain what can be done to diagnose and properly treat the problem. The truth is that stress really does not cause hair loss except in very few cases. Unfortunately, many physicians perpetuate this misinformation to their patients as well. I explain that the most common reason for hair loss is by far genetics. Nearly all cases of hair loss in men and women are caused by androgenetic alopecia, otherwise know as male or female pattern baldness. This genetic and progressive condition will continue to get worse if left untreated. Stress, however, can be one of the many causes of temporary hair loss, called telogen effluvium (TE). TE normally occurs after a period of excessive physical or emotional stress, like that associate

Dr. Leonard meets former President Bush I recently met former President George Bush and his wife Barbara at the University of New England’s dedication of the George and Barbara Bush Center in Biddeford, ME. As an alumnus and a member of the Board of Trustees of the university, I have immense personal ties to the school. It is where I met the love of my life! Also, it was through UNE that I met Dr. C. P. Chambers, the surgeon who introduced me to hair restoration surgery and who trained me. As alumni, major supporters and advocates of the university, my wife Kathy and I have participated in the growth of the institution on many levels – especially in support of the construction of campus buildings. It’s great to help the students to be able to study in state-of-the-art facilities – something we lacked on campus in the early 1980s. When my connection with the university afforded me the opportunity to meet President and Mrs. Bush, I knew it was something that I

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

A few weeks ago I attended the 16th annual scientific meeting of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS). The ISHRS is the most important organization in the field of hair restoration, and I’ve attended all of its meetings since the first in Dallas in 1993. At that first meeting, I was the Exhibit’s Chairman as well as the Founding Secretary of the society. Two years later I was elected President of the ISHRS. At this past meeting, I served as a member of the Board of Governors. There were about 600 attendees from more than 35 countries throughout the world, and a wide range of subjects that affect the hair restoration field were discussed. This included everything from modern surgical techniques, low level laser therapy, and hair transplantation in women to psychiatric disorders, hair care treatments, and difficult hair restoration cases. One of the most interesting lectures I attended was on the influence of hair care techniques on the development

Since Senator Barack Obama announced his running mate, Senator Joe Biden, hair restoration surgery has been propelled to the forefront of American news. Biden infamously underwent hair “plug” surgery and was seen during the early stages of it on national television during the Anita Hill senate hearings. He is being scrutinized about his hair now that he is back in the spotlight. I’ve observed the change in Biden’s hairline for years. During the 80s, his dark hair emphasized his large plugs, but now, with the whitening of his hair in combination with subsequent modern hair transplantation treatments, he has a slightly more natural look. However, the procedures he’s undergone are still evident to the naked eye. After watching Biden speak at the Democratic National Convention last Wednesday night, I thought about how far we have come since the old transplant results. I hope, though, as I did back during the Anita Hill hearings many years ago, that the gener

Happy summer! I just returned from a visit to my family on a somewhat remote island in Greece where the sun was shining and hot. I did a few seaside hair loss consultations–in Greek–when people learned that I was a hair restoration surgeon. I can never get away from work! I know that summer can be an emotionally tough time for men and women experiencing hair loss. Warm weather, sunshine, visiting the beach, and outdoor activities all lead to concern that thinning hair is more noticeable. Some don’t want to go out in the sun, go to the beach, or even go to lunch, worried that people will notice their hair loss. In fact, it is often during the summer months that a man or woman will first notice hair loss. Sunburn of the scalp can be the first sign of thinning hair. (That’s what happened to me on a beach vacation to Mexico more than a decade ago. I’ve been taking Propecia ever since…and have never again gotten a sunburn on my scalp.) However, there a

A recent national study conducted by the makers of Rogaine shows just how far a man would go to avoid losing his hair. When asked what they would give up for their hair, 22% of the 4000 men surveyed said they would give up their vacations, 20% would give up television, 10% would give up sex, and 5% would give up their significant others. As if this information wasn’t enough to tell us how highly a man regards a full head of hair, the study went a step further and asked what men would prefer to losing their hair. According to the survey results, 60% would rather experience a demoralizing event in the pursuit of keeping their hair, 50% would rather deliver a large public speech and 20% would rather get dumped! Last year an International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) study revealed similar sentiments–more than half (57%) of the men suffering from hair loss surveyed said that they would be willing to give up their prized personal possessions for more hair. The

Having just returned from the hair restoration workshop I recently co-chaired in Rome, Italy, I am excited to share some information on one of the most widely discussed topics of the week – hair cloning. Though some thought they’d never see the day, the latest results of a clinical study show that in as few as eight years, hair restoration surgery using cloned hair follicle cells may be a viable option for those grappling with hair loss. As I discussed with fellow leading hair replacement surgeons during a press conference in Rome, follicular cell implantation uses cloned hair follicle cells to create new hair on balding areas of the scalp. The process utilizes a patient’s own hair follicles harvested from a donor area on the back of the head. Cells from these follicles are then multiplied through a cloning process and injected back into the scalp, resulting in new hair follicles. A journalist who attended the conference covered our discussion in a London Times artic

Roma is called the caput mundi and the mother of civilization because new ideas sprouting from this beautiful city spread throughout the world and, yet, always somehow return to Roma. Roma IDI Day One Ciao a tutti! I am writing this blog from beautiful Rome, Italy, where I am co-chairing the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery’s “Made in Italy: Hair restoration live video surgery workshop.” The workshop is hosted by Istituto Dermopatico dell’Immacolata and features live surgeries via video and for small groups. As program Co-Director I am working in partnership with Dr. Ciro DeSio to provide a world class, top notch educational program for doctors and surgical assistants who may be new to this field as well as those who are very experienced in hair restoration surgery. It truly is an exciting time to be co-chairing the program, as this ISHRS Live Video Surgery Workshop is the first of its kind in Europe. I’ll be performing a procedure on a

Since the beginning of my career I’ve noticed that men dominate the patient lists of many hair restoration practices, but in recent years women have become a larger part of the hair restoration patient base. I don’t believe that this shift demonstrates a growth in female hair loss sufferers, but rather a trend toward women actively and aggressively fighting the emotional devastation of losing their hair and empowering themselves to find a solution. Female hair loss (known as Female Androgenetic Alopecia) is almost impossible to predict before it becomes clinically noticeable. One in every four women experiences female pattern hair loss and it can have a detrimental effect on a woman’s self esteem. In my opinion, this is because while men feel insecure about hair loss, women feel even more insecure, as the image perpetuated of the ideal woman for centuries has included a full, beautiful head of hair. But there is a new light on the horizon… Earlier this year a

My patients are always surprised to find out that the active ingredient in Rogaine, minoxidil, was developed as a pill to reduce high blood pressure. One of its side effects was observed to be hair growth in some patients. A topical formulation was then created to treat male and female pattern hair loss, and it has become one of the most widely used and effective medical hair loss treatments out there. And it can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. It’s exciting to watch the evolution of a medical treatment that keeps improving over the years. I have been recommending Rogaine as an effective medication for my patients since 1988. In the beginning, this treatment was only available in a solution form, which some patients found a little messy and greasy. Today it’s available in a foam version, and unlike other medical hair loss treatments, it can be used by men and women. This is one of the reasons I routinely recommend that my female patients use this formul

Propecia® is one of the leading medical treatments for hair loss in men, but it becomes a hot topic in sports and Olympics news from time to time. Professional male athletes do their best on and off the field, and that includes looking their best (as we know from Tom Brady’s widely publicized visit with a hair loss specialist a few months ago). However, using Propecia® can sometimes be an issue for competitive athletes. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) bans the use of Propecia® because its active ingredient, Finasteride, is considered a “masking agent” for some performance-enhancing steroids. Though Finasteride is not a performance-enhancing drug itself, its presence in urine makes it hard to detect banned substances. This has posed a problem for a few male athletes, who were unaware of Propecia® being banned in competitive sports by the WADA. A member of the US skeleton team at the 2006 Winter Olympics, Zach Lund, was banned from the competition

I am writing to you from the ISHRS Live Surgery Workshop in Orlando, Florida where I moderated a segment and gave a talk on the Male Consultation. I also participated in creating the recipient sites of a live surgery teaching case on a follicular unit transplant of the frontal forelock on a very nice physician from the greater Philadelphia area. Just a few weeks ago I was asked about a hair restoration technique called Laser Hair Transplant Surgery. It always surprises me that even though this technique has fallen out of use since the 1990s, people still talk about it. A patient will come in to the office having heard or read mixed reviews on this “high tech” way of restoring hair, and ask for my opinion to get the facts straight. I’m always happy to tell him or her the interesting history of this once "hot" technique. First of all, this process should not be confused with low level laser light therapy, an effective technique that uses infrared light ther

Hello All! I’m writing from sunny and hot Florida on a short, but much-needed break with my family! For millennia, people have been trying to sell products — whether natural-based or medicinal/pharmaceutical-based to individuals who are upset about the potential for losing their hair, or who are already in the process of hair loss. I’ve heard it all when it comes to the latest “cures” for hair loss…head massages, herbal treatments, non-presciption “DHT blockers”, rubbing onions on your scalp (yes, that’s right, onions!) and I can tell you, as a professional, that these do not work. Hair can be restored through the process of hair transplantation surgery, but there are virtually no natural treatments that truly work to prevent hair loss — it’s a hereditary and progressive condition. There are, however, some medical treatments scientifically proven to treat and stop the progression of androgenetic alopecia: Propecia&re

When I meet patients for consultations, not only do I use the time to get to know them and their expectations for hair restoration, but I also investigate their medical histories. As a physician, my greatest concern is patient safety, so I use this valuable time to make a complete assessment of any medical problems that should be considered. For example, it is important for me to be aware of any medications the patient is taking, disease history (particularly cardiac disease), allergies to medications, and even any psychiatric issues. Then the conversation moves to the crucial topic of what the patient wants. I evaluate the adequacy of my patient’s donor hair for present and future hair restoration needs. How many procedures will be necessary over the years to satisfy the patient today and into the future? Will there be enough hair? Am I confident that my patient will be happy with the expected and realistic results? In addition to a careful hair and scalp examination, these are

The consultation is by far the most important appointment a patient will have throughout the hair restoration process. It is an integral learning experience for both the doctor and patient, and a great opportunity to answer each other’s questions before beginning any treatments. I find that this one-on-one time allows me to really listen to my patient’s concerns and understand his or her needs. For instance, I can help the patient pinpoint what exactly is motivating him or her to consider hair restoration. Is the patient going through a divorce? Has the patient suffered a painful sunburn on the scalp? Or is the patient fed up with negative comments about his or her hair loss? Maybe the patient is bothered by something specific about his or her hair, like shedding, a bald spot, or a receding hair line. All patients are different, and I have to understand their concerns in order to provide them with the best care possible. Only then can I explain a realistic treatment outco

Welcome to another year of what I am confident will be exciting developments in hair restoration. If 2007 is any indicator, 2008 is sure to bring us interesting research into hair loss, modern technologies and equipment in hair restoration, and perhaps even some innovative new technologies. This will be an exciting year for Leonard Hair Transplant Associates as well. We’ve moved our office in Newton to a larger location where we are offering patients more comfort. In this new office, patients can watch DVDs on flat-screen TVs during their treatments. Also, the additional space provides greater capacity for low-level laser light therapy, the most advanced technology used in promoting the re-growth of hair. Last week I traveled to Orlando, Florida, for the American Society of Hair Restoration Surgery’s annual conference. I addressed attendees on the most important step in the hair restoration process – the consultation. Since this is the first opportunity to talk and

Good morning, A few weeks ago, I was quoted in the New York Post when they ran a story on the role of hair as an important indicator of success in business, society and even politics. (”HAIR APPARENT – SURVEY SAYS BALD IS BAD FOR BUSINESS – BUT IS IT?”). Both sides of the debate were discussed, but I thought there were a few key insights that I would share with you. More than 60% of respondents in a Hair Sciences Center of Colorado poll believe that people are judged by their hair – or lack thereof. Nearly half of those surveyed also think that people with hair are downright smarter. And when it comes to politics, history does speak for itself. I call it the ‘Hair Factor.’ Quite frankly, the odds are stacked against the Fred Thompson’s of the world. Dwight Eisenhower and Zachary Taylor have been the only exceptions in our presidential history. People may not openly admit it, but I really do believe that society views hair loss as

Here are some highlights from my recent attendance at the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. The entire first day I performed my duties as a member of the Board of Governors and I was happy and proud to have been elected to serve for another year on the Board. Two major topics were discussed that are of great interest to my patients. The first was hair “cloning” which included a few lectures updating us on the current state of research in this arena. Currently, hair “stem cells” are being grown in vitro (outside of an organism) and hair follicles have been created and indeed, have grown hairs. Hairs have also been grown in the skin of mice. Human studies are going to be initiated in the near future OUTSIDE of the United States. In speaking directly with those actually involved in this “hair-raising” (sorry) research, there will be a number of obstacles that will have to be hurdled before this technology