Hair replacement surgery, a 40-year-old procedure, is now at a stage where its history can be re-examined, present procedures enumerated, and its future evaluated. The provocative observation that donor site, composite grafts, or occipital hair follicles, when transferred to the frontal area of the scalp, not only survive and grow but continue in a growth pattern throughout the patient's life has spurred a major subspecialty of cosmetic surgery. The innovations, refinements, and new techniques that emerged during the ensuing 40 years truly have made Norman Orentreich's original experiment a definitive subspecialty. This article reviews some of the prior advances during this time, where they stand now, and state-of-the-art techniques.

Performing a standardized 60-second hair count appears to be a reliable method for the assessment of hair shedding, according to a new report.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that hair follicles in adult mice regenerate by re-awakening genes once active only in developing embryos. These findings provide unequivocal evidence for the first time that, like other animals such as newts and salamanders, mammals have the power to regenerate. A better understanding of this process could lead to novel treatments for hair loss, other skin and hair disorders, and wounds.

Using an animal model, a research team led by Yann Barrandon at the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) and the CHUV (Lausanne University Hospital) has discovered that certain cells inside the hair follicle are true multipotent stem cells, capable of developing into the many different cell types needed for hair growth and follicle replacement. In an article appearing in the Oct 3 advance online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, they demonstrate that these holoclones can be used for long-term follicle renewal.

Hair follicle stem cells are important contributors to the wound-healing process, according to new research by investigators at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Using an animal model, the researchers discovered that stem cells in the hair follicle are enlisted to help heal wounds in the skin. This finding, published online in Nature Medicine last week, may suggest a therapeutic target for the development of drugs to encourage and promote wound healing.

Hair loss can range from mild hair thinning to total baldness. Hair can fall out for many different reasons. Medically, hair loss falls into several categories, including: Telogen effluvium — This common form of hair loss happens two to three months after a major body stress, such as a prolonged illness, major surgery or serious infection. It also can happen after a sudden change in hormone levels, especially in women after childbirth. Moderate amounts of hair fall out from all parts of the scalp, and may be noticed on a pillow, in the tub or on a hairbrush. While hair on some parts of the scalp may appear thinner, it is rare to see large bald spots.

Each year, millions of men and women suffer from unexplained hair loss. Oftentimes, this visible problem may be a sign of an internal medical problem that is even more serious than the hair loss itself. Fortunately, a dermatologist can help many get to the root of the problem. Speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology's 2003 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, dermatologist Amy J. McMichael, MD, associate professor, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, discussed some of the serious internal diseases as well as drug side effects that are linked to hair disorders.

A recent study suggests that hair loss may occur in a few persons who have received vaccinations. This side effect, if confirmed by other studies, would be considered very rare. Other studies to further investigate these findings are underway. From 1983 to 1995, 60 reports of hair loss were identified and evaluated among persons who had received vaccines. These few cases of hair loss were out of the hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine that have been given to the general population. This study alone cannot prove that vaccines cause hair loss. There may be other health conditions responsible for the hair loss that could not be identified. The study of these cases was conducted using information gathered from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. VAERS reports can be submitted by anyone who has received a vaccine and has concerns about health problems that occur afterwards.

Disease that cause hair loss is a common problem among many, but is often only due to genetics and a change in the balance of one's body. Side affect from other disease that you are having or a result from a surgery also causes hair loss. Hair loss can occur also due to diet. If you are dealing with a disease or surgery it is vital to know how this will affect your hair. To recover your hair, then you will be able to take the proper steps.

Hair loss may develop gradually or suddenly. It results from hereditary factors, aging, local skin conditions, and diseases that affect the body generally (systemic diseases). Many different drugs can also cause hair loss. When it occurs on the head, hair loss is generally referred to as baldness. Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss, eventually affecting about half of all men (male-pattern baldness) and 10 to 20% of women (female-pattern baldness). A slightly elevated level of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone probably plays a major role, along with genetic factors. The hair loss can begin at any age, even during the teenage years.

Both extreme emotional and physical stress can cause hair loss. The most common cause of sudden unexpected hair loss is a condition called telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium can develop as a consequence of severe mental stress, which can be caused by a divorce, the death of a loved one, major financial problems, or other traumatic emotional events. Physical stressors such as a major illness or surgery, high fever, and severe infection also can trigger stress-related hair loss.

Patients who are afflicted by the condition known as alopecia areata — patchy hair loss — should understand that there is “no reliable, safe, effective, long-term treatment,” said review co-author Dr. Mike Sladden, a dermatologist and senior lecturer at the University of Tasmania in Australia.

female-pattern baldness Although less common, female-pattern baldness differs from that of male-pattern baldness in that the hair generally thins all over the head, but the frontal hairline is maintained. Female-pattern baldness rarely results in total hair loss.

Hair loss usually develops gradually and may be patchy or diffuse (all over). Roughly 100 hairs are lost from your head every day. The average scalp contains about 100,000 hairs. Each individual hair survives for an average of 4-1/2 years, during which time it grows about half an inch a month. Usually in its 5th year, the hair falls out and is replaced within 6 months by a new one. Genetic baldness is caused by the body's failure to produce new hairs and not by excessive hair loss.

Alopecia areata is a disease that affects the hair follicles, which are part of the skin from which hairs grow. In most cases, hair falls out in small, round patches about the size of a quarter. Many people with the disease get only a few bare patches. Some people may lose more hair. Rarely, the disease causes total loss of hair on the head or complete loss of hair on the head, face, and body.

Want to know how much hair you're losing? Start counting -- the hairs on your comb, not on your head. In the June issue of Archives of Dermatology, scientists demonstrate that a so-called "60-second hair count" is a simple and reliable away to get a grip on whether you're balding and, if so, how fast. The procedure, which can be carried out in the convenience of your own home, may reassure the adult male -- or not.

The case of a child with permanent alopecia due to birth-related caput succedaneum is presented. After delivery with vacuum extraction, caput succedaneum at the left occipitoparietal region of the neonate's head was noted, which subsided within a week, leaving a circular necrotic crust and finally a circular bald area. At age 4, the child was referred at a tertiary center for the management of alopecia. Treatment initially consisted of the expansion of the hair-bearing skin adjacent to the bald area, which was excised at a second stage and covered with the expanded skin. A pleasing esthetic result was achieved.

It may be possible to grow new hair follicles, according to scientists studying mice. The scientists—who included George Cotsarelis, MD, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania—report their findings in Nature. They noticed that in lab tests, adult mice grew new hair follicles in skin healing from wounds.

In an image conscious society a high premium is attached to youthful appearance. Baldness is unfashionable. Publicity and intrigue surrounding the alleged treatment of famous heads and extensive advertising by some private clinics have heightened public interest.

Over the years, I’ve had many different hair styles and not a year goes by without me wondering if it would just be easier to shave it off. But I’m being facetious. Readers of Baldiness and its author, Laura Bzowy, certainly care about hair loss and its effect on all aspects of life. And so, apparently, do the folks at HairDX.

“Why me?” can be a question that men may ask themselves when they first notice that they have male pattern hair loss--a condition that affects two out of three men. Despite the fact that male pattern baldness is very common, many men who are faced with hair loss feel embarrassment and have low self-esteem. According to Phillip Ginsberg, D.O., J.D., an osteopathic physician who practices in Philadelphia, Pa. when a male is experiencing hair loss it is important to know what is causing the hair loss and become educated about the available treatment options.

On average, there are 100,000 to 150,000 hairs on the human scalp. The hairs grow from hair roots, or follicles (saclike structures under the skin). Blood vessels at the base of each follicle provide the nourishment necessary for hair growth. Hair growth in each root occurs in a cycle independent of the other roots. At any time about 90 percent of the hairs on the scalp are in the growth phase, while the other 10 percent are in the resting phase. The growth phase lasts an average of four to five years, after which the follicle enters the resting phase, which lasts about two months to four months. At the end of the resting phase, the hair falls out naturally and is replaced by a new hair. Consequently, some hair loss is a normal part of the hair growth cycle. In fact, on a typical day, about 50 to 150 scalp hairs are lost. Baldness (or alopecia) results when hair loss occurs at an abnormally high rate; when hair replacement occurs at an abnormally slow rate; or when normal hairs are replaced by thinner, shorter ones.

A team of scientists, including a research at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, has discovered that a little-known molecule created in the intestine when soy is digested is a natural and powerful blocker of a potent male hormone involved in prostate cancer and male pattern baldness. In fact, the molecule, equol, completely stops in its tracks the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which normally stimulates prostate growth and causes male pattern baldness.

A simple, 60-second hair count test may help men tell the difference between normal hair loss and problem hair loss that may be a sign of male pattern baldness. A new study suggests that counting the hairs lost after 60 seconds of combing or brushing is a reliable method for assessing hair loss. "Currently, there is no widely accepted or standard method for assessing the number of hairs shed daily," write researcher Carina A. Wasko, M.D., of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and colleagues in the Archives of Dermatology.

Until now, Female Hair Loss has been difficult to predict and diagnose. That changes with today's announcement that HairDX, LLC (www.hairdx.com), pioneers of consumer-friendly genetic tests for hair loss, has introduced a screening test using genetic markers strongly associated with Female Hair Loss (Female Androgenetic Alopecia). The easy to understand test provides an accurate and understandable genetic analysis of a woman's likelihood of developing this common type of hair loss.

Baldness can be classified into various types, depending on the cause. Several of the many different types of baldness include the following: female-pattern baldness although less common, female-pattern baldness differs from that of male-pattern baldness in that the hair generally thins all over the head, but the frontal hairline is maintained. Female-pattern baldness rarely results in total hair loss.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors: Hair grows from its follicle at an average rate of a 1/2 inch per month. Each hair grows for 2 to 6 years, then rests, and then falls out. A new hair soon begins growing in its place. At any one time, about 85% of the hair is growing and 15% is resting. Baldness occurs when hair falls out but new hair does not grow in its place. The cause of the failure to grow new hair in female pattern baldness is not well understood, but it is associated with genetic predisposition, aging, and levels of endocrine hormones (particulary androgens, the male sex hormones).

The most common type of hair loss in women is androgenetic alopecia or hereditary baldness. It accounts for approximately two thirds of female visits to dermatologists for hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia is the same type of hereditary hair loss that men suffer from, except that women tend to lose hair in different areas of the scalp. Men usually experience receding of the frontal hair line and baldness on the top of the scalp, whereas women's hair thins over the front and top of the scalp, with the frontal hair line usually remaining intact. Androgenetic alopecia occurs gradually but can fluctuate from periods of accelerated hair loss to periods of little or no hair loss. It often begins as early as puberty but may not be noticeable until the middle years.