All Posts in Category: Male Pattern Baldness

10 Things to Expect After a Hair Transplant

10 Things to Expect After a Hair Transplant

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If you are still not yet sold on getting a hair transplant, or if you are already on your way of getting it, knowing what to expect afterward drives you to whatever is necessary to achieve success. Having this knowledge is like learning how to make a raft while stranded out on an island. So here are 10 things that you can expect after a hair transplant.

Proper aftercare is needed.

Let’s put emphasis on the term “proper.” This means that it is not just some haphazard treatment, but careful consideration of aseptic technique. It doesn’t mean that you will be donning sterile masks and suits to clean the affected areas, but you need to follow your surgeon’s instructions on wound care properly.

Since there is a break in skin integrity, it is important that you constantly wash your hands before doing aftercare, as this can be a primary source of infection. Follow the entire course of antibiotic treatment to prevent any chances of infection.

It is also important to immediately report the following:

  • Pain or discomfort with increasing intensity.
  • Prolonged or severe bleeding days after the surgery.
  • Foul odor or drainage on the surgical site.
  • High fever

It gets worse before it gets better

Shock loss is the type of hair loss that occurs after a hair transplant surgery which occurs a few weeks after the procedure. This might be disheartening to look at but it is not something serious or permanent. It is a temporary reaction of the follicles after this type of surgery due to the amount of stress that the scalp is subjected to, and it happens to most hair transplant patients. At this point, the follicles are at a resting phase up until the patient has fully recovered.

Grafts grow at varying rates

Don’t get too worked up in comparing your results to the next person who had the same work done since each individual heals at a different rate. Surgeons claim that most patients have fair growth around the six-month period, and the results double on the 12th month. These measures are all relative because it can grow fast or the grafts can take its time to lengthen.

Swelling is normal

We often relate swelling to something gone wrong. However, in this case, swelling is a normal reaction especially within the first 2-3 days after surgery. This type of swelling is painless and it usually localizes on the forehead to the bridge of the nose. It then starts to subside usually around 72 hours, so if it worsens and is eventually accompanied by pain or tenderness, immediately report this to your surgeon so prompt treatment is given.

To let the normal swelling subside faster you can:

  • Elevate your head by propping it on 2-3 stacks of pillows.
  • Apply cold compress on the eye area, since some swelling also focuses here. However, you need to be careful not to apply too much cold since it could also hamper hair growth.
  • Avoid steroidal drugs as you heal since this can only worsen the situation.
  • Use medications, which has to be prescribed by your doctor.

This might not be your last

For some patients, they may need more than one session to complete the restoration needed for a good aesthetic outcome. In such a case, surgeons use this approach because they first want to assess the pattern and behavior of hair growth of the first surgery to decide whether a second procedure is still needed.

Medications needed

If you have been taking hair loss medications prior to surgery, this would have to be continued even after the procedure. While you don’t need it for the surgery to work, but this prevents the native hairs from falling off since hair loss is progressive. Surgeons would suggest this especially if there is a significant family history of baldness. If you have any questions or concerns, address them accordingly to your surgeon. Don’t just halt treatment without your doctor’s advice.

The potential for infections

As new hairs start to grow some develop inflammation or infection of the follicles caused by a fungus or bacteria. This is referred to as folliculitis and it can happen to some hair transplant patients. This is a potential risk that comes along with the procedure, fortunately, these heal on their own and will go away in a couple of weeks. In fact, most cases don’t need pharmacological treatment, but if it persists, an antibiotic treatment or an antifungal cream can help fix the problem especially if a large area of redness develops around it. Applying a clean, warm and damp face cloth can also help bring that soreness and swelling down.

Your new hair won’t grow all at once

Just like the hairs which inhabited that scalp once upon a time, the new follicles don’t sprout all the same time. Unlike carefully arranged rice fields that bloom in almost perfect unison, your hairs have their individual timetable. So you have to be patient and wait for these grafts to eventually reach their full growth that brings a suitable aesthetic appeal to your face.

Remember, about 20% of hair grows within the first 2-4 months, while 60-70% density is achieved within 5-8 months.

Altered scalp sensitivity

Some patients report of dullness or decreased scalp sensitivity over the surgical areas. This is not a major threat since it is only a temporary effect due to some nerves that were disrupted during the surgery. This will soon revert within 3-18 months as the nerves eventually regenerate.

Other treatments can help hair growth

Just because you have a hair transplant means that you can just lay there on your laurels and let nature take its course. If you want to assist the healing process and ensure that you recover with the best results, complementary treatments can help you along. Aside from medications, procedures like PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) treatment can also boost your chances for better hair growth.

Others swear by supplements or natural oils to promote a healthier scalp that is conducive to healthier hair growth. Share this with your surgeon and know what other options are there to enhance your hair transplant results further.

If you have more questions and concerns, come talk to us. Allow us to help you in the management of your hair loss as we educate you through this beautiful process. Drop us a line today!

Photo credit: hang_in_there via Foter.com / CC BY

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8 Unusual Hair Loss Remedies Throughout the History

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Hair loss has inspired a lot of impressive technologies today that can even create the most natural-looking results you could imagine. However, behind the advancements and successes in hair restoration are some bizarre remedies along the way. Here are some that made a mark in history.

A Greek tragedy

Hippocrates was definitely a thinker way beyond his time which is only why he is called the ‘Father of Modern Medicine.’ It was him who first saw the connection between hair loss and male hormones. He observed that men who are castrated before they hit puberty were not affected by hair loss.

Today, this was known to be due to the absence of testosterone which could convert to the hair loss culprit – DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

For this, Hippocrates developed several treatments in which one included a mixture of cumin, nettles, horseradish, and pigeon droppings. This was to be applied on the scalp for the intent of re-growing hair, but it was unsuccessful. Castration was later on confirmed by Duke University to prevent hair loss but was also deemed to be commercially unacceptable. Today, a fringe around a bald pate is called a Hippocratic Wreath, which was done so by his colleagues in his honor.

Egyptian hair loss magic

The Egyptians have been known for their signature wigs, but behind the hairpiece, they were also in a constant search for a cure for hair loss. One of their interesting solutions includes reciting a magic spell to the sun god and then swallowing a mixture of onions, honey, iron, red lead, and alabaster.

Another measure was rubbing different animal fats on the scalp, which also lead to disappointing results. Some accounts found on The Eber’s Papyrus described a concoction of fats from a crocodile, hippo, snake, tomcat, and ibex. If this fails, another option is to boil porcupine hair and leave it on the scalp for four days.

Caesar and his leaves

When Julius Caesar started to lose his hair, he tried to everything to reverse it and keep the condition a secret. In his attempts to conceal his thinning hair, the Roman dictator tried to grow his remaining hair longer at the back. In a less than a successful attempt, he tried to cover his bald spot by combing all his hair forward, giving the infamous comb-over its ancient roots.

Seeing that this technique was no good, his lover Cleopatra recommended a rather unusual topical remedy which consisted of horse teeth, ground mice, and bear grease. This had very little effect, so the dictator took to nature for his final solution and one which soon became his signature look – he donned a laurel wreath around his scalp.

Chicken for follicles that “chickened” out

In the 17th century, British men were really at the hard end in trying to keep their hair. Male health magazines at the time advised the gentlemen to apply chicken dung to their head to protect them from going bald. On the other end of the spectrum, it was also advised that cat dung helps remove unwanted hair.

snake-oil-hair-loss-remedies-historyPhoto credit: istolethetv via Foter.com / CC BY

Snake oil

In the 19th century “snake oil” salesmen became a big thing in the United States. These people are actually swindlers masquerading to be doctors who are peddling these potions which are basically phony concoctions. What made them a hit are the lofty promises that this was supposed to reverse hair loss and pretty much every condition that ails you.

This is also the time when the infamous ointment called Seven Sutherland Sister’s Hair Grower was shoved into the throats of desperate and naïve buyers by a family of sideshow performers with tresses which spanned 37 feet between them.

Victorian locks

Around 1876 to 1913, people in America were doing the opposite of what most people suffering from hair loss would do – they were brushing their hair incessantly. What makes matter worse is the fact that they use stiff brushes for the job, thinking that this can promote soft and shiny hair. Applying a mixture of cologne, spirit of camphor and a pigment of cantharides every night was also believed to halt hair loss.

Sucking it up

In 1936, a certain company called the Crosley Corporation which manufactures radios and automobiles ventured into personal care products. They created the Xervac machine which was supposed to create a suction on the head through a helmet-encased vacuum pump to stimulate hair growth. It can be rented for home use or it can be found in barbershops. Men can kick back and relax while the vacuum works on the follicles. Today this machine is displayed in the Museum of Quackery Medicine, although the sole intent of this invention was not to fool anyone.

The 20th-century hot heads

At this time in history, manufacturers attempted to take huge strides in developing cutting-edge solutions for hair loss. These efforts brought the market the Thermocap device by a company called Merke Institute. Men, and even women, who are suffering from thinning locks only had to spend 15 minutes each day under the heat introduced by the bonnet-like gear and blue light. This was intended to stimulate dormant hair bulbs into growing. Unfortunately, this solution didn’t come out to be successful.

Thanks to modern medicine, we now have better options for hair loss. We are even better equipped with knowledge regarding home remedies, instead of going for the strange and disgusting. However, if you want to take bigger strides to restore your hair, a hair transplant can be a good final option. Like some of the treatments mentioned above, this procedure also had its crude beginnings but has far improved over the years making it reliable.

If you want to know about this in detail, come and talk to us at the Sydney Hair Transplant Clinic or you could drop us a line here.
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10 Ways Clueless Men Are Damaging Their Hair

10 Ways Clueless Men Are Damaging Their Hair

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Photo credit: Mitya Ku / Foter.com / CC BY-ND

Did you know that we lose 50-100 strands of hair daily? Yes, it’s that many – and if you don’t take care of your locks you could lose more. Even with the genetic predisposition to balding aside, you could end up with extensive hair thinning and breakage if you are not careful.

A lot of men have been slowly damaging their hair without them knowing it. And it’s the little everyday stuff that brings on the damage. So what are these factors which are causing all these damages? Here are the 10 common culprits men are unaware of.

10 Damaging Factors to Male Hair

1. Washing your hair every day

Washing your hair every day seems to be reasonable if you aim to be clean and well-groomed. With hair being one of the major factors in a man’s overall appearance and personality, some men would take more time to give it the best care and style. To create and maintain that desired wave or side part pompadour, some men would often use styling products like gels, hair mousse, or clays. This is why regular shampooing becomes necessary.

According to an article by the Business Insider, men should only wash their hair three times a week. This is because shampoos, when used excessively, can be damaging to the hair. It contains chemicals, such as sulfates, which strip the hair of natural oils that keep the hair shiny, strong and soft. There is no need to abstain from shampoos, in general, or avoid taking showers everyday – you still can of course. On days when you don’t shampoo, simply massage the scalp gently. This action can already help remove some dirt and excess oil from the scalp while promoting better circulation at the same time.

2. Hot showers

We are all guilty of enjoying a good, long, and steamy shower. It relaxes the muscles making it a good catharsis for a very stressful day, right? However, if you want to keep your hair, it may be time to cut back on this guilty pleasure. Hot water strips the hair of its natural oils and it also weakens the roots, making it more vulnerable to breakage or falling. Remember, the hair is made up of protein material and collagen which can get damaged when exposed to heat, causing the hair to break in the middle. You can go for warm water instead of hot, this way it will be more gentle to the hair and good for the scalp.

3. The way you dry your hair

Whether if you have short or long hair, how you tousle those strands when drying it can also create some damage. Hair is most sensitive when wet, and when you vigorously rub a towel over your hair immediately after stepping off the shower, you could end up damaging the strands. To make it gentler on your hair, squeeze certain partitions of your hair if it is long, or dab your towel gently for short-haired guys.

4. Styling products

Your gels, mousse and hair dyes can all wreak havoc to your hair if you are not careful. These can be fun and stylish, but it can be damaging in the long run. The chemicals can damage the disulfide bonds of the hair, and it also widens the pores too much making the cuticles susceptible to damage. If you have to dye your hair, go for high-quality dyes instead of cheap brands, because those tend to dry out the hair more due to a certain degree of structural damage. It’s fortunate that dyes now come with conditioners to moisturize the hair and make it smoother after the treatment.

5. Tight hairstyles

From cornrows, ponytails, to man buns – men also have their liking for certain hairstyles. However, the problem is that such hairstyles can be damaging for the hair structure. It’s like having the hair follicles yanked from the roots, and if this keeps on, worse case would be traction alopecia. As the name implies, this type of excessive hair loss (alopecia) is caused by the constant traction applied to your hair.

6. Take it easy on that comb

If you choose to wear your hair long, you need to comb it if you want to look civilized and attractive. Don’t just run that comb roughly through your hair, like you’re straightening a clump of ropes. Those can take a beating, but your hair needs gentler action, especially when it’s wet or damp. It is advised that you dry your hair first before combing it. And if you have longer tresses, use a wide-toothed comb to tame it before using a finer tooth for better styling.

7. Cut back on pool time

Pool water can also be damaging to your hair. It can even dry and damage your locks due to the chlorine content, as well as other chemicals. Showering with tap water before diving into the pool somehow protects your hair from the chemicals, and prevent these from absorbing into the follicles. To prevent dryness and damage it pays to limit your pool time, and if this is unavoidable you can protect your hair before swimming and rinse it thoroughly afterwards. A conditioner also helps moisturize and soften the hair after being exposed to the chemicals in the pool.

8. Stress

Unmanaged stress can take a toll on your hair. In fact, there are three types of hair loss associated to this phenomenon – telogen effluvium, alopecia areata and trichotillomania. With excessive amounts of stress, a huge chunk of hair can be pushed into a resting phase, the immune system could attack the hairs, or a person could get the irresistible urge to pull out some hair. Professional intervention is most effective for these types of problem.

9. Underlying medical conditions

Hypothyroidism is a medical problem which is caused by an underproduction of certain thyroid hormones. It may affect some men without them knowing it, and it could manifest through hair loss and other symptoms. A laboratory exam is a definitive way to know if something is off with your thyroid. Consult your primary care physician to rule out anything that could be medically causing your hair loss.

10. Lack of nutrients

There are certain nutrients, which, in low or excessive amounts, result in excessive hair loss. For instance, not getting enough protein and having excessive vitamin A in your system can make it weak, dry and easily breakable.

How many of these are you guilty of? Hair loss is normal, but if you keep on repeating poor habits, there is a good chance that your hair could suffer.

For those who may be losing more hair than usual, and is already showing signs of baldness, come and talk to us. Let us help you sort out your problem and see what can be done from there. Fill in our contact form, or call us at 1300 656 236 to schedule a consultation.

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Top-Knots and Man Buns: Hairstyles that Lead to Hair Loss in Men

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Photo credit: thomas autumn photography / Foter.com / CC BY-ND

It seems that women are not the only ones losing locks from hairstyles, but men too. If you look at Hollywood alone, or any celebrity news, you would see that men are growing from the usual cuts to longer hairs tied up in buns. If women like to volume it up with weaves, a lot of men now find it stylish to roll their hairs up in buns. These adorable hairstyles, though may seem rather attractive, can also have some downside.

Current Male Hairstyles

As men ease into becoming metrosexual, they are now opening themselves up to more interesting fashion sense. Yes, there was the skinny jeans, then there were those man purses, but who knew men would also catch up with their hairstyles. Take a clue from David Beckham, Leonardo Di Caprio, to Chris Hemsworth, all these guys wear top-knots or man buns like it was nobody’s business! And a lot of the guys are following suit.

It’s interesting how this hairstyle may have stemmed for the mere purpose of fixing up the hair, but it has created some sort of style revolution. Let’s admit it, some guys can simply pull this off this look and many women find it hot.

The consequences

As much as these hairstyles may be attractive, these can also be harmful to your hair in the long run. Experts are finding a lot of men losing their hair these way nowadays.  According to dermatologists, the longstanding traction or pull on your scalp can end up pulling the hair out. It may even result in permanent scarring into something called traction alopecia. These seemingly hipster top-knots and man buns with their extreme tension bring men to permanent hair loss.  This means bald patches often around the forehead and the temples.

What is traction alopecia?

Harry Styles and Jared Leto seems to be rocking the man bun, but it may not look to cool if the roots of your hair end up being pulled for too long. As it is seemingly pulled forcibly from the scalp with that tight knot, the hair will end up ceasing to grow.

There are different types of hair loss and traction alopecia is one of those that are caused by the person himself. As its name implies, it is hair loss caused by traction or the pulling action. When a hair follicle is pulled it creates a tension through its length right down to the root. This damages the root and pulls it out. Just think about plucking your eyebrows. If you regularly pluck it out, it eventually ceases to grow back.

Unlike androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness which is something your DNA has something to do with, this type of hair loss can be within your control. Fortunately, this hair loss is localized and it can be temporary. However, in a bad twist of things, this may also be permanent.

When the hair follicles end up being scarred, there’s a good chance that you could lose your hair permanently. This may not only scar your hair follicles but your confidence as well. These celebrity women realized the price they had to pay after months of being on those tight weaves, and this could also happen to men if those tight buns are maintained.

Men who lose their hair from the center, or those who end up with a regressing hairline, tends to wear to wear their hair long and into a ponytail. What makes this picture so wrong is that it can only make matters worse.

So what causes traction alopecia?

Aside from man buns and top-knots, tight braids, dreadlocks, and cornrows are also common reasons for traction alopecia in men. Tight headgears, like helmets, which are worn frequently for long periods of time can also create a rubbing and pulling motion which could also result in hair loss.

What can be done about it?

If you notice some areas of your scalp starting to thin out some parts of your hairline starting to widen, you should learn to lay off the buns now. Don’t wait before more follicles get damaged because once it goes there, hair may never get back.

But I’ll let you in on some good news, traction alopecia is relatively rare. So not all men who wear man buns can get hair loss. The idea here is just to avoid pulling your hair too tight. It also helps to dry your hair first before putting them in a bun or a knot because wet hair can be more sensitive, or more vulnerable to hair loss. Other hair experts also advise that you can also slick your hair back and still create the same effect.

What happens with permanent hair loss due to traction alopecia?

In the event where you permanently lose hair due to too much traction, there are still several treatment options available for you. Aside from changing your hairstyles, these also include the following:

Massage

This may not create dramatic results, but it does help promote better circulation. With proper blood flow, the affected scalp areas are then nourished to promote better hair growth. You can also add in natural oils like Rosemary or castor oil. Aside from possessing several nutrients, it also has the properties to promote good circulation.

Medications

There are over-the-counter medications that can reverse traction alopecia. There are some medications that are known to show certain improvements after three months of use. Antibiotics and even intralesional corticosteroids can also do the job when you beat the problem early. However, these treatments may require a physician’s prescription and administration.

Surgery

Permanent scarring of the follicles can be corrected with surgical hair transplantation. In a procedure called a “flap surgery,” hair transplant surgeons attach healthy scalp to the affected areas. This is not necessarily the first option, but it is definitely the best treatment available.

Top-knots and man-buns may be the cool way to wear your hair, but it can have some consequences. To avoid the damaging effects caused by too much traction, learn to let loose once in a while. Damage can be prevented, and it lessens the extent when you loosen it up now.

If you aim to address the permanent effects of traction alopecia, come to Sydney Hair Transplant today. We aim to provide the appropriate treatment based on your own hair loss concern. Call us today for a consult.

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Hair Loss and Why You Have Your Parents to Blame for It

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Hair loss can take various forms and extent, but if there is one thing that it brings to the table is the fact that it not only changes your looks but your confidence as well. People may not see this to be too significant, especially when it is not you who are affected by the loss. But it can actually be a struggle especially among those who are not comfortable with losing their hair. Kudos to those who simply accept their lot, but for those who may be struggling I understand you. So to understand this phenomenon, let’s delve into the nit and grit of the problem, and why your parents have a role to play in it.

Hair loss

When we talk about hair loss, it is first important to remember what is also normal. Hair loss is actually a normal everyday phenomenon that we may not be aware of. We usually lose around 50-100 hairs each day. But when you eventually notice thinning in some areas, or bald patches, then you could be experiencing excessive hair loss or male pattern baldness.

What are the causes of hair loss?

There are many reasons that can lead to hair loss, and knowing what these are is important in finding the most appropriate cure. Hair loss may be due to the following factors:

1. Aging

It is normal to notice mild physiologic thinning in both males and females as soon as they hit their 30’s to 40’s. For the ladies, hormonal change is a major contributing factor. It can affect hair growth and patterns. For instance, they may notice lesser hair on their legs, and more showing up on their upper lips or chin. But the rate of hair growth significantly decreases because the follicles no longer have as much hair growth as it used to be in your earlier years.

2. Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes that are caused by puberty, pregnancy and menopause may cause hair loss.

3. Health conditions

Certain conditions such as iron deficiency anemia, diabetes, and thyroid disease can contribute to hair loss. Low iron levels affect hair re-growth rates as well as its quality. Unregulated thyroid hormones can also hasten hair loss and even promotes thinning for each strand. Type 2 diabetes can also cause hormonal imbalance which can lead to hair loss.

However, if there is one major cause that can bring about excessive hair loss, that would be genetics. This is the reason why such a condition is called androgenetic alopecia.

Male Pattern Baldness

The famous faces of male pattern baldness include Chris Evans, Prince Charles, Prince William and Wayne Rooney. Being under the glaring media attention, you have seen how their hair loss progressed. They are the unfortunate lot who are afflicted with hereditary hair loss, most referred to as androgenetic alopecia.

There are a lot of misconceptions behind androgenetic alopecia. One of the most common is that this tricky gene only came from your mother’s side of the family. The fact of the matter is that you can get this either from your father or mother’s genes. Simply by looking at certain family members on both sides can already give you a clue at how your hair loss could turn out.

Another fact is that it not only affects the guys but females as well. In fact, there is about 80 million men and women in the US  have this type of hair loss. So just look at how hair loss progresses even among the females in your family.

More insight into androgenetic hair loss

This type of hair loss is due to a genetic predisposition or family history. Although it affects both men and women, this often displays a more rapid, earlier and more extensive effect.

The usual signs and symptoms of androgenetic hair loss are the increased hair shedding. It transitions from large, thick, and pigmented terminal hairs to thinner, shorter and indeterminate hairs that eventually end up looking short and wispy.  Towards the end, the affected areas can result in total denudation which either starts at the frontal hairline or the vertex.

There are several diagnostic tools for androgenetic alopecia. One of the most important aspects is a physical examination. Other more advanced diagnoses include analysis of thyrotropin levels, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-sulfate and testosterone analysis, and assessment of iron-binding capacity and transferrin saturation for iron deficiency.

Surgical treatment is another treatment for androgenetic hair loss. This has been practiced for so many years, and it has eventually developed into a more advanced treatment.  Micrografting, which is a technique used today, can produce a natural appearance. Certain approaches have also made it possible to customize the results to your overall profile.

A promise beyond your loss

As you can see, androgenetic alopecia is a problem that is highly treatable. There is still a way to get the volume you wish to have, but you also have to accept the fact that it will take some time. Medications can take a while before you see improvement, and even surgery can take you several months before achieving the final results.

It really pays to approach a dermatologist or a hair expert so that you can be properly evaluated or advised. There is no cookie-cutter approach to your hair loss, which means that what may work for the other may not necessarily be applicable to you. But one thing is for sure, androgenetic alopecia is a condition you can get over with.

If you aim to take charge of your hair loss, bring your concerns to the Sydney Hair Transplant Clinic today. We can walk you through the finer details. Book your consultation today, and let’s see what can be done for you.

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