Hasson and Wong Hair Transplant procedures are world renown. As you can see from the top photos, no matter the degree of baldness or your specific age, most people can have a full set of hair by one or two procedures. Hasson and Wong are doctors who specifically specialize in Hair Transplant surgery nothing more. They are absolutely the best doctors in the Hair Transplant world today. How do I know this? Well, I personally was a patient not once but twice and my doctor was Doctor Wong, Jerry Wong that is.

Dr. Wong

I would like to briefly provide a little updated review of my personal thoughts and feelings regarding Dr. Wong. ( For my entire and detailed Hair Transplant Experience with Dr. Wong click Hasson and Wong Story).

Dr. Wong, of Hasson and Wong, was my personal doctor during my 2 Hair Transplant procedures and to this day I sincerely believe that my choice to select Dr. Wong was one of my best decisions in my life, only next to the selection of my wife. I have researched hair transplant doctors and the procedure itself from 1992, when I turned 24 until 2003 when I was 35, so I do not think there are many people out there who have done the level of research as I have. In 2003, I decided that Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation had technologically advanced so much that if a person had a transplant procedure performed by an Doctor who was a master not only in the surgical arena but also in the aesthetic arena, the final outcome of the procedure would not be detectable.

I read all the forums online and researched the internet day and night and within these forums one name, Hasson and Wong, always popped up and always with raving reviews from previous and recent patients. So, I decided to get an online consultation with Dr. Wong, why Dr. Wong instead of Dr. Hasson? Well, I reviewed Dr. Wong’s background and found out that he had been a surgical doctor for over 30 years, which made me comfortable about the cutting of my donor area and I reviewed some recent patient’s of Dr. Wong’s as well, which showed me he was aesthetically capable of rebuilding a hairline from scratch.

My online consultation consisted of some pictures of my head and hairline front, top, sides and donor area which I sent in by email. Dr. Wong then responded with his thoughts which were that I needed approximately 3600-3800 grafts. I accepted with the condition that when I came to see him in Vancouver, I would have a live and personal consultation with him before the surgery, which of course he accepted. I then flew to Vancouver, met Dr. Wong, the most gentlest and caring man I met in my life and went ahead with the surgery which lasted 12 hours starting from 6:30am. There was absolutely no pain felt during or after surgery. Only some minor discomfort sleeping after surgery which lasted total of 2 days. I had approximately 3800 grafts planted.

After the surgery within the next 2 months -12 months and with the aide of Profinast, the hair loss prevention pill, my new hair blossomed to my complete surprise, since I had not seen hair in my frontal region since I was 25 years old. ( For before and after pictures go to Hasson and Wong Story).

That was 1st hair transplant procedure with Dr. Wong. I was so happy with the results that I had a 2nd one done in 2006, which I will write the details of on my next post.

What causes hair loss?
The most common cause of hair loss is heredity. Men and women inherit the gene for hair loss from either or both parents. In men, the hormone dihydrotestosterone causes a gradual miniaturization and eventual loss of hair follicles that are genetically susceptible. The mechanism of female pattern hair loss is not clearly known. The age of onset, extent, and rate of hair loss vary from person to person. Men and women exhibit hereditary hair loss differently. Severe illness, medications, malnutrition, or vitamin deficiency can accelerate this process. When applied incorrectly, permanent hair color and chemical relaxers damage the hair and follicle to the extent that hair loss can be permanent. Causes of hair loss do not include wearing a hat, excessive shampooing, lack of blood flow, or clogged pores.

Do hair transplants really work?
Yes. The transplanted hair is removed from one area of the body (donor site) and transferred to another (recipient site). The transferred tissue is not “rejected” as it is not foreign tissue. The transplanted hair maintains its own characteristics; color, texture, growth rate, and curl, after transplantation and regrowth. The vitality of the grafted follicle is maintained by the rich blood supply to the scalp. Originally many years ago, large circular grafts (commonly called ‘plugs’) containing 15-20 hairs were transplanted resulting in noticeably unnatural results. Over years, instruments and techniques have been developed that allow hair transplant surgeons to achieve truly natural results by transplanting large numbers of small grafts very close together. We have found that hair grows from the scalp in groups of one, two, or three (and rarely, four) hair follicles, called “follicular units.” We can transfer these groups of follicles, called “follicular unit grafts,” after eliminating the excess surrounding tissue. This allows the grafts to be placed closer together resulting in a denser and more natural result. A significant amount of artistry is also needed in order to recreate the natural patterns of hair growth.

Is an undetectable hair transplant possible?
Yes. Today’s highly trained and up-to-date surgeons, using a combination of artistry and technology, can recreate hairlines and crown coverage in a manner that truly defies detection. Progressing beyond the old style ‘plug-type’ transplants has been possible using advanced techniques which allow the transplantation of large numbers of small grafts. An appreciation for the natural shape and patterns of hair growth allows surgeons to create wavy, randomized hairlines that look natural.

What can be expected after hair restoration surgery?
The post-operative course will depend on adherence to the instructions given after surgery. Small scabs will form on the scalp at the graft sites. Generally speaking, these scabs disappear in 4-10 days. Shampooing can be resumed 24 hours after surgery. The suture (stitch) used in the donor area is undetectable immediately after surgery as it is completely covered by your existing hair. Some surgeons use absorbable stitches which are dissolved by the body, other surgeons may use skin staples. If the suture is non-absorbable, an appointment will be made for the suture to be removed approximately one week after surgery. It is advisable to take at least two days off work after surgery. A baseball type cap can be worn at anytime after surgery. Patients should avoid strenuous physical activity for at least five days after surgery. Typically the grafted hair will shed in 2-4 weeks. New growth will begin in 3-4 months and length will increase approximately 1/2 inch per month.

Are hair transplants painful?
Most people are surprised at how little pain there is during a hair transplant procedure today. Some discomfort is to be expected as the anesthetic is injected into the scalp. Once the skin is anesthetized, there is no pain. If the numbing medicine wears off during the course of the procedure, more is injected to re-anesthetize the area. Advances in local anesthetic and the way it is applied allow for a comfortable and relaxing procedure. Most patients watch movies, listen to music or nap during their procedure.

What will it look like after the procedure?
The grafts form small scabs in the days after the procedure. If one has enough surrounding hair, these scabs can be camouflaged with creative styling. If not, the small scabs may be visible but do not attract much attention. By keeping the scalp moist, the scabs usually come off in about a week or so.

When can I go back to work?
Depending on the type of procedure you have done and the type of work you do, it is often possible to go back to work the next day. Your hair restoration surgeon will discuss this with you during the consultation.

Are hair transplants expensive?
Despite the initial cost of the procedure, hair transplantation can be less expensive than an artificial hairpiece over the long run. Considering that the results are permanent, most people consider it a good investment in their future happiness.

How many sessions will be required?
The number of the sessions will depend on the 1) area of scalp treated 2) the number and size of grafts used 3) the density which the patient desires and 4) the individual characteristics of the patient, e.g. coarse hair will provide a more dense look than fine hair. The estimate of the number of sessions can be discussed during the consultation with your surgeon.

After using Propecia® (finasteride) for a prolonged period, would cessation of use of the drug result in the same sudden rapid hair loss off all hairs that would have been lost without the use of the drug, like suddenly stopping use of Rogaine® (minoxidil)?
The hair would be lost until the point where an individual would have been without treatment. However, the hair loss is not sudden and will take several months to a year after stopping the medication. That is why missing a day or two of treatment, although not recommended, is generally not detrimental.

What are the possible harmful effects of Propecia and Rogaine? Especially in regards to women handling Propecia and/or a man taking the drug while trying to have a baby? Can the man cease taking the drug until he has fertilized a child?
There are no known harmful effects of either medication when used as directed by the manufacturer. Follow all package instructions. Propecia could be potentially harmful to a developing male fetus in a pregnant woman if a significant amount of the medication entered her body over time. This would require her to ingest the medication, so she should not handle broken or crushed tablets. The amounts of the medication in a male’s semen have been studied and found to be insignificant. The man can certainly cease treatment during conception efforts, but this is not necessary.

Is Propecia less effective in different races? Asian vs. Caucasian? Is it less effective for frontal vs. coronal pattern hair loss?
There has not been any noted difference in ethnic groups. Propecia is most effective in crown hair loss. It is less effective in frontal loss. It has not been shown to be effective in the temples (sides of head forward of the ears).

Is hair transplantation/hair restoration surgery a subspecialty of dermatology, and is it done as a fellowship post-residency?
The field of hair restoration surgery (HRS) is made up of physicians from many backgrounds including dermatology, plastic surgery, general surgery, family practice, ENT, and many others. Unfortunately, training in HRS in the typical residency is rarely at the same level as is performed today. That is why post-graduate education in HRS is so important and why the ISHRS is so important today in educating those physicians wishing to practice this specialty. In addition, ISHRS offers post-residency fellowship training positions in several centers around the world.

It is not uncommon for a woman to have the appearance of a high forehead due to an above than average hairline location. This high hairline location may have always been the case from a younger age or it could have receded as the patient got older or due to external factors such as medications. For whatever cause, this condition can be quite bothersome and stressfull. It certainly limits hairstyling options while trying to hide it. Medications are of limited use, but modern methods of hairtransplant surgery is the most effective form of treatment.

Assuming there is a sufficient donor hair amount, the desired hairline can be achieved by transplanting naturally occurring follicular units (single hairs in the front). If this is done with enough density and proper design, the new hairline will provide increased styling options even allowing the hair to be pulled back.

Below are two examples where we lowered the hairline and recreated a femminine hairline.

For the first time in hair transplant surgery history, body hair transplantation (BHT) was validated in mainstream medical journal. In December 2004, the world’s first body hair transplant study was published in the highly respected British Journal of Plastic Surgery, now available at universities throughout U.S, Canada and various parts of the world. This is by far the biggest advancement in surgical hair restoration procedure in recent years. Individuals with extensive thinning and limited donor hair may now be blessed with a second chance for a full head of hair again if they have sufficient body hair, thanks to Dr. Woods and Dr. Campbell Woods for pioneering yet another world’s first in hair transplantation.

The Significance of Body Hair Transplantation

Transplanting body hair to scalp has been a topic of interest for years. Traditional hair transplantation relies exclusively on donor hair from the back of the patient’s head (see picture below).
Individuals with depleted or insufficient donor hair are rarely considered as candidates for hair transplants. Being able to tap into body hair as a donor source for hair transplantation would certainly open the doors to thousands who would otherwise not be able to consider hair transplant as an option.		for illustration purpose only

The Study by Dr. Woods & Dr. Campbell Woods

This is the first time ever the work of a FUE hair transplant doctor was legitimized by the highly respected medical journal. The study was done on a 65-year old whose pictures were previously featured in HairSite under the name Justin. Justin suffered from severe scalp scarring as a result of bad hair transplant complications about 20 years ago. See photo below. This case is beyond repair under traditional method of hair transplantation.

Before photo – patient with severe scarring
white spots and red pigmentation

More BEFORE pictures of Justin
Notice the severe scarring (white spots) on Justin’s scalp
(click to enlarge)


click to enlarge

Under careful examination by Dr. Woods & Dr. Campbell Woods, a decision was made to extract 500 grafts from Justin’s temples and nape areas to recreate 1 cm of the frontal hairline. That was just the beginning. The most exciting part of the surgery came from harvesting 1500 body hair grafts and transplanting to the patient’s scalp in order to camouflage the badly scarred area. The whole repair procedure was undertaken over 4 sessions starting in December 2000. The patient received a total of 2000 grafts comprising of 1500 body hairs and 500 head hairs. This is the first time a full fledge study was conducted on a hair transplant patient to document the characteristics of hairs transplanted to anatomically different regions of the body, in this case from the chest to the scalp.

The Method

Dr. Woods and Dr. Campbell Woods are widely recognized for revolutionizing the hair transplant industry with their Follicular SINGLE Unit Extraction (FSUE) technique. They are commonly referred to as the gold standard in single follicular unit extraction. 100% micro-surgical, no stitches, no trauma. The following is an excerpt from the British Journal of Plastic Surgery about The Woods Technique:

“The method of microsurgical single follicular unit extraction is a unique procedure for the removal of individual follicular grafts of hair for transplantation. It was developed to address 2-fold issues that can occur with common hair transplantation techniques: 1) Donor site scarring and graft wastage from ’strip excision’ for graft removal; and 2) Unnatural tufting that occurs when more than one follicle is transplanted into one site on the scalp. Permanent scalp donor hair may be used, as well as temple, nape, chest, abdomen and back hair and each individual follicular graft is removed intact without damage to the neighbouring hair.”

Results

As reported in the British Journal of Plastic Surgery, the grafts yielded over 90% survival rate in the recipient’s site of the patient. Excellent cosmetic results were achieved. The chest hairs that were measured to be between 3.5 and 5 cm prior to transplant were subsequently measured at 15 cm long 18 months post op. With respect to the characteristics of hairs transplanted to anatomically different regions of the body, here’s what the Journal reported: “obvious growth of the transplanted follicular units was evident by 6 months and the transplanted chest hair was indistinguishable to the naked eye from this patient’s normal wavy scalp hair.”

Now, let me answer some of the above fears or even questions that most people have regarding an Hair Transplant Surgery:

1. Is it Painful? Pain is a relative term. Each individual has a different tolerance of pain than the next. I have a low tolerance for pain and I can tell you that going to the dentist is more painful than having a hair transplant performed by the right surgeon. The keyword to remember here is “right surgeon”. The surgeon has to be an expert in Hair Transplant surgery only. The cutting of the donor area is the most dramatic process during the entire surgery and it is here that some people in the past have felt great pain due to the surgeon’s lack of skill. If the surgeon is skilled there is very minimum pain and discomfort. On my surgery day, I watched DVD movies back to back, had sushi for lunch, talked to my wife and the nurses all during the surgery so pain was not an issue for me.
2. Will it look Fake? Again if the surgeon is skilled, the answer to this question would be a strong “no”. Before I had my surgery, I had a receding hairline and was going completely bald on top. After surgery and I swear by this statement, not one person ever knew or even asked if I had a hair transplant. It’s so funny, when I run into people who I have not seen for a long time, they look at me from head to toe in amazement and their only comment is how younger I look and how I lost all the weight. The funny part is that I actually gained weight after my marriage, yet my transplant looks so natural that no one has a clue.
3. It is my own hair? Yes that transplanted hair is 100% your natural hair taken from your donor area.
4. Will the transplanted hair grow and last? Yes, absolutely. After surgery, I would suggest you take propecia every two to three days which stops future hair loss. I am approaching 40 and from the age of 35 when I had my first transplant I have not worried or seen any evidence of hair loss, especially from the transplanted hair.
5. Is it Expensive? Depends how many grafts you need and more importantly where you get the hair transplant performed. I could tell you honestly that a hair transplant is much more expensive in Los Angeles or New York than in Canada. I personally had my surgery done in Canada and would never even consider doing it here in Los Angeles where I live, not because of the cost but because of the surgeon. Luckily for me the cost of the surgery is considerably less in Canada than here which worked out perfectly.

In summary, it is my opinion that a Hair Transplant is the only permanent cure for hair loss. So, don’t let anyone fool you with magic pills, shampoo’s or foams and so forth, it is full of crap and baloney. However, there are natural pills and supplements that prevent or slow down hair loss, such as Propecia, Provillus and Profinast. The only real solution where you actually gain a natural set of hair is a Hair Transplant Surgery.

Graft Production

Hair in the scalp grows in small family groupings know as follicular units, which contain between one and five hairs each. It is important that the integrity of these groupings remain undisturbed during the dissection process.

The production of follicular unit grafts from the donor scalp requires a two-stage process of firstly slivering the ellipse into very fine scalp sections and then dissection of the follicular units from these slivers.

Both stages of this process are accomplished by the use of the stereoscopic dissecting microscope. The use of these technically advanced microscopes has reduced transection of hair follicles to the extent that we now have a 30% increase in yield from our donor strip. The reason for this is that we are now able to directly visualize the scalp we are dissecting under high magnification, rather than simply cutting blindly through the donor strip as seen in older techniques.

Trust me Hair loss can be beaten. I was a victim of hair loss from the age of 22. Always looking in the mirror to make sure that my bold spots where covered and not visible. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with being bold, I know, I was bold for almost a decade before my transplant, and on some people it even looks better. I on the other hand liked having hair and was not one of those lucky individuals, so I researched for 10 years from the age of 23 to 35. Finally, I had my 1st transplant at the age of 35 and believe it or not I was re-born, literally. I have had a total of 2 surgeries and now at close to 40 years old, I look and feel much better compared to when I was 30. I can tell you 1st hand that it is absolutely a life changing event. You will never regret it and it is absolutely worth every penny. In the very near future as you check my blog, I will post pictures, answer questions and provide my own life experience, insight and knowledge. I will share with you my hair transplant surgery experience form A to Z. I have had consultations with most of the well know doctors here in L.A and will recommend my own preferences and experiences in dealing with these doctors.I will try to answer all you questions and help you reverse your hair loss.

There are many hair loss with thousands of posts by people who have stopped hair loss. Many of them still visit this blog to share advice and offer support. It’s all about sharing credible hair loss information and acting on it. Hair loss can be beaten; Hair loss remedies have advanced dramatically over the past ten years. Today drugs like Propecia and Rogaine can slow or even stop hair loss, while hair transplants can restore hair that was lost. Current hair transplants are so natural that even a hair stylist can’t tell. Learn how to stop hair loss from those who have done it!I will offer ways for you to learn from and correspond with actual patients:

1. Visit this blog constantly since I will update it daily and learn about hair loss treatment results and patient reviewed hair loss physicians.
2. View my transplant experience that will document my recovery with photos.
3. Post your hair loss question here.<

Step #1 to stopping hair loss – Get to know your enemy.
To overcome hair loss you first need to understand the cause of hair loss. Then you can move on to stopping and reversing it.

For the vast majority of men who are loosing their hair (95 percent) their hair loss is genetic. It has nothing to do with wearing tight caps or combing too much or too little.

But our genetic fate can be altered by using an effective hair loss treatment like Propecia or hair restoration surgery.

How does hair loss occur?

Baldness is largely the result of certain hormones interacting over time with those hair follicles that are vulnerable to their effects.

For men who are experiencing thinning hair, their follicles on the top of the head are genetically vulnerable to baldness. Over time, these genetically vulnerable follicles are acted upon by the hormone DHT. This hormone binds with the receptor sites of these vulnerable follicles and causes a miniaturization of the hair shaft and follicle over time
This process of hair loss gradually breaks down the follicles’ ability to grow healthy, thick hair. The resulting baldness is commonly known as “Male Pattern Baldness”.

How you can stop or reverse hair loss.
Hair loss drugs like Propecia and Profinast work by inhibiting the creation of DHT in our bodies. By reducing the amount of DHT that can affect a man’s hair follicles hair loss can be slowed or even stopped. Propecia is FDA approved and can only be prescribed by a physician.