A Health Adventure

This important discussion was written by Dr. Ricardo Mejia of Jupiter, FL who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians.

Before any woman with female hair loss proceeds with hair surgery, she should properly be evaluated for medical and other conditions that can mimic female pattern baldness. Be sure not to ignore this as I have seen many women have surgery only to find out later there was a medical reason for their hair loss.

I generally do not initially recommend a hair transplant for women unless they have had a proper medical workup. I found too many cases of underactive thyroid, low ferritin / iron and causes of telogen effluvium or shock loss due to other factors mimicking androgenic alopecia. I have also found two cases of diffuse alopecia areata, an immunological condition where the hair transplants would not work.

We deal with a lot of women and it is our standard practice to assure this is done. These are some of the basics. For a woman’s perspective on hair restoration results see below:

Video: Womans Perspective on Hair Transplants

Dr. Ricardo Mejia

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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

This question was posed by a female hair loss sufferer seeking hair loss help on our hair restoration forum and answered by  Dr. Humayun Mohmand of Pakistan who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians. His professional answer is below.

Can you tell me what the difference between these two hair transplant methods are: Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT - Strip Surgery) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

FUE stands for follicular unit extraction.  In this hair restoration method, the surgeon extracts one follicular unit at a time with a punch ranging from 0.7mm to 1 mm leaving a small little mark.  The advantage of FUE is no linear scar, but scarring in the shape of small round pits.  Know that there is always a scar, but the visibility is different.  There is also minimal pain during the FUE healing process, though it’s significantly more expensive in some cases.

Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) or the “strip” method is where a hair restoration physician will harvest a strip of tissue creating a liner scar from one ear to other.  These days, most surgeons are using the tricophytic closure technique to minimize the visibility of the scar in most cases and if done correctly.  Many surgeons do the tricophytic closure, but their method could vary and hence so does their result.  It’s a bit more uncomfortable than FUE, but you can get it for a very competitive price.  There are either stitches or staples to be removed in 10 days time.

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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

Knowing what’s causing your hair loss is the first step to developing a long term hair restoration treatment program. Some of you may already be aware that male pattern baldness is genetic and caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT). However, what other contributors exist that facilitates or expedites hair loss?

Hair styling products which have been traditionally identified with women are now very popular with men. But do these styling agents contribute in any way to male or female hair loss? Join this hair loss forum discussion between patient and physician members who offer their input on this highly important topic.

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

I have been experiencing dizziness after a month of using Rogaine (minoxidil) 5%.  I woke up a few times from it and felt my heartbeat racing for a few seconds. Anyone know about this type of side effect?  Should i discontinue use?

This hair loss question was answered on our hair restoration forum by Dr. Paul Shapiro of Bloomington, MN who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.  His professional answer is below.

If you are having dizziness and heart palpitations on Rogaine, I would advise you to stop it right away.

Minoxidil is a vasodilator which means it relaxes the veins and arteries in the body. It was first used as an oral medication to lower blood pressure. The fact that minoxidil stimulates hair growth was an accidental finding. In fact, it is no longer used to lower blood pressure, partly due to this side effect.

When used topically (applied directly to the balding scalp) usually the amount absorbed into the blood stream is minimal. In most hair loss sufferers, it does not cause systemic (affecting the body ) side effects.

Dizzy spells and heart palpitations are known side affect of minoxidil and you may just be extra sensitive to the medication. But there also may be a medical reason why the minute amount of Rogaine absorbed into your blood system cased palpitations. I would see your primary care physician and/or a cardiologist to do some simple testing to evaluate your heart. Another possibility is that you have a skin condition on your scalp which allows more of the hair loss treatment to be absorbed into your body, (i.e. bad psoriasis) but I think you would know of such a condition.

I hope this is helpful.

Paul Shapiro, MD

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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

I am losing hair at a very fast rate and don’t know which hair loss treatment I should use to stop it.  Please advise.

There are a number of possible causes of hair loss, the most common of which is androgenic alopecia (female and male pattern baldness). 

The only two non-surgical treatments of any viable effect in my opinion, are Propecia and Rogaine, both FDA approved for the treatment of male pattern baldness. 

Propecia comes in a pill form and contains active ingredient finasteride.  Finasteride works to inhibit DHT, the hormone responsible for androgenic alopecia.

Rogaine is a topical solution containing active ingredient minoxidil.  Minoxidil is a vasodilator originally used orally to lower blood pressure by relaxing the veins and arteries in the body.  An accidental side effect of hair growth was found and then later tested topically and FDA approved to stop hair loss.

A number of other non-surgical hair loss solutions exist, but the proof of their efficacy are lacking.  Be sure to research all products you are considering and speak to your physician about Propecia (which requires a prescription).

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