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Other Hair Loss Treatments
There are both medical and surgical treatment options available for androgenetic
alopecia. The following describes some of the medical options available for hair
loss:
Minoxidil (2% and 5%)
Finasteride (Propecia®)
Finasteride is an oral medication that was approved by the FDA in 1997 for hair
loss in men. Research determined that the hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT),
causes hair to miniaturize. Finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone to
DHT by inhibiting the enzyme 5 alpha reductase. By limiting the amount of
circulating DHT, finasteride has been shown to slow down hair loss and, in some
individuals, even stimulate hair growth.
Recently, the 5-year data was published, and finasateride was shown to be quite
safe. Only 1 - 2 percent of men have had sexual side effects such as decreased libido
and erectile dysfunction.
A 1 mg tablet is taken daily; however, if the medication is stopped, the beneficial
effects of finasteride diminish significantly.
Herbal Medications, Shampoo, and Lotions
There are many herbal medications on the market that claim beneficial effects for
hair loss. The active ingredients in these medications include minoxidil or other
properties that inhibit 5 alpha reductase.
Apart from finasteride and minoxidil, none of these products are approved by the
FDA.
Hair Restoration Surgery
alopecia. The following describes some of the medical options available for hair
loss:
Minoxidil (2% and 5%)
Minoxidil was originally used to treat hypertension and found
to have beneficial effects on hair growth. When used properly,
it has been found to slow down hair loss and strengthen
existing hairs. It has been approved by the FDA for hair loss.
Minoxidil will not resurrect dead hair follicles, however.
Should living follicles be in the dying phase, minoxidil might
sustain their lives for several extra months or even years.
Once the medication is discontinued, though, its effects will
usually disappear within 6 to 12 months.
Finasteride (Propecia®)
Finasteride is an oral medication that was approved by the FDA in 1997 for hair
loss in men. Research determined that the hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT),
causes hair to miniaturize. Finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone to
DHT by inhibiting the enzyme 5 alpha reductase. By limiting the amount of
circulating DHT, finasteride has been shown to slow down hair loss and, in some
individuals, even stimulate hair growth.
Recently, the 5-year data was published, and finasateride was shown to be quite
safe. Only 1 - 2 percent of men have had sexual side effects such as decreased libido
and erectile dysfunction.
A 1 mg tablet is taken daily; however, if the medication is stopped, the beneficial
effects of finasteride diminish significantly.
Herbal Medications, Shampoo, and Lotions
There are many herbal medications on the market that claim beneficial effects for
hair loss. The active ingredients in these medications include minoxidil or other
properties that inhibit 5 alpha reductase.
Apart from finasteride and minoxidil, none of these products are approved by the
FDA.
Hair Restoration Surgery
What to know
What we do
What to know
How we do it
Our Results
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- Want a natural head of hair? Long gone are the days of obvious,
large hair plugs containing 20-30 hairs. The density of a good
hair transplant is only about 50 percent of your normal density,
so a surgeon skilled in placing grafts to create the illusion of
normal density is crucial.
Today, hair transplantation consists of individual follicular unit
micrografts containing just 1-4 tightly arranged hairs in a
bundle. These tight bundles of hair are taken from the back of
the head and moved to the area of hair loss. This area, which is
resistant to hair loss, is known as donor dominant hair.
Transplantation of this donor dominant hair does not change its
ability to grow.
Your "permanent hair area" is located in a horseshoe pattern at the back of the
scalp. This hair is genetically programmed to grow even when exposed to hormones
that cause thinning. Typically, hair on the top of your scalp is affected by hormones
while hair on the sides and back of your scalp naturally resist thinning.
Artistic Hairline Design
The most important and noticeable aspect of a hair transplant is creating a natural
hairline. If done poorly, people can immediately recognize a bad transplant.
And just as no two faces are alike, hairlines are also unique. Realizing this, Dr. Gabel
considers your age, facial features, and personal goals when designing your hairline.
With his extensive surgical experience and talent, Dr. Gabel will create a hairline
design that is aesthetically pleasing and personalized for you.
Custom-Cut Microblades
At the Gabel Center, highly trained and experienced technicians use high-powered,
stereoscopic microscopes to prepare the follicular units of donor hair. These
microscopes eliminate the possibility of damage to surrounding follicles.
At Gabel Center, incisions are made through the use of custom-cut surgical blades.
This separates Dr. Gabel from the "one size fits all" approach, as it allows him and his
technicians to place many grafts closer together resulting in a natural looking
hairline. By preparing custom blades, Dr. Gabel is able to create incisions that
exactly match the width and length of the graft.
Although the size of the blade is important, the shape is equally important. The
blades are extremely narrow and make smaller incisions, allowing for healing to
occur rapidly and for no visible scarring. By using such fine instrumentation and
matching the size of the blades to the grafts, this reduces unnecessary trauma to the
surrounding tissues and deep vasculature in the scalp.
Follicular Unit Grafting, Placement, and Orientation
- While single hair grafts have the finest, softest
appearance, they provide the soft hairline that transitions
to thicker hair. Dr. Gabel transplants these single hair
follicular units along the front of the hairline for
approximately 0.5-1 cm. He then places small grafts
containing 2 hairs immediately behind the hairline to
provide gradually increasing hair density. Finally, at the
central scalp region, he places grafts containing 3-4 hairs
so that the softer micrografts blend naturally into the
denser area provided by the grafts with 3-4 hairs.
while achieving the highest graft density. The angle in which the graft is placed is a
crucial element of the transplant, so that the transplanted hairs appear like the
native hair. Because the slits are horizontal or lateral, the graft can only grow in the
exact angle that the blade was placed into the scalp. This means that every graft is
angled precisely at the exact and proper orientation to the scalp. In this way, a
fuller, more natural looking appearance is accomplished.
The doctor and technician placing the grafts use specialized instruments to insert
each follicular unit one by one in their respective location, achieving the finest
results thanks to specialization in state-of-the art follicular unit grafting and artistic
skill. The end result will appear virtually undetectable and natural.
Candidates for hair restoration surgery are individuals who have sufficient donor
hair that can be transplanted to the balding area. Thanks to modern techniques,
many are eligible candidates for this natural hair restoration solution. During your
personal consultation with Dr. Gabel, he will determine if you are a candidate.
Side effects associated with hair transplantation are relatively minor, consisting of:
- Mild pain and discomfort after the operation
- Swelling that may move down to the eyes
- Formation of scabs over the grafts, which heal after about one week
Serious side effects, like bleeding, scarring, or infection, are rare.
At the Gabel Center, surgery is comfortable, predictable, and the results are
pleasing, and after procedure care is available.
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