I have always made it a priority and commitment to ensure I am well informed of the latest techniques in hair restoration from around the world to or three times a year I am overseas meeting with the top surgeons in Hair Restoration. At the last Italian Society for Hair Restoration conference in June, there were two topics offering innovative information, which I would like to share with you. These topics are Body Hair Transplants (BHS) and Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT).

Body Hair Transplants have come along way in the last twelve months, with an increasing number of practices offering this to their patients. Dr John Cole and Jim Harris of the USA has been extracting one follicular unit at a time in the scalp for transplantation (FUE) so it was a natural progression to use this technique in extracting body hairs. For further information on how FUEs have developed to what we are doing now see Dr Cole’s website www.forhair.com/body-hair-growth--14-month-progress.html

Dr Cole has monitored the growth of body hair moved to the scalp and compared it to the growth rate on the body and here are his comments.

"We know that the length increases to about twice its original length when moved to the scalp, if the hair grows. The question proposed from this is whether the rate of growth increases or whether the duration of the growth increases. I cannot yet comment about the latter, but our studies to date show that leg hair has a growth rate of 0.3mm per day, while on the leg, while leg hair on the scalp increases to 0.35mm per day. According to Olsen (another doctor studying this area) body and beard grow at 0.27 mm per day, while scalp hair grows at 0.37 to 0.44 mm per day."

Dr Marzola says, "In my own practise, I have used BHTs on ten patients thus far. Each patient has been in a desperate situation, whereby they have very little donor hair on their heads. In the past these patients wanting coverage could have only considered wearing a wig or having synthetic hair implants. Options, they did not wish to consider. Therefore, BHT was the answer in their cases".

"Body Hair is taken from areas such as the chest or shoulders and transplanted in the form of Follicular Units, which might contain 1, 2 or 3 hair follicles. The process is very similar to the traditional hair transplant, only difference is we harvest the Follicular Units one by one instead of removing them in a strip, which we do from the scalp. It does take a little longer but it is still a comfortable procedure for the patient".

"With monitoring my ten patients, I can see that everyone has experienced some growth, not as much as scalp hair and it appears that the phases of growth and dormancy of the hair follicles may vary from scalp hair but overall patients have more hair than before. Therefore, I will continue to watch and learn from this procedure and offer it to patients who find themselves in need of this kind of solution."

"For a visual reference please see the video clip located on my website under 'Solutions - Body Hair Transplants'".

The other topic I want to report on is Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). I have been a sceptic from way back and have heard, seen and read of many lotions, potions and equipment offering minor miracles for hair loss. It’s now hard to convince me of positive outcomes unless there is some scientific evidence and support from respectable sources (who do not hold financial interests in the products!). In the case of the Laser Hair Brush, I am now willing to accept the evidence and reports from my medical colleagues that the use of laser technology can assist in the regrowth and maintenance of hair.

The Laser Hair Brush is very simple to use and has no side effects at all. It is believed that the 655 nanometer wave length stimulates the mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cells, and the extra energy is somehow transferred to a lengthening of the anagen growth phase of the follicle. Net effect being hair grows for a longer time and shed less often. It is recommended that patients use this for fifteen minutes three times a week on a clean scalp after washing.

My research on these products has brought me to the Sunetics Laser Hair Brush, which I will be offering to my patients from now on. These products will be available for purchase at the surgery. Any enquires please ask my staff on 08 8333 0333.

Should you want to talk to me about this product or the Body Hair Transplants, then feel free to book in for a consultation or email me on info@marzola.net

Regards

Dr Mario Marzola