This week certainly started off with a bang (or should I say slap) that drew a lot of attention to alopecia. Now that some of the dust has settled, let's review the facts.
- About 50% of people will be affected by hair loss at some point in their adult life.
- Androgenic (hormonal) alopecia is by far the most common cause of hair-loss and can affect both men and women.
- Alopecia can be extremely traumatic for patients – particularly younger individuals who often are faced with teasing, bullying, name-calling from their peers (as exemplified during this year's Oscars).
It can be heartbreaking to see the confidence of these individuals cripple in the face of this unfortunate affliction. Some become socially withdrawn or refuse to leave the house without a hat on. In addition, it can prematurely age an individual, leading to bias that may negatively impact each and every one of their social interactions – from dating to applying for employment.
Fortunately, we are living in a golden era of hair restoration. There have been tremendous advancements made over the past few decades that have led to a more thorough understanding of hair loss, which in turn has lead to several breakthrough therapies and the evolution of natural surgical hair restoration.
This patient of mine is in his early 30s and suffered from severe, premature androgenic alopecia. He is now 1 year recovered from his hair transplant. Using over 1800 follicles, I was able to reconstruct his frontal hairline and frontal core. This location is typically the first area we reconstruct because it is the most critical for framing the face, providing the most benefit for face-to-face communication.
Although further sessions will be required to reconstruct the entire scalp, he couldn't be happier with the progress thus far. It was so great seeing him back in the office and listening to how this procedure has lifted his confidence and spirit. He is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet and I'm so happy I had the chance to play a role in his care!
If you or a loved one is suffering from hair loss, give us a call at 650.847.1466, or email us to schedule an appointment to discuss hair restoration in Palo Alto, San Mateo or Menlo Park.
