RADIO INTERVIEW - SHOW TRANSCRIPT 

13 March 2017 Inside Cosmetic Surgery Today on WebTalkRadio.net Interview with Dr Barry Lycka & Dr Alan Bauman

Dr Barry Lycka Cosmetic Dermatologist from Edmonton, Alberta is talking today with

Dr Alan J Bauman, ABHRS, FISHRS Board-Certified hair transplant surgeon from Boca Raton, Florida.

This is your number one internet radio show on cosmetic surgery, in the world! We get over 8000 downloads per week, because this show is designed for those who want the newest and best information about cosmetic surgery, and of course we have the best expert doctors as our guests. Thank you to all our listeners who have made that growth possible. If you have any topics you would like us to feature, please email Dr Lycka directly on [email protected].

Today Dr Lycka is talking with very popular repeat guest, Dr Alan Bauman, from his practice in Boca Raton, Florida. Dr Bauman always shares with us the very latest and best techniques & technologies for looking after our hair and dealing with the devastating problem of hair loss. He is one of the most knowledgeable people in the world when it comes to hair loss treatment. Both men AND women suffer hair loss for a variety of reasons. It is such a common problem and yet it is such a debilitating problem too. People hate to have thinning hair and a bald head.

Welcome, Dr Bauman!

Thank you, Barry it’s great to be back with you.

What percentage of men get hair loss, Alan?

It can start any time after puberty so 20% of men in their 20s, 30% of men in their 30s, 40% of men in their 40s and it just keeps going upwards from there. So over half the men over the age of 50 are going to have some visible signs of hair loss. And of course, many don’t want to lose their hair! They want to keep looking young and feeling great!

If a man has hair loss, is it always due to their genes & hereditary factors or are there different reasons for hair loss as well?

There are lots of types of hair loss. 98% of men who come into the clinic have hereditary male pattern hair loss. There are sometimes exceptions. Dr Bauman had an interesting case today, an unusual medical condition that obliterates the hair follicles and sometimes mimics what male pattern hair loss looks like. But the majority will have the tendency to weak, miniaturized hair, and eventually some degree of baldness and hair loss.

Let’s start at the beginning. A man is starting to lose his hair what are the signs that he has male pattern alopecia?

Typically, it starts with a recession of the frontal hairline. The forehead starts getting bigger as the hair recedes at the front and sides. Also, there can be loss of density and fullness and coverage in the crown area too. These are the 2 places that we typically see male pattern hair loss start. It can progress onwards from there. As the hair follicles miniaturize, and weaken over time, then there is the loss of more and more density, more loss of caliber of hair, and loss of coverage even over the entire top of the scalp. And of course, it spares the hair follicles around the sides and back so you typically see that ‘monks ring’ of hair around the sides and the back.

Of course, some people consider hair loss as sexy – not everyone agrees with that! But the good news is that the hair follicles are being miniaturized – they are NOT going away. That is good news, isn’t it?

Yes, it is. If action is taken early enough then you have time. You can interrupt the miniaturization process and regrow those hairs, thicker, fuller and healthier. Once a follicle is dead and gone then you must do something more aggressive to restore hair growth.

Let’s start with a man starting to lose hair. What can they do themselves without visiting a doctor – are there any over the counter products that can help?

There certainly some over the counter treatments that are FDA approved, such as minoxidil products. There are also over the counter, consumer, low level laser devices available. BUT, even though they are FDA approved proven to grow hair sometimes patients can have problems because they don’t know exactly how to use the treatments or even what to expect. Even if they are doing the treatments 100% correctly they don’t know what to expect in terms of a result.

The most important thing for listeners to understand is that if they are experiencing some hair loss they should seek expert advice, find a hair restoration physician. They have to find someone who can measure and monitor their hair situation and really diagnose exactly what is happening. Male pattern hair loss may be visible from across the room but there may be areas of weak or miniaturized hair that are not yet dead and gone, or areas where too much density has already been lost and applying a topical treatment from over the counter is just not going to get the job done.

That is such an important point. The first thing that anyone who is suffering a dermatological problem, and that includes hair loss, needs to do is get a proper diagnosis. Without a diagnosis, nothing can be treated properly. So back to the example quoted earlier, that person had a rare scarring process going on, causing the hair loss. That person had already been to a dermatologist who said it was just male pattern baldness, and that was that. But on closer inspection it was a totally different problem of scarring alopecia, that was mimicking male pattern baldness.

What tests can be done to help diagnose what the hair loss is and what type it is.

The first thing that happens at Dr Bauman’s clinic is a detailed evaluation. What is happening, how quickly, are there risk factors, medical factors, diet, illness, things that affect the body’s metabolism, medication. All these contribute to the whole picture of the hair loss situation.

Then what does it look like, is it receding, balding at the crown? Measurements are taken with a Hair Check Trichometer. It is a tool which measures the numbers of hairs and how thick they are in different areas of the scalp. The permanent zone (that are where your head hits the pillow first) is compared against the crown, the frontal, temples. These measurements are very important over time. They have established a base line against which it is possible to track the response to different treatments.

Then the second thing will be to look at the scalp under a microscope. And amazingly we have something we can add to an iPhone to do this, and look directly at the scalp with high powered magnification. This helps determine the density. How any hairs are there, are they good, thick and healthy? Is it a forest of oak or a few blades of grass!

These tests help us determine how the hair loss has progressed and predict the expected response to various treatments.

Age also affects the different risks for patients. For example, an older man sitting at home on a diet of tea and toast might wonder why his hair is falling out. Younger men using supplements to help improve physique and sports performance that can also cause hair loss. Creatine pills for example have been shown to cause hair loss, with aggressively miniaturized hair follicles.

There is a huge movement in regenerative medicine and anti-aging to do hormone replacement therapy and men and women can be on testosterone which can be converted in the body into dihydrotestosterone which we know, for men, is the trigger for male pattern hair loss. That is therefore a big risk factor. So, steroids, and hormone replacement therapy under the care of a general practitioner, can affect the hair follicle cycling.

Even poor sleep habits can cause excessive hair shedding.

So, moving on to hair loss in women.

What percentage of women have hair loss?

This also varies by age, and around 50% of women aged 50 and older will have some visible signs of hair loss. The feel decreased volume, maybe less coverage on their scalp. In women, hair loss can happen any time after puberty, just like in men. It is typically subtler, and is not usually easily recognized from across the room as in men.

Female pattern hair loss looks different.

Is there always a strong family link with this?

Yes, just as with men, there is a strong genetic link, but women’s hair is more sensitive to other things such as illness, hormone imbalance, disrupted sleep/wake cycles, stress – even than men.

There are also plenty of non-genetic hair loss such as auto-immune conditions, so once again we need to get the ladies in for a diagnosis and look for the risk factors and issues than can be contributing to the hair loss situation. Problems could be in the form of excessive shedding, receding hair line, and usually a loss of volume. They notice that they can’t do the same hairstyles they could when they were younger.

Again, what are some of the simple tests that you do, and what patterns do you see in female hair loss situations.

Once again, we will be looking at the scalp and going through the timescale of how and when the hair loss has occurred. Female hair loss usually does not recede the hairline but will be a loss of density and caliber. It usually spares the hair around the back of the scalp and around the sides -they remain unaffected. There will be the detailed medical history, blood tests, and if it is unclear what is going on at the scalp then maybe a biopsy will be suggested. But, most of the time, the diagnosis in the clinic will be made by the medical history and the physical examination.

When patients visit Dr Bauman’s practice, it is not an automatic biopsy procedure which is often offered in a dermatology office, there will be an hour-long investigation to see exactly what is happening with their health and to try and get to the bottom of the situation. The risks are identified – medications can be a very strong trigger for female pattern hair loss.

OK. So, we have got to the point where, for both men & women, we know they have hair loss, male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss and what is causing it.

What are the first steps in treating it?

First steps are to go through the different options available to treat the hair loss.

For men, the oral therapies are the first line approach – Finasteride, is the first line of approach. For women, it might be a topical medication, or a laser light device. These are the basics. Even at this point many men, even though they understand that Finasteride has a strong influence in preserving, protecting, and enhancing their own hair, they may want to try something that is non-pharmaceutical, and shy away from the typical FDA approved oral treatments. This means Dr Bauman goes through the whole gamut of therapies across the board that are available. Many people want to avoid the pharmaceutical treatments these days.

Typically, if we know it is androgenetic alopecia, then Finasteride (Propecia) is the medication which reduces the DHT and that works ‘pretty darn good’ in 90% of the time, and patients look the same or better in the long run, for men. In women if a topical medication is going to be used, then Dr Bauman will typically prescribe a compounded version of Minoxidil, like Formula 82M as opposed to the Rogaine that is available over the counter. Rogaine tends to be more greasy and gooey and not all that strong. The compounded medications, like 82M, are stronger, give a little bit more ‘oomph’ to the treatment, and are a lot easier to use. Unlike the oral medications which is taken once a day, topical medications must be used twice a day to be truly effective. Both men and women can use the topical medications.

Laser light therapy devices can be used for both men and women. There are devices to take home – patients don’t have to go to the clinic 3 times a week for clinic treatments. They take the Laser Cap device home and use it 30 minutes every other day, to get the best results.

If you want to stay away from chemical therapies then you are looking at laser light devices, and maybe even PRP treatments.

PRP – Platelet Rich Plasma - is a new modality that is used in regenerative medicine. We harvest and exploit the platelets that regenerate tissue.

When you are talking about laser therapy, are you talking about the red lasers that are found in some of these cap devices?

Yes. Laser therapy for hair regrowth is in the red wavelength, it is visible red light but it is the laser diodes that give the best results, NOT LED’s. There are laser caps – you wear them on your head, they are hands free, cordless and rechargeable, and they are powerful. They are more effective and easier to use than the devices we used to have in the clinic!

Are there any better devices? It’s easy to get lost when searching for ‘laser for hair loss’ everybody seems to be trying to sell one!

Yes, there is a huge variety of different lasers ‘out there’ and many are FDA cleared for hair regrowth, so they have been proven to the FDA that they are effective but you need to look for the laser with the highest number of LASER diodes – not LED’s. They must be laser light – those are the diodes that are the most effective in re-growing hair. Importantly, to get some regeneration, the hair follicles must not be dead and gone. They can be weak but not dead. But that is true of just about any other therapy as well. There must be a hair follicle there for it to grow hair.

For a laser cap device, you should get one with about 220 diodes. There are some coming out with 300 diodes which are the latest and greatest ones. They must cover the whole scalp and deliver enough energy to get some good results. And we must measure to check the progress of results!

Back to oral medications – do you use oral medications in women too?

Post menopause we can use the hormone modulating treatments because there is no risk to a pregnant woman or developing fetus. But to determine if a woman should take Finasteride, given that she is post-menopausal, a genetic test called “HairDX” is taken first to determine if she is androgen sensitive. Not all women are androgen sensitive. We can determine who is most likely to respond to the Finasteride / androgen modulating treatments. If a woman is androgen sensitive, then it is possible to prescribe the Finasteride for post-menopausal women. Dr Bauman sees some great results with it.

As we come towards the end of our time today, please can you summarize for us what we have talked about today?

The most important thing for any man or woman who is experiencing hair loss and doesn’t like it, Dr Bauman’s advice is to get a medical evaluation by a board-certified hair restoration physician. The ABHRS is the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. It is also an international board and there are only a small number of physicians in the world who have achieved that board certification. When you have the evaluation, make sure you get a complete medical history, and do have evaluations such as the HairCheck measurements, and the HairCam microscope photos of the scalp and that they are recorded in your medical records. Ask for a copy of those.

Then get started on some effective treatments. Oral therapies – primarily for men;
Topical therapies – for men and women;
Laser Light devices- physician prescribed like LaserCap

PRP Platelet Rich Plasma – we didn’t talk too much about that but it’s an autologous injectable no-downtime hair re-growth treatment done over a lunch-hour that stimulates hair growth. It can work for both men and women in the early stages for up to two years.

You really need to try and keep your existing hair. If you don’t keep what you have then you are going to need some degree of FUE transplantation to fill in those gaps.

The simple advice is ‘the earlier the better’. Anyone listening who is suffering from hair loss, and not currently considering any form of treatment, then the time really is now to get the best results.

The earlier treatment is started, then the better the results are over the long run. If you wait until too many hair follicles are damaged or dead, then the treatments become more aggressive and more invasive as you go. We have great minimally invasive technology and techniques these days, to restore your own living and growing hair. In the early stage of the game patients need to take some positive action, and seek out therapy from well-trained and experienced hair restoration physicians who are trained in the medical management of hair loss.

Sadly, in the USA, most dermatologists don’t have time to do a hair loss consultation so there is a complete new sub-specialty (only about 15 to 20 years old) board certified hair restoration physician. Those physicians exclusively dedicate their practice to the treatment of hair loss and hair re-growth.

How can listeners access Dr Bauman’s specialist service?

Thanks to the power of the internet, via Dr Bauman’s website, patients can initiate a long-distance consultation, upload photos, schedule a phone call – or do it through Skype, or Facetime - and it’s almost as good as being at the office. Obviously Dr Bauman can’t do the measurements or look with the microscope, (although he is working on that!) He however can at least make a start on understanding exactly what is going on. Dr Bauman also certifies HairCoaches, so there may be someone local to them who the patient can be referred to at a hair center who can take the measurements – HairCheck and HairCam evaluation with the microscope. There are over 150 Certified HairCoaches ‘out there’, many of them international, who have been trained by Dr Bauman to help him diagnose and treat hair loss. Simply click Start Consultation.

Or of course, you can visit Dr Bauman’s facility in South Florida, Boca Raton. He has a new building completely dedicated to the treatment of hair loss and hair transplant procedures.

Thank you once again Alan for spending time educating our listeners about hair loss. Dr Lycka loves to do this show and provide real information to the listeners.

Thank you, Barry, for being such a gracious host. Dr Bauman knows that many people listen to this podcast from around the world, and say to him ‘I heard you on Dr Lycka’s show, and the information really helped me get started dealing with my hair loss.’

Contact details for Dr Alan Bauman:

Dr. Alan J. Bauman, M.D. – ABHRS Board Certified Hair Restoration Physician

Telephone: Boca Raton: (561) 394 0024

https://www.baumanmedical.com/

What is "Master Plan" for Hair Loss & Hair Transplantation?

Often overlooked by patients and novice surgeons, the "Master Plan" for hair transplantation should include the important consideration that hereditary "pattern" hair loss and hair thinning in men and women are chronic and progressive conditions that continue to get worse without treatment. At Bauman Medical, we routinely remind patients, "transplanted hair is permanent, but your other hair is not!" ...and, there's a plan for that!

Therefore the "Master Plan" for any hair loss patient should include not only the size and amount of hair transplant procedures needed to reach a patient's restoration goal, but also a robust Medical Hair Loss Management protocol for treating the at-risk hair and routine follow-up measurements and tracking visits to ensure the prescribed hair regrowth therapies are working as expected. 

Unfortunately, many novice surgeons underestimate the amount of grafting needed to accomplish a hair loss patient's goals and underestimate the progression of hair loss--inadvertently or mistakingly thinking that the hair loss is a static condition.  From my experience in treating thousands of hair loss in patients over 20 years, I assure you it is NOT!  This often results in disappointing results for patients who have spent significant time and resources to undergo a hair transplant procedure, and neglected to address the underlying progression of hair loss. 

What goes into making a "Master Plan" for your hair restoration?

1.  An accurate diagnosis of your condition. Is it hereditary hair loss or are there other hair loss or alopecia conditions contributing?
2.  An identification of your major hair loss risk factors, which may include hereditary risk, medical conditions, scalp health, medications and other issues that affect hair growth.
3.  Baseline standardized photography
4.  Baseline measurements of Hair Mass Index with HairCheck and microscopic HairCam evaluations in affected zones compared to areas that are more permanent.
5.  An assessment of your hair loss "momentum" generally based on your age, degree of hair loss and amount of miniaturized hair.
6.  What are your ultimate, realistic hair restoration goals?

What does a Hair Transplant & Hair Restoration "Master Plan" include?

1.  Suggested risk-factor modifications
2.  Effective medical hair regrowth treatments.
3.  Accurate estimate of size and amount of hair transplantation recommended.
4.  Routine monitoring of hair growth with HairCheck and HairCam evaluations.
5.  Routine assessment of your progress and goals. 

Do you need a "Master Plan" to help you reach and maintain your hair restoration goals?

Schedule a consultation with ABHRS and FISHRS Hair Restoration Physician, Dr. Alan Bauman at http://www.baumanmedical.com/schedule-consultation.

Related articles

Using stem cells to grow new hair @sanfordburnham

Top 6 Reasons Your Hair Growth Treatments Aren't Working

Theradome Laser Device FDA Cleared For Hair Regrowth on Fox News

Can "testosterone boosting" herbs like Tribulus Terrestris contribute to hair loss?

Is a Hair Transplant Painful?  

It shouldn't be!  Listen to Richard describe his ARTAS robotic-assisted hair transplant experience with Dr. Alan Bauman of Bauman Medical Group in Boca Raton. We caught up with Richard in the hallway at Bauman Medical where he was candidly talking about how he felt before, during and after his procedure and asked his permission to share his experience with you. Was he afraid of the discomfort he was going to experience? What was his experience like? How much pain did he have during and after his hair transplant? How is he feeling today?

Richard is four days post-op from his ARTAS robotic hair transplant, so his scabs will be visible for another few days. Once the scabs are gone, all visible signs of the hair transplant will be invisible to the naked eye. Hair growth starts in about 12 weeks, but it takes 6 months to see half of the result. A full-grown result takes one year. Each patient is different, so a consultation is required to determine the estimated amount of grafts needed to reach your goals.

Contact Dr. Alan Bauman, a board-certified Hair Restoration Physician and expert in artistic, minimally invasive FUE hair transplant surgery using NeoGraft and the ARTAS robotic system. www.baumanmedical.com

Related articles

Aesthetic Everything Network Includes Hair Loss Expert, Dr. Alan Bauman

Top 6 Reasons Your Hair Growth Treatments Aren't Working

Alopecia Areata Awareness Month: New Treatment Using 3D-Printing Technology - Alan J. Bauman, M.D. -- Hair Loss / Hair Transplant Expert --BaumanBlog.com

How to Identify, Diagnose and Treat Your Hair Loss - Alan J. Bauman, M.D. -- Hair Loss / Hair Transplant Expert --BaumanBlog.com

How to Spot, Diagnose and Treat Hair Loss

By Dr. Alan J. Bauman

Roughly 80 million men and women in the U.S. suffer from hair loss. This may sound like a daunting figure, but in reality most hair loss cases today are treatable - thanks to several decades of advanced medical research and high-tech treatment development.

However, the most important weapon in the battle against baldness is a relatively simple one - early detection.

By the time hair loss becomes noticeable to the naked eye, science tells us that about 50% of the hair follicles responsible for producing hair have already shut down. The earlier patients can get started on preventive or restorative therapies, the better their odds are for retaining a full and healthy-looking head of hair.

Since August is National Hair Loss Awareness Month, it’s a good opportunity for all of us - men and women, old and young - to learn more about the early signs of hair loss and the treatment options available.

Detecting Hair Loss

A common mistake with detecting hair loss is to rely on the “mirror test” before taking action. That is, most people wait until their hair loss becomes readily noticeable - perhaps it’s diffuse thinning up top for men and women, or a receding hairline.

However, relying on this type of visual cue puts you at a disadvantage because as noted above, by the time hair loss is visible half of your hair in that area may be already gone.

 Some people think that a better way to check for early signs of hair loss is to examine how much hair is being shed each day. This also can by tricky because a typical healthy head of hair will lose approximately 100 hair strands per day due to natural hair follicle cycling. If you’re noticing an excessive number of hairs on the pillow in the morning, at the bottom of the shower or in the comb, you may be in the active stages of hereditary hair loss.  What’s tricky about that?  Well, excessive shedding doesn’t always mean you have male or female pattern hair loss--it could be a sign of an underlying health problem or even a scalp issue, which results in temporary shedding of hair called telogen effluvium.

Further, patients put themselves at another disadvantage when they tell themselves that their hair loss has stopped.  Studies show us that left untreated, hair loss will always get worse over time even though visually it appears to have stopped.

For these reasons, it is important to schedule a visit with an experienced, board-certified hair restoration physician when these symptoms are observed. He or she will be able to run the proper tests to determine the true cause of your hair loss, and what types of treatments might be needed. A hair restoration physician can also run tests that will help predict the likelihood of future hair loss.

Diagnosing the Problem

Aside from blood work and other traditional tests, Hair restoration physicians have several tools at their disposal to gauge a person’s risk of hair loss, and the rate at which active hair loss is progressing.

These include:

• Genetic tests - While the results are a little more complicated than a “yes” or “no”, a new genetic test by HairDX can accurately determine a man’s (and woman’s) risk for losing their hair, so they can begin preventive treatments early. The test uses a simple cheek swab and can determine the genetic risk of developing male and female pattern hair loss. There are also genetic tests that can determine how well you are likely to respond to certain medical treatments. For example, the HairDX Genetic Test for androgen sensitivity can help predict your response to certain types of medical treatment (such as finasteride or Propecia). This information helps the physician tailor a treatment regimen specific to the patient’s genetics and therefore patients avoid spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a treatment that may not be effective for them.

• Hair density measurements - The HairCheck® device is a highly sensitive hand-held ‘trichometer,’ which measures hair caliber and hair density together, and expresses them as a single number known as the Hair Mass Index (HMI), or "Hair Number.”  Doctors can use this number to accurately assess hair loss, growth and breakage on any area of the scalp. By tracking these numbers, a physician can determine the extent and rate of the patient's hair loss and/or breakage, and inform them of any changes over time. This information also helps monitor and track the efficacy of their treatment regimen in case modifications are needed. This type of testing  works for both men and women. 

• Scalp exams - Newly developed “Trico-Tests” are highly effective at determining if an underlying problem with the scalp is the root cause of a hair disorder. Patients are evaluated with non-invasive, pain-free skin diagnostic tests that check the scalp’s pH, sebum and hydration levels to determine if there are any abnormalities. A magnified videoscopic examination of the scalp is also performed to examine any signs of scalp flaking or dandruff, excess sebum production, identify bacterial or fungal colonies and assess overall hair follicle health and function. Depending on the patient’s symptoms, hair strand cortisol level testing may also be administered (for example: Bauman Medical’s “sTRESS Test”). Scalp testing is available for both men and women.

Effective Treatment Options

Once the cause of the hair loss has been determined, an effective treatment program can be developed. This is likely to include a multi-therapy approach, and certain lifestyle changes may also be recommended.

Today, there are a variety of effective treatment options available for both men and women:

Topical and Oral Treatments: In addition to the over-the-counter minoxidil-containing Rogaine, and Rogaine for Women, topical treatments include compounded topical minoxidil Formula 82M and Latisse/Bimatoprost or other prostaglandin analogs. Currently, there is only one FDA-approved oral medication, (finasteride, brand name Propecia).

Low Level Laser Therapy: In recent years, low-level laser therapy has become a key element of the multi-therapy hair restoration regimen. Thanks to continued device approvals from the FDA specifically for hair regrowth, and a wide array of devices, including in-office laser ‘hoods’, at-home handheld units, hats, and brushes, more patients and doctors are utilizing phototherapy as an effective treatment option.

Nutritionals: Many hair loss patients benefit from the addition of nutritional supplementation in their treatment regimen. Hair vitamins and supplements, like Viviscal Pro and “SuperBiotin” are specially-formulated to nourish thinning hair, while also creating a healthy environment for existing hair and hair follicles.

Scalp Makeover: During a scalp makeover, the patient undergoes a simple skin diagnostic test to see if their sebum, pH, hydration, toxin and cortisol levels are imbalanced, and then depending on the results, a variety of scalp therapies are provided. Treatments for the scalp range from sebum-regulating topical serums (as well as hydration, anti-DHT and blood microcirculation stimulants) to scalp steaming, scalp massage, electrotherapy stimulation, hair boosting dermal patches and laser therapy. A scalp makeover can help overcome common hair problems, including hair thinning, excessive shedding and breakage.

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, or PRP: The use of autologous PRP (platelet rich plasma) for wound healing after hair transplants and as a stand-alone treatment for enhancing hair growth has become a promising new treatment for both men and women. The application of PRP to the scalp requires short outpatient visits which can normally be done over a lunch hour.

Hair Transplant Robotics: The first robot designed to perform part of the hair transplant recently became available. Called the ARTAS System, it’s an image-guided robot that harvests up to 1,000 hair grafts in a single hour – which has made hair transplant surgery even more accurate and efficient and leaves no linear scar.

NeoGraft FUE: Less invasive hair transplants allow for the transplantation of hair without the ‘telltale’ signs of old-style hair transplantation such as the linear scar on the back of the head. The NeoGraft device helps the surgeon extracts hair follicles from the donor area of the scalp individually without the need for scalpel or stitches, leaving no linear scar. Recovery is faster, more comfortable and less restrictive. Artistic hairline design and single-follicle transplantation techniques create hair transplant results that truly defy detection.

3D Printed Hair: For male or female hair loss patients suffering from severe or extensive hair loss, or those looking for an alternative to hair transplantation, “3D-Printed Hair” is the latest breakthrough in hair replacement. New non-surgical medical-grade hair and scalp prosthesis, like the CNC Hair Replacement System, offers a customized, natural hair replacement option for a complete return to an active lifestyle, without compromise! The 3D printed hair system can be shampooed, dried and styled as your own hair. With monthly maintenance and proper care, the prosthesis can last up to 4-5 years - much longer than traditional wigs or hairpieces.

Visit http://www.baumanmedical.com for an overview of these treatment options. 

Seeing It Through

 Treatment programs should be customized for the individual patient, and based on a full examination of the person’s genetic factors, health history, hair loss progression and lifestyle issues. Routine follow-ups are also important in order to determine how well the follicles are responding to the treatments, and to see if changes should be made in the therapy regimen.

One of the hardest parts of treating hair loss is helping the patient understand that it is a long-term investment and process. Just like hair loss, initial changes in hair regrowth take time and can be subtle before they are noticeable to the naked eye.

When one starts to actually treat their hair loss, it is important to keep in mind that it can take more than a year to see the full, final results from treatment. This is longer than many other treatments or procedures that patients have experience with so many patients are tempted to end their hair treatments too soon.  Ending treatment prematurely disrupts any progress that had been made. Regular follow-ups should be performed every 90 days as this helps to reconfirm to the patient that they are responding to their treatment regimen and getting the best results possible. If they are not responding, adjustments to treatments can be made expeditiously.

Hair loss is a treatable condition, but the earlier the problem is detected and treatment started, the better your chances are of keeping your hair and re-growing what has been diminished.

Tips on Finding a Hair Restoration Physician

• A hair restoration physician is someone who specializes exclusively in the medical diagnosis, treatment and tracking of hair loss and its treatment.
• Look for physicians who are board-certified in hair restoration by the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery, accepted members of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons and recommended by the American Hair Loss Association.
• Due to the limited number of board-certified hair restoration physicians worldwide, prospective patients should be prepared to travel and consult long-distance.
• Before choosing your doctor, visit the clinic, read reviews, ask for before-and-after pictures and, most importantly, ask questions.
• Medical doctors who do not specialize in hair restoration (general practitioners, dermatologists, etc.) may not be up to date on the latest treatment methods and technologies. This can lead to subpar results and, in some cases, treatment complications.

Visit http://www.baumanmedical.com to start a consultation with hair loss expert and board-certified hair restoration physician, Dr. Alan J. Bauman. 

How To Spot HairLoss DrAlanBauman 0816 SFHW

Related articles

Top 6 Reasons Your Hair Growth Treatments Aren't Working

Can "testosterone boosting" herbs like Tribulus Terrestris contribute to hair loss?

Using stem cells to grow new hair @sanfordburnham

Among the six treatments for hair loss recommended in the Today.com story are compounded minoxidil (rogaine alternatives), nutritionals like Viviscal Pro, laser therapy with LaserCap, PRP Platelet Rich Plasma. Other therapies used by full time hair restoration physicians include no-scalpel, no-stitch Hair Transplantation with NeoGraft or using the the ARTAS robotic system.

For women, the most common triggers are hormonal (pregnancy, menopause, thyroid disorders, polycystic ovarian syndrome) or hereditary, but autoimmune conditions and nutritional deficiencies can also be to blame. And unlike men, we tend to lose hair gradually and all over the head, so it can take longer to detect. "Many of my patients notice a change in the shape of their face as the temples recede, a widening of their part line or that their ponytail is smaller in diameter," says hair restoration specialist Dr. Alan Bauman, who heads the Bauman Medical Group in Boca Raton, Florida.

Luckily, there's a lot that can be done, from lasers to lotions and everything in between. And you'll be rewarded for treating it early. "I liken it to sun damage — it's never too late to address the problem, but it will get worse with time if you don't slow the progression," says Bauman. Here, the best, doctor-approved treatments from easy-peasy to full-on offense.

Check out at-home lasers.

Discreet enough to fit under a cute cloche, the Laser Cap is a powerful (but pricey) way to increase hair mass. "We've had excellent results using laser therapy in-office for several years, but now most patients are treating themselves out of the office," says Bauman. "The device emits low-level laser light treatment proven to enhance growth while you go about your day. It's painless, chemical-free, has no side effects and you see results in 90 days." (And it's a great excuse to expand your hat collection.)

Investigate PRP.

Ready for the big guns? "Platelet-rich plasma is the newest frontier," says Bauman. "It allows us to exploit your body's own pharmacy of growth factors. It isn't an overnight cure, but we can clinically measure improvements in several weeks, and they're noticeable to the naked eye after six months." Here's how it works: A small sample of the patient's blood is processed to separate out the platelets and stem-cell-rich plasma. In some cases, additional "bioscaffolding" — sometimes placental tissue from screened donors — is blended in to improve the effects. Then, the custom cocktail is shallowly injected under the scalp under local anesthesia. Sounds intense, but "it's comfortable, takes less than an hour and there is no recovery phase," promises Bauman.

 

The key is accurate diagnosis, effective prescription treatments and proper routine follow-up HairCheck measurements. For more info about board certified hair restoration physician, Dr. Alan Bauman, visit http://www.baumanmedical.com

Related articles

Top 6 Reasons Your Hair Growth Treatments Aren't Working

Aesthetic Everything Network Includes Hair Loss Expert, Dr. Alan Bauman

FAQ: Topical Finasteride Solution with Minoxidil for Hair Loss

Can "testosterone boosting" herbs like Tribulus Terrestris contribute to hair loss?

 Medical Grade Hair and Scalp Prosthetic Made with 3D-Printing for Dr. Alan J. Bauman’s Hair Transplant Patient Unveiled at CARF Alopecia Conference

Top hair loss doctors, researchers and over 150 patients met and spoke with Cicatricial Alopecia patient ‘Ivory’ who underwent an innovative hair restoration method by Dr. Bauman combining the latest permanent FUE/FUT hair transplantation procedure with a custom 3D-printed hair and scalp prosthetic device.

BOCA RATON, FL (PRWEB) JUNE 15, 2016

Internationally recognized hair loss expert, Dr. Alan J. Bauman, recently teamed up with the Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation or CARF to raise awareness on scarring alopecia as well as educate patients, researchers and physicians on some of the new options available for this currently incurable condition.

"This year's conference was a huge success, and allowed us to further CARF's mission to provide education and patient support, raise public awareness, and advance and promote research. It truly was a collaborative team effort, and we are so thankful to have the support from Dr. Bauman, and others in the hair restoration community, who are helping to improve the care of patients with scarring alopecia," said Nicole Rogers, MD, FAAD and Conference Chair. Dr. Bauman was invited by Dr. Rogers and CARF to be a featured speaker at their 7th International Patient-Doctor Conference, June 3-5, in New Orleans, #CARF2016. His presentation, “The Best of All Worlds,” was focused on the combined use of a medical grade 3D printed hair and scalp prosthetic along with hair transplantation in a patient with traction alopecia and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. Dr. Bauman and his patient, “Ivory,” were in attendance at the conference to discuss her experience with cicatricial alopecia and her treatment, which included hair transplantation and a custom CRLab CNC hair replacement system made in Bologna, Italy.

“Cicatricial alopecia affected my self-confidence and has been self-limiting for me. I refused to see a new hair stylist, as I was afraid they would be shocked or ask numerous questions. I was afraid and ashamed to seek help. I also avoided activities, such as swimming or simply riding in a convertible,” said Dr. Bauman’s patient Ivory. “Now, my results are permanent and I feel 100% more confident. Dr. Bauman and my new CNC system have given me a new outlook for managing and coping with my hair loss.”

Some of the experts who were in attendance to present and participate in the panel discussions along with Dr. Alan Bauman include Dr. Antonella Tosti, Dr. Yolanda Lenzy, Dr. Melissa Piliang, Dr. Lady Dy, Dr. Lynne Goldberg, Dr. Erin Boh, Dr. Marc Avram, Dr. Patricia Farris, Dr. Kate Holcomb, Dr. Wilma Bergfeld, Dr. Maria Hordinsky, Dr. Fonda Farah, Ms. Rita Wanser, Ms. Elayne Kuehler, Ms. Debbie Guastella and Dr. Jeff Donovan. This event was sponsored in part by Procter & Gamble, Lifes2Good (makers of Viviscal) and Cesare Ragazzi Laboratories (makers of the CRLab CNC Hair Replacement System).

“CARF is a truly unique organization that has really grown into a valuable resource for both patients and physicians,” Dr. Bauman commented.
To learn more about this condition and request Dr. Bauman’s presentation from the conference visit http://www.alopecia.md
To learn more about CARF - the Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation, or to make a donation, visit https://www.crowdrise.com/cictricalalopeciares
If you or someone you know has hair loss or scalp concerns, schedule either a long-distance phone consultation or an in-person, in-office consultation with Dr. Bauman online at http://www.baumanmedical.com or by calling toll-free 844-GET-HAIR or +1-561-394-0024.

About Dr. Alan J. Bauman:
Alan J. Bauman, M.D. is a full-time hair transplant surgeon who has treated over 17,000 patients and performed over 7,000 hair transplant procedures since starting his hair loss practice, Bauman Medical, in 1997 located in Boca Raton, FL.
Dr. Bauman received his M.D. degree from New York Medical College and surgical residency training at Mt. Sinai Medical Center and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. Dr. Bauman is one of approximately 100 physicians worldwide to achieve board certification from the esteemed American and International Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. He is a Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, and is an active participant and lecturer at numerous Annual Scientific Meetings and Live Surgery Workshops.
Dr. Alan Bauman has appeared in print, radio and television as a medical expert and successful early-adopter of the most advanced technologies in the treatment of hair loss. Appearances, interviews and profiles include the Today Show, The Early Show, Good Morning America, Extra, Access Hollywood and Dateline NBC among other TV appearances. Newspaper and Magazine articles and feature stories include The New York Times, Newsweek, Cosmo, Vogue, Allure, O – The Oprah Magazine and Men’s Health among others.
To learn more about treatment options for cicatricial alopecia visit http://www.BaumanMedical.com

Related articles

Top 6 Reasons Your Hair Growth Treatments Aren't Working

Brain Cancer Survivor Gets Gift of a New Head of Hair at SalonB Boca Raton

Aesthetic Everything Network Includes Hair Loss Expert, Dr. Alan Bauman

We all know that first impressions count whether you are aiming for job interview or a date. 

Richard King, 31, noticed he was getting much more attention from women after undergoing a hair transplant. He and his hair surgeon, Dr. Bessam Farjo, decided to set up two Tinder profiles for Richard – one featuring his new head of hair and the other with his pre-surgery mane. The two were surprised to find that Richard’s new locks increased his Tinder matches by 75 percent, receiving 203 matches compared to the 116 he got on his pre-transplant photos.

Read the story and see his before and after photos at https://www.yahoo.com/beauty/man-gets-75-more-tinder-matches-after-hair-232913338.html

For information on how to improve your first impression with more hair, visit http://www.baumanmedical.com

Related articles

Aesthetic Everything Network Includes Hair Loss Expert, Dr. Alan Bauman

Using stem cells to grow new hair @sanfordburnham

"Top Six Reasons Why Your Hair Regrowth Treatments Aren’t Working"

by Alan J. Bauman, M.D.  /  Diplomate, American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery

Deciding to undergo treatment for hair loss isn’t always easy. Particularly for women, there is often a lot of embarrassment and confusion that goes along with this condition. Admitting to yourself that you have female- or male-pattern hair loss is sometimes a tough pill to swallow, but coupled with this is the nagging fear that the treatments won't work.

This is why it’s so important for patients to feel confident about the effective treatment options that are available and what time and effort is needed to achieve results.

By the time hair loss becomes visible to the naked eye, over 50% of your hair may have already been lost. So, getting started early on treatments and sticking to your doctor’s medical plan and follow-up appointments are critical to reversing hair loss.

While occasionally men and women may feel like the treatments “aren’t working,” it’s important to get a clear perspective on why this may - or may not - be the case. Having realistic expectations about what these treatments will do and how long they will take is also critical. After all, the main reason why treatments fail is that patients give up too soon… long before the results are visible to the naked eye. Good things come to those who are consistent and “wait.”  Treating hair loss is a marathon, not a sprint.

Since August is National Hair Loss Awareness Month, I thought it an important time to address this common question among hair loss sufferers.

Here are six reasons why your hair loss treatment may not be working:

1) "You Think It’s Not Working, But It Is."

First off, let’s address the obvious. In many cases, patients don’t “feel” like their treatment program is working, when in reality it is. The problem is that hair growth rates are slow (about 1/4-inch per month) — therefore most treatments take at least six months before subtle results are visible to the naked eye, and even with an advanced hair transplant procedure it takes a year or more for the full result to grow in.

I would recommend that hair loss patients always keep in touch with their doctors, because he/she can take scientific measurements and use microscopic analysis of the follicles to determine if the regrowth is taking place as it should. For example, patients undergoing a non-invasive treatment regimen can use baseline and tracking measurements like HairCheck/HairCam evaluations performed by their doctor or a certified HairCoach™ to support or discontinue their treatments.

Also remember that symptoms may be misleading. A temporary increase in shedding may be a sign your new treatment is working so push onward through to that 90-day follow-up visit to find out what’s really happening at the scalp. 

2) "You’re Doing It Wrong."

Sometimes, ‘user error’ is the reason why a treatment takes longer than it should to show results. For example, sloppy or inconsistent application of a prescription topical medication like Compounded Minoxidil Formula 82M may mean the difference between fair results and great results. But you may also simply be using the wrong treatment. Expecting medical-grade results from an over-the-counter treatment (i.e. Rogaine) or a cheap and weak consumer laser (like some of the ones seen in popular in-flight magazines) vs. physician-only/prescribed laser device simply doesn't make logical sense.

3) "Wrong Diagnosis."

Some rare medical hair loss conditions mimic more common ones, meaning you might be on the wrong treatment regimen. See the right physician. A missed diagnosis of a scarring alopecia for example could spell disaster for your hair in a hurry if left untreated.

3) "Hair Loss Risk Factors Are Inhibiting Your Results."

In a perfect healthy world, treatments for hereditary hair loss work for everyone, but in real life hair loss risk factors like stress, poor diet, medications, toxins like smoking and alcohol intake, poor sleep cycles, hormone imbalance, acute and chronic illnesses and more can overwhelm even the best medical hair regrowth regimen. If your doctor glosses over these risks, or worse, adds to the problem like prescribing testosterone while you are at risk for hereditary hair loss, for example, your hair regrowth may suffer.

4) "Too Late."

Many patients have gone from “bare to hair,” so while it’s never really “too late” to start a hair restoration regimen, sometimes an area of scalp is simply “too far gone” to be helped with traditional non-invasive therapies alone. Meaning, if there is a severe depletion of hair follicles, you will likely need some degree of hair transplantation to reach your goals in that area.

5) Wrong Doctor.

Your primary doctor, ob/gyn, plastic surgeon or even your dermatologist may not be the best source of advice for the most advanced hair loss evaluations, measurements or treatments.  While it is true that dermatologists do study hair loss amongst skin diseases during their schooling, the courses are generally brief and not “all encompassing” as compared to a physician specialist solely focusing on hair and hair loss and is staying abreast of the latest research and the newest treatment options.

After all, while your basic car mechanic may know a bit about your transmission and transmission problems, a transmission specialist is where I’d take my car!

Bottom line: Seek a doctor with expertise specializing specifically in hair loss and its treatment. 

For a printable version of this article from August 2105 South Florida's Health & Wellness Magazine, visit http://sflhealthandwellness.com/top-six-reasons-why-your-hair-regrowth-treatments-arent-working/

For more information about Dr. Alan J. Bauman or hair loss evaluations, diagnosis, treatments and procedures performed at Bauman Medical Hair Transplant & Hair Loss Treatment Center in Boca Raton, FL please visit http://www.baumanmedical.com

Find a Certified HairCoach who can measure your hair loss and hair regrowth using a scientific HairCheck device.

Related articles

Aesthetic Everything Network Includes Hair Loss Expert, Dr. Alan Bauman

Brain Cancer Survivor Gets Gift of a New Head of Hair at SalonB Boca Raton

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/fashion/new-hair-thinning-treatments-for-women.html

Nice to see some of the new hair loss treatments for women gain some attention from the New York Times. They covered therapies like stem cells, PRP, minoxidil, laser therapy and hair transplantation.

When it comes to PRP and other hair regrowth treatments, not all physicians are performing the same "recipe" or preparation. Instead of multiple, monthly injections the addition of extracellular matrix products, like ACell or BioD, seems to help results from Platelet Rich Plasma last longer and be stronger.

New pharmacy-compounded minoxidil preparations like Formula 82M reduce side effects of the over-the-counter Rogaine and generic versions. Less greasy and irritating, Formula 82M minoxidil is a strong hair growth treatment which contains ingredients which improve the penetration and efficacy of the minoxidil. 

The number of laser therapy devices available for patients have certainly increased dramatically over the years since we started with in-office laser therapy at Bauman Medical Group in 1999.  FDA-cleared laser hoods, clinical units, combs, hats, helmets and caps vary in cost, power and convenience. Savvy consumers will seek out powerful laser devices that are hands-free which sit underneath standard ball caps, hats, scarves or other headwear.  

Minimally-invasive hair transplant procedures, like NeoGraft FUE, are appropriate for women who want to lower their hairline, add density to their temple areas or frontal zones without the downtime, discomfort and restrictions of old-style linear harvesting requiring a scalpel, stitches or staples. 

For more information about the latest advancements in hair loss diagnosis, hair loss treatments and hair transplants for women, visit www.baumanmedical.com

Related articles

Using stem cells to grow new hair @sanfordburnham

Can "testosterone boosting" herbs like Tribulus Terrestris contribute to hair loss?

There's New Hope for Women With Thinning Hair

Reportedly, research scientists at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have used human stem cells to generate new hair growth. While this is not yet a cure that is "ready for prime time," it may be the first step in a successful stem cell based treatment that could provide unlimited hair for transplantation. This kind of cell therapy has yet to be tested or proven but staff (and patients) of Bauman Medical Group are excited to see if this develops into a viable baldness treatment. Congratulations to Dr. Terskikih and his team on this incredible breakthrough. [photo courtesy: Sanford-Burnham]

In a new study, Sanford-Burnham researchers have used human pluripotent stem cells to generate new hair. The study represents the first step toward the development of a cell-based treatment for people with hair loss. In the United States alone, more than 40 million men and 21 million women are affected by hair loss. The research was published online in PLOS ONE.
“We have developed a method using human pluripotent stem cells to create new cells capable of initiating human hair growth. The method is a marked improvement over current methods that rely on transplanting existing hair follicles from one part of the head to another,” said Alexey Terskikh, Ph.D., associate professor in the Development, Aging, and Regeneration Program. “Our stem cell method provides an unlimited source of cells from the patient for transplantation and isn’t limited by the availability of existing hair follicles.”
The research team developed a protocol that coaxed human pluripotent stem cells to become dermal papilla cells. They are a unique population of cells that regulate hair-follicle formation and growth cycle. Human dermal papilla cells on their own are not suitable for hair transplants because they cannot be obtained in necessary amounts and rapidly lose their ability to induce hair-follicle formation in culture.
“In adults, dermal papilla cells cannot be readily amplified outside of the body and they quickly lose their hair-inducing properties,” said Terskikh. “We developed a protocol to drive human pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into dermal papilla cells and confirmed their ability to induce hair growth when transplanted into mice.”
- See more at: http://beaker.sanfordburnham.org/2015/01/using-stem-cells-to-grow-new-hair/#sthash.8kEpHh8e.dpuf

At Bauman Medical Group's Hair Transplant and Hair Loss Treatment Center, we will be watching this breakthrough carefully! Sincerely, Dr. Alan Bauman

Related articles

Anti-Aging Hair Care - Hair Products That Make You Look Younger - Elle

Ruxolitinib Successfully Reverses Alopecia Offerring Potential Cure for Autoimmune Hair Loss

Beard Transplants Help Men with Stubble Trouble

A cure for hair loss? Scientists grow hair on rats using stem cells - and they say the treatment could work on humans too