Hair Master^tm Hair Transplants - Santa Barbara and Los Angeles

Gregory S. Keller, MD, Facial Plastic Surgery and Advanced Hair Transplantation Specialist - Santa Barbara, Los Angeles (Westwood-UCLA) and Beverly Hilla CA

At Keller Facial Plastic Surgery, experience counts in our hair transplants  and we built our success on patient trust. We have transplanted hundreds of patients over 25 years and have the skill level that can give you a successful primary or revision procedure and a natural result.

Dr.Gregory Keller  perform the Hair Master Hair Transplants  as an artistic endeavor as well as a technical exercise. Combining the two of these aspects of the hair transplantation specialty is what produces a natural appearance for man and woman.

Because of significant advances with improved results, interest in hair replacement surgery has increased significantly during the past decade. Most of our patients report that, after hair transplantation procedures at Keller Facial Plastic Surgery, they are able to emerge from the shower, beach, or athletic activities without anyone being aware that they underwent a hair transplant procedure.

Hair Master Hair Transplants produces the optimum results that 25 years of experience using a blend of artistry, dense packing, and the use of different grafting techniques can render.

With his experience in the field of hair transplants - Santa Barbara - Los Angeles, Dr. Gregory Keller can optimize safety and treatment efficacy. Because he is skilled in the use of many hair transplant techniques, a match can be constructed to fit each patient’s hairline and donor area needs.

The Need for Hair Transplantation

Hair loss affects two out of every three men, and one in five women. Some people begin to lose hair in their twenties. Frequent shampooing, poor circulation, wearing hats or other personal habits are not factors that cause hair loss.

Patterned hair loss usually occurs at different times of life for men and women. For men, hair thinning occurs throughout life, but patterned baldness usually occurs early in life, prior to andropause (male menopause). For women, hair thinning usually occurs in middle life and is most prominent around the time of menopause.

For men, heredity is a major factor in hair loss. Though other forms of hair loss occur, baldness usually occurs in a pattern area (often with a recession of hair at the temples, top of the head, and crown) termed “male pattern baldness”.

What is  Di-hydrotestosterone DHT?

Di-hydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone in the testosterone pathway of construction and break-down, causes a gradual destruction of hair follicles (the “bulb” of the hair that produces the hair “shaft”) that are genetically susceptible to DHT. Genetically susceptible hair follicles that are exposed to DHT will gradually “miniaturize” and produce “vellus” hairs that are smaller and have less diameter than hairs in a different location on a patient’s head. Gradually, the follicle regresses further and the hair falls out.

This hair loss is most prominent in the years prior to male andropause (male menopause). In the period before andropause, suppression of further hair loss with DHT blocker drugs, such as Propecia or Rogaine may be of value. In addition to male pattern baldness, hair transplantation is a useful treatment for scar camouflage and the loss of mustache or beard hair.

At an early stage, DHT blockers such as “propecia” are useful in blocking DHT’s effects. Rarely, aesthetically significant hair re-growth can be stimulated. Red light pulsed biostimulation of hair is reported to be somewhat helpful (available at our offices).

The key factor for hair restoration surgery is the presence of donor hair on the back or side of the scalp that does not fall out. These hairs are not genetically susceptible to DHT induced hair loss. When moved from the side or back of the scalp to the area of baldness, these hairs maintain the genetic programming and growth potential that they had in their former location. They continue to grow, just as if they were still in their former location.

Donor hair for transplantation is taken from the side or back of the scalp in several ways. A “strip” of hair can be harvested, leaving only a fine line scar, which is easily hidden by the rest of the hair. In special circumstances, where donor hair is lacking or the head is shaved, tiny transplant punches can be used to remove each follicular unit.

On a research basis, hair can be “cloned”. A hair is taken from the donor scalp and multiplied in tissue culture. While this technique is successful in mice, there are currently no human examples of successful continued hair growth with cloning.

When hair is removed from the loose skin at the back of the head, a narrow scar is produced. The hair, when transplanted to the area of baldness, retains its genetic memory and survives as it would in its original location.

Why Do women loose hair?

For women, the problem is much more complex. Hormonal changes, including those that occur in menopause and a sub-clinical thyroid loss, are mainly responsible for female “pattern changes,” which include thinning and hair loss. We recommend a work-up by a primary physician or hormonal specialist prior to replacing hair for women. Specific manipulation of thyroid, topical endocrine treatments, or female hormone adjustments over a period of time may render hair transplantation unnecessary.

Scars resulting in hair loss from previous cosmetic surgery such as a facelift often alter the hairline, particularly in women. Scars in the beard area of men can also undergo hair transplantation reconstruction. Because Dr. Keller is a facial plastic surgeon, he recognizes these problems and was one of the first to reconstruct the hair loss resulting from aesthetic and reconstructive procedures.

Other causes of hair loss are rare. Accidents, burns, and disease can also trigger hair loss. Temporary insults to the hair follicle (such as surgery, chemo-therapy, and trauma) can cause the hair follicle to go into a resting stage (telogen) in which the hair loss is reversible. View David's VIDEO RESTORATION

If you are interested in Hair Master Hair Transplants - Santa Barbara - Los Angeles, contact our office for a Discussion with Vanessa Campos at 800-423-8627. She will be happy to send you our free booklet that explains hair loss, the hair transplantation process and our other advanced techniques.