DermHairClinic » Hair Loss

Female Pattern Baldness – Who Knew?

Alanna — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:48:26 +0000

Men aren’t the only ones who lose their hair. American Health Journal has acknowledged that upwards of 21 million women in the United States are suffering hair loss, and this article in Women’s Day reveals that 50% of women will experience some hair loss by the age of 50. While it doesn’t manifest in the same design as its male counterpart (receding hairline and bald crown), female pattern baldness is a very real and disquieting condition. Perhaps the manner in which it matures—as a creeping, diffuse thinning across the top of the scalp—is yet more alarming than male hair loss, since FPB has a sneakier approach.

For some reason, it is a lesser-known topic, but no less devastating or demoralizing when a woman discovers that the part in her hair has mysteriously grown to a half-inch gap. A permanent gap. Similar to men, the lost hair has fallen victim to the miniaturizing effects of the hormone DHT. And while female pattern baldness is moderately genetic, it seems more a cause of aging and hormonal changes than in men.

Dr. Umar disguises the donor area immediately post-FUE hair transplant on female patient

Other Female Hair Loss Causes and Cures

Another major cause of hair loss in women, which may also be a worsening factor for FPB, is malnutrition. Women tend to put others before themselves and skimp on meals to maximize what little time they have. This needs to stop. Nutrition is a key factor in all types of bodily functions, and healthy hair growth is certainly one of them. Simply put, the follicles need to be fed in order to live. Manifestations of malnourishment can include:

Crash dieting
Pregnancy
Thyroid dysfunction
Anemia
Poor circulation

Aside from the preventative solutions to these additional factors (eating healthy, taking a multivitamin), cures for female hair loss aren’t as abundant as they are for men. Since Propecia is contraindicated in women due to child-bearing, ladies basically have Rogaine and hair transplant to choose between. Rogaine is easy to access—it’s available for purchase at any drug store—and relatively inexpensive, but must be used indefinitely to be effective. There may also be side effect with use.

Hair transplant is a safe, permanent, and minimally invasive solution to female pattern baldness. Typically, with the right surgeon, results look incredibly natural. Dr. Umar has performed FUE hair transplant, and even body hair transplant, on female patients with great success.

Dr. Umar Discusses Potential For New Drug To Stop Hair Loss

Alanna — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:14:40 +0000

Structure of prostaglandin PGD2

Online news source Health Day interviewed Dr. Umar regarding a new frontier on hair loss research. Recent genetic analysis of scalp tissue has shown a strong link between the protein PGD2 and hair loss. PGD2 is a prostaglandin needed for various functions of the body to run smoothly. However, when found near stem cells in the hair follicle, this protein seems to be hindering normal hair growth. The irony is that similar prostaglandins (PGE2 and PGF2) are needed for hair to grow and thrive. “It’s long been known that prostaglandins are involved with hair growth, while this study shows that the opposite may also be true,” Dr. Umar commented. Hair growth drugs such as Latisse and Rogaine operate through the promotion of prostaglandin activity.

Researchers are on the move to develop a topical drug that will specifically inhibit PGD2, which is found in higher volumes in traditional male pattern baldness areas of the scalp. Such medications are already being developed in pill form for the treatment of asthma, as it is believed that the restraint of PGD2 will prevent airway constriction.

However, Dr. Umar urges readers not to get too excited, as he points out that there might be several different prostaglandins involved in both hair loss and growth. Pinpointing PGD2 may only be the beginning. Other efforts employing anti-inflammatory drugs have stopped this protein, but have not consistently grown hair. Dr. Umar concludes that the likely solution will involve PGD2 inhibition “in combination with agents that work via different mechanisms . . . as a more effective approach to hair loss treatment.”

What is Alopecia Totalis?

admin — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:41:14 +0000

What if you experienced complete hair loss in just one week? Alopecia totalis is a rare condition in which the sufferer experiences complete hair loss of the scalp. And it can happen quite rapidly. In some cases of alopecia totalis, even the eyelashes and eyebrows may be lost. It is one of three types of alopecia, among relatives alopecia areata—scalp hair loss in patches—and alopecia universalis—hair loss over the entire body.

Although the causes are undetermined, alopecia totalis is believed to be an autoimmune disorder in which the white blood cells attack the hair follicles. This means that the body reacts to the hair follicles as intruders, like a sickness, and must get rid of them. Stress, another autoimmune compromiser, may exacerbate hair loss for someone suffering with alopecia totalis.

Alopecia totalis can affect people at any age, but generally targets both men and women less than 40 years of age. Children and young adults are most often victims of this traumatic hair loss. Research has found that, in Western society, approximately one in 250,000 women and one in 125,000 men will suffer with alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis.

For those with alopecia areata, hair loss may correct itself within about one year. However, those suffering complete hair loss from alopecia totalis may not be so fortunate. While there have been instances of total hair restoration, the chance of hair recovery is slight in the majority of alopecia totalis cases.

There is good news, yet. There are several hair loss treatment options for alopecia totalis, universalis, and especially areata. This includes:

1. Topical steroids (creams, lotions, etc).

2. Injectable steroids or intra-lesional steroid injections where the doctor injects low concentrations of steroids directly into the bald patches.

3. Oral steroids. This is often used briefly in patients with hair loss from alopecia totalis or universalis.

4. Contact allergy inducers or irritants: akin to inducing poison IVY in the hair loss areas, chemicals are applied to the area and the changes in immunity may resolve the condition.

The white cells that attack the native hair causing alopecia totalis would also attack grafted hair; hence hair transplantation is not advised as a treatment for this condition. The Hair Peace Foundation and other hair loss organizations can be a valuable resource for more information on alopecia totalis, alopecia areata, and alopecia universalis.

Eyebrow Transplants – How Are They Different from Regular Transplants?

admin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:46:04 +0000

Your eyebrow hairs grow from the follicle at a sharp angle, so, unlike the hairs on your head, your eyebrow hair is growing flat against the surface of your skin. The growth cycle of your eyebrow hair is also far shorter than that of the hairs of your scalp – about four months, as compared to three to seven years. Unlike your scalp hair, your eyebrow hairs grow as individual strands; there are no follicular groups of hairs in a bunch that can be moved from one area to another.

Those are among the reasons a skilled surgeon is needed to perform the delicate task of eyebrow restoration, and why the SFET and the Follicular Unit Extraction is an excellent approach. The procedure involves transplanting individual strands of hair from another part of your body to your eyebrow area. The new hair will look a little different from your original eyebrows and have a different growth rate, but over time it will begin to mimic your existing eyebrow hair.

Keep in mind, because your new eyebrow hair comes from a different part of your body, it will continue to grow, so keep your scissors handy for regular trimming!

Have more questions about ways to improve your eyebrows? Contact Dr. Umar for a free online consultation today.

Men’s Hair Loss Studies

admin — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 08:36:16 +0000

Studies show that the average time lapse between discovery of hair loss and finding treatment is six years. As hair loss gradually worsens, the sufferer goes from sad denial to hope that it’s a temporary condition and the hair will grow back. However, it is simple to look at your own family tree; the hair loss patterns of your father, grandfather, and uncle, and see a distinct pattern. It is not so easy for many to accept the inevitable. Just like any other ailment, the sooner hair loss is dealt with, the better the improvement rate. The average hair transplant patient is getting younger each year. There are a variety of reasons why seeking treatment early in the hair loss stages is beneficial to the patient.

For more information regarding The Umar Procedure as a solution to your hair loss condition, please contact the DermHair Clinic in Los Angeles. Or arrange a free online consultation.

Hair Transplant Surgery History

admin — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 23:22:19 +0000

Hair transplantation is one of the most popular, successful and innovative procedures today, but not many know the history behind the revolutionary procedure that has helped countless of individuals. Hair loss due to disease, scarring and androgenetic alopecia has troubled individuals since the beginning of time.

The first attempts at surgical hair restoration of hair loss was recorded in 1822 by J. Dieffenbach. During his inaugural thesis, he described animal investigations in allo and auto-transplantation of hair, skin and features. As early as 1930, a Japanese surgeon Sasagwa reported hair follicle transplantation, then by 1939, Okuda, a Japanese dermatologist, described the correction of alopecia of the scalp, eyebrows and mustache areas using small cylindrical punches to remove the donor tissue and smaller ones for recipient hair. Japanese physicians were successfully grafting and harvesting multiple and single hairs into other areas of the body including face, scalp and pubic regions. The reports of these procedures were documented in Japanese, but due to the emergence of World War II, the historical hair movement was still not revealed to the public.

However, Norman Orentreich, a New York dermatologist reported hair-bearing scalp autografts from the same person, successfully transplanted from the back of the head to the balding front and top in 1959. One of the focal points of hair transplantation surgery is that donor dominance is the central functional principal. Basically, if the hair follicles are harvested from the scalp and then transplanted into the balding areas, the donor hair characteristics will be dominant.

With this procedure, the concept of ‘donor dominance’ was introduced and the research and evolution of hair restoration surgery had begun.

Strip Surgery Scarring – Can It Be Fixed?

admin — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:10:58 +0000

Strip surgery is one of the most ineffective ways to restore hair loss. It involves strip mining hair from the sides and the back of the head for transplant to the problem area, but it leaves scarring and lasting pain in its wake. Too, it often leaves you in need of more surgery when the strip method fails to provide a satisfactory solution to your hair loss.

The patient featured in this video came to Dr. Umar after two different clinics left him with painful strip scars along the side and back of his head. Using the Single Follicle Extraction and Transfer procedure to transplant hair from the patient’s beard into his head, Dr. Umar was able to improve the appearance of the scar.

Have more questions about options to strip surgery? Contact Dr. Umar for a free online consultation today.

Hair Loss Studies dealing with Hair Loss in Men

admin — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:14:15 +0000

Several studies on hair loss have shown that the general time between initially noticing hair loss and seeking treatment is about six years. This is definitely more understandable because of the fact that hair loss is on average a gradual process. There is almost always that sad denial stage,and then the phase that patients hope that their hair loss will magically reverse itself and return to it’s natural site. Unfortunately, when looking at the history of hair loss within your family and the hair loss patterns of parents and close relatives, the inevitable is difficult to face. As with any condition, the sooner hair restoration treatment is commenced , the better the outcome. Many patients undergoing hair restoration surgery are becoming younger and younger each year. Starting hair loss treatment early is beneficial for the patient for a variety of reasons.

If you would like additional information about Dr. Umar and his procedures for hair loss, please contact the DermHair Clinic in Los Angeles. A hair restoration consultation can easily be arranged online via for free. For an in-office appointment, please call the office at (310)318-1500 to check about appointment availability. In-office schedules for the most part are a bit more limited, so any information you can provide over the phone is great.

Hair Loss Studies

Alanna — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:17:11 +0000

Many studies done on hair loss show that the general time between initially noticing losing hair and seeking treatment for hair restoration is about six years. This makes perfect sense considering that most hair loss happens gradually over time. An initial stage of sadness and denial is normal, followed by the hope that the hair will stop falling out and hair restoration will take place on its own. However, as hair loss is usually genetic, the victim can easily observe hair loss patterns within his family history and get ready to face the inevitable.

What Are Some Treatments For Hair Restoration?

Propecia is a common finasteride drug used to stop hair loss by fighting the male hormone, DHT.
Hair restoration surgery, such as “strip harvesting” or follicular unit extraction.
False hair, such as hairpieces, wigs, and toupees.

Like with most conditions, early treatment of hair loss is better and will result in more successful results. For this reason, hair restoration patients have started getting younger.

For more information on hair loss or about Dr. Umar and his hair transplant procedures, please contact the DermHair Clinic in Los Angeles. A hair restoration consultation can easily be arranged online for free.

Strip Transplant Hairlines – Can They Be Softened?

admin — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 06:50:08 +0000

A harsh hairline is common with the older strip method of hair transplantation because it uses hair from the middle and back of your head, which is thickest. This patient has had a good quality hair transplant from a top clinic specializing in the older strip method, but wanted a softer hairline.

Dr. Umar used 1,000 grafts from the nape of the patient’s neck and head to create a more natural look through Follicular Unit Extraction. In the video below you can see the results about one year later.

Have more questions about reliable hair transplant options? Contact Dr. Umar for a free online consultation today.