Loss And Gain

Posted: Monday 14 February 2011 09:05pm

Losing hair is something that everyone – male and female – never wants to experience.

Balding pates, receding hairlines, thinning of hair at the crown, top, sides or back not only are ageing but can be distressing, leading to a severe lack of confidence.

According to experts the condition is rife with more than half of adults suffering some kind of hair loss.

Says James Nadin, Managing Director of The Crown Clinic, Sydney, dedicated to hair loss: “It is estimated that 60 per cent of men (click here for more) and up to 50 per cent of women experience hair loss.”

This may be balding, patchy hair loss, thinning and decrease in volume – even alopecia. (Click here for more about what is “normal” and abnormal hair loss.)

Many women even find that as they get older, their eyebrows begin to disappear, either due to heavy plucking in early years, or hormonal reasons that see hair on the brow getting sparser.

People are prepared to try many remedies to get back a full head of hair, but according to hair transplant surgeon Dr Russell Knudsen, of The Knudsen Clinic in Sydney’s Double Bay, there is often a misconception among balding people that they are helpless to do anything about it.

In fact, he says there are many procedures able to stop hair loss in its tracks and bring back feelings of youth and self esteem.

While Dr Knudsen always advises on the best option to counter hair loss – be it from medications to surgery – he states emphatically, “the only one proven, permanent method for getting your hair back is hair transplant surgery”.

HAIR TRANSPLANTATION

As many people notice their hair thinning or hairline receding, they opt for a surgical hair transplantation to “re-establish or rebuild their hairline”.

Hair transplantation may have once been given a bad name due to the Bert Newton’s obvious surgery decades ago but, says Dr Knudsen, “Bert had his transplants done in the 70s using technology of that era.

“Things have improved dramatically since then and nobody who has a modern transplant has the ‘doll’s hair’ look any more.”

According to James Nadin: “The modern hair transplant procedure harvests a small strip of skin from the rear of the scalp.

“This strip is then dissected under magnification into single hair follicles (grafts). Tiny incisions are then made into the recipient areas and the newly dissected grafts are planted into the incisions.”

Dr Knudsen adds that the latest technique, known as follicular unit transplants use only one to three hairs in each graft.

According to James, hair transplantation is a day procedure performed under local anaesthetic. “There is minimal pain during the procedure, but painkillers are dispensed for the first two to three days and advised to be taken only as needed.

“Recovery varies, with most patients returning to work in a couple of days and sutures removed between 7 – 10 days.” He says recovery of the area is complete within 12 days.

“We advise patients to take two weeks off work and they will be able return without anyone knowing the procedure has been performed,” James comments.

Says Dr Knudsen, “Over 90 per cent of transplanted hairs grow, and the surgery will last a lifetime.” He adds though, that while surgery is a permanent solution, “It doesn’t prevent further hair loss in the non-transplanted hairs in the upper scalp.”

Depending on the number of transplants required, expect to pay from $,000 to $15,000.

HAIR AUGMENTATION

If you want hair like John Travolta, you may consider hair augmentation, which is a custom-made non-surgical hair piece to give hair total density.

“A template is made of the area and the piece will accurately match the existing hair colour and texture. It is then simply cut to match the style,” says James.

“This is a walk-in, walk-out procedure performed in less than two hours with instant results.”

Cost is around $1350. But just remember, there have been some close-up photos of John Travolta’s temples which show the hint of a fine mesh material. Most Aussies are against toupees, so many prefer the transplantation process.

EYEBROW TRANSPLANTATION
Eyebrows act as a framework for the face, so it’s important you have well groomed brows to look your best.

Unfortunately, with age, many women find their brows get sparser, and they have to resort to pencils or tattooing to make their own line of definition. But this often doesn’t look natural, which is why eyebrow transplants are gaining in popularity.

“The eyebrow transplant is suitable for just about anybody who is dissatisfied with the shape or look of their eyebrows,” says James.

“The principle of the eyebrow transplant is similar to the regular scalp hair transplant, [but as the process is so fine and delicate] the planting of the grafts is performed entirely by the doctor as opposed to surgical technicians used in normal circumstances,” he says.

Hair is used from the back of the scalp, to get the right colour and texture, and to ensure it has lasting power.

“The process can take up to four hours, but the eyebrow transplant will last forever.”

The procedure is expensive at $6000, but makes a huge difference to the look of women. As the hair comes from the back of the scalp, the hair will grow like hair on the head, so be prepared to trim your eyebrows.

CELEBRITY HUNKS FIGHT BALDING
Just because you’re a Hollywood star, or a super-celebrity doesn’t mean that you won’t go bald.

And as you’re in the spotlight, the situation can be even more discomforting.

Dr Knudsen says it’s not unusual for the famous, along with the ordinary bloke, to undergo hair transplants.

“It’s the only way to get growing normal hair where you want it. Most men do it to restore a more youthful look and to increase their self confidence.”

So, unless you want to do a Bruce Willis act and shave it all off, many other male celebrities are taking steps to bring back their hair.

Movie star hunks Matthew McConaughey, Jude Law, Edward Norton and Kevin Costner have all tried hair transplants. Older photos of them picture their thinning locks, whereas shots today show their hair as being more abundant.

Recently, chef Gordon Ramsey underwent a hair transplantation procedure to bring back some of this youth, but snaps show his face looking as swollen as beach ball afterwards.

Says Dr Knudsen: “The rumour is that his treatment was done by Follicular Unit Extraction where individual grafts are removed from the back of the scalp – a similar technique [to ours].

“Post-operative swelling is very unusual if ice and medication is used, but he may have had some other surgery done.”

Closer to home, King of Spin and Liz Hurley’s new love object Shane Warne is known for promotion of his own new hair growth, he says thanks to laser treatment. The treatment, using a low-level laser beam technology, claims to stimulate hair growth.

But Dr Knudsen is dubious.“He either wears a hair piece as do [other famous cricketers] or is careful to comb surrounding hair over his balding spot.”

by Kate Mahon

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