The Specialized Hair Loss Care Treatments We Offer

Androgenic alopecia is the scientific name for the genetic predisposition in both men and women for pattern baldness. Genetic hair loss in men is often referred to as Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) and is the cause of thinning hair in over 95% of patients who seek treatment.

When to Consider Hair Loss Treatment

Cosmetic outcomes have improved steadily with experience, scientific advances, and state-of-the-art instruments. If further hair loss occurs after the first follicular unit transplant, additional procedures may be required.

Often patients are encouraged to begin medical treatments for hair loss to prevent or delay future hair loss and the need for additional procedures.

Temporary Fixes May Not Be Enough

Hair thickening cosmetics and hair additions are effective but temporary treatments that can artificially camouflage hair loss.

Hair thickening products include natural keratin fibers that can be shaken into the hair to fill gaps in your hair. Hair coloring sprays and makeups also camouflage hair loss effectively in some cases. Hair wefts and wigs conceal hair loss while worn.

Male Pattern Baldness

By age 35, two-thirds of American men will have some degree of appreciable hair loss and by age 50, approximately 85% of men have significantly thinning hair. About 25% of men who suffer from male pattern baldness begin the painful process before they reach 21.

MPB occurs in predictable stages and is relentlessly progressive. Usually the earlier in life hair loss begins, the more advanced the pattern will ultimately become. In MPB the hairs on the top of the scalp have a genetic sensitivity to the male hormone testosterone (DHT).

The hairs on the sides and back of the scalp do not possess this sensitivity to DHT and therefore are not affected. For this reason, hairs removed from the sides and the back (Donor Hair) will maintain their genetic predisposition when transplanted and continue to grow when moved to the top of the scalp where hair loss has occurred.

Norwood-Hamilton Scale of Male Pattern Baldness

Image courtesy of the International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery

Negative Effects of MPB

Contrary to societal belief, most men who suffer from male pattern baldness are extremely unhappy with their situation and would do anything to change it. Hair loss affects every aspect of their life. It affects interpersonal relationships as well as their professional life.

It is not uncommon for men to change their career paths because of hair loss. A variety of genetic (and possibly environmental) factors apparently play a role in androgenic alopecia.

Causes of MPB

Although researchers have long studied the factors that may contribute to this condition, many remain unknown.

Minimally, pattern hair loss is related to hormones called androgens, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Androgens are important for normal male sexual development before birth and during puberty.

Androgens also have other important functions in both males and females, such as regulating hair growth and sex drive.

Male pattern baldness is caused by a genetic sensitivity of hair follicles to DHT. This hormone causes follicles to shrink or “miniaturize.” In turn, this shortens their lifespan and prevents them from producing hair normally.

Recently, the existing theories have been challenged on the ground that while the androgens in question are responsible for hair growth on the face and all over the body of men, hair loss only occurs at the top of the scalp.

Recent research suggests that elevated levels of the enzyme prostaglandin D2 synthase and its product prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) in hair follicles causes androgenetic alopecia.

Female Pattern Baldness

Hair loss in females is less predictable. The hair loss tends to be more diffused creating a more generalized thinning effect throughout the entire scalp. Fewer medical and surgical options are available for these patients. A comprehensive consultation with a physician is required to determine whether you are a good candidate for hair restoration surgery.

Female Pattern Baldness: Unlike hair loss in men, female pattern baldness may commonly begin at any age through 50 or later and may not have any obvious hereditary association.

A woman who notices the beginning of hair loss may not be sure if the loss is going to be temporary or permanent—for example, if there has been a recent event such as pregnancy or illness that may be associated with temporary hair thinning.

Before and After Hair Transplantation

Self-diagnosis is often ineffective. Women experiencing female pattern baldness tend to have less obvious patterns of hair loss than men, and non-pattern types of hair loss are more frequent in women than in men.

Diagnosis of hair loss in a woman should be made by a trained and experienced physician. In women as in men, the most likely cause of scalp hair loss is androgenetic alopecia—an inherited sensitivity to the effects of androgens (male hormones) on scalp hair follicles.

However, women with hair loss due to this cause usually do not develop true baldness in the patterns that occur in men. Female hair loss occurs in various patterns and is often diffused or veiled vs bald. Patterns of female androgenetic alopecia can vary considerably in appearance.

Treatments for female hair loss There are several options for treating female hair loss. They include (Food and Drug Administration) FDA approved topical treatment with Rogaine for women. Rogaine, also known as minoxidil, is applied directly to the scalp on a daily basis.

For some women, with regular daily use, the thinning areas will not only maintain existing hair but thicken the hair. This positive result will cease if Rogaine is discontinued.

How We Can Help

Dr. Gelman treats both men and women experiencing hair loss at his practice based out of Melbourne, FL. The hair transplant procedure hairs on the sides and the back of the head are not affected by MPB.

As a result, we are able to remove donor hair follicles from the sides and back of the head and relocate them on the balding area and the newly transplanted hair will continue to grow exactly as it had from the donor region.

Optimal hair growth may take 9-12 months because some of the transplanted hairs may go into a normal resting phase. Graft survival is usually over 95%.

Follicular Unit Grafting

Dr. Gelman performs Follicular Unit Grafting which is considered the “Gold Standard” in advanced hair restoration techniques.

The procedure involves removing a narrow strip of hair from the back of the scalp and then separating the hairs into one, two or at the most three hair groups which are called follicular units.

These follicular units are then precisely placed in a natural growth pattern on the top of the scalp. In the past, hair flaps, plugs, and scalp reduction were all utilized.

Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation

Today, follicular unit hair transplantation is the most common surgical treatment for hair loss.

Follicular unit hair transplantation is the surgical relocation of healthy hair follicles from the sides and back of the head to the thinning areas. Although transplanted hair will continue to grow, it may be a necessity for additional hair transplantation if you lose more hair.

Some patients combine hair transplantation with Rogaine treatment. Hair transplantation can also be performed to replace hair loss of the eyebrows.

Find the Best Treatment

During your free initial consultation, Dr. Gelman will review all options and recommend the best treatment for your particular condition.

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