About Hair Loss Treatment and Hair Replacement Procedures
Why does one lose one's hair?
The most common cause of hair loss is Androgenetic Alopecia, leading many experiencing this condition to turn to hair replacement options. There are two known causes of this hair loss condition: DHT and decreased blood flow. The hormone in our systems called di-hydrotestosterone (DHT) is the major cause of male or female pattern hair loss, a problem that has led to the establishment of several hair replacement techniques. DHT is the breakdown product of the male hormone testosterone, and is converted by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which is important when we discuss hair replacement medical treatments in the Propecia section.
In genetically predisposed individuals, the presence of DHT will trigger the hair growth cycle to become shortened, igniting the need for hair transplants. Over time, these hair follicles will miniaturize (become shorter, skinnier and less pigmented). As the population of these miniaturized hairs increases, the thinning hair becomes more noticeable, causing many to look toward hair replacement as the cure. An awesome statistic about hair loss is: after 50 percent of your hair is ALREADY down the drain is typically when you BEGIN to notice your hair thinning!!
A second cause of scalp hair loss is decreased blood flow to the thinning or bald areas. There are Dopper blood flow studies that show less blood circulation to balding areas compared to other areas of the scalp. There are innovative techniques used in hair loss treatment, available right from the comfort of our Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire offices.
Is hair loss caused by genetics?
As stated above, male or female pattern baldness is a genetic condition that affects more than 50 million men and women in the United States. Whether or not you will lose your hair and when is determined before you are born. However, there are other hair replacement options available.
Can wearing a hat or helmet cause hair loss?
How often you wash your hair or with what type of shampoo, whether or not you have ever worn a helmet or hat, how you brush and comb your hair or rub your head have absolutely no affect on hair loss. In addition, clogged pores on the scalp are not a cause of male or female pattern hair loss, a condition leading many balding adults to seek hair loss treatment at our offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
What is the average number of hairs lost per day?
On average a person experiences a hair loss of approximately 100 to 150 hairs every day. Most of this hair regrows because the follicles remain healthy and intact. To put this in perspective, a typical adult head not in need of hair loss treatment consists of about 150,000 hair follicles.
What are the hair loss treatments for androgenetic alopecia?
The only medically proven hair loss treatments for male pattern baldness are Propecia (finasteride), Low Level Laser Therapy, Rogaine (minoxidil), as well as hair replacement surgery, which can be performed in our Massachusetts and Rhode Island facilities.
What are hair transplants?
Hair transplants are a minor surgery of the skin in which grafts of hair of various sizes are removed from the horseshoe shaped donor area around the back and sides of the head and are surgically placed in areas where hair replacement is needed.
Why don't the hair transplants fall out?
The hair transplants have been taken from the area of the scalp around the back and sides of the head where the hair is genetically programmed to never fall out. The fact that the hair transplants have been moved from one area of the scalp to another has no effect on its genetic predisposition to grow, making it an effective hair replacement technique. The previously bald area does not "poison" the transplanted grafts, as is often the misconception.
Are hair transplants painful?
A mild anesthetic assures that the hair replacement surgery is virtually pain free. For the first couple post-operative days, most patients find that they only need to take extra-strength Tylenol if minor discomfort resulting from the hair transplants procedure performed at our Massachusetts and Rhode Island offices occurs.
What is a good age to get hair transplants?
The age of our hair loss treatment patients ranges from the early twenties to the early nineties. Only an honest and realistic evaluation can help you decide when a hair transplant is appropriate for you.
Is one awake during hair replacement surgery?
Patients who decide to get hair transplants are completely awake and alert during hair replacement surgery. The hair loss treatment involves the use of only a mild, local anesthetic, which allows the patient to watch television or to read in our Rhode Island and Massachusetts facilities during the procedure. If a hair replacement patient wants a mild sedative, it can be arranged.
How long is the hair replacement procedure?
A hair loss treatment such as hair transplants typically takes approximately 3-5 hours depending on the size of the session.
Does one need to take vacation after having hair transplants?
Dr. Leonard's "no-bandage" method of hair loss treatment means busy schedules are kept, even immediately after a hair replacement session. After a thorough shampooing, you can return to work the very same day you receive hair transplants. In addition, many times the hair replacement area can be camouflaged by surrounding hair to such an extent that it is unnoticeable.
Are the hairs long immediately after the hair transplants?
No. Typically the hairs are only a few millimeters in length immediately following hair replacement surgery. Once transplanted, the hairs may appear to be growing, but in reality they are being thrust out. Within three to four weeks of hair loss treatment, nearly all of the new hair transplants will be shed. Approximately three months following the initial shedding of hairs, hair replacement begins. Other hair loss treatments such as Graftcyte and Low Level Laser Therapy are available from our Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire offices and can greatly decrease this waiting period.
How long does it take for hair replacement growth?
You can expect to see normal hair growth about four months after receiving hair transplants. On occasion, hair growth may be slower due to individual variation or multiple hair replacement surgeries. Hair growth will occur then at a normal rate of 1/4 to 1/2 inch per month.
Does insurance cover hair transplants?
Unless hair loss was the result of an accident or a disease, health plans do not pay for hair replacement surgery. However, if you are employed in certain occupational categories, such as acting or modeling, in which you can demonstrate that hair transplants are important in enabling you to earn your livelihood, you could possibly claim the hair replacement surgeon's fees as an income tax deduction. You should, however, ask your personal accountant to research this issue for you.
Do women experience hair loss for the same reason as men?
In most instances, the answer is yes, but there are hair loss treatment options at our Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire facilities for women as well.
Following a hair replacement procedure, can I perm, color or dye my new hair?
Absolutely! Transplanted hair grows at the same rate (about 1/4 - 1/2 inch per month) as do the rest of the hairs on your head. It can be permed, colored, cut, curled and styled even after hair loss treatment because it is your own growing hair.
When can I resume my normal exercise program after receiving hair transplants?
You typically can resume virtually all exercise programs about three days after hair replacement surgery. You should delay weight training, however, until your donor stitches are removed.
When is the best time to get hair transplants?
As soon as possible because the sooner you begin hair loss treatment, the sooner hair replacement growth will occur. If you are able to stop further progression of your hair loss with medical therapy (especially with Propecia and Low Level Laser Therapy), then you can consider hair transplants. It can, however, be too soon to start hair replacement surgery. Only an evaluation in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or New Hampshire by Dr. Leonard can determine this with you. The time of year or season has no effect on your decision when to start hair loss treatment.
Do you give me general anesthesia for my hair transplants?
No! This hair replacement procedure is one where local anesthesia is used. If a person wants a little more sedation, it can be available. However, general anesthesia is unnecessary for this hair loss treatment and potentially dangerous.
Can I wear my hairpiece after hair replacement surgery?
Yes, but not for the first three days following the hair transplants procedure in our Massachusetts and Rhode Island offices. Thereafter, I want it to be worn as little as possible for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it can delay healing and regrowth that should result from hair loss treatment. Secondly, psychologically, it is far easier to wear it as little as possible to make it more comfortable to stop wearing it. Just think how much easier your daily life will be with YOUR OWN growing hair!
Can you use someone else's hair in transplants?
No. This would not be an effective form of hair loss treatment because "foreign tissue" will be rejected. Someday, in the distant future, we may be able to clone one's own hair, which could then be used for hair transplants.
Do you do "plug" hair transplants?
No! The plug technique was state-of-the-art from the 1950s through the 1980s. The last time I performed that method of hair replacement was in 1991. Today's grafts are tiny -- consisting of only one to four hairs, making it a much less revealing hair loss treatment.
Is financing available for hair replacement surgery?
Yes. Hair loss treatment fees can be paid with cash, personal check, credit card, or individual financing.
If you would like to find out more about hair replacement options such as hair transplants, schedule a hair loss treatment consultation in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, or New Hampshire with Dr. Leonard today.
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