Joel had a hair transplant procedure in February 2010 and was selected for an interview to share his experiences with patients who have been considering a hair transplant procedure.

Joel, what were your initial reasons for having a hair transplant?

I knew the obvious benefit would be appearance and I almost didn't go through with it because I thought it was all for frivolous vanity. The question, "Am I nuts?" ran through my head over and over again. It's a question that prevents a lot of guys from doing this. I tell everyone who asks me about the procedure the same thing; and that is, two years later and based on my experience, I significantly undervalued the overall impact that a hair transplant has had on my sense of well being.

In these two years have you discovered any hidden or surprising benefits to the hair transplant procedure?

Definitely! We all get older but we don't have to feel our age. I'm still very active at 46 and I can do all of the things I did when I was twenty. I may feel the effects a little more the next morning (laughs) but I can still do them. Unfortunately when you look old, society expects you to "act old" regardless of how you feel, and that's wrong. When people see my healthy head of hair they don't question when I'm on stage playing in the band, skiing, diving, or doing any of the activities I love to do. That is the greatest gift that The Seager Group and this procedure had provided.

Have the results been consistent since full recovery?

Yes, there hasn't been much change in appearance from about a year ago, my hair is thick and full and too darn curly (laughs). The scar has healed nicely and all sensitivity has returned to normal. I look a lot younger than my age and I know if I hadn't had the procedure that wouldn't necessarily be the case. I would likely be bald on top by now, or very close to it.

Do you ever worry about the hair transplant being noticeable?

Not at all. The stylist at the hair salon still can't believe how good a job you did. She has seen a few transplants over the years and none look nearly this good. Whenever I go in she washes my hair before cutting it and even running the comb through wet hair, she has difficulty finding the scar. She's always saying, "Joel, seriously that's the only way you can tell, and only because you told me. If I wasn't looking for it I doubt I would see it. I don't know what you paid but it must have been worth it because those guys are artists. Your hair looks amazing and so natural. Every other job I've seen I can tell. No matter how good the others are they never seem to get the hair line right and as I stylist I know what that should look like."

That's fantastic! Thank you for allowing us to interview you, Joel.

It was my pleasure. Anything to promote this life changing procedure! Please say hi to Dr McKenzie, Ben, and Vivian and give them my best.

Will do! Thanks.

Choosing your hair transplant doctor is an important decision that should not be taken lightly. There are many excellent doctors in the field, and there are also many not-so-good ones. So how do you differentiate between the bad, good and the excellent? Follow these tips to find the best hair transplant doctor in your area:

How to Find the Best Hair Transplant Doctor

1. Look for a Hair Transplant Specialist

Choose a hair transplant doctor that only performs hair transplant surgery. This doctor is more likely to be an expert, have more experience with this procedure and be solely focused on hair transplant technology and research.

At the consultation, he or she will help evaluate all your hair loss options; surgical and non-surgical. Choose a hair transplant doctor you trust and are personally compatible with. You need to feel comfortable asking questions and discussing any concerns.

It’s not just the hair restoration doctor but also the clinic and staff that should factor into your final decision. Exceptional results require both an experienced doctor and a dedicated team. The team should routinely perform large surgeries and only use high power magnification (microscopes) for graft preparation.

2. Look into the Doctor’s Extracurricular Contributions in the Medical Community

Any patient would probably agree that they prefer a surgeon who is passionate about their career. A doctor who has made contributions into the medical and hair transplant community through medical journals, publications and textbook articles, can be considered a qualified candidate.

Doctors that are members of a Medical Board, such as the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, will likely hold their practice to a high standard of quality and will be on top of current research and advancements in the field.

3. Get to know the Doctor

There are many hair transplant doctors that have come from the same place as you; he or she may have also undergone a hair restoration procedure. Many patients feel comfortable and more trusting of a doctor that understands their prospective, knows exactly where patients are coming from, and why they want the procedure.

It’s okay to ask a hair transplant doctor about how he or she became involved in hair transplant surgery. If the doctor has never had a hair restoration procedure, talk with them about why they decided to go into the field; these types of conversations can often build trust.

4. Ask to See Before and After Pictures

Hair transplants are a science and an art. Seeing detailed sets of before and after pictures is one of the best ways to determine the right doctor for your procedure.

Do the hair transplants look natural? Do they look good on each individual? Take your time looking at pictures and ask questions to gain a clear understanding of the doctor’s methods and style.

The most successful hair transplant surgery is one that you’re prepared for, and this starts with careful research to help you choose the best doctor for you.

Hair transplants are a life-changing procedure. They can significantly improve the enjoyment of life and have helped patients to regain a positive self-perception. If you have been considering a hair transplant the first step is to find out if you are a candidate. Hair transplants can be performed on almost anyone in good health, regardless of age or gender. The only way to know if you are good candidate is by having a consultation.

At the consultation the doctor will want to get to know you on a more personal level to understand your reasons for wanting a hair transplant and discover any details that will aid in the success of the treatment. Personal and family history of hair loss, your goals and expectations, any prior scalp surgeries and medical conditions are some of the important points the doctor will want to discuss with you. It is crucial to find a doctor who will consider your individual characteristics and needs.

At the clinic the doctor will also consider factors such as:

· Long Term and Short Term Goals

· Number of grafts required to meet your expectations

· Age

· Future Hair Loss Projections

· Hair Characteristics

· Donor Hair Characteristics

· Scalp Elasticity

In general there are patients that are better candidates than others. Doctors will look for these characteristics in their potential patients to determine if they are well suited toward the treatment:

· Men who have been losing their hair due to genetic hair loss for more than five years.

· Men and women who have lost hair due to trauma or burns.

· Patients that have realistic expectations and understand that their hair loss might continue to progress even if they are taking prescription medication to prevent this from occurring.

· Men and women who have lost hair or their hairlines have been raised, as a direct result of a cosmetic procedure, such as face and brow lifts.

· Men who have been balding for many years and the patterns of loss have stabilized.

· Women with stable donor hair who exhibit more of a male pattern, rather than the commonly female, un-patterned hair loss.

The consultation is the best time to develop a positive rapport with the doctor and to become comfortable with the environment of the clinic. Discovering the doctor’s personal history with hair loss; his or her training and success in the field can help patient’s become more comfortable and confident with their decision. These questions are encouraged. An assessment is the first step to a hair transplant procedure and if the potential patient is a good candidate. It’s a treatment that can truly enhance lives both physically and psychologically.

Deciding to undergo a hair transplant procedure is an important and life-changing decision.  After browsing websites, scheduling a consultation and making the necessary arrangements, many patients begin to wonder about what happens after the hair transplant procedure.  The best way to feel completely confident, prepared and excited for your hair transplant surgery is to have all of your questions answered prior to the procedure.  Here are common questions that touch on every aspect of “life after a hair transplant surgery” from aftercare to advice on disclosing information to co-workers.

How do I Promote Recovery after my Hair Transplant Surgery? It will be important to sleep with your head slightly elevated for a few nights afterwards. A travel pillow which will support the neck, and keep your head in place while you sleep would be helpful but not necessary.  A few pillows can be used to prop your head up while you sleep.  Care instructions will include the gently shampooing of the back of the head.  When taking medications after a hair transplant, drinking alcohol should be avoided.  Smoking should be avoided to help with healing and recovery.

Will I be in Pain after a Hair Transplant Procedure? Pain and tolerance vary between patients.  The doctor will prescribe pain medications that can be taken if needed.  Every patient experiences different levels of discomfort but most report a manageable level of tenderness and swelling that is easily controlled.

When will my Hair Grow after Hair Transplant Surgery? For many patients the most exciting part begins after a couple of months when hair begins to grow.  At first, the transplanted hair may grow in thin and wispy.  By the sixth month, it will be noticeably thicker and longer.  Over the next few months, the hair will continue to grow longer and thicker.

Should I tell my Co-workers that I’m Getting a Hair Transplant? Whether a patient decides to confide in their acquaintances and colleagues about their hair transplant surgery is entirely personal.  Most tell their friends and family, and even ask for their blessing before the initial consultation but telling people that you are not close to, can be a more complicated matter.

For the patients that do not want anybody to know and are worried about standing out or being a topic of discussion, it may surprise you to know that most people will not even notice.  Co-workers might think you have lost weight or are just styling your hair differently.  If you are still concerned, try growing facial hair before the surgery and then shaving it off after the transplant.  This “misdirection” helps to keep the focus away.

Hair transplant surgeons want their patients to be as comfortable as possible, and they encourage questions and concerns at any stage of the hair transplant process.  Patients shouldn’t hesitate to get the answers that they need. This is your treatment and you should look forward it, especially the results!

Modern medical science has transformed hair transplants from an old-wives tale to a treatment that is so refined that most hairstylists can’t even tell. Here’s how hair transplants have evolved from a myth, to a concept, to a treatment that has positively impacted the many lives:

In the Beginning...

Late 1800s: Cowboys and Outlaws

At the turn of the 19^th century there were dozens of remedies, tonics and potions sold by “doctors” that claimed to restore hair. These salesmen were fast thinking and brave; selling their product to cowboys and outlaws at railway construction sites, circuses and exhibitions. Some even risked their life to con their customers into believing that their product worked, by rubbing grease into the hair of their assistant, to make it appear darker and fuller.

The 1930s: a Concept is Born

In the late 1930s a Japanese dermatologist named Dr. Okuda published sketches in a medical journal of small grafts that are strikingly similar to the hair transplant methods that are used today. The publication did not receive much attention in North America due to the start of World War II.

In the 1950s: An Industry Changing Experiment

Dr. Norman Orentreich began experimenting with the idea of relocating the hair on the back and sides of the head to the balding areas. His experiments showed that when bald resistant hairs from the back and sides of the head were relocated, they maintained their bald resistant genetic characteristic, regardless of where they were transplanted. This principle called, “Donor Dominance” paved the way for modern hair transplants. It proved his theory; hair could be transplanted from the bald resistant donor areas to the balding areas and this hair would continue to grow.

In the 60s and 70s: The Crude First Attempts

Although hair transplants were being performed, the result was not very natural looking. Large 4 mm “plugs” containing 12 -30 hairs were removed from the donor area. Donor hair could be depleted rapidly and the round, obvious scars left behind were difficult to hide. The recipient sites were made using a punch which would remove a cylinder of skin and the “plugs” were then inserted into these holes. Since this procedure involved large grafts, the patient was left with an obvious “pluggy” look that was difficult to conceal. Even after 4 surgeries, patients were limited to how they could style their hair.

The 1980s: An Industry Leap

Hair transplants significantly improved in the 80s. The leap was due to the use of small grafts instead of the larger graft method. These refined Mini and Micrograft procedures no longer used a punch to extract the donor grafts. Instead, a strip of bald resistant hair was surgically removed from the back of the head, and then trimmed into Minigrafts which usually contained 3 – 8 hairs and Micrografts which were often by products from Minigraft preparation or sometimes were intentionally prepared contained 1-4 hairs. The recipient sites were significantly smaller and made with a scalpel or needle. Minigrafts and Microgrfts were prepared with simple magnification or with the naked eye. The transplanted hair looked much less “pluggy” when compared to punch grafting. Oftentimes, two to four surgeries were required.

The 1990s: Refining Toward Modern Standards

The 90s introduced follicular unit hair transplantation or FUT. This procedure involves high powered magnification to view the follicular units in the donor tissue. A strip of bald resistant hair is surgically removed from the back of the head and follicular unit grafts are dissected in their naturally occurring follicular unit groupings under a microscope. The number of grafts transplanted increased enabling an area to be treated in one session rather than multiple sessions. Most agree that the results of Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation, FUT are significantly natural looking than it’s predecessors.

Modern Hair Transplants

The “FUT” procedure method has become so refined that many experts in the field believe that it has achieved the highest degree of potential. Most hair transplant centers or hair loss treatment centers in Toronto, have adopted this technique. Refined donor closures have considerably reduced visible scarring leaving patients with the option of wearing their hair short or long. The research and science that has gone into hair transplants have made this procedure safe – creating a treatment that has the patient in and out of the clinic in one day. Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation, FUT, produces a result that looks completely natural and results that are virtually undetectable.

Hair Transplant Surgery Benefits

Hair loss can be caused by many different factors in both men and women. One of the most common causes is also the most uncontrollable: genetics. In the case of many men, their hair loss begins to occur in their twenties and thirties, and sometimes as early as their teenage years. For women, thinning hair is a common sign of aging and at any age, hair loss can be devastating. When men and women reach their golden years they may feel younger than they look, and wonder if they are too old to consider hair transplant surgery.

Fortunately, age is not a concern, as long as the patient is in good medical condition. Hair transplants have been performed on patients in their eighties. Genetics and age may be factors out of our control but losing hair does not have to be. There are permanent solutions with hair transplant surgery.

What you should know About Hair Transplants Later in Life:

1. Hair Transplant Surgery will make you Look Younger

A hair transplant will soften the features and create a “frame” around the face, which minimizes the appearance of wrinkles, coarse features and other signs of aging. Baldness is sometimes associated with being old, and having hair can take years off of an individual’s perceived age.

2. You can Feel Great at Any Age

Nobody has to accept that they are getting old if they feel young at heart. I their golden years, men and women should finally be able to enjoy the well-earned fruits of their labour, and feel great in the process. If it’s having hair for that dream cruise, Saturday night social or just to feel more self-confident, then a hair transplant can certainly be the right choice.

3. It’s not as Expensive as you might think

It’s reasonable that patients might be concerned about the cost of hair transplant surgery but in fact, when compared to other methods of hair replacement, hair transplants are surprisingly economical. After the procedure, hair will naturally re-grow on its own. There is no need to purchase chemicals afterward, or have a hairpiece that has to be repaired, tinted and replaced on a regular basis. Overall, a hair transplant offers the most natural and cost-effective solution for hair loss.

Patients considering hair replacement surgery should schedule a consultation to meet with the surgeon, have the process explained fully, and have the opportunity to ask questions. Hair transplants are safe and routinely performed on men and women of all ages. The decision to have hair transplant surgery provides patients with the self-esteem, confidence and restored self-image that they’ve desired for years.

Rudy Perrin's reason for getting a hair transplant is short and sweet: "I'm nearly 60 years old and when I was 19 I lost all my hair, and I said before I die I want to have my hair back!" In February of 2009, prompted by the reputation of the Seager Hair Transplant Centre, he visited for a consultation and it was determined that he was a good candidate for the procedure. One year and two procedures later, Perrin has come from being "pretty well completely bal except for the lower part of my head" to turning back the clock several decades thanks to a fuller, natural-looking head of hair. Perrin's story is just one of thousands the centre has been part of since it began performing hair transplantation in 1995. Much of the advancement of the industry as a whole was based upon research and techniques first pioneered by Dr David Seager himself. "Hair Transplantation techniques have advanced significantly in the last 10 -15 years so it is gaining in popularity," says Dr Mark McKenzie, who oversees all transplants at the clinic as Medical Director. "Getting away from what we call the old 'plug transplant,' we now do the procedure completely differently." These advancements now allow Dr McKenzie to consistently achieve excellent results. Hair Transplants are based on the premise that hair from the back and sides of the scalp is genetically different from the hair that falls out from other areas of the head. In Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation, donor hair is removed from the back and/or sides of the scalp and is dissected meticulously under operating microscopes. Because hair naturally grows in clusters of one, two or three, the donor hair is dissected into "slivers" that are one follicular unit wide, which are further dissected into individual grafts of one to three hairs, leaving natures building blocks intact. The hair is them precisely transplanted back into a bald area of the scalp, one follicular unit at a time. The hair is transplanted as it once grew, with the same angles and directions as the original hair would have had. "We're able to create results that look so natural that when somebody meets a friend or somebody they haven't seen for awhile, they don't even realize it’s a hair transplant they have," says Dr McKenzie. There are a variety of reasons why someone may lose their hair, but the most common by far is androgenic alopecia - in simple terms, genetics. Most of the patients at the Seager Centre are between the ages of 30 -50, though Dr McKenzie has performed the procedure on patients in their late 20s and others in their 70s. About 80% of his patients are male, as hair loss affects men commonly. Still, hair transplantation is often not a one-time procedure. "We transplant the hair and that hair will grow and it'll keep growing, but the ongoing balding of other areas continue because balding is a genetic problem," says Dr McKenzie. Therefore, the Seager Centre will often use medication in conjunction with the hair transplants to maximize the results. "If we're able to get those patients onto medication to prevent further hair loss then often they may not need a further procedure, or they may need less in the way of further procedures." Taking this long-term view, says Dr McKenzie, is an important part of the Seager approach, he says “We spend a great deal of time during the consultation talking to patients about their hair loss, finding out how they feel about it, assessing their expectations, educating them about the reason their losing their hair, and also getting them to think long-term about their hair loss situation and creating a long-term plan. It's important they keep in mind that we want their hair to look good not just for the next few years, but life-long." When it comes to getting the best experience, the Seager Centre believes that technical skills, artistry and experience go hand-in-hand. "Clinics like ourselves that exclusively practice hair transplantation are rare, and because we do so much of it as our only concern, we consistently achieve excellent results" says Dr McKenzie, "We always strive to achieve for our patients results so natural that even they will forget what's been done, and just enjoy their hair". The centre's mantra seems to be, if it looks like a transplant, even a great transplant, then it's been a failure. Everything is based around the principle that the results must look natural and undetectable. A hair transplant can do more than change a person's physical appearance. Dr McKenzie recalls his secretary telling him about a patient in his 30s who visited the clinic several times before the procedure. "Anytime she talked to him, his head was always down; he wouldn't smile or even look her in the eye when he was talking to her." When the patient returned for a follow up nine months later, it was a completely different story. "She said it wasn't just the fact that his hair looked great but the fact that he smiled when he came in, he looked you in the eye when he spoke - his whole persona had changed... It's amazing how much hair can mean to someone and it's often that psychological aspect that really makes the biggest difference to the patients. It makes a huge difference to the way someone feels about themselves." Rudy Perrin counts himself among the happy clients, he loves his new look - and he's not the only one that's noticed. "My friends are looking at me and they're saying, 'you look good, Rudy,' but they can't pinpoint why it is I look so good - but it's obviously the hair," he says, "I feel really great about it".

Hair loss has always been about much more than vanity for both the men and women who suffer with Male or Female Pattern Hair Loss. Wanting to look and feel our best is natural, and with hair loss, the way we feel about ourselves doesn't necessarily gel with what we see in the mirror. Fortunately today a real option exists to help to combat hair loss, hair transplantation offers people the chance to cheat nature and genetics and give you back your own, naturally growing hair.

A hair transplant replaces the hair loss to Male or Female Pattern hair loss with your own hair. It offers a permanent solution to sufferers by transplanting hair that is not susceptible to the hair loss process that affected the original hair.

A few clinics have this down to an art, producing results that look so natural that even your nearest and dearest won't be able to tell, and most importantly results that will allow you to look in the mirror and forget it's a transplant, allowing you to just enjoy the hair!

In a field that offers more options and clinics than ever - and now one of the top 5 male cosmetic procedures - the choice in clinic you make is as important as whether or not to undergo the procedure. With more and more practitioners offering hair transplantation, the main things to consider when choosing the clinic is Reputation and Results, as with everything in life there are many Doctors performing the procedure, but with few doing it well and the results vary widely from clinic to clinic.

A few pointers... Choose a clinic that exclusively performs hair transplants and has an established history, one that is recognized by both the ISHRS and ABHRS. The Doctor you are choosing should be the clinics primary Doctor and should be well established within the field. Always meet with your Doctor prior to booking the procedure and ensure that long term planning is his or her main concern, you want something that looks great now, but also in the future. And ask to see results, and make sure they are of similar hair loss stage and hair characteristics as your own. Don't expect that a photo of someone with a different hair loss patterns and hair type is going to be a representation of how you will look.

ABOUT MARK

Dr Mark McKenzie is a 15 year veteran in the field of Hair Transplantation, performing surgeries exclusively for the world renown Seager Hair Transplant Centre for the last 5 years. Dr McKenzie has been a member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery since 1995 and is currently a Board Member and Examiner for the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgeons.

[caption id="attachment_36" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Dr. McKenzie is pictured with Dr. David Perez-Meza Co-Chairman of the conference and Dr. Parsa Mohebi from Los Angeles, California "][/caption]

Lotions, Potions & Snake Oil – Hair-Raising or Heart-Breaking?

At the Seager Medical Group, clients often bring with them bottles of hair growth products, herbal remedies and special shampoos that they are using, with the question “Do they really work?”Ever since the times of the Pharaohs, people have been seeking cure for hair loss. It has been said that one Pharaoh drank a concoction of asses hoof, dates and dog paw to try to restore his hair and in the 19th century a mixture of coconut oil, borax powder, and the burning of Indian incense was believed to promote hair growth.

Wonder Drugs for Your Hair?

A simple Google search will yield countless pages of pills and lotions designed to cure baldness. Many offer “money-back guarantees”, but the dissatisfied customer usually sheepishly chalks up his failed wonder cure to experience & is too embarrassed to ask for a refund (minus shipping charges!” While there is no “Wonder Drug” that will give a bald person a full head of hair, there are 2 medications used in medical hair restoration which have shown effectiveness in treating hair loss. (1) Propecia (Finasteride) is a pill which prevents the conversion of the male hormone, Testosterone, to DHT; it is the DHT which is thought to be responsible for triggering hair loss in people who are genetically predisposed to male pattern hair loss. In large scientific studies over 5 years showed that 9 out of 10 men had visible results; either no further hair loss or re-growth of hair. That’s the good news. Now if there is good news, this implies that there must be bad news!Propecia has to be taken every day; if Propecia is stopped for a period of time, the hair loss will “catch up” to where it would have been had the person never been on Propecia. It has not been tested on women, therefore it cannot be recommended for female pattern hair loss. There is also a 1-2% risk of erectile dysfunction with Propecia; which is reversible once Propecia is stopped. (2) The other drug which is approved by the FDA for male and female pattern hair loss is Minoxidil (Rogaine / Regaine). Like so many “discoveries” in medicine, the hair-restorative properties of Rogaine were stumbled upon accidently. Some hair loss sufferers who were taking Minoxidil pills for high blood pressure found that they were re-growing hair, so the manufacturers of Minoxidil devised a liquid version of the drug (Rogaine) that could be applied to the scalp and, lo and behold, it worked!! Around 80 % of men using 2% Rogaine found that hair loss decreased, whereas only 5% of men showed moderate re-growth. A 5% strength of Rogaine shows improved results compared to 2% Rogaine. Occasionally Rogaine liquid can cause scalp irritation. This is due to the effects of the propylene glycol and alcohol in which the drug is dissolved. In order to combat this problem, the company has developed 5% Rogaine Foam which is less irritating; unfortunately Rogaine Foam is not yet available in Canada. I hear you asking “But what about all the other products that are out there in the herbalist shops and salons that say they will unclog my pores and make my hair grow?” Male or female pattern hair loss is a genetic condition and is not caused by blocked pores, and scientific studies do not substantiate the claims of these manufacturers. This does not mean that we should neglect good hair care. Washing hair with a good quality, pH-balance, high protein shampoo will not only keep hair clean, but it will also give the hair more body causing it to appear thicker and healthier. It is essential to use conditioner in order to provide a protective lubricating coating to the hair shafts. This will stop the hairs from becoming brittle and will protect them from breaking. So as we can see, there is no “Wonder-Cure” for hair loss, but these 2 products are very useful in our armamentarium of hair loss treatments in order to slow down or prevent hair loss, especially in the early stages. For those people for whom there is established hair loss, hair transplantation will grow hair back in those areas from where it has been lost. The science behind this technique is fairly simple; male or female pattern hair loss is genetic. The permanent hair on the sides and back of the head does not fall out because it is genetically programmed to grow for life. In those people who are suffer from male or female pattern hair loss, the hair on the front and top of the head will fall out because it is genetically predisposed to do so. Hair transplantation simply involves moving the genetically-permanent hair from the back and sides of the head to the place from which it has been lost. The hair’s genetics “tell the hairs to keep on growing” so they do and we are able to restore hair from where it was lost.Although the scientific principles are simple, the hair replacement procedure relies not purely on science, but to a large extent on artistry. At the Seager Hair Transplant Centre we believe that “A hair transplant should not look like a hair transplant!”, and we pride ourselves on performing surgical hair restoration procedures that look so incredibly natural that, in many cases, even your own hairstylist can not tell that it is not your original hair.