Is Keeping Your Hair Better Than Restoring It?

Ever feel you are on your own trying to figure out what is the right decision?

Advances in hair loss prevention and transplantation surgery have developed. With medical improvements, knowledge, and skills. To improve the results available for the right candidates. Developments in medical research and surgical techniques. Can now give the patient restored faith in the field of hair restoration.

Patients´results show improved Hair Transplant techniques in the field of hair restoration. They give a viable option to those looking for a permanent solution to areas of hair loss.

Hair Science

Hair follicles are genetically programmed from birth. The genetic coding determines the behaviour of the hair follicles through life. Anagen is the growth phase of hair. This lasts about two to three years, sometimes longer. Telogen is the resting phase of hair growth. This can last for only three to four months.

During the growth phase, your hair can grow two, three centimetres per month. At the end of the resting phase, the hair strands in this pattern fall out. With the new hair enters the growth phase with the average person shedding from 50 to 100 hairs each day.

Some people have interruptions in their normal phases of hair growth. This can result in either temporary or permanent hair loss. Hair loss can be caused by hormonal problems, disease, medication. Medical treatments, heredity, infection, and nutritional deficiency.

Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) in men and Female Pattern Baldness (FPB) in women

This form of hair loss is passed down genetically from family members. There is a predestined potential this gene will be inherited by one or more family members.

On average there are 100,000 – 150,000 follicles on the scalp. If there are fewer than 90,000 hairs on the scalp, the hair density is considered thin.

Male Pattern Baldness is a result of a gene in the body that converts large quantities of testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone).  It can progress to an advanced hair loss stage. Leaving only a thin band of hair around the sides and back. Known as a “horseshoe”. The female baldness pattern normally takes the form of diffused loss behind the hairline and over the top of the scalp.

Hair loss stages are categorised in user guides. To help diagnose the extent of the hair loss, for both men and women. The Norwood Scale is a classification of MPB for men. From remedial thinning to progressive hair loss. The female version is known as The Ludwig Scale. Works in a very similar way to categorise a stage of thinning. The pattern of loss is generally different. But again gives a broad overview as to the condition of a person‟s situation.

Planning – treatment or transplant

Before deciding to undergo a hair transplant it is important to research. Become educated as much as possible as to your hair loss stage now, and the potential for future hair loss. A hair transplant is not a miracle cure. Only the redistribution of hair. In some cases, not all people are suitable for a hair transplant procedure. A hair transplant and medications can complement each other in providing the best result. It is important to understand that surgical hair replacement. Without medical therapy a hair transplant may not provide a suitable result.

There are medicated treatments and therapies for the treatment of hair loss. Although some are FDA approved with any treatment it must be understood there is no cure. Results can vary from person to person, and always consult a specialist before using.

Minoxidil (Rogaine®) is a topical application applied to the scalp twice daily, 1ml each application. Available over-the-counter in 2% or 5% lotion, and now in a foam form, the active ingredient is thought to increase blood circulation locally, acting as a vasodilator.

Finasteride (Propecia®) is a tablet taken daily, and acts by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the cause of male pattern hair loss. It is available only on prescription and cannot be taken by women. It slows hair loss and stimulates some new hair growth, and works more effectively on the crown and mid- scalp than the frontal area.

The most recently approved treatment uses low-level red laser light which stimulates hair follicles, it improves the strength and appearance of hair as well as hair growth. Available in a comb and later in a cap form, used every other day for a period of approximately 30 minutes each session.

No-one has a crystal ball

It would make assessing the chance of progressive hair loss much easier. Potentially stop wrong decisions being made. Especially in younger candidates wanting to restore low hairlines.

One aspect that never changes when measuring the suitability of a hair transplant candidate is the supply of available hair that can safely be removed from the donor area without creating adverse issues to the hair or the skin. Hair does not grow back it does not regenerate or multiple to make more or new hair so there is a finite amount that can be safely removed. Hair loss can progress to enlarge the surface area of hair loss and as much as possible the supply of hair needs to be able to be carefully spread over this area in a natural way to mimic a normal head of hair.

If you decide to use a treatment first and maintain the hair you have, or maybe opt for a hair transplant because your hair loss stage and pattern  a treatment is not going to give you the desired look and coverage timing is vital as is deciding on the correct hair transplant method for that particular procedure and for the future.

A Consultation is a start to getting the answers to your questions and informing yourself about your options. Look for multiple consultations with a variety of Doctors and Clinics and cross-reference the information to ensure you are receiving the best advice possible.