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Balding and thinning hair can have a tremendous negative impact on one's self-image, and many of the commercial treatments and programs sought by those suffering from hair loss are ineffective at best and permanently damaging at worst. It is our goal at Hairlossconnection.com to provide accurate and unbiased information, arming you with the knowledge and tools necessary to make positive treatment decisions.
On this site, you will find insightful articles and useful tips, as well as a supportive and diverse online community and discussion forum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I losing my hair?
The vast majority of people suffering with hair loss have a condition called androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness (MPB). A very small minority of patients experience hair loss as a result of other conditions (hormonal disorders, nutritional imbalances, etc).
Male pattern baldness occurs when the hair follicles on the scalp become vulnerable to the male hormone dihydrotestosterone, also referred to as DHT. This hormone causes the hairs on certain parts of the scalp to progressively miniaturize, creating the appearance of thinning hair or baldness.
Can medical therapies help with my hair loss?
Many physicians recommend that patients use medications to slow their hair loss. While no medication has been consistently proven to regrow significant amounts of hair, Finasteride (Propecia) and Minoxidil (Rogaine) are often effective in stabilizing the progression of baldness. Finasteride is an oral medication for men. Minoxodil is a topical application effective in men and women. These medications can be helpful for non-surgical patients, in addition to those patients who opt for hair restoration surgery.
Do hair transplants really work?
For appropriate candidates, hair transplant surgery is an effective method of permanently restoring hair. In the hands of a qualified physician, hair transplant surgery can obtain satisfying results, especially if the patient understands the limitations of the process and has realistic expectations of the results. Not all hair restoration surgeons are equally skilled so it is important that patients do extensive research in order to select an appropriate surgeon.
Will my transplanted hair ever fall out?
A responsible hair transplant surgeon will harvest from an area on the back of the scalp (the safe zone) where the follicles are resistant to the hormones that cause baldness. Regardless of where these follicles are implanted on the scalp, they remain strongly resistant to hair loss. This phenomenon is known as “donor dominance.” Some men that experience very severe balding will have a very small “safe zone,” and these individuals are rarely candidates for hair transplantation.
Will my new transplanted hair appear natural?
As previously stated, not all hair restoration surgeons are equally skilled so it is crucial that patients do extensive research in order to get the best results. The results of a hair transplant surgery can be undetectable to the casual eye if the correct techniques and technologies have been employed. In order to achieve this high level of authenticity, a surgeon employs a method whereby only naturally occurring follicular groups of 1 – 4 hairs are used as grafts. These discrete groupings, called follicular units, are placed close together into tiny incisions over the balding or thinning area. With sharp artistic sense and impeccable technique, the very best surgeons can often achieve surprisingly natural results.