Hair Restoration Blog

Q:

Hello this is a hot topic on hairsite.com . And I see from your website that you commented on it. I have been around the internet sites since 2000. And I know one rule of thumb if something works and is a consistent viable technique past patients that had the procedure would be coming on and talking about and be willing to show their results even in person.

It  was like that when FUE was first introduced to the internet the ht community did not think it was a viable solution to hair loss! Well I know some different since I had the procedure done in 2003 that was after going to seminars interviwing past patients and seeing them live in person. And look how many clinics offer it today So my question to you is why has this not happened with Dr. Ghos new technique being talked about in 2010???

I know back in 2003 he did not have anything viable even know there was much talk then. Just reporting my experinces and wanting your opinion since it is posted on your website.

http://ushairrestoration.com/follicular-stemcell-transplantation.php

Thanks,

A:

Over the last decade, hair stem cell research has improved and our understanding of the growth, cycling and death of hair follicles has definitely increased more noticeably in the last few years.  There are several centers in the world that actively pursue hair stem cell research for different purposes including producing new hair follicles, nervous system cells and so on. The fact is  that despite of all the improvements we have had in last few years, we still do not have a perfect model for hair multiplication through culturing hair stem cells in vitro.

The previously leading institute for hair stem cell research was Intercytex, but they ended their efforts last year due to some difficulties which were not quite disclosed to public. We have been and still are involved in several clinical and laboratory studies in regards to hair stem cells and hair multiplications through the splitting of hair follicles.

In one study that we performed in US Hair Restoration, we divided the hair follicles vertically by micro-dissection techniques and implanted the two halves into normal skin.  We have not noticed significant growth out of any of these pieces.  Several other studies were done with the focus on splitting hair follicles horizontally, which is easier to perform with mixed result.  We at US Hair Restoration are collaborating in hair stem cell research with the Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles with emphasis on culturing one of the two different type of follicular stem cells.  The goal is to use the newly produced stem cells to grow new hair in vitro or in vivo.  The speed of growing and multiplication of follicular stem cells has been extremely slow which has been one of the problems we faced while using hair stem cell culture as one alternative method for medical hair restoration.

Dr. Gho’s presentation claimed that with monitoring and improving the techniques of the preservation’s medium, instruments and handling of the grafts, we might be able to improve the viability of the transplanted hair follicles. While this concept is interesting, in order to prove the validity of this claim we will need more evidence based documentation. They came up with a special method that claimed to preserve the hair follicles without affecting the characteristics of the hairs in the donor area, and thus presumed it was possible to get more viable hair from the limited permanent hair follicles of each person. They called this technique “Hair Stem cell Transplantation®” and announced that it may represent the very first patient friendly method to multiply hair follicles while still preserving the donor area.

I would like to believe claims of this kind, because I more than anyone understand the challenge of treating patients who do not have the adequate number of donor hairs for their ideal hair restoration.  However, I would rather wait to see more significant scientific proofs to claims of this kind before I consider them as viable options for the treatment of patterned hair loss.

Q:

Does Ovation Cell Therapy really work?

A:

I have been asked many questions regarding hair loss products in this blog. The truth is, most hair loss products that claim to help hair growth or prevent baldness do not offer significant information to their consumers about the active ingredients in their solutions and shampoos.  I do research on many hair loss product related questions every month in both my hair restoration clinic and on the site.  Although, in most cases, the more I search for detailed formulas or the specific names of active ingredients within those products the less I can find them.

Sometimes though the list of ingredients is available, you cannot find anything among them that is scientifically proven to help hair loss.  Ovation Cell Therapy is claimed to have essential amino acids.  The website of the company claims that the formula dramatically accelerates hair growth, reduces breakage and hair loss, as well as creates visibly thicker, fuller and longer hair.  However, there is no evidence based proof that shows topical amino acids can be absorbed through skin to help the hair follicles grow stronger hair.

We will be waiting for the producers of these hair loss products to show us better proof of the effectiveness of their products before we begin recommending their use.

Due to recent popular demand, we have now decided to post all of our future patients’ success stories on this blog.  I love when I have the opportunity to see my patient’s post operative results and when I personally witness the life transformations they go through. Here is one example:

We will be sure to keep you posted with all our video testimonials in the future.

 ** To see before and after pictures of this patient, please feel free to visit his Photo Gallery. **

Best,

Parsa Mohebi, MD

Folliculitis is a pimple -like skin lesion that is seen when hair follicles become inflamed for any reason.  Folliculitis could be seen anywhere in the skin.  Follicle and their surrounding tissues may become infected with different bacteria often Streptococcus aureus.

Certain variations of folliculitis are also known as hot tub folliculitis and barber’s itch. Sever cases of infected folliculitis can cause permanent damage to the hair follicles and lead to local hair loss on the area of infection.

Folliculitis After Hair Transplantation

Folliculitis is one of the common complications of a hair transplant surgery due to blockage of hair or its sebaceous gland when a newly transplanted hair is growing.  Folliculitis after hair transplantation usually appears as small, red or white-headed pimples around one of more follicular units.  Folliculitis may present with itching, mild pain and discharge. Most cases of folliculitis (especially the ones occurring after hair restoration surgery) clear spontaneously in a few days, however more extensive types may need medical or surgical treatment.

Folliculitis may be seen a few days or even months after a hair transplant surgery. They are generally difficult to be differentiated from common pimples or acne. Presence of simple folliculitis usually does not affect the growth of transplanted hair.

Treatment

Simple folliculitis generally does not need any treatment and the lesions tend to clear up on their own within a few days.  Occasionally, they may become infected and that is seen with the spread of redness and inflammation of skin around the original inflamed follicles.  A physicians evaluation can best determine whether or not you need antibiotics for the treatment of your folliculitis.  Occasionally, as a way to avoid use of medication or continuing infection, your doctor may decide to drain them.  Draining the folliculitis collections is a simple procedure and can be easily done in your doctors’ office.