A Health Adventure

This hair loss sufferer came to our hair restoration forum seeking hair loss help and posted the below hair loss question.  Many of our hair restoration forum members gave this seeking hair transplant patient some excellent information.

How much hair density do I need to achieve a natural looking hair transplant with no signs of hair thinning?

You have been given some excellent information from our hair restoration forum community members.

The illusion of hair density is determined by a number of factors including the number of follicular unit grafts per square centimeter, the number of hairs per follicular unit graft, and hair characteristics (hair shaft thickness, and hair color).

To create an adequate illusion of hair density with hair transplantation, typically 50% of the natural hair density must be achieved between natural hair and transplanted hair - though this will also depend on hair characteristics.

Other key factors in ensuring a natural hair transplant include, the artistic design of the hairline, the strategic placement of the transplanted hair grafts, and the direction and angle of the hair implants.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

In researching hair loss, I read that it’s possible for MSG, found in some foods, to cause hair loss?  Is there any truth in this?

When balding men and women journey to seek after an effective hair loss treatment, most hair loss sufferers would be eager to try everything they can to help with their hair loss issues. One might try medication, changes to one’s lifestyle, herbal hair loss treatments or anything else that claimed to help treat hair loss. Before any real time hair restoration solutions can be provided, one must first dispel some of the hair loss myths and learn about the actual causes of hair loss.

One such hair loss myth is that taking MSG causes hair loss.  MSG is a flavoring agent used in cooking to make dishes taste better. There is no scientific proof however, that shows MSG and hair loss are connected in any way. Like anything else however, use MSG in moderation as too much of it isn’t good for your overall health.

Learn more about the real cause of hair loss at the Hair Loss Learning Center.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

I am a 30 year old hair loss sufferer seeking hair loss help.  I’ve been an avid reader on this hair restoration forum community for the past 4 months.  I plan on getting a hair transplant procedure done within 1 to 2 years from now. After spending a lot of time researching different hair transplant doctors and viewing many hair transplant patient results, I have put Dr. Rahal as my number one choice at this point. This is mainly for his ability to create hair density and his creative ability for the hairline.I have created a hair loss weblog with photos and would like some feedback on whether you think the drawn hairline placement is attractive, too aggressive or about right.I also just started taking 1/4 pill of Proscar daily starting 2 months ago.  

Thank you for your inquiry.

Dr. Rahal is an excellent hair restoration physician who has a proven track record of providing state of the art hair transplantation.  This is also why he is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Surgeons who in order to be admitted into and maintain membershp, must meet our hair restoration forum community’s high level of membership standards. 

As it seems like you have discovered, hairlines should be custom taylored creatively and artisticly to each hair transplant patient.

The hairline should be decided on by both the hair transplant patient and the hair transplant surgeon performing hair restoration surgery. Obviously the lower and liberal the hairline placement, the less hair density that can be achieved behind it.  This is due to the fact that the donor hair supply is finite.

However, you appear to be in a good position as you don’t have a lot of baldness behind the hairline and you have just started Proscar (finasteride). You are also not in your early 20s like many seeking hair loss sufferers who want a liberal looking hairline.  The fact that you also are going to wait a year or two before undergoing hair transplant surgery to achieve the maximum benefit from the hair loss drugs and to continue your research is also a good idea.

Personally, I have found that a more staggered hairline is quite flattering and natural looking however, a straighter hairline with a slight “U” shape can certainly look quite nice as well - again, depending on the individual hair transplant patient.  As I’ve stated, a lot of it is personal preference. 

Good luck in your continued research.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Attached are my hair transplant preoperative pictures.  I have been told that I need about 2400 follicular unit grafts, does that sound about accurate?  Can you recommend for me an affordable and quality hair transplant doctor in India?

Without knowing your hair restoration goals, based on what I am seeing you are most likely going to need more than 2400 follicular unit grafts to achieve both full hair coverage and adequate hair density.  Though it is more accurate to receive an estimate from a qualified hair transplant clinic, in my opinion and based on my experience in being a three time hair transplant patient, I would estimate that you would need approximately 4000 follicular unit grafts. 

Some hair restoration physicians have the staffing capability, skills, and experience in that they might be able to accomplish this number of hair grafts in one single hair transplant session depending on your donor hair density and scalp elasticity.  Other hair transplant surgeons lack the staffing and/or experience to do this large of a session and will most likely take more than one session to accomplish your hair restoration goals. 

Keep in mind also that if you lose more additional natural hair, subsequent hair transplant procedures may be necessary as hair transplantation is NOT a hair loss cure.

Because you have diffuse hair thinning all over the scalp, it is critical at this time that you consider FDA approved hair loss medication such as Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxodil).  This will hopefully help prevent future hair loss and may even strengthen the miniaturized hairs creating more natural hair density.  In other words, these hair loss treatments might even regrow hair.  Any transplanted hair placed in between or around natural hair created an additional risk of shock loss.  Because of this hair loss drugs such as Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxodil) become an important part of the long term hair restoration plan.

Though I can understand that selecting a hair restoration surgeon based on affordability is attractive, hair transplant costs should be the last consideration. 

At this time, we do not recommend any ethical and quality hair transplant physicians in India.  If you are willing to travel outside of India however, the closest quality hair transplant physician to you is Dr. Mohmand who is recommended on the Hair Transplant Network.

If you are willing to travel a little further, Dr. Ferudini provides ultra refined follicular unit hair transplantation and is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Surgeons. 

To see the difference between our recommended and Coalition physicians, click here.

In my opinion, our Coalition physicians are the best of the best in the hair transplant industry and they should be considered first.  For an all inclusive list of our Coalition physicians click here.

Regarding hair transplant price, it is dependent on a number of things including the cost charged by the hair transplant clinic.  Unfortunately, I do not have the prices memorized for all of our hair restoration clinics so it is best to contact them directly.  Here is some general information on hair transplant costs.

I hope this helps.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Jojoba Oil as a Hair Loss Treatment 

Hair loss sufferers seeking hair loss help are often attracted to the many herbal non surgical treatments that claim to work as a treatment for hair loss.  Whereas there is no question that marketing is over-reaching at best in order to sell a product, the real question that any hair loss sufferer asks is: will this product help combat baldness or is there any chance that it will regrow hair?  To date however, it is important to understand that there is no hair loss cure, therefore realistic expectations must be kept when considering any hair restoration product.

Below I decided to take a look at an oil that has been said to fight against hair loss when used topically.  This product is an “active” ingredient in a few hair loss remedies such as HairMax MD, a topical hair loss treatment.  Jojoba oil can also be bought as a stand alone product in local nutritional stores. 

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is known to be a scalp cleanser that can help alleviate encrusted buildup (called sebum) on the scalp when applied topically. This sebum may block hair follicles from growing and impede normal hair growth. Its unique anti-oxidant properties may protect the scalp and hair from damage, ultimately, keeping them more healthy.

Though keeping the scalp clean is extremely important, in my opinion, unless a hair loss sufferer is losing hair for non-genetic related reasons such as scalp dermatitis, bad dandruff, or excessive sebum build up, this ingredient will do nothing to fight against Androgenetic Alopecia (genetic hair loss), which causes approximately 95% of all hair loss.

Conclusion:

Excessive sebum buildup has been said to be a secondary cause of hair loss but is not the root cause of hereditary hair loss.  Therefore this product may prove to be beneficial for those suffering from nongenetic forms of hair loss caused by this or dermatitus.  I have not found any evidence that suggests that Jojoba oil has any benefit for those suffering from male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness.

In my opinion, it would be better to stick to the hair loss drugs that have been proven:Propecia(finasteride), and Rogaine 5% (minoxodil). As an adjunct hair restoration treatment, Nizoral shampoo or Revita shampoo both containing active ingredient ketoconazole may also be helpful.

Bill Seemiller - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of theHair Transplant Networkand theHair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog