Pregnancy Yoga

Hello.  I have been using Propecia for around 12 days. I have noticed additional hair loss in the crown.  Is this normal?  Why is this happening?

Though chemically, Propecia (finasteride) begins to work right away, it can take up to 3 months of using this hair loss treatment to notice a difference in the amount of hair loss.   Additionally, this hair loss medication should be used for approximately one year to determine whether or not it will regrow hair.  Keep in mind however, that even if Propecia does not regrow hair, that it has a high percentage of combating future hair loss.  Documenting your progress with monthly pictures is often the best way to determine whether or not Propecia is benefiting you in any way. 

Keep in mind that hair shedding is also common over the first 3 months.  Though it is a temporary inconvenience, the hair that sheds as a result of Propecia will grow back stronger.

Unfortunately, hair shedding due to Propecia often leads to many hair loss sufferers prematurely stopping this hair restoration medication.  The important thing is to give Propecia the time it needs to start providing its benefits.

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

I have been told I have a diffuse hair thinning pattern of hair loss.  What is that and how do I treat this?

I have seen diffuse thinning refer to a couple of things.

Diffuse Alopecia:

Diffuse Alopecia is a condition characterized by hair loss over the entire scalp including the sides and back of the head.  An example of Diffuse Alopecia is Telogen Effluvium.  Many things can cause this, but Diffuse Alopecia is not genetic. 

Some possible causes are but not limited to:

• Hormonal changes in the body (thyroid disorders)
• Pregnancy or shortly thereafter
• Certain medications (anticoagulants - blood thinning drugs)
• Scalp determatitus or other inflamation of the scalp
• Severe infections such as pneumonia
• Traumatic Stress (physical or emotional)
• Iron deficiency

Treating this type of hair loss depends on the actual hair loss cause.  Tests should be performed by a doctor to first determine the cause which may involve a thyroid gland test to determine it is working properly and whether or not iron level are normal.  Medication or supplements may be administered to correct the condition.  In most cases of diffuse alopecia, no treatment is needed for the hair loss condition itself and in many cases, the hair regrows.  Some people however may continue to experience diffuse alopecia and the scalp hair remains thin.  Complete baldness however, is exceptionally rare.

Genetic Hair Loss with a Diffuse Pattern (Diffuse Pattern Baldness):

More commonly on our hair restoration discussion forum, many people refer to a “diffuse thinning” pattern as hereditary hair loss with diffiuse thinning all over the top of the scalp while the sides and back of the head remain unaffected.  These hairs will miniaturize going from terminal to vellus gradually.  This type of hair loss is still genetic and can be treated with Propecia (finasteride) and/or Rogaine (minoxodil). 

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

“Who is the best hair transplant doctor” is a common question posed on our hair restoration discussion forum and typically leads to subjective answers. As members post their preferences for particular hair transplant doctors, please understand that though some data may be objective - there is a lot of subjectivity.  However, the real question is not “who is best” but rather “how do we know which hair restoration physicians truly perform state of the art hair transplantation”?

At the Hair Transplant Network, we recommend only those hair restoration physicians who truly have a proven track record in performing state of the art hair transplantation. Members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians consist of an elite group who perform regular larger sessions of ultra refined follicular unit hair transplantation. To see our coalition membership standards click here.

All of our hair restoration doctors are continually reviewed and assessed in a few ways.

Pat Hennessey, the Publisher of our community, has visited and continues to visit our hair transplant physicians as well as other potentially promising leading hair restoration clinics worldwide. To date, the Hair Transplant Network is the only Network worldwide to assess their hair transplant physicians in this way. To see the highlights from Pat’s visits, view “Visits to Leading Hair Transplant Clinics”.

Pat’s visits include but are not limited to:

• Assessment of the hair transplant surgical procedure (including session sizes), technique, and tools used to perform the surgery. This assessment is measured against other leading hair restoration clinics worldwide who have a consistent track record of producing first-rate hair transplant results.
• Before, immediately post op, progressive, and after pictures up to 12 to 18 months provided by the clinic are assessed in by Pat in person.
• The opportunity to meet live hair transplant patients from their clinic to see overall hair coverage and hair density
• Technical details about the hair transplant surgery performed, the patients seen, and in general are obtained as needed to understand their overall practice.
• Detailed discussion with the hair transplant clinic and doctor

Ultimately, Pat demands for visual proof that these hair restoration clinics truly measure up to our high level of membership standards.

Hair transplant clinics are continually evaluated by follow up visitations, and hair transplant patient provided feedback presented our hair restoration discussion forum. We take patient feedback carefully. Pat has had no problem removing hair restoration physicians from our network in the past when after the evaluation of a specific case, it is determined that a particular hair transplant surgeon/clinic is not up to par with today’s standards.

Therefore, I strongly recommend selecting a hair restoration physician that is a member of the Coalition.

It is important however to do your own dilligent research before selecting a hair transplant doctor. Using the find feature of our hair restoration forum will lead you to over 5 years of patient posted experiences and photos of our recommended and coalition physicians as well as other clinics.

I like to keep my shaved down really short but really want to be able to frame my face with a nice hairline.  If I get a hair transplant, can I keep my head shaved?

The answer depends on how short you want to cut your hair and whether or not you want to potentially reveal a hair transplant scar.

The type of scar you will receive will depend on the hair transplant technique you consider.  Many hair transplant patients who want to keep their hair buzzed extremely short consider Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE/FIT) because of the patterned scar as opposed to Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT/FUSS/Strip Surgery) which creates a fine linear scar going from ear to ear.

Learn more about FUT verses FUE by clicking here.

However, regardless of the technique of hair transplantation chosen, the shorter you wear your hair, the greater the risk of revealing the scar(s).

Selecting a quality first rate hair restoration physician will help minimize scarring but scarring in hair restoration surgery is inevitable.

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

I am a hair loss sufferer seeking hair transplantation as a option to restore my hair.  I have heard that a hair transplant is noticeable for awhile afterward.  How soon can I wear a hat after hair restoration surgery?

You are correct.  Immediately following hair transplant surgery, and for at least the following 2 weeks (maybe much longer depending on a number of variables) - the fact that you had something performed on your scalp will be noticeable, though I doubt too many people would pinpoint hair transplant surgery.  See the following thread on our hair restoration forum titled When will I look normal after a hair transplant?

Wearing a loose fitting hat is acceptable immediately following the hair transplant surgery - the same day but be extra careful not to touch the transplanted hair.  Some hair transplant surgeons will even provide a loose fitting hat for you to wear out of the office.  It is important however, to check with them first to know whether or not to bring your own.

It is also very important to follow the postoperative hair restoration instructions given to you by your hair transplant clinic.  See some general hair transplant postoperative tips.

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