Understanding Hair Transplants and Hair Loss - Pacific Hair

Pattern Baldness Versus Generalized Diffuse Hair Loss
Note that male and female pattern baldness are just that, hair loss in a pattern area,
generally on the top, sides, and back of the head, but sparing a thick donor area . Other
types of systemic problems such as low thyroid, iron deficiency, collogen disorder,
growth or sex hormone deficiency, secondary syphillus all may cause diffuse hair thinning.
If you have generalized hair thinning, you need a complete medical workup for the
various causes . Also note that some people have both a pattern hair loss as well as a
diffuse or generalized decrease in density . These people may well have both conditions
simultaneously but still require a complete medical workup, normally with lab tests and
biopsy .
Comprehensive Medical Workup
for Diffuse Thinning and Hair Loss
A) LAB: CBC, Free T3 and T4 (thyroid), Ferritin, Total and Free Testosterone, SHGB,
and Estradiol, DHEAS, Prolactin, RPR, TSH, IGF-1, DHT, Progesterone, ANA
B) SCALP BIOPSIES: Vertical and horizontal sections
C) OFFICE TESTS: Hair-pull test, hair window, KOH prep, bacterial and fungal culture
and sensitivity
Medical Treatment – Male Pattern Hair Loss
For optimal chemical therapy for male pattern hair loss, the combination of Rogaine
Foam and Propecia (1 mg per day) is the place to start for men with early thinning and
miniaturization of their hair (in a pattern as described in the chart) . When you see your
dermatologist or hair restoration specialist, he will prescribe these items for you . These
are generally tried for several months, following which a second set of detailed photographs
are compared with the ones taken at your initial evaluation. If you have either
stayed the same or improved, that is a win for the medical therapy .
You may very well need hair transplants in addition (to restore your hair), but you may
have stopped the progression of the balding process with the medical therapy . For
example, sometimes younger men have their hairline transplanted where it has receded
in the front, but the medical therapy keeps the back from falling out for many years . The
nuances of this should be discussed with your physician . Remember that Rogaine must
be used twice a day to be effective .
U n d e r s t a n d i n g H a i r T r a n s p l a n t s a n d H a i r L o s s
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