» Hair Transplant Articles

Most clinics will give their patients a list of medications and supplements that they should avoid before hair transplant surgery. The following drugs or supplements either contain ASA, or can cause undesirable side-effects during surgery, such as excessive bleeding or bruising. These drugs should be avoided 2 weeks prior to surgery. For pain relief, switch to Tylenol or other acetominophen products. As always, refer to your specific hair transplant clinic’s instructions before sug

Advil

Alka-Seltzer

Alka-Seltzer Plus

Anacin

Anaprox

Anadynos

Ansaid

A.P.C

Argesic

Arthropan liquid

Arthritis Pain Formula

Arthritis Strength

Bufferin

A.S.A

A.S.A Enseals

Ascriptin

Ascriptin A/D

Ascriptin with codeine

Ascriptin Extra Strength

Asperbuf

Aspergum

Aspirin

Atromid

Axotal

Azolid

Bayer Aspirin

Bayer Aspirin Maximum

Bayer Chrildren’s Aspirin

Bayer Children’s Cold

Bayer Time Release Aspirin

B.C. Tablets and Powder

Buff-a-Comp

Buff-a-Comp No.3

Bufferin Arthritis Strength

Bufferin Extra Strength

Bufferin with Codeine No. 3

Norgesic

Norgesic Forte

Buffets 2

Buffinol

Buf-Tabs

Butazolidin

Cams Arthritis Pain Reliever

Carisoprodol

Cheracol Capsules

Chlortrimeton

Clinoril

Conjesprin Chewable

Cope Tablets

Cosprin Tablets

CP-2 Tablets

Damason P

Darvon Compound

Darvon compound-65

Darvon N with A.S.A

Darvon with A.S.A Pulvules

Di-gesic

Disalcid

Dolobid

Dolprin

Dristan

Durasal Tablets

Easprin

Ecotin

Efficin

Elavil

Emagrin

Emprazil

Empirin with Codeine

Encaprin

Endep

Equagesic Tablets

Etrafon

Excedrin

SK-65 Compound

Stanback

Feldene

Fiorinal

Fish Oil

Flagyl

Flexeril

Four Way Cold Tablets

Gaysal–S

Gelprin

Gemnisin

Goody’s

Ibuprofen

Indocin

Indomethacin

Lanorinal

Lioresal

Lortab

Magan

Magsal

Marnal

Maximun Bayer Aspirin

Measurin

Medomen

Methcarbamol with Aspirin

Micrainin

Mobidin

Midol

Mobigesic

Momentum Muscular

Backache Formula

Motrin

Mysteclin F

Nalfon

Naprosyn

Naproxen

Neocylate

Nicobid

Revised: 11/6/02

Nuprin

Oraflex

Orudis

Pabalate-SF

Pamelor

Parnate

Pepto Bismol Tablets

Pepto Bismol Suspension

Percodan

Percodan Demi Tablets

Persantine

Persistin

Phentermine

Phenylbutazone

Ponstel

Propoxyphene compound 65

Robaxisal

Rufen

Ru-Tuss

S.A.C

Saleto

Salocal

Sine Aid

Sine- off Sinus Med.

Sinutab

Stendin

St. Joseph’s Aspirin for

children

St. Joseph’s Cold Tablets

Sulindac

Surmontil

Synalgos

Tagamet

Talwin Compound

Tenuate Dospan

Tetracycline

Tolectin

Tolmetin

Triaminicin

Triavil

Trigesic

Trilisate tablets and liquids

Uracel

Vanquish

Verin

Vibramycin

Vitamin E

Voltaren

Zomax

Zorprin

Is flaking of the scalp normal after a hair transplant surgery? Well, yes but it depends on how long it has been since the surgery. If your scalp is flaking and you only recently had a hair transplant then it is very normal. The scalp tends to get dry after a procedure but more than that you can have continued flaking and even crusts develop long after the actual scabbing has subsided. This crusting is formed from a build up of edema. Edema is the yellowish fluid that builds up in the body after some sort of bruising trauma has occurred. Think of when you twist your knee and it swells up. This is from edema forming to insulate the area and protect it from further problems while it heals.

The same thing is happening in your scalp. After having thousands of tiny incisions made in your scalp the body starts to produce edema to protect itself. Some of this edema seeps out of the scalp, either through incisions or pores, and once it dries it creates a crusty by product. Sometimes this can completely cover the scalp and then when it cracks it can look like earthquake cracks in your scalp. What is even worse is that these cracks or rivulets as I call them are devoid of hair. Don’t worry, the grafts are still intact but the hair follicle was taken out when the crusties fell off. All is well and the area will fill in once the new hair begins to finally grow in four to six months.

This interesting Wired article talks about a 4000 year old strand of hair that allowed scientists to sequence the oldest human genome yet. Among other characteristics such as hair color, eye color and skin color the genome sequencing allowed scientists to reveal that hair loss is not exclusive to only modern humans. There is an image included in the article showing what appears to be an “ancient” man with hair loss but it is not clear if the hair loss is representative of the hair loss information learned from the genome.

Ancient Man Not Immune to Hair Loss

Over the past several years of having my hair back I have learned a few things about how transplanted hair behaves over time. I’m not saying that it acts differently than non-transplanted hair or anything like that but more rather what the conditions are that allow it to look it’s best.

If you’ve never had a hair transplant understand that it acts just like non-transplanted hair if the procedure was performed correctly. You cut it when it grows long, you style it every day, and you can even have highlights or dye applied to it (obviously from my photos:))

What I have learned over time however is that if you have had a large area addressed with transplanted hair there is a sweet spot so to speak regarding the length and how it positively or negatively affects the appearance of your hair. By this I mean that certain lengths make it look fuller than others. I have found that for me a medium length will make the density seem the strongest. When I cut my hair really short the results seem to be a bit thinner and when it is really long (like shown in my HT# 3 gallery) it also can appear thinner. I am not really sure why this is the case but it has been confirmed over and over as I have had my hair at drastically different lengths.

So, the lesson here is, after your results have grown in you may want to experiment with different styles to find the one that best accentuates your appearance. If it looks too thin, let it grow a bit more or cut it a bit shorter. Good luck!

Why would anyone care about taking the best possible photos of their hair??? Well, some people may not care at all but if you want to accurately document your own hair transplant experience for reference then why not take the best photos possible? Also, if you are going to post your photos on the web for others to learn from you owe it to yourself and to those that are hoping to learn from you to take the best photos you can.

They need to be consistent. They need to be in good lighting. They need to show good detail. This list of do’s and don’ts is from my own experience over the past several years of taking photos of my hair transplant progress. I hope you can learn from my experience and pass it on to others. If you see anything that may need to be updated or modified then please let me know.

1. Use the lighting from the room you are taking the photos in. Do not use the flash accessory on your camera.
2. It tends to work out better if you take your photos in your bathroom. The environment is small, the lighting is usually adequate and you have a mirror in which to judge your angles.
3. Any lighting that you have available in the room should be slightly in front of and above the area to be photographed. You never want the source of lighting to be behind the subject,(you head).
4. Place the camera on a steady support such as a bathroom counter or shelf to steady your shots. Almost all cameras come with a timer delay feature of ten seconds. Use this to get the most stable images. You do not want any “blur” effects to ruin your shot. It will take several practice shots to get proficient at using your camera in this manner but it will be worth it. You can place your camera in one place for all angles of the shot. Turn yourself for each angle, not the camera.
5. CONSISTENCY!! Take consistent photos of yourself. This means taking photos from the same angles throughout your documentation process. This helps to truly see the progress.

   Suggested angles are…90 degrees left and right. 45 degrees left and right; face forward; face slightly turned downward to show hairline; Chin to chest to see overhead view; direct view of the back of your head to show the donor area; back of your head while looking slightly up to show your crown area. Remember, you don’t need to move the camera for these shots. Move yourself.

6. While taking photos indoors is more appropriate is does help to spice up your portfolio by taking some shots outdoors.
7. When taking close up shots of your hairline or any other particular area of interest make sure to turn on your macro feature on your camera. This should be used when taking photos from less than 1 1/2 to 2 feet away. If you don’t know how to enable this feature then look in the manual. If you don’t have your manual anymore then you can most likely download a new one from the manufacturer’s web site.
8. When you are finished taking your photos you need to review them. Ask yourself if the photos are what you would want to see from someone else. Are they clear? Are they consistent with previous photos? Do they give an accurate representation of what your hair really looks like?

The below photographs demonstrate the impact of flash photography on perceived end results of a hair restoration procedure.

Note how the density increases by several orders of magnitude with only the use of a flash. Be sure to click the thumbnail to see the larger image.

List of things not to do when taking before/after photos of your hair transplant.

1. Do NOT use a flash. The bright light from a flash can cause each hair to generate a strong shadow of itself lending to the illusion of more hair.
2. Do NOT allow lights in the background. It will cause an overall dark look to your hair resulting in an inaccurate view of what your hair really looks like. Some web sites employ this technique often to give their patients the look of having more hair than they do in reality.
3. Do NOT simply hold your camera in two or even one hand. This will lend to an increase in blurriness in your photos.
4. Do NOT be afraid to take photos of your hair with your face showing. You can easily block out your face or alter it so no one can see who you are. Even better is if you decide to go “full Monty” like I did. It adds a better overall depth to the hair transplant.
5. Do NOT take still images from a video camera. Stills do not have the resolution needed for showing good detail. They often turn out too dark or too grainy.
6. Do NOT use a web cam to take your photos. They never turn out good enough to see any detail. Investing in even the cheapest of digital still cameras is a drop in the bucket compared to the price of a hair transplant.
7. Do NOT allow even ambient light to enter the room where you are taking your photographs. If you are in your living room, kitchen etc. then close the blinds and/or curtains. If you are in your bathroom and have windows then close the blinds and the shower curtain. Ambient light will darken the overall look of your hair transplant.

Well, that’s it. Again, if you have anything to add or think I should change anything based on your experience then let me know. I am by no means an expert so I’m open to suggestions.

I hope this helps you to understand how to take good, clear photographs. If you can share them with others via your own web site like I have then you will be doing someone you may never meet a HUGE favor!

Peace,

Jotronic

I think “final” here is a bit misleading because it can mean final growth or final development. By “development” I mean how the hair continues to change in very subtle ways after all the growth has kicked in and gained any length. Let me explain further…

After undergoing a hair restoration the grafts go through a bit of an adjustment period. Hair has two main growth phases; Telogen (the growing phase) and Anagen (the dormant phase). When hair grows it grows continuously for a few years (the number will vary depending on which Dr. you are asking).  Once this telogen phase comes to an end the hair goes into the anagen phase. I call it the recharge phase. During this three to five month period the hair shaft not only stops growing it actually falls out. This can be at any time during the anagen phase and can even happen at the end of the anagen phase due to the new hair regrowing in the old hair’s place and is pushing the old hair out.

For no known reason having a hair transplant actually triggers the anagen phase of a hair follicle’s cycle. This is why with virtually every hair transplant performed the hairs will fall out between three and five weeks post-op.  No one knows why this happens but it is perfectly normal and part of what some call the “ugly duckling phase”.  You are basically taking five steps backward before you take twenty forward with your new hair.

The hairs usually stay dormant for three to five months but some patients will sprout earlier and an unfortunate few will sprout later. This is a very small percentage of patients, so few in fact that I cannot remember any patients that took this long to start growing. Once the hair starts to sprout it will not come in all at once. There will be some areas that come in sooner than others so in the beginning the new growth and appear rather patchy. This is when the phone calls to the clinic really kick in with quesitons about the growth.

Usually at about the six month mark a healthy percentage of the hairs have started to poke through. I would wager this to be about 60% but this is very subjective. By eight to ten months is when all of the grafts should have come through and with a decent amount of length of at least one inch or more for most of the grafts.

The debate now moves to anything past the eight to ten month mark. I have recently read that results take at least 18 months to come to fruition. This is not an accurate statement. True, hair characteristics will continue to change/improve well past the one year mark but the full growth should have been realized well before the one year mark. Very small and subtle changes continue to take place for months after the initial burst of growth but they are so subtle it takes months just to see the change.

I realize this could have been the actual point by those that say results take a year and a half or more to realize but it should be made more clear that the actual growth comes on a lot sooner than this. Texture and yes even slight color changes do take longer to work themselves out. In the first few months after the growth has really come in the hair can have a kinkier texture than the native hair in the recipient area. This almost always works it’s way out to where the hair softens with time. Any wave that should not be there will also work itself out.

Bottom line, don’t think that it will take a year and a half or longer just to see the change you are looking for. It will happen in less than a year and will be the biggest change you will have. The time afterward is for the very subtle changes that will continue to improve your overall appearance.