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Does ACell Actually Work For New Hair Growth

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Within the last year, the thinning on my head has gotten worse. Because this seems to be a problem that runs in my family, I am certain that it is pattern baldness. I read that what happens is that the hair follicles shrink. I read that ACell can help new follicles grow. Is this actually true?

Balding Mike

ACell seems to have developed as a hot buzz term which circulates throughout hair loss discussion forums. But keep in mind that just because something is talked about a lot does not mean that it actually works. For example, media outlets constantly write articles on the latest and greatest treatment in hair restoration. Yet, an actual cure for genetic thinning and baldness is far from being within our grasp. Research in these areas is still within its infant stages.

ACell is basically a bioengineered form of extra cellular matrix that has additional elements which collectively offer enormous promise in wound healing. Some people believe that its regenerative potential can actually benefit the area of hair restoration. While research results in wound healing have been remarkable, there are no studies which convincing support ACell’s ability to actually grow or multiply hair follicles.

Individuals who are considering different options to reverse their hair loss need to do their research before making an actual decision on a particular treatment. There are no shortage of stories about people who spent large sums of money on seemingly promising solutions which produced little to no results. When learning about different types of interventions, it is important to understand how they are supposed to work. Keep asking questions to get a very clear picture. Confusing and vague explanations that hide behind a lot of jargon is a red flag warning.

Also be sure to look for tangible results across many individuals, not just a few isolated cases.

How Can I Minimize the Appearance of My Strip Scar

Hair Transplantation, Other Surgical Procedures, Scarring, Uncategorized - , , , -

I had a strip surgery many years ago which left me with a large scar. I want to wear my hair short. But I am afraid that the scar will show. Is there a way to make the scar look less noticeable than it is now? Fred D.

Fred D.

Many patients have been able to sport extremely short styles, like buzz cuts through revision surgeries that use Follicular Unit Extraction. With FUE, tiny punches are used to individually remove natural groupings of 1-4 hair follicles from the surface of the scalp. These grafts can then be inserted into the scar tissue.
From the patient’s point of view, it is important to understand the factors that make the strip scar so noticeable. Therefore, strategies should aim to address these issues in order for the results to be successful.
First, the strip scar does not have hair growth. This can be referred to as a line of emptiness. Scar tissue is basically thickened collagen fibers. It develops as a form of healing to fortify the skin after it has been injured. However, hair will not naturally grow in this tissue environment. This is where the grafts harvested using Follicular Unit Extraction can be quite instrumental. Covering the line of emptiness with hair will make this linear area look like the rest of the head.
A second variable that causes the scar to be noticeable is that it is often a different color from its surrounding area. Strip scars are usually white or pink. They are even more noticeable in patients with dark hair. One technique that can reduce this effect is to inject tattoo ink into the area which is a similar color to the hair.
Those who have already undergone strip surgery procedures do not have to feel like they have to wear their hair long for the rest of their lives. These techniques offer patients a much greater range of options for their personal style.

Am I Too Young For A Hair Transplant Surgery?

Age, Hair Transplantation, Repair, Uncategorized, videos - , , , , , , , , , -

I am 22 years old. And my hairline and temples have started to recede. Also I am experiencing thinning on top of my head. I want to fix this problem as soon as possible. But I am wondering if I am too young to undergo a hair transplant surgery.

Erlend B. T.

You will have to speak to a hair restoration specialist. He or she will be able to identify the exact cause(s) of your hair loss and recommend sound options for you to consider. However, it would help for you to understand the broader picture of what you might expect.

Younger patients like yourself should first see if FDA approved medications would help. Propecia (Finasteride) is often recommended as the first line of defense since it targets a specific chemical pathway involved in androgenic alopecia. However, this is available as a prescription. If you are not able to benefit from Propecia, then Rogaine (Minoxidil) would be the next best product to apply. Ample time (around 6-8 months) should be allowed for seeing potential results. If the outcome is minimal, then hair restoration can be a choice to consider, as the video above explains.

A transplant specialist would need to do their best to predict the progression of your hair loss. Contrary to what many people think, family history is not an adequate determinant. The doctor would need to examine the patterns and rates associated with your condition to predict whether or not you will end up as a Norwood 6-7.

If your baldness will be this severe, placing grafts around the front, near your face will be futile. Hair will continue to shed behind the region of inserted grafts. And as you can imagine, this will look awkward. Also, improper (premature) timing will exhaust the number of available donor follicles on your head. Therefore there would be fewer resources to work with if you happen to need future repair surgeries.

Of course, with body hair transplant, a large number of grafts can be derived for ideal coverage. But what matters is that you have enough hairs in regions like the beard area, chest, abdomen and back. And secondly your clinic would need to have the ability to perform these extractions.

Besides the issue of having extra donor bandwidth, your financial situation would also be an important variable to consider. You would need to ask yourself if you would have the means to afford additional surgeries if the need arises. In your early twenties, this may be somewhat of a challenge. But this is certainly an issue that deserves attention for successful planning.

 

 

Why Is There No Growth After My Hair Restoration?

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I had a transplant 1 year ago and nothing grew. What could be responsible for this?

Joseph R.

What you are experiencing is actually more common that most people realize. This video discusses the issue of low yield and the factors that cause poor growth.

There are several likely reasons that are mentioned.

(1) The donor follicles may have suffered damage during the transfer to the recipient areas of your head. This may have been caused by surgical instruments (i.e. tugging, pulling and use of excessive force) warm storage temperatures or air drying.

(2) Also the follicles that were chosen may have already been in the process of shrinking or miniaturizing.

(3) Hair follicles may have been stored for a long time outside the body before they were inserted. Six hours is the maximum recommended length.

(4) The patients themselves may have used products that irritated the skin and damaged the follicles. These include: dyes, bleaches and other forms of harsh chemicals. Also adhesives for hair pieces can also be detrimental and even change the direction of the hair growth.

Hair follicles are basically tiny organs. And they need to be handled with great care.

Time Frames

An awareness of average time frames is helpful for patients who are awaiting their results. Usually new growth starts to become apparent at four months. It will look patchy at first and look more even at about 7-10 months.

The ten month point is when it is possible to start evaluating the yield. The complete absence of growth is a legitimate cause for concern.  But if there is some growth, it is best to wait another two months. It is indeed quite possible for growth to take longer than the average expected time frames. Hope this helps.

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For a consultation to discuss hair restoration options that are available to you, please call DermHair Clinic toll-free at 877-DERMHAIR. Located in Los Angeles, California.

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This is not a formal consultation and it is not a substitute for an actual face-to-face history and examination by the doctor. Any response to an inquiry is tentative and subject to review after actual re-examination by the doctor.
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