To provide you with some information in advance

The 2 most commonly seen forms of hair loss in a hair clinic practice are

• Androgene alopecia (also called hormone-dependent or male hair loss)
• Telogeen effluvium(unknown in name, but surprisingly common)

Both complicated names for unpleasant phenomena that occur naturally in both men and women but are not a ‘disease’.

Both cause ‘headaches’. The underlying cause is completely different and effective treatment is certainly not the same.

First, Telogen effluvium in a nutshell: It is important to recognise it early so that the right treatment can be initiated.

It is characterised by an increased number of hairs lost daily. We often hear during an intake: “Doctor, I have been losing so much hair lately, the brush is full, the shower drain is clogged. I’m worried, soon there won’t be any hair left on my head.”

Common causes include stress, surgery, hormonal changes, change in diet, environment, medication, etc.
The result is an abrupt change in the hair growth cycle resulting in severe hair loss about 2-4 months after the trigger.

In general, telogen effluvium is a reversible form of hair loss and hair usually recovers within 6 to 12 months after the trigger or event has ceased. However, in rare cases, telogen effluvium can become chronic and persistent, requiring further medical evaluation and treatment.

In the case of telogen effluvium, a hair transplant is NOT the solution and leads to unnecessary damage.
Treatment of telogen effluvium focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying cause of hair loss.
If you recognise yourself in the above story, feel free to contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

Alopecia androgenetica 

This is a common form of hair loss that eventually affects 80% of men to 40% of women.
It is caused by sensitivity to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of testosterone. DHT shortens the hair’s growth phase and weakens the hair follicles, causing the hair to thin and eventually stop growing. This process occurs gradually.
The level of sensitivity mainly determines the age at which one notices it and the pattern in which it becomes visible. In men, the most common pattern is a receding hairline and temples, followed by an increasingly thin crown. In women, we often see that the hairline remains intact, but the entire area behind it becomes increasingly less dense, sometimes extended towards the sides.

In both men and women, the hair at the back remains intact, and in men also the area above the ears (the well-known wreath). This zone is gratefully used to ‘harvest’ from during a hair transplant. The information on the internet may cause some confusion and suggest that there is a huge diversity of types of hair transplant, in fact we all use the same principle.
The differences are made by the hands that perform it. This is because these determine the success rate and the aesthetic result. Things like growth direction and natural distribution determine the final result.
The amount of tissue harvested determines the damage to your donor area, but also the amount that can be placed. Removing too much tissue leads to unnecessary scarring and longer recovery time, but is easier to perform (principle: big steps, fast home) and therefore does not require intensive training. Too little of tissue leaves the donor area intact, but gives a thin result, as the transplanted particles often produce a few hairs.

Discussing your options with a hair loss specialist can help you find the most appropriate treatment for your individual needs. Do not accept advice or a treatment plan from a consultant or someone who is not responsible for your eventual treatment.

It is important to note that androgenetic alopecia is a chronic condition and treatments that slow down the process should be continued. The results of a hair transplant are permanent, but do nothing to stop the progression of hair loss. Partly because of this, it is important to place hairs where they will not affect your natural appearance in the future.

Looking to the future, it is also very important to look after the donor area from which the tissue is taken. Coronary areas with unnecessary damage due to crude and inexpert techniques are becoming an increasingly common problem.

As well as adding hair to bald areas, a hairdresser who can get the most out of your hair through expert cutting techniques and good styling advice is of great value.