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Finally Hair Loss Medication that works
While hair restoration surgery is now a proven treatment for restoring hair where it has been lost, Hair loss medication such as Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride), have made real contributions toward stopping and even reversing hair loss.

During the late 70’s and early 80’s it was discovered that minoxidil, used as a heart medication, had hair growing side effects. Minoxidil was tested for use as a topical scalp treatment for hair loss and proved to inhibit hair loss in many test subjects.

It has proven to be effective to some degree in slowing the hair loss process. For a minority of people it can even grow back lost hairs in the crown area (back of the head). However, Rogaine (minoxidil) does not slow or reverse the balding process in the frontal hairline area.

Rogaine is typically applied topically on the scalp twice a day, morning and evening. But once usage is discontinued the hair loss which had been inhibited will resume and the hair that was saved will be lost.

Rogaine originally required a prescription, but in 1995, it became available in 2% strength Rogaine over-the-counter. Today, men and women can buy 5% strength lotion over-the-counter as Rogaine or as generic minoxidil.

To date Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride)are the only hair loss medications with FDA approval. Propecia’s active ingredient, finasteride, was originally used to treat enlarged prostate glands. It was discovered that, like minoxidil, it had the “side effect” of stopping male pattern baldness and for some even regrowing hair.

Propecia is taken as a pill once daily and acts to inhibit the body’s ability to create dyhydrotestosterone or “DHT”. DHT acts as the active ingredient or catalyst in the balding process.

Rogaine and Propecia

The 90’s brought great advances in hair restoration, both surgical and non surgical. Now most people can realistically halt and reverse their hair loss with truly natural results.

In 1988 minoxidil, Rogaine, became the first hair loss medication to be approved by the FDA for the treatment of hair loss.

In 1998 the FDA approved Propecia for the treatment of hair loss. Propecia (finasteride) should NOT be taken by woman or children for any reason.

Learn about all your hair loss treatment options.
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Diffuse Patterned Alopecia (DPA)
Diffuse Hair Loss and How to Treat It

Unlike male pattern baldness (MPB) and female pattern hair loss (FPHL), which tends to follow one of the hair loss patterns defined by the NorwoodScale and the LudwigScale, Diffuse Patterned Alopecia (DPA) is characterized by diffuse thinning throughout the front, crown and vertex(crown) with no distinct pattern evident. However, like male and female pattern balding,Diffuse Patterned Alopecia patients typically preserve the stable "permanent zone" on the sides and back of the scalp and may sometimes retain a well-defined hairline. DPA is also a type of hereditary balding condition like and rogenetic alopecia (genetic hair loss).

Diffuse Patterned Alopecia (DPA) can be difficult to diagnose and, particularly in its early stages, may be confused with a similar condition known as Diffused Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA). While both conditions are characterized by diffuse thinning, DUPA sufferers lack the stable permanent zone necessary for surgical hair restoration.

Treatment for Diffuse Patterned Alopecia

DPA often responds well to medical hair loss treatments like Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine(minoxidil) and, due to the preservation of the permanent donor region, many DPA sufferers are candidates for hairrestoration surgery.

Conclusion

It’s essential that hair loss suffering men and women seeking medical and/or surgical treatment for diffuse thinning consult with a skilled and experienced hair restoration physician. Differentiating between DPA and DUPA is critical because Diffuse Patterned Alopecia patients frequently make good hair transplant candidates, whereas DUPA patients rarely do.
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Dr. Ron Shapiro

Dr. Ron Shapiro

A true pioneer, with a worldwide reputation for outstanding follicular unit hair transplantations among both colleagues and patients.
Books - Your in-depth guide to hair restoration
Finding excellent in-depth information about hair restoration, beyond infomercials and brochures, can be difficult. We recommend the below books for those interested in-depth and reliable hair restoration information.

MODERN HAIR RESTORATION

Hair Restoration has made great progress over the last several years with new techniques that have helped improve the quality and efficiency of hair transplants. Dr. Parsa Mohebi, one of the premier hair restoration surgeons, describes these groundbreaking methods, which include new, surgical techniques, hair loss medications, and non-invasive treatments in his book.

Hair loss can have a devastating effect on our self-image and can impact our personal and professional lives in innumerable ways. Dr. Mohebi assures those who are suffering with this condition that there are many medical and surgical treatments available today to help treat patients with different types of hair loss, including specific treatments for male and female patterned baldness. Dr. Mohebi gives his readers tips that can help them evaluate their current hair loss situation in order to find the best treatment available.

Modern Hair Restoration is a one of a kind A-Z guide for most types of hair loss sufferers. It is based on the latest advancements in treating male and female patterned baldness and the newest techniques of hair restoration. The medical breakthroughs described in this book have successfully treated thousands of patients and should continue to help the lives of many more hair loss sufferers for years to come.

Buy MODERN HAIR RESTORATION - A Complete Hair Loss Guide For Men And Women

The Hair Replacement Revolution

"The Hair Replacement Revolution" offers hair loss suffers atruly expert and comprehensive guide to all legitimate hair loss treatments.

This guidebook is written by two credible and respected physicians, Dr.Emmanuel Marrit and Dr. JamesHarris. It alsooffers suggestions for excellent hair restoration surgeons, which are NOTdetermined by financial contributions. This book can be purchased at Amazonfor $12.00 and is truly a "Must Read"!

Read exerpts from this great book.

Hair Restoration Surgery in Asians

Hair Restoration is in demand worldwide, but because Asian hair tends to be more sparse and coarse than Caucasian hair, transplantation procedures need to be adapted to Asian patients. This book, exclusively devoted to Asian hair, is a complete and comprehensive text written by a group of authors sharing their experience in their specialized fields of hair restoration. Included are many practical tips as well as chapters on regional transplantation such as eyebrows, eyelashes, sideburns, beards, and mustaches, in addition to the usual scalp hair restoration.

With its many illustrations, the book gives readers a complete knowledge of hair restoration surgery and provides a quick, easy-to-use reference on Asian hair and the differences in patients' demands. With an influx of new physicians in this challenging field of medicine, further education and training are imperative and must be available to provide a high standard of medical practice. This compilation meets that objective and ultimately makes the valuable contribution of restoring patients' self-confidence.

Buy Hair Restoration Surgery in Asians

To Bald or Not to Bald

Although it is usually an unwanted sign of ageing, hair loss may no longer be inevitable. Hopefully, by the time you finish this book you will understand the proven, effective treatment options that have become so popular. In subsequent chapters you will realize that hair loss is a problem that can be solved with new and exciting methods that will be explained in detail as we move along. We live in a new era of medical innovation and possibilities. Advances in medical research, technology and surgical techniques have restored patient's faith in the field of medical and surgical hair restoration. This books explains the entire process of hair restoration today.

Buy To Bald or Not to Baldon Amazon.

Hair Loss and Replacement For Dummies

What are the causes of hair loss? Can you prevent it? Can lost hair be restored? Hair Loss & Replacement For Dummies helps you understand why men and women lose their hair and offers thorough, objective reviews of a wide array of hair replacement options, including hair replacement surgery, prescription and over-the-counter medicinal treatments, hairpieces, natural remedies, and a variety of other options.

This authoritative, user-friendly guide explains the pros and cons of hairpieces, fibers, foundations, and hair thickening techniques. You’ll learn about pharmaceutical, laser, and topical treatments, and you’ll find out how to determine whether you’re good candidate for hair restoration surgery. You’ll even find help in assessing costs, controlling expectations, avoiding hair replacement scams, and determining which option truly is best for you. You’ll discover:
- What you need to know about hair and hair loss
- How to take better care of your hair
- Ways to prevent or reduce hair loss
- Creative techniques for concealing hair loss
- Shopping tips for hair-replacement systems
- How finesteride, minoxidil, and other medications might help
- Advice about low level laser treatments
- The low-down on hair restoration surgery
Complete with helpful myth-busting information about the causes of hair loss and the benefits of FDA-approved treatments, and helpful comparisons of the advantages of non-surgical and surgical hair replacement, Hair Loss & Replacement For Dummies is the resource to consult before you decide on any hair replacement treatment.

Buy Hair Loss and Replacement For Dummies on Amazon
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Lateral Slit Technique
Over the past several years surgeons have used various techniques to perform follicular unit hair transplantation. One such technique is the Lateral Slit Technique, also known as Coronal or Perpendicular Grafting. This technique’s name is derived from the angle and direction in which the graft incisions are made.

While there are other techniques for performing densely packed and highly refined follicular unit transplantation, the lateral slit technique offers a high degree of control over the angle and direction in which the transplanted hairs will ultimately grow.

The lateral slit technique has been used both intuitively and systematically for years by hair restoration physicians. However, it has recently gained popularity as a systematic and precise way of performing follicular unit hair transplantation.

How our member physicians use the Lateral Slit Technique.

Many of our physician members use the Lateral Slit Technique exclusively or in combination with other techniques for creating graft incisions. The lateral slit technique enables a surgeon to create graft incisions at varying angles (ranging from 10 to 90 degrees to the scalp), including very acute angles that will make the transplanted hair grow out lying flatter to the scalp. The ability to create incisions at very acute angles is particularly useful in areas such as the front temples and sides where the hair normally grows out lying flat on the scalp.

The graft incision determines the direction of the hair growth

The lateral slit technique also helps enable a surgeon to determine the direction of the graft incisions. This then determines the ultimate direction of the transplanted hairs growth. Thus a surgeon can use this technique to control and vary both the direction and angle at which the transplanted hair will grow in order to mimic the subtle changes in hair direction that occur naturally.

Each graft incision is created by analyzing the neighboring hair so the surgeon can reproduce the correct hair pattern. As a result, as each transplanted hair emerges from the scalp it will grow and lay in a similar direction as its neighboring non-transplanted hairs.

Lateral slits can enable denser packing of grafts

Lateral slit incisions also tend to be more parallel to the scalp and thus more superficial and less invasive to the scalp’s underlying vascular structure. This parallel alignment also enables a physician to place more grafts per square centimeter with out the grafts compressing or popping up since the pressure exerted on the grafts does not push them upward from the scalp.

Using blades cut to the size of the grafts

Some of our members use custom blade cutters to create tiny blades to make incisions that match the size and depth of each follicular unit graft being transplanted. This enables a surgeon to safely dense pack more grafts into a given area during a surgical session. Healing time is also more rapid, with minimal scarring.

Typically most clinic’s blades range from 1.5mm to 2mm in size. However, by using the custom blade cutter our physicians can create blades as small as .7mm for a single hair graft and .9mm for a multi hair graft.

In addition, the blades created by the custom cutter are squared off to match the shape of the bulb end of a hair follicle. Non custom cut blades are typically spear pointed which requires them to be inserted deeper thus causing more trauma to the scalps vascular structure.

The ability to control the depth of the incision each blade makes is also critical. Each blade is placed in a blade holder that is set to not allow the blade to go any deeper than required for the graft to being placed in the incision. This minimizes unnecessary trauma to the deep vasculature of the scalp, thus enabling close tight incisions, minimal tissue swelling, and quick healing that leaves no visible scaring, pitting, or cobble stoning of the scalp.

Placing grafts to maximize their aesthetic result and coverage

The plane and direction in which each follicular unit graft is placed on the scalp can also impact the ultimate appearance of density that can be produced with a given number of grafts. This is because hairs within a follicular unit are typically next to each other inline.

Therefore by arranging each multiple hair graft on the scalp in a linear fashion to the line of sight, each follicular unit will provide the maximum appearance of fullness and scalp coverage. This also mimics how hair is normally aligned on the scalp.

Special thanks to Dr. DeYarman, Dr. Sharon Keene, Dr. Jerry Cooley, Dr. Alexander, and Dr. Glenn Charles for contributing their expertise and photos for this section.
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The Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians
Chosen by Patients and Peers for meeting the highest standards.

This Learning Center is sponsored by the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.

This elite group of independent surgeons have been carefully selected by patients and leading physicians and are committed to providing Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation.

This minimally invasive hair restoration procedure enables patients to achieve very natural and dense hair growth after only one surgical session.

Coalition members agree to have their results openly critiqued and reviewed on the world’s most respected online patient based community - the Hair Restoration Network. Learn more about the high standards Coalition physicians must meet for membership.

Find an an elite Coalition Physician in your area and consult for free about how to restore your own natural hair.
- Read more about The Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians
Does Nourkrin Hair Nutrient Work to Stop Hair Loss?
Balding men and women considering any hair loss treatment should take caution to believe the many magnificent claims made by today’s advertising. Far too often, a lot of time and money is wasted on questionable treatments with little or no proof of success.
Nourkrin hair nutrient claims to promote hair growth and strengthen thinning hair in 80% of men and women suffering from almost any hair loss condition other than the self-inflicted trichotillomania (hair pulling) or traction alopecia. Below we evaluate Nourkrin, the "clinical study", and its ingredients to find out whether or not this hair loss treatment lives up to its promises.

What is Nourkrin?

Nourkrin recommends using their complete regime of products for at least 6 months for the best results. This includes extra strength, Man, and Maintain oral tablets, a shampoo, a conditioner, and a scalp lotion. Nourkrin claims their products can promote hair growth in men and women suffering from androgenic alopecia (genetic baldness), alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, alopecia universalis, and telogen effluvium. This is a very bold claim considering each balding condition occurs for varying reasons.

Ingredients

The active ingredients in the extra strength tablet include shark cartilage and shellfish extract containing glucosamine. Other active ingredients include silica kieselguhr (a natural form of silica), horsetail extract, acerola cherry extract with vitamin C, microscyrstaline cellulose, immunogloblin G protein, and fatty acids. In addition to the above, the Man product contains Omega 3 fatty acids and Fenugreek designed to improve scalp circulation. Maintain includes additional marine life proteins, minerals, silica, and vitamin C. The scalp lotion contains marine life protein extract compounds and aloe vera.

Nourkrin claims that the primary active ingredient glucosamine can rebuild and grow new tissue, including dormant hair follicles - suggesting successful hair regrowth. Though clinical studies prove that glucosamine might be effective in reducing joint pain, increasing joint lubrication, preserving joint space, protecting cartilage breakdown by inhibiting specific enzymes, stimulating cartilage matrix repair, and other anti-inflammatory actions, we couldn't find any evidence to support claims that it can stop hair loss or promote hair regrowth.

Clinical Study

Nourkrin conducted a clinical study of 60 people who took their products for 12 months. All subjects were over 18 years of age and suffered from at least some form of hair loss for at least one year prior to the study. During a 6 month double blind clinical study, 30 subjects took Nourkrin while the other 30 took a placebo. After 6 months, the 30 participants taking Nourkrin continued taking it for another 6 months while the 30 on the placebo were switched to Nourkrin for 12 months.

In the first 6 months, Nourkrin reports that 77% taking their hair loss treatment experienced an increase in hair growth and shaft thickness. After 12 months, 75% reported a decrease in overall thinning hair. 90% of women in the study reported overall hair improvement after 12 months. The hair counting method showed an average increase in hair count of 45 percent during the clinical study.

Though the above study sounds impressive, we don't know a lot about the participants nor can we be certain of the reliability of the study. All participants suffered from some form of thinning, but its cause for each patient hasn’t been disclosed. Additionally, clinical studies are considered more credible when they've been conducted or verified by third parties not interested in its financial success.

Another problem is that none of the active ingredients in Nourkrin are proven to stop hair loss. Therefore, their study is the only one balding men and women have to support such claims.

Possible Side Effects

Anyone allergic to shellfish should avoid using Nourkrin. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not use Nourkrin hair loss products. Consulting with a doctor before using this treatment is advisable.

Dosage

Nourkrin recommends taking 2 tablets daily for at least 6 months. Men and women over 176 lbs or those who smoke are advised to take 3 tablets daily. After 6 months, dosage can be cut down to one a day. Nourkrin also recommends using the shampoo, conditioner, and scalp lotion daily. The scalp lotion may be best applied in the evening and left on overnight.

Cost

60 tablets of the extra strength tablet costs about $75, the Man $65, the shampoo and scalp cleanser $12, the conditioner $13, and the scalp lotion $30. All in all, the Nourkrin Hair Recovery Program can get pricey after 6 months. FDA approved products like Rogaine (minoxidil)only runs approximately $15 a month or less and male treatment Propecia (finasteride)costs approximately $60 per month, not as expensive as Nourkrin.

Conclusions

Nourkrin boasts a big game, claiming high rates of success in reversing hair loss in men and women caused by varying conditions. Their clinical study also confirms its success rate however; the reliability of this study has not been verified by third parties uninterested in its financial success. Additionally, no clinical proof exists that any of the ingredients found in Nourkrin work to treat baldness.

Whether or not Nourkrin is the "real deal" is hard to determine with little evidence to support its claims. Therefore, those considering this treatment should proceed with caution and may want to consider exhausting proven treatments like Propecia and Rogaine first.
- Read more about Does Nourkrin Hair Nutrient Work to Stop Hair Loss?
Thomas Chung Wai Nakatsui, MD

Dr. Thomas Nakatsui

Dr. Nakatsui performs large sessions of ultra refined follicular units using the lateral slit technique with extremely natural results.
Hair transplantation FAQs
Hair transplantation is really about relocating (transplanting) the bald resistant hair follicles from the back of the head to the balding areas on the top of the head.

This process works for a lifetime because the hair follicles taken from the back of the head are genetically resistant to baldness, regardless of where they are relocated to.

Learn more about hair transplantation.

Hair transplantation, when done right, can be so natural that even your hair stylist will not know that you've had it done.

But the skill and techniques of hair transplant surgeons does vary widely, as do their results. It's important to choose the right procedure and clinic to assure that you will get completely natural results.

The state of art hair transplantation procedure that we recommend is called "Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation".

To learn more about the leading hair transplantation physicians who perfrom this procedure, visit our recommended physicians page.

A typical session of between 1,500 to 3,000 grafts normally involves a full day of surgery on an out patient basis. Most patients will arrive in the morning and will have their procedure completed by late afternoon.

View a step by step overview of a typical hair transplant procedure.

Patients are given local anesthesia in the donor and recipient areas. Most patients find that once the anesthesia is given that they feel no pain or discomfort during the surgery. Following surgery patients will typically feel some amount of soreness and numbness, with some mild discomfort. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how minimal the discomfort from the surgical procedure is.

Today hair restoration clinics typically provide free no obligation consultations, with surgical sessions priced either per graft or by the session. Prices typically average around $5 to $6 per graft.

It is normal for the price per graft to drop as the size of the surgical session increases. Many clinics will offer a reduced rate per graft once a certain surgical session size (i.e. 1,000 or 2,000 grafts) is exceeded.

To compare the long term costs of hair transplantation to other hair loss treatments, visit our hair transplant cost section.

The amount of grafts you will need ultimately depends on your degree of hair loss, now and in the future, and on how full you desire your hair to be.

For help estimating the amount of grafts/hairs you may need, click here.

To use our interactive graft calculator, click here

With today’s very refined micro hair transplantation procedure the incisions are very small and less invasive than past procedures. This results in more rapid healing. Most patients feel fine within a day or two following surgery, although some numbness and mild soreness can be expected for several days following surgery.

Immediately following surgery a patient’s recipient area is typically pink with scabs forming around the micro incisions. These hundreds of tiny incisions will heal rapidly within a week to ten days.

During the first few days after the surgery a person’s hair transplants will be noticeable if there is no previous hair to mask these temporary scabs. However, most patients feel comfortable being in public without wearing a hat within 5 to 7 days following surgery.

Once the transplanted hair grows out the results should look entirely natural, even under close examination.

Normally it takes between three to five months following surgery before the transplanted hair follicles begin to grow new hair. The transplanted hair grows in very thin initially and gradually grows thicker and fuller over time. After one year a patient’s transplanted hair will be fully mature and will continue to grow for a life time.

Since the hair follicles that are transplanted to the balding areas are genetically resistant to going bald, they will continue to grow for a life time – just as if they had been left in the bald resistant donor area.

To understand why some hair follicles are genetically resistant to going bald, while other are not, click here.

The most important decision in restoring your hair is the physician you choose. The skill, talent, and experience of hair restoration physicians vary widely, as do the end results. Who you choose will determine how natural and full your new hair will be for the rest of your life.

View tips on selecting a hair restoration clinic.

Find an excellent hair restoration physician in your area.
- Read more about Hair transplantation FAQs
Dr. Rafael De Freitas

Dr. Rafael De Freitas

Dr. De Freitas is an expert in performing Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). He's regarded as one of the world's best FUE surgeons. He performs dense-packed ultra-refined follicular unit grafting at an affordable price.