John E. Frank (born April 17, 1962) (now Dr. John Frank, M.D. & Founder of the New York City Anapelli Hair Clinic) was an American NFL football player who played tight end for the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL from 1984 to 1988 and earned two Super Bowl rings, one for Super Bowl XIX and Super Bowl XXIII. John was also a 2-time Academic All-American and was a Rhodes Scholar nominee as a college senior at Ohio State University where he also later received his M.D.

Below are highlights, interviews, and documentaries about Dr. Frank’s pro NLF football career:

• In the 1989 Super Bowl XXIII, the last year that John Frank would play pro NFL football, he catches one of the first passes from Joe Montana (for a first down) in the fourth-quarter with only 3:10 left on the clock against the Bengals. Starting from the 49ers 8 yard line, John Frank’s 1st down catch would start what would be become one of the longest & most exciting drives in NFL history.
• In this edit version of “NFL Films Presents: The Doctors Will See You Now,” Dr. John Frank discusses his NFL San Francisco 49ers career & why he chose medicine over football.

John Frank Catches a Pass from Joe Montana  in the 1989 Super Bowl XXIII.

This Would Start What Would Become One of the Longest Drives in NFL History.

Down 16-13 to the Bengals in the fourth-quarter of the 1989 Super Bowl XXIII, the San Francisco 49ers got the ball on their own eight yard line with 3:10 left on the clock.

John Frank caught one of the first passes from Joe Montana (for a first down). This started the 49er’s 92 yard march down the field in under three minutes to score the winning touchdown with just 34 seconds left in the game. It became, and still stands, as one of the longest & most exciting drives in NFL history.

John Frank, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology in Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, a hair transplant surgeon and founder of the Anapelli Hair Loss & Restoration Clinic in New York City.

He has worked extensively with Dr. Sheldon Kabaker, the former president of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery well known for his scalp lowering techniques.

Dr. Frank has presented & published original research on hair loss & advanced surgical hair restoration techniques.

A gifted surgeon and a unique individual, Dr. Frank believes that safety comes first.

He makes you look better, feel better, and live better.

Just ask his patients and read his endorsements from other professionals.

Dr. Frank has been restoring hair for almost 15 years. In that time he’s treated more than 10,000 patients for hair loss and performed more than 2,500 hair transplants in NYC and beyond.

He uses a customized, comprehensive approach to hair restoration that includes FDA-approved drug therapies, a cutting-edge technique called Biocapillation™, and hair transplant surgery.

Dr. Frank received his M.D. from Ohio State University and completed his training in Chicago.

He then established a plastic surgery clinic in San Francisco, specializing in cosmetic facial plastic surgery and hair transplantation.

Dr. Frank is board certified with the American Board of Otolaryngology and the Diplomate of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. He is also an associate fellow of the American College of Surgeons and affiliated with Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Having training and experience in head and neck and skull base, Dr. Frank offers all types of hair and scalp reconstruction, including follicular grafting, flap and reduction procedures, follicular unit extraction and hair line lowering.

Dr. Frank lectures on hair restoration and has published in peer reviewed medical journals including The Laryngoscope. In addition to being an extraordinary artist, Dr. Frank has also pioneered painless techniques for local anesthesia of the scalp.

Dr. Frank is also an accomplished athlete. At Ohio State, in his senior year, he became captain of the Buckeyes and was elected MVP and voted into the Ohio State’s Sports Hall of Fame.

After college, the San Francisco 49ers recruited him where he played for five years through two super bowl championships. During Super Bowl XXIII, John Frank caught one of the first passes from Joe Montana (for a first down) in what would be become one of the longest drives in NFL history.

At the top of his game, Dr. Frank left the 49ers to pursue a life long dream of a career in medicine.

He lives in New York with his wife and two children.

Learn more about Dr. Frank by reading his biography.

Dr. Frank’s Philosophy

Dr. Frank believes each scalp should be treated individually and that no two scalps are alike. He believes that the future of hair loss treatment is customization. Treatments should be designed specifically for each individual.

While performing hair transplants in NYC, Dr. Frank has learned that very few alternatives exist for hair loss prevention and treatment.

Dr. Frank has been actively researching and searching for alternative hair loss prevention methods and discovered a unique treatment and application of products called Biocapillation™.

Biocapillation™ is a blend of European trichological techniques and Israeli technology and for the past 15 years has serviced thousands of individuals with hair loss worldwide.

In addition to his skill and experience as a New York hair transplant specialist, Dr. Frank is the first person to introduce Biocapillation™ to North America and is excited to find the best solution for you.

Credentials

Education, John Frank, MD

• Doctorate of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
• General Surgery Internship, Loyola University, Chicago, IL
• Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery, Loyola University
• Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Loyola University and Oak Brook Aesthetics, Oak Brook, IL
• Hair Transplant Surgeon
• New York Medical Association Member
• Hair Loss Specialist and Hair Transplant Expert

Dr. Frank is a Diplomate of:

• Diplomate, American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery
• Diplomate, American Board of Otolaryngology

Dr. Frank is proud to be affiliated with the following esteemed organizations:

• International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery
• American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• American Academy of Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery
• New York Medical Association
• Dr. Frank is currently an Assistant Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology in Columbia University’s Collage of Physicians and Surgeons

For more information, click on the links below:

Original Research Presentations on Hair Loss & Surgical Hair Restoration

• “Contemporary Hair Restoration”, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Otolaryngology, New York City, June 26, 2008
• “Comparing Steroids vs. Lasix for Facial Edema”. International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery National Meeting, Chicago, 2003
• “Hair Restoration Surgery-Basic”. Master’s Seminar @ American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual meeting, San Diego, 2002.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Dr. John Frank Discusses His NFL 49ers Career & Why He Chose Medicine Over Football

NFL Films Presents | Dr. John Frank | The Doctor Will See You Now

Steve Sabol: In New York City’s Flatiron District, Dr. John Frank arrives at his practice.

Dr. John Frank: Do you have any ear issues?

Female Speaker: Sometimes I feel like I can’t hear, Dr. Frank. My husband is always complaining.

Dr. John Frank: This ear looks great. You can’t hear or you don’t listen?

Female Speaker: Both.

Dr. John Frank: Uh-huh, , okay. That’s selective hearing. Okay, lean forward.

Steve Sabol: As an otolaryngologist, he is familiar with the maladies of the ear, nose, and throat.

Dr. John Frank: You don’t have allergies, do you?

Female Speaker: Uh-hmm.

Steve Sabol: Though few of his patients are probably familiar with his former career –

Dr. John Frank: Say, “Aah”

Female Speaker: Aah.

Steve Sabol: As a tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, a career as interesting as it was unlikely.

Dr. John Frank: ’84, Bill Walsh drafted me in the second round. I never anticipated I was really going to be playing in the NFL or even drafted. I didn’t know who he was. A few years when I was in college, I wasn’t following NFL. I was just a chemistry major from Ohio State on my way to medical school. So the phone rang. I didn’t say, “Who is this?” but as the head coach, he said, “John, congratulations.” The only Coach Walsh I knew was the coach of Army at the time, George Welch. And so I said, “Oh, Coach Welch!” He said, “No, John, it’s Coach Walsh.” He just said, “Oh, well, we’ll see you when you get out here,” and I thought, “Ooh, this is not going to be fun.”

Bill Walsh: So you’re here, you’re here.

Steve Sabol: Frank quickly learned his coach’s name and his supposedly innovative offense.

Dr. John Frank: It was the West Coast offense. I looked at the game plans and they really weren’t impressive. The Xs and Os weren’t that complicated, with the short passes and the quick slants. It seemed very basic.

Bill Walsh: So we don’t need any kind of fancy moves by the tight end. Four-yard gain. You get that out of the play, it worked.

Steve Sabol: In his first training camp, Frank was an unknown on a team of stars, most of whom were unknown to him.

Dr. John Frank: I really didn’t know that much about the 49ers. I had heard Joe Montana’s name. He was from Western Pennsylvania where I’m from, so I knew who Joe Montana was, but that was about it. And then we started my rookie year.

Male Speaker: On a Monday night in New York, the Niners unleashed more primetime devastation than the A-Team.

Dr. John Frank: My first catch in the NFL was a touchdown pass at the Meadowlands. It was on a Monday night game. Again, at the time, I didn’t realize what a big event that would be for me.

Male Speaker: Fires it out to rookie John Frank. That’s his first reception and it’s a touchdown. He wanted to spike it, didn’t he?

Male Speaker: Oh, yeah.

Male Speaker: Is this against the rules or what?

Steve Sabol: Frank was unclear on the NFL celebration rules and certainly didn’t know the name of the future hall of fame linebacker he had beaten on the play.

Dr. John Frank: I didn’t even know who Lawrence Taylor was. In the regular season game where I caught that first touchdown, he was just a name. We faced the Giants again that year in the playoffs, and we were watching the film and his name kept coming up.

Bill Walsh: So we want to go after Taylor with a guard. If it’s Taylor, for god’s sakes, stay with him. Don’t leave Taylor early.

Dr. John Frank: Finally, I said to John Ayers, who was the guard at the time, “What’s all this attention about?” And he said, “Well, this is Lawrence Taylor. We’re going to double-team him on every pass play.”

Bill Welsh: Taylor is on the left but our tight end, John, is going to come around here. Beautiful.

Dr. John Frank: And Randy Cross just looked at me and said, “John, you don’t know who Lawrence Taylor is?” and I was embarrassed. It was one of those things where you know, you sort of have to fake it. I’m like, “Oh, yeah, yeah, he is good, Lawrence Taylor,” but I was just really out in left field.

Steve Sabol: From left field, Frank met Lawrence Taylor center stage.

Male Speaker: Here is Lawrence Taylor involved in a fracas. It’s John Frank.

Dr. John Frank: It became a wrestling match and it got a lot of coverage.

Male Speaker: That should be broadcast on Saturday morning somewhere.

Male Speaker: I love that guys jumped from the ropes.

Dr. John Frank: I think I made the All-Madden team that year.

Male Speaker: This guy is always in fights because he always blocks guys and stays with them, and that’s exactly what he did to Lawrence Taylor. Look, Taylor has him. Frank gets a reversal. Taylor is going for the reversal. Frank gets a pin. One, two, three. Referee says, “That’s it. No more.”

Dr. John Frank: In some ways, that sort of defined my rookie year.

Steve Sabol: The following week, Frank’s season was defined in a different way.

Dr. John Frank: We played the Bears in the NFC Championship Game and I fell off a block and I fell on my arm and I hyper-extended my elbow. It was questionable for the Super Bowl. Somehow I convinced them that I was able to play. I played in the game with this massive cast on my elbow. I didn’t catch any passes and I really wasn’t a factor at all, but I was there. It was really a great game.

Steve Sabol: As the 49ers won their second Super Bowl title under Bill Walsh, number 86 watched from the best seat in the house, but his celebration would be far shorter than that of his teammates.

Dr. John Frank: I packed up my apartment within 24 hours and I think within 48 hours, I was back in a classroom and studying medicine. Football for me was always a hobby. Really truly, I was passing through and I never lost sight of that. I knew in my heart that I was only going to play for a few years. I was going to medical school come hell or high water. I was more committed to that than I had been to blocking Lawrence Taylor.

Does it hurt when I just touch your ear here?

Today, I’m always a little bit sheepish to tell my patients that I was a football player and even when they say, “Hey, Doc, I Googled you. You didn’t tell me you played in the Super Bowl.”

Male Speaker: From Ohio State, John Frank.

Dr. John Frank: Super Bowl XXIII was one of the most amazing Super Bowls, and for me, I anticipated it was going to be my last game.

Male Speaker: Clutch man, clutch man, clutch man.

Dr. John Frank: Especially if we won the game. I caught two passes in the Super Bowl. I played very well. We played well enough to win, but I think the Bengals really outplayed us and should have won the game.

Male Speaker: The Bengals take a 16-13 lead.

Dr. John Frank: During the last drive of Super Bowl XXIII –

Male Speaker: Then again, it’s back to throw.

Dr. John Frank: I was in on the series. I caught a pass.

Male Speaker: A little dunk over the middle caught by John Frank and that’ll be a first down.

Dr. John Frank: We scored the winning touchdown on that last drive.

Male Speaker: Thirty nine seconds remaining.

Dr. John Frank: That pass to John Taylor.

Male Speaker: Joe Montana steps up, throws, touchdown. The 49ers have scored with 34 seconds remaining.

Male Speaker: The ball game is over.

Dr. John Frank: It was jubilation. Harris Barton grabs me and lifts me up and I have this photo of him, I’m on his shoulders and we won the game. It was Super Bowl XXIII. We won.

Steve Sabol: In the locker room, the tight end, destined to make a career of healing, laid the toughest hit of the day on the 49ers owner, Eddie DeBartolo.

Dr. John Frank: The game is over. We run into the locker room. There is Eddie.

Eddie DeBartolo: Come here.

Dr. John Frank: I grabbed him. I picked him up and I shook him. I’m like, “You know, this is it. This is it.” And I don’t know, I think I must have tripped on the locker or something and before I knew it, Eddie was sitting in a locker after banging his head against the back of the locker. He was grabbing his head looking to see if he’s cut his scalp open.

Eddie DeBartolo: I got a knot on my head. Honest to God, I’m half groggy.

Male Speaker: How did you get hit?

Eddie DeBartolo: John Frank yanked me into that locker over there. Feel my head.

Male Speaker: Oh! You’ve got –

Eddie DeBartolo: Go ahead, feel my head. [Bleep]. Oh, print it.

Dr. John Frank: His expression, it was just so clear on his face that he is not happy about it. I mean I was going to retire anyway so I think he forgave me.

It’s a challenge to leave the NFL, even for me, on my own accord. I’m sure more difficult if you’re cut or if you’re too old to play. I can’t even imagine the psychological challenges that you have to overcome to move on. Football can be so capturing and so all-encompassing.

Male Speaker: Damn, it’s great, isn’t it?

Dr. John Frank: I think it’s important to demonstrate that there is life on the other side of football. And I’ve tried to do that.

Steve Sabol: In 2003, Frank slid back into athletics and his Jewish roots.

Dr. John Frank: We created the Israeli bobsled team, a two-man bobsled. I was the team’s brake man and Aaron Zeff, a former U.S. Air Force aviator, was the pilot, and we just built it from scratch. We saw that there were some other countries which had bobsled teams like Jamaica and some smaller countries and felt like it would be a good feel-good opportunity to do something and give something back. And we became Israeli citizens and represented Israel and competed in the 2004 World Championships in Konigssee, Germany. We placed I think 34th. There were a lot of fun moments with that. One of our nicknames, amongst other things, we were the Frozen Chosen. We really needed to raise a fair amount of money for the venture, so we sold some sponsorships for the sides of the sled. And unlike most of the teams, we were selling a sponsorship for the bottom of the sled so that whenever we tilted and slid down on our sides, the bottom would show up, which happened a lot. So I did that for about four years and then turned it over to some younger athletes. It was a wonderful ride and it was a lot of fun.

Steve Sabol: Fun is also how Frank looks back on his football career.

Dr. John Frank: I am fortunate to have a Super Bowl victory my first year and in my last year so I had a lot of moments in the NFL which were great moments.

Male Speaker: It is caught that time by John Frank.

Male Speaker: Yeah, John Frank, yeah!

Dr. John Frank: And the camaraderie, I’ll never have that again in anything else you do. I would consider that the highlight of my playing in NFL for the 49ers. One of the beauties of the NFL is it’s really a meritocracy. I mean that game is one based on your merits. Steve Young was Mormon. I was Jewish. We had Baptists, Catholic, atheists, you name it. Wherever you’re from, whoever you are, none of that really mattered, and what a lovely environment.

When did this happen?

Fortunately, medicine has maintained that. When someone is ill, it doesn’t really matter as a physician who you’re treating. It’s beautiful.

Have you noticed it getting worse?

Female Speaker: It’s getting worse, yes.

Dr. John Frank: You don’t have feel-good stories all the time everyday, but when you get one, you’re reminded of why you’ve paid the price, whether it’s the financial sacrifice to go to medical school or the hours. I treat them as though I’m treating myself and I would want somebody to try as hard as they can to uncover what my challenges are and help me.

Stay out of trouble. That’s all for today.

But I still, in earnest, try all the time to really help somebody.

Okay.

Now, that’s what I do.

Steve Sabol: Next week, the shots of the year. Plus, the best of nearly 100 players and coaches wired for sound from the 2010 season.

Male Speaker: I only know how to play one way, Coach, but I’ll do what I can.

Male Speaker: What’s odd is getting [indiscernible]

Male Speaker: I’m always hungry. You know me.

Male Speaker: That’s what he told me. That’s exactly what he told me.

Male Speaker: Slide the ball out of bounds.

Male Speaker: I tell my wife I take the garbage out. Sometimes, I don’t.

Steve Sabol: Next week on Presents.

Male Speaker: Hey, let’s go win this thing, baby.

Back to John Frank – All American NFL Football Player

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Dr. John Frank On Hair Loss in Women & Hair Transplants on CBS News with Kate Sullivan

Kate Sullivan: Men aren’t the only one who suffers from baldness. Hair loss affects an estimated 30 million women in America. Dr. Marcs reports on the story of hair loss in an African American woman who finally decided to fix an embarrassing problem. Take a look.

Dr. Marcs: We know that men can go bald. They can do over age. I mean that’s fine but for a woman to start getting bald that’s a no, no.

Munorato Hassan , a 42-year-old nurse from New Jersey says she never thought it would happen to her. Just a few months ago she looked like this.

Munorato Hassan: Maybe on the ages 35, I realized the size of the hair was becoming thin and I was losing hair. I could not look at the mirror too often because it was not a very nice hair. I tried everything, hair loss medications, all the talk about Rogaine, all other products in the market I tried but nothing worked.

Dr. Marcs: Munorato decided to try hair transplant surgery.

Dr. John Frank: So it’s been seven months?

Munorato Hassan: Maybe almost eight.

Dr. John Frank: It’s unbelievable.

Munorato Hassan: Yeah.

Dr. John Frank: Look at that.

Dr. Marcs: Dr. John Frank is a hair transplant surgeon Medical Hair Restoration in Manhattan. He describes the surgery which starts with removing hair follicles from a donor area which is later closed using stitches.

Dr. John Frank: I frequently tell people this is like moving a tree from one part of your garden to another. This area in the back was perfect and it was very thick. It had no hair loss. We made little openings and then started to grass and as we can after the grass replaced they took several weeks and few months for them to grow but now it’s seven months. It’s totally natural and it just blends in and it’s almost imperceptible the fact that you had hair loss there.

Dr. Marcs: Munorato’s surgery lasted five hours and involved almost 2,000 individual transplants. A hair transplant typically costs about $6,000.

Back To Media Page

Dr. John Frank, Hair Loss Specialist Talks To ABC News about Trichotillomania

Host: Joining us right now to give us more insight is Dr. John Frank, Board Certified Head and Neck Surgeon and Hair Loss Specialist. Doctor, thanks so much for joining us today.

Dr. John Frank: You’re welcome.

Host: So it’s called trichotillomania or trich for short. And the latest evidence shows that it’s not just a bad habit like biting your nails. It’s something more serious.

Dr. John Frank: Well, obviously, from what we just saw, it can really affect somebody severely. It can be really a problem, very, very devastating.

Host: When does this start in a person’s life? Does it start early in their life? Can it start at any time and what triggers it?

Dr. John Frank: You may see some children with it and that’s not really a serious version of it. But then, as you go through adulthood, it can occur at any age to adults, men more than women, and it’s a long spectrum of the obsessive compulsive disorders and we think that there are some biological components to it.

Host: Right. How often do you see this condition in your office?

Dr. John Frank: I mean I’m a hair loss specialist and hair loss surgeon and I treat all different types of hair loss. And when we do see somebody with trichotillomania, we treat it but the challenge is to learn who actually has it because it’s either covered up or it’s hidden. And even if somebody is coming to me with the problem, it may take a visit or two before they actually have the courage to say what’s happening.

Host: Right. So this is rare. People don’t really talk about it that often and that’s why not many people know about it, right?

Dr. John Frank: People don’t like to talk about it. They are embarrassed. There is the emotional component of having hair loss, which is embarrassing. And then the other second part of the emotional component is you are doing it to yourself and so it’s something that you’re shy about — you don’t want anybody to know about it.

Host: Right. I’m sure you have to tread very lightly.

Dr. John Frank: As a hair loss specialist, I’ve seen people that will come in and I’m the first person that has looked at their scalp in 20 years, I mean, including family members. They are hiding it from everybody. And it takes a special sensitivity, good judgment, a knack for being very sensitive and understanding and — being a good listener.

Host: Right. How do you treat the condition?

Dr. John Frank: There are a number of treatments for it. None of them are very effective. There are medications like some of the obsessive compulsive disorders, the antidepressants and things like that, and some of them can be effective on a short-term basis. People can undergo therapy and there are some behavioral modification treatments, but I’m not that impressed by their results. Of course, some types of therapy more effective than others. And then there are some topical treatments and wigs and even surgery for trichotillomania.

Host: Right. Now, this is obviously a lifelong battle and there are support groups, I understand.

Dr. John Frank: Fortunately, there are. There are places to go. The effectiveness of the support group is going to be dependent upon the individual. Some people are great in support groups. Other people would just as soon not go to a support group. But they are available. They are online and you can go and get help, share with other people. If you can go through it with somebody, it may be helpful.

Host: All right. Hair loss is devastating. So for the people that are pulling their own hair out, can you replace the hair?

Dr. John Frank: It can be replaced. But if it’s replaced and they pull it out again, it’s like pouring water into a bucket with a leak. So the main thing is to stop the cause of the hair loss, and in front of that is to diagnose what’s happening. Some people do it and they don’t even know they are doing it. Maybe they are doing it in their sleep or subconsciously while they are daydreaming, and it doesn’t just occur on the scalp. They can be doing it on their eyelashes and things like that.

Host: Right, right. And you mentioned that there are some topical treatments for this, medications?

Dr. John Frank: Well, there are some cover-ups, some aesthetic things that can be done, and wigs and extensions and things like that or ways to color, even tattoo. But that’s like putting a Band-Aid on an open wound, so you really want to try and uncover the root of the problem.

Host: Right. It’s a very sensitive issue, isn’t it, and devastating at the same time.

Dr. John Frank: It is. On one hand, hair loss for young men, you can joke about it and there are many different monikers that young guys have. But when you really start to understand hair loss, it can be extremely devastating, and that’s part of the problem because not everybody takes it so seriously.

Host: Right. Well, Doctor, thanks so much for shedding more light on this problem.

Dr. John Frank: You’re welcome.

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Dr. John Frank Talks To ABC News about Hair Loss, Hair Restoration & Biocapillation

Dr. Jacques Moritz: Once on the football field and now in the medical field, Dr. John Frank, a former tight-end with the San Francisco 49ers is a Super Bowl Champion. Now, he applies his All-Star approach to helping others with hair and scalp problems. Here to tell us his story and some of the latest advancements in hair loss therapy is Dr. John Frank of the Anapelli Hair Clinic. And for full disclosure, Dr. Frank is expecting a baby any time soon and I am his wife’s physician. Dr. Frank, welcome.

Dr. John Frank: Thank you, Dr. Moritz.

Dr. Jacques Moritz: Now hold on a second. I didn’t know about this Super Bowl business. So you play with the San Francisco 49ers. You get some rings. I thought you should open a car dealership. You go to medical school. How did that happen?

Dr. John Frank: Just for that reason. I didn’t want to be one of those guys who has suffered from injuries and didn’t have a career after football, and my whole life’s dream was to be a doctor. But fortunately, where I grew up, I was good enough and I didn’t have career-ending injuries and I made it far enough in the NFL. And the time came to retire and it was fortunately after a second Super Bowl Championship.

Dr. Jacques Moritz: Great. Now I know you in the operating room because you are a really skilled surgeon. How did playing football, what can you say from playing football that you brought into the operating room that makes you such a great surgeon?

Dr. John Frank: Well, I mean whether it’s organized team sports or even the military or other things where high science, there is an amount of sense of teamwork and camaraderie and discipline and hard work which lends itself to being a surgeon, I think.

Dr. Jacques Moritz: Great. Now let’s shift the focus to hair restoration because it’s a great topic. This morning, I was in the gym and I saw one of the senators, I’m not going to mention the name, from New York that obviously had some type of hair surgery. Didn’t look very good. What’s changed and tell me about your approach?

Dr. John Frank: Well, this is the problem. Many of the techniques have evolved and you see techniques from 10 or 15 or 20 years ago. They look like hair plugs and it just is unsightly. And so much has changed, whether it’s a surgical technique or non-surgical, and we’ve made so many improvements, whether it’s for men or women and people from all different walks of life and all ages. There have been so many improvements. But the challenge is there are also a lot of false claims and misunderstandings and regret so it’s really important to get good information before doing anything.

Dr. Jacques Moritz: Let’s talk about your technique. I don’t know the name of it, but why don’t you tell us your technique? And I know that doctors travel from all over the world to come learn the technique. Why is yours better than the others out there?

Dr. John Frank: Well, our technique is Biocapillation and it’s a patented technique. But one of the most important, the basis of it is really making a good sound diagnosis. People can have hair loss and there are products or surgeries or things that can be done which are one-size-fits-all. What I do is really customized so nobody gets a standardized treatment. It’s really based on the diagnosis. And when it comes to hair and scalp, a dermatologist or any hair surgeon will let you know that there are many, many conditions which can lead to scalp problems and ultimately to hair loss. And getting to the root of the problem is really diagnosing what’s happening at the scalp, whether it’s inflammation or seborrhea or pulling, many, there are hundreds of different things. And if it’s not correctly diagnosed, you can be led down a wrong pathway for treating your hair.

Dr. Jacques Moritz: Right. And when we think of hair restoration, we usually think about men. But as a gynecologist, I see a lot of women, especially after menopause, with hair thinning and it’s really distressing, distressing to them, distressing to their family. Do your techniques apply to them also?

Dr. John Frank: Oh, absolutely. Look, for young men or middle-aged men, if you lose hair, you can joke about it and there are all different jokes about it, “the crone,” but you can go anywhere. But for a woman, it can be devastating. And there are really two peaks of time in a woman’s life, in her early 20′s and then around menopause. And during the menopause, as you would know, the hormones are changing and it can really have a profound effect on women and their hair. And there are many other conditions which can contribute to hair loss in women, whether it’s a thyroid condition or anemia or a malabsorption problem. And for a woman, it’s a devastating problem. It can cause psychological and emotional problems and it can really be a real challenge and it’s something that we do a lot of research in and we focus on and we’ve had a lot of success in.

Dr. Jacques Moritz: Great. Dr. Frank, that’s all the time we have. Thanks for joining us today.

Dr. John Frank: Thank you.

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A Glossary of Hair & Hair Loss Treatment Terms

Mirograft: A skin graft (from the scalp) no larger than 1.0 – 1.5mm in diameter that holds 1 to 3 hair.

Follicle: A system of cells and connective tissue which surrounds the root of the hair shaft.

Follicular units: A Natural grouping of hair follicles that cause hair to grow in a natural group. These follicles often share the same blood supply. Transplanting these units from a donor area of the scalp to a part of the scalp that has permanently lost hair is the basis for the “natural look” in hair transplantation.

Follicular unit extraction (FUE): One of two ways of extracting (or “harvesting”) follicular units from a donor area of the scalp. These units are then placed into a the part of the scalp that has permanently lost hair. This exaction and placement procedure is called hair transplantation. The other technique is called strip harvesting. Both are sometimes called follicular transfer (FT).

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): A technique of hair restoration technique where follicular units of 1 or 2 to 4 naturally co-occurring hairs are taken from a part of the scalp that has healthy hair and transplanting them into the part that has permanently lost hair.

Single strip harvesting: One of two ways of extracting (or “harvesting”) follicular units from a donor area of the scalp. Essentially a two step process of harvesting, first the surgeon removes a single strip of scalp and then uses microscopic surgical techniques to dissect and extract individual follicular units. These units are then placed into a the part of the scalp that has permanently lost hair. This exaction and placement procedure is called hair transplantation. The other technique is called Follicular Unit Extraction. Both are sometimes called follicular transfer (FT).

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Back To Hair Transplant Review & Patient Testimonials Page

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Back To Hair Transplant Review & Patient Testimonials Page

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Back To Hair Transplant Review & Patient Testimonials Page

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Back To Hair Transplant Review & Patient Testimonials Page

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Back To Hair Transplant Review & Patient Testimonials Page

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Back To Hair Transplant Review & Patient Testimonials Page

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Back To Hair Transplant Review & Patient Testimonials Page

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Back To Hair Transplant Review & Patient Testimonials Page

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Back To Hair Transplant Patient Testimonials Page

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Back To Hair Transplant Patient Testimonials Page

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Back To Hair Transplant Review & Patient Testimonials Page

Hair Loss, Hair Treatment, & Hair Transplant Questions & Answers

1. How long do hair transplant results last?
A very common question is are hair transplants a permanent solution for hair Loss?
The short answer is — yes, hair transplants are permanent. However, many factors affect hair transplant outcomes, and not everyone is a good candidate for a hair transplant.  For a longer answer, see: “How Long Do Hair Transplant Results Last?“

2. Can DHEA cause hair loss?
DHEA is often touted as a wonder drug that restores youth and vitality, but many people worry that it can cause hair loss.  If you’re talking DHEA, should you be worried about hair loss? See” “Does DHEA Cause Hair Loss? If So, Could Propecia Offset Its Effects?“

More Hair Loss & Replacement Questions From RealSelf.com

Q & A with John E. Frank, MD

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Benefits of DHEA

Older adults, both men and women, often take DHEA to increase certain hormones that have declined with age.  These hormones have a wide range of effects on both health and a sense of well-being, but the evidence for some specific positive effects have been lacking.

For instance, according the NIH, there’s good evidence that DHEA improves the appearance of skin in older adults, and it can decrease age spots.  There’s also good scientific evidence that it can help with symptoms of schizophrenia, at least in women, and symptoms of lupus and it can increase bone density in older women.  However, when it comes to DHEA’s affect on a loss of a sense of well-being, improved sex drive, decreased depression and improved weight loss, the scientific evidence is inconsistent with only some studies finding a positive effect.

In addition to some of the benefits being called into question, there’s also the concern that DHEA could increase the chance of developing certain types of cancers that are dependent on hormones, especially with long-term use of DEHA.  DHEA can also interact with certain prescription drugs. Before starting a regimen of long-term DHEA use, you should first consult with your doctor.

Men, DHEA and Testosterone

Does DHEA Cause Hair Loss? Can Propecia Offset the Negative Effects of DHEA?

In men, testosterone decreases with age,  and a loss of testosterone can cause weight gain, decreased sex drive and an overall decrease in health and well-being. One of the biggest purported benefits of DHEA is it’s ability to increase the level of testosterone in the body.  Because of this, older adults see DHEA as a “fountain of youth.”

Unfortunately, evidence that DEHA raises testosterone levels in men is lacking, but there is good evidence that it increases testosterone in women, though such an increase may be undesirable.

Can DHEA Cause or Worsen Hair Loss?

In men, the hormone that causes one known form of hair loss is dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.  This type of hair loss is called “androgenetic alopecia.” If DHT seems like a form of testosterone, you’re right.  When the body combines an enzyme, 5-alpha reductase (5AR), with testosterone, it creates DHT.  DHT then interacts with hair follicle cells and this eventually causes them to die.   All men create DHT but only men with a specific gene will develop androgenetic alopecia.

DEHA comes into the picture if one assumes that it can cause an increase in the production of testosterone, however, again, there is no consistent evidence for this.  Human growth hormone (HGH), on the other hand, definitely causes an increase in testosterone, and in men with the genetic predisposition for hair loss, HGH will accelerate hair loss.  To the extent that DHEA produces extra testosterone (an iffy claim), then DHEA can also worsen hair loss in men that have the gene for androgenetic alopecia.

Using Propecia to Offset Hair Loss Caused by DHEA and HGH

The prescription drug Finasteride, which goes under the trademark Propecia or Proscar, and Dutasteride, which goes under the trademark Avodart, will both block DHT.  Doctors use Dutasteride to treat an enlarged prostate and they use Propecia to stop hair loss.

Many men who have the genetic predisposition for androgenetic alopecia and who take steroids, HGH or DHEA, will sometimes take either  Finasteride or Dutasteride to help offset the effects of extra testosterone and therefore DHT.  While the strategy makes sense in principle, in practice, it’s very difficult, if not impossible to determine how to balance one drug against the other.

Concerns about DHEA possibly accelerating hair loss in men with the genetic predisposition for androgenetic alopecia has led to the production of a metabolite of DHEA known as 7 Keto DHEA. It’s believed that 7 Keto DHEA has most of the established benefits of DHEA without breaking down into estrogen and testosterone.

What’s the Bottom Line on DEHA & Hair Loss?

The bottom line appears to be that DEHA will accelerate hair loss in men with the gene for androgenetic alopecia assuming that DEHA causes an increase in serum testosterone, but the evidence for such an increase in men is spotty.  There is, unfortunately, some concern that DEHA could increase the chance of certain types of cancer. This does not mean that DEHA is worthless or dangerous – researchers have documented numerous benefits from using DHEA. It does mean, however, that you should talk to your doctor or a qualified doctor who is also a hair loss specialist.

If you are taking stronger steroids that are definitely known to cause an increase in testosterone (e.g., HGH), then hair loss will almost certainly accelerate if you have the genetic predisposition for androgenetic alopecia.  Taking either finasteride or dutasteride to offset the effects of HGH or another steroid isn’t practical because it’s not known how best to combine these drugs in any given individual. Worse, this strategy could wind up backfiring. This is because while these drugs will block DHT, powerful steroids, depending on the type and amount, may increase testosterone to the point where the body produces even more DHT, despite the blocking effects of  Propecia.

In short, if you’re suffering from hair loss due to androgenetic alopecia, you should contact a qualified hair loss specialist before taking any steroid including DHEA.

DHEA Resources

• WebMD.com & DHEA
• Council For Responsible Nutrition | DHEA: the Basic Facts
• This research has raised concerns about the effects of DHEA on the prostate gland: “Pharmacokinetics of dehydroepiandrosterone and its metabolites after long-term daily oral administration to healthy young men”
• Athlete hormone supplement (DHEA) may not increase testosterone
• Recent research (2012) suggests that DHEA may ease the severity of menopause symptoms in women.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Do hair transplants last a lifetime? Ideally, yes. However, many factors affect hair transplant outcomes

There’s no question that hair transplants work, and, under the appropriate conditions, they work wonderfully well: they create a completely natural look, and, ideally, they’ll last a lifetime.

However, there are many factors that can compromise not only the durability of a hair transplant but also its quality.  A big part of your hair transplant doctor’s initial job is to identify any risk factors that might prevent a lasting and high quality hair transplant result.

What Factors Determine the Best Hair Transplant Results?

There are several  factors:

1. Type of Hair Loss. Hair transplants work well for many individuals who have Androgenetic alopecia (or ‘male pattern hair loss’).   Alopecia causes hair loss on some parts of the head but not others, but the location of hair loss is not random – it’s quite predictable.  In fact, the pattern is so predictable that doctors have come up with a classification scheme, called the Norwood classification of hair loss, to help diagnose Alopecia.   Other types of hair loss such as Traction Alopecia are readily transplantable with good results, whereas somebody suffering from the active stages of Alopecia Areata will not have results.
2. Adequate Donor Hair. Because hair transplantation involves extracting hair follicles from one part of the head that has hair (called the ‘donor’ area) and ‘transplanting’ them into an area that has gone bald, it’s critical that the hair follicles in the donor area are healthy and able to produce hair after the transplant.
3. Extent and Stage of Hair Loss.  Young individuals with (early stage) Androgenetic Alopecia may not be the best candidates for hair transplant because the rate of ongoing hair loss may exceed the rate at which hair can be transplanted.  They may also deplete the valuable donor hair available for transplanting.
4. Color and Texture of Hair.  African American and other types of curly hair may have better results that somebody with coarse hair.  Salt and pepper hair can show exceedingly good results as can white and gray hair.
5. Surgeon.  Many technical factors can effect the outcome of a hair transplant from the judgment and artistry to the manner in which the surgery is performed.  All hair transplant surgeons use a team of surgical assistants and their skills are also paramount to the success of the hair transplant.

In short, the best way to insure the best and longest lasting hair transplant outcome is to be a highly qualified candidate and to get in the hands of a qualified hair transplant surgeon.

However, you don’t need to be a “perfect” hair transplant candidate to get a successful hair transplant.  Few people are “perfect” candidates for a hair transplant, but only a qualified hair transplant surgeon can assess your particular risks, and a qualified doctor would never let you proceed with a hair restoration surgery if he or she thought you were a high risk candidate.  It is critical that you find and work with only a highly qualified and experienced hair loss doctor with a demonstrated track record of success.

Reasons Why a Hair Transplant May Not Last or  Have a Poor Outcome

While modern hair transplant techniques represent the state of the art in hair replacement solutions and offer unparallel quality, hair transplants will not work for everyone.  The following factors are contraindicated for a hair transplant:

• You have “Telogen Effluvium” or Rapid, Temporary Hair Loss.  This condition is simply an aberration of the hair cell cycle resulting in rapid and severe loss of hair, often pulled out in a clumps.  This is usually a temporary condition resulting from some abnormal stress and reverts back to normal within six months to one year.
• You have Alopecia Areata.  This condition can effect men and women of all ages and is an autoimmune type of condition that can cause permanent hair loss.  The scalp in this condition can be felt as very smooth and will not support a hair transplant.  Fortunately for some, the condition is temporary and reversible.
• You’re under the age of 21.  Although this is not a hard and fast rule, most competent hair surgeons will be reluctant to perform a transplant on you.  In fact, many won’t touch you until you’re in your late twenties. The reason is that it’s very difficult to predict the long term amount of hair loss in the early stages, and this can have disastrous ramifications in hair transplant.

Other Factors That Can Negatively Affect Hair Transplant Outcomes

• Hair loss shock.  After hair restoration surgery, you could experience temporary hair loss due to the surgery itself. This type of post-surgical hair loss is not permanent and all of the hair should return within six months to one year.
• Working with an unqualified hair loss doctor and/or using older hair transplant techniques.  Make no mistake that hair transplantation is a medical procedure.   It is real surgery. Transplanting hair follicles is an exacting technique requiring great skill, experience, and advanced hair transplant technology.  Working with an unqualified doctor and/or using less than state of the art equipment and techniques risks a poor hair transplant outcome or one that will not last.

In sum, modern scientific understanding of hair loss coupled with advanced follicular unit extraction and transplantation technologies has created a superb, almost perfect, hair loss solution.  Expertly performed hair transplants produce highly natural looking results that are almost impossible to detect.  Ideally, a good hair transplant will last a lifetime assuming that you are a good candidate for a hair transplant to begin with.  Only a medically trained hair loss surgeon can identify those risk factors that could prevent you from having a lasting and high quality hair transplant result.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Can You Stop Alopecia? No, but You Can Stop It From Damaging Your Hair

Doctors cannot cure Alopecia, but they can halt its affects, i.e., hair loss, under certain conditions.  Our understanding of how Alopecia causes hair loss, especially in men, has led to the development of powerful drugs that can completely arrest hair loss in up to 83% of affected men (according to a landmark FDA study). While many options exist to give the appearance of more hair, unfortunately, once hair has been completely lost, the only way to replace the follicles is surgically.  To understand why, read on . . .

What Causes Baldness?

One of the keys to understanding baldness is learning about the natural Hair Cell Cycle.   Every hair shaft  is programmed to grow several inches over the course of a few years, only to fall out, and to be replaced by a new hair in the exact location.  This concept of “shedding” occurs with our skin as well.  The important steps of the growth cell cycle are the “Growth Phase” also called Anagen and the “Fall-out” phase, also called Telogen.

Most healthy human scalps have on average, 100, 000 healthy hairs.  However, only a fraction of them are in the Telogen phase, typically 10%.  Therefore, everyday, it is not uncommon for a healthy scalp to lose a significant amount of healthy hair without ever being noticed.   It’s normal and the scalp is continuously replacing those hairs.  On the other hand, if something were to happen with the Hair Cell Cycle so that more than 10% of the follicles were in the Telogen phase, then this could create a temporary problem.

As mentioned earlier, the scalp replaces these shedding hairs no matter what.  However, if more than 10% are falling out, the scalp has a difficult time catching up so rapidly and at this point the hair loss may become noticeable.  It is not a permanent condition and it’s only a matter of time until the hairs are replaced with perfectly healthy hair.   This condition is called Telogen Effluvium and can last anywhere from several months to several years, but again is only temporary.

On the other hand, permanent hair loss is not caused by any changes in the Hair Cell Cycle.  Permanent hair loss is a condition where some or all of the hair and follicle are weakening, thinning and shortening over a significant period of time.  The hair still goes thru the normal phases of growth and fall-out during many hair cell cycles, however, as it’s going thru these phases, it’s shrinking and will eventually be lost permanently.   So, unlike shedding or Telogen Effluvium as described above, permanent hair loss is only noticeable over a longer period of time.

“Pattern  Baldness” In Men & Women

Pattern Baldness is a permanent type of hair loss that is most commonly caused by the detrimental effects of male hormones in the follicles of the scalp.  While it is a genetically based condition, you don’t need to have a DNA based test to determine if “Pattern Baldness” is the cause of your balding.  In men, a doctor with specialized hair loss training and experience can often tell if you’re suffering from “Male or Female Pattern” baldness just by briefly examining you.  In men and in women, the pattern of hair loss typically occurs in specific areas of the scalp and can be represented by the “Norwood Classification” in men and the “Hamilton” in women.

While Male Pattern Baldness  accounts for the majority of types of hair loss men,  for women, pattern baldness is less common.  Nevertheless, the pattern is still predictable enough that an experienced hair loss specialist can make the diagnosis very easily in a simple evaluation and examinationl

Interestingly, older men (70+) can have a pattern of hair loss that does not occur in specific regions but rather occurs uniformly across the scalp.   It is called “senile Alopecia.” Young men can also have this particular type of Alopecia. It is called diffuse unpatterned Alopecia.

How Does Pattern Baldness occur at the follicle level?

Testosterone is responsible for initiating  and sustaining Pattern Baldness, in both men and in women (women also secrete small amounts of Testosterone.)  Testosterone interacts directly with the hair follicles in the front, top and back of the scalp while leaving the hair and follicles on the sides and back of scalp undamaged.   While some individuals may be genetically susceptible to the harmful effects of testosterone and others are immune.

Is Pattern Baldness the Only Cause of Baldness?

While Pattern Baldness is the most common cause of hair loss, it is only one of many different causes of hair loss.

So How Do You Stop the Affects of Alopecia (Hair Loss)?

The only way to stop or reverse the effects of hair loss is to first diagnose and then stop the underlying condition.   As mentioned above, it’s not uncommon to suffer from derangements in the hair cell cycle (Telogen Effluvium).  Once this condition is diagnosed, it’s imperative to find the cause of the effluvium and attempt to reverse it.  For example, many women may have a significant amount of hair loss during pregnancy due the tremendous physiologic stress placed on her body.  Once this stress subsides, the hair should also return. 

On the other hand, if a young man is diagnosed with Pattern Baldness, then he would need to search for ways to minimize the harmful effects of the testosterone.  Several medications and treatments exist which may mitigate the hormonal effects, commonly known ones include Finasteride and Minoxidil.

Unfortunately, these treatments  can’t replace hair from areas that have lost all hair. However, for areas that are not completely bald, these hair loss medications can prevent further hair loss.  For more information on the physiological mechanisms of action for these treatments, one is directed to the websites for some of the brand names of these medications (ie Rogaine, Propecia).

So What is the Bottom Line?

The most well known of hair loss is Male Pattern and Female Pattern Hair Loss.  However, although not discussed in detail in this article, people of all ages may suffer from hair loss from many of other causes.  Once the actual condition is accurately diagnosed, then a hair loss treatment plan can be formulated.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) & Strip Harvesting and the Natural Look

FUE & Strip Harvesting Are the Basis of Today’s “Natural Look” Hair Transplants

Pioneered back in 1988, FUE (follicular unit extraction) & strip harvesting have become today the most successful means of correcting hair loss. The name of these techniques derived from the term ‘follicle,’ the hair follicle cell being the biological engine of hair growth.

‘Extracting’ means removing an existing healthy follicle from one part of the scalp and ‘transplanting’ it to another part of the scalp that has lost hair.  FUE & strip harvesting  are just two different ways of employing this basic, and powerful, technique.

The basic technique works to restore lost hair because the causes of most hair loss lie not in the scalp but in the follicle itself.  For example, in the case of “androgenetic alopecia,” the most common cause of baldness, too much of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone, or  DHT, can cause hair follicles to shrink and eventually stop producing hair.  However, this happens only to some hair follicles.   By replacing those damaged follicles with healthy ones, you can start growing hair on new areas of the head.

These techniques represent a significant advance in both the science and engineering of hair transplant and surgical hair restoration technology.  They are both sophisticated & delicate techniques requiring the precision use of microscopically sized instruments.

FUE & Strip Harvesting Are the Basis of Today’s “Natural Look” Hair Transplants

So how do these two hair restoration procedures create a “natural look?”

It all starts with the follicular unit, the single hair cell. It is what makes your hair unique. It determines everything about a single strand of hair, from its thickness and texture, from its color, from how curly it is, to how fast it grows and how it is orientated relative to the surface of the scalp.  Who knew one hair could be so complicated!

The success of FUE & strip harvesting in creating a natural look rests on knowing how to identify groups of follicular units that form the basis of how your hairs are naturally grouped.  FUE & strip harvesting is not a simple matter of just transplanting follicular units one at a time. The surgeon must know how many follicles to remove and from where, and the surgeon must know how to distribute the follicles in the bald area, controlling such variables as hair direction, angles and grouping of follicle.  A further challenge is knowing where to transplant these units in the balding area. All these variables must be controlled by the surgeon to create a natural hairline and natural looking distribution of hair in a previously bald area of the scalp.

FUE & Strip Harvesting | It Takes Skill . . . And A Lot Of It.

The follicular extraction and transplantation procedure is intricate. Mastering these techniques takes considerable time and training, and having prior surgical experience is extremely helpful. In the hands of a skilled hair restoration surgeon, it can be almost impossible to tell if a person has had this type of hair transplant if you’ve never met them before, and even if you have, it can be very hard to distinguish the treated area of the head with an untreated area. The goal is nothing short of trying to recreate hair on a bald part of the scalp in a way that it looks like it was never lost in the first place.

FUE Versus Strip Harvesting

FUE, or “follicular unit extraction,” and strip harvesting are two ways to transplant healthy follicular units into the part of the scalp that’s lost hair.  Single strip harvesting is simply the process of removing a tiny strip of scalp that has hair and then from that strip “extracting” healthy hair follicles.

FUE is almost the same thing but instead of getting the healthy hair follicles from a donor strip that’s been removed from the scalp, the surgeon directly extracts follicles from the scalp.  Both method of obtaining follicles are quite labor intensive.

FUE Verses Strip Harvesting | Advantages & Disadvantages

In the evolution of hair transplant technologies, single strip harvesting came before FUE.  The reasons hair transplant researchers developed FUE was to avoid the thin scar that comes from removing a donor strip of follicles from the scalp. While it is tiny, it is there, and the scar can be visible, close up, in persons with very short hair.  FUE was designed to avoid a scar. However, it’s not the case that FUE is a scarless procedure. It’s just that the individual extraction process leaves individual scars that are really too tiny to see, and so you can wear your hair quite short and no one will detect that you’ve had this type of hair transplant.

The advantage of single strip harvesting over FUE has to do with how difficult it is to obtain the best follicles.  With single strip harvesting, it’s usually easier/faster for the surgeon to harvest the needed follicles. The skilled follicular extraction surgeon can achieve the exact same result using FUE, but it’s usually more work for the surgeon and it takes longer. For this reason, FUE can cost more than single strip harvesting.

In the end, which technique is right for you depends primarily on how short you want to wear your hair and the particular characteristics of your scalp. This latter factor, scalp type, turns out to be an important deciding variable. Some scalp and hair types are contraindicated for FUE.  The only real way to determine which technique is best for you is following an extensive discussion with the surgeon.

The Bottom Line

Modern follicular transplantation techniques like FUE & single strip harvesting have all but revolutionized the hair transplant. Today it is now possible to have a hair transplant that looks so natural it will fool anyone except a trained hair restoration specialist, and even he or she would have to do a close inspection to tell.

It is, however, not enough for a hair restoration specialist to be technically proficient with FUE or strip harvesting–   they have to be at least that.

While the technique allows the surgeon to transplant hair follicles at will, it can’t tell him or her which follicles to extract, how to extract them, or where to place them in order to create a natural look.   Only a well trained, experienced and confident hair transplant surgeon will produce the best results.

In the same way that one would have no idea how to paint as Di Vinci painted even when one has the exact same tools, the inexperience surgeon, or one who lacks an “eye” for the work, will not be able to create a truly natural look even though he or she understands the basic “mechanics” of FUE & strip harvesting.

This is why, in addition to making sure a surgeon has great medical training, experience, and specific training in FUE & single strip harvesting, you need to review hair transplant testimonials and look at before and after hair transplant pictures.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

We’ve been having such great success with our alopecia treatments and other hair loss replacement and prevention solutions (Biocapillation) that we’ve hired a professional photographer to help us document our fight against male pattern baldness!

Here’s one case showing how we improved the crown:

Treating Male Pattern Baldness (Alopecia) on the Crown. Before and After Photos

And here’s the same case from the side:

Treating Male Pattern Baldness (Alopecia), Side View. Before and After Photos

To see more before and after pictures of successful alopecia treatments, check out our flickr sideshow below:

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Please check out my testimonials page to see my patients have to say about Anapelli Hair Clinic. We are experts in hair loss and we have effective hair loss treatments and prevention solutions for everyone.

Thanks for contacting us.

We’ll get back with you as soon as possible. Please feel free to call us any time toll free at (877) 751-4246.

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We hope you find our hair restoration tips valuable.

For any questions, please feel free to call us any time toll free at (877) 751-4246.

We also invite you to get your free hair restoration consultation, which comes with a bonus gift worth up to $500.

You can also explore our blog to learn more about the causes of and treatments for hair loss.

Thanks again!

Thanks for requesting your free African American hair restoration consultation with Anapelli Hair Clinic.

We’ll contact you as soon as possible to schedule your consultation.

In the meantime, we invite you to explore our blog to learn more about the causes of and treatments for hair loss.

We also invite you to join our mailing list to get valuable tips and advice on how to restore and maintain your hair:

Your personal information is never shared.

Thanks for requesting your free hair restoration consultation with Anapelli Hair Clinic.

We’ll contact you as soon as possible to schedule your consultation.

To get your immediate questions answered, feel free to call us any time toll free at (877) 751-4246.

In the meantime, we invite you to explore our blog to learn more about the causes of and treatments for hair loss.

We also invite you to join our mailing list to get valuable tips and advice on how to restore and maintain your hair:

Your personal information is never shared.

John Frank was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1962.

He witnessed facial plastic surgery as a child and this imprinted an image of the specialty to which he has dedicated himself towards.

While in high school he excelled in sports as well as taking in interest in science. His favorite hobby was astronomy.

He graduated high school in the top 8% and accepted a football scholarship to Ohio State where he initially went 5 straight semesters without receiving a grade lower than ‘A’.

He eventually went on to receive national recognition as one of the top five scholar athletes in USA in 1984. He graduated in four years with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry as a candidate for a Rhodes scholarship.

John opted to accept offers to play professional only under the conditions that his medical training would not be interrupted and was granted independent study privileges for his first year of medical school.

He received his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine which is known as one of the top clinically based medical schools in the country. Under the tutelage of world famous head and neck surgeon, Dr. David Schuller, MD, Dr. Frank was the co-author on several research papers focusing on pediatric infections.

He also assisted well-known facial plastic surgeon Michael Sullivan, MD in the microsurgical laboratory. Even in high school, John Frank had the opportunity to join William Starzl at a University of Pittsburgh research lab. Starzl is the world innovator in liver transplantation.

After being accepted to multiple medical schools in the east and Midwest, John was selected by the San Francisco Forty Niners of the National Football League. They granted Dr. Frank’s request and allowed to pursue medical school in the off seasons.

John then developed an independent study program at Ohio State which allowed him to study the pre-clinical basic sciences of medicine while not participating in the NFL.

As it turned out this became an increasingly arduous task for him as his football skills carried him through two Super Bowl championships, the last as Bill Walsh and Joe Montana’s starting tight end in Super Bowl 23 where he caught two passes. While this was the pinnacle of Dr. Frank’s athletic career, Dr. Frank asserts this simply allowed him to finally pursue his ultimate goal of facial plastic surgery.

So despite significant offers to play additional football, Dr. Frank decided to return to the rigors of full-time medical student and completed his medical degree in 1992.

During this time Dr. Frank also continues research activities in both sports medicine as well as micro vascular facial plastic surgery.

Dr. Frank’s interests led primarily in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and applied thru the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery www.AAFPRS.com for a fellowship. His top three choices were John’s Hopkins University, Harvard and The University of California Davis medical center.

After extensive interviews with each program, Dr. Frank was selected by Harvard’s Massachusett’s Eye and Ear Infirmary in the 1997 match. Dr. Frank remained at Loyola for an extra year and had the opportunity to learn more extensively facial plastic and reconstructive surgery under the renowned surgeon Ray Konior, MD.

Dr. Frank sought additional experience in facial plastic surgery by traveling to Europe and Israel where he participated in surgery and clinics during an eight month period which he calls extremely valuable.

Upon returning to the U.S., Dr. Frank took and passed his Otolaryngology board exam on the first attempt and accepted a position as an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology and chief of Head and Neck Surgery at Hines Veterans Administration.

Following a brief tenure on the faculty at Loyola University, Dr. Frank decided to switch his focus to private practice and opened his first solo office in San Francisco.

There, he performed all types of facial plastic surgery, including rhinoplasty, facelift and various other cosmetic and reconstructive procedures in his licensed surgical outpatient facility as well as at the California Pacific Medical Center.

He had an opportunity to hone his skills while working with Dr. Sheldon Kabaker in Oakland, California. Dr. Kabaker is the former president of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery and is well known for his scalp lowering techniques.

The Manhattan office. Between the years 2003 and 2006, Dr. Frank was performing at times five surgeries per day and was responsible for training and managing a large technical staff of ten to fifteen hair technicians while leading the New York City office for Medical Hair Restoration.

Finally, in 2007, Dr. Frank opened his own hair treatment center, Anapelli Hair Clinic in midtown Manhattan.

A gifted surgeon and unique individual, Dr. Frank believes that safety comes first. He combines his skills with his passion and believes it is a privilege to help improve a person’s appearance.

ANAPELLI HAIR CLINIC PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Dr. Frank is a Diplomate of:

American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery

Anapelli Hair Clinic is proud to be affiliated with the following esteemed organizations:

• International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery
• American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery
• American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• American Academy of Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery
• New York Medical Association
• Dr. Frank is currently an Assistant Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology in Columbia University’s Collage of Physicians and Surgeons

For more information, click on the links below:

Original Research Presentations on Hair Loss & Surgical Hair Restoration

• “Contemporary Hair Restoration”, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Otolaryngology, New York City, June 26, 2008
• “Comparing Steroids vs. Lasix for Facial Edema”. International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery National Meeting, Chicago, 2003
• “Hair Restoration Surgery-Basic”. Master’s Seminar @ American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual meeting, San Diego, 2002.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Julie Stark Managing Director, The Stark Solution: Training and Development Services:

Dr. John Frank is a physician of unparalleled skill and deep compassion…a rare find. His ability to diagnose and resolve our 17 year old son’s scalp and hair loss issue was welcomed after 6 years of unsuccessful treatment. Dr. Frank and his entire staff handled both exam and surgery with confidence, expertise and clear direction for follow up. More importantly was the warmth, concern and personal attention we received from Dr. Frank and his medical assistants. From scheduling to preparation, procedure to post-operative contact…Dr. Frank and the whole Anapelli group provide a truly patient-centered experience. I would recommend Dr. Frank to any client that expects excellence, integrity and heart.”

If you don’t know that Dr. Frank is one of the world’s finest hair transplant doctors, it’s because you could never tell that any of his patients had a hair transplant! Dr. Frank is among the most focused and skilled doctors in the hair restoration industry. I have and will continue to recommend his work to friends, family and anyone considering hair restoration services.”

I knew John best when he was transitioning from a background as an elite sportsman with outstanding academic credentials to pursue a medical career. John approached the transition with the same commitment, discipline and energy which saw him rise to elite status. Today John approaches his work with a seriousness and professionalism second to none. He cares deeply for his clients as much out of the office as in, many of whom remain his friends.”

It is a pleasure for me to write this recommendation for Dr. John Frank. He is an outstanding doctor who is passionate about his work. His attention to artistic detail makes him one of the best in the field of hair restoration.”

Dr. Frank as been a friend and a colleague for over 10 years. I have never worked with a person who gives so much of attention to every detail he works on. His willingness to work on difficult projects and tasks has set my standards over the years. His “Surgical Hair Restoration” skills do not end with just an official work but also he projects a warm, cheerful attitude to our patient and prospect patient. I have seen him resolving conflicts and handle many difficult situations for the last few years with remarkable patience and admirable tact. He loves people; works hard and always lifts the spirits of those around him.”

I worked with Dr. John Frank at Leavitt Companies (Medical Hair Restoration Division) where I was Vice President. Dr. Frank is an outstanding surgeon. He worked in Manhattan ,one of our busiest offices in the USA. While the office was very high volume, Dr. Frank gave every patient superb service and advice. He has a great eye for detail and the ability to work at a fast pace while keeping quality. Patients raved about his knowledge and follow up.

Dr. Frank worked with a very demanding and upscale clientele. He was able to always exceed expectations. Working as a Surgeon in a large corporate environment is always challenging but Dr. Frank rarely complained and always maintained a positive attitude as the company grew and evolved. He has extensive experience in Hair restoration and I highly recommend him.”

When my agency was developing the brand identity for Dr. Frank’s practice, I got to work closely with him and found him to be a man of considerable integrity and attention to detail, two qualities anyone should want in a hair transplant surgeon.”

I have known John for over 30 years and he has always exhibited an enthusiasm and professionalism toward his endeavors. My respect for him has never diminished as he continues to accomplish great things. As a former teammate, one could always count on him to perform above and beyond. As a physician, his thirst for new and innovative medical techniques have enhanced his skills that have offered hope for his patients. I am pleased to offer my utmost recommendation for Dr. John Frank.”

John was great to work with. He has a friendly accessible demeanor, making him approachable for patients, those he has worked for and those that have worked for or with him. He is driven to provide the best care for his patients and has been committed to continuing education to the betterment of his specialty.”

I have known John for over 30 years. He has always been extremely intelligent, with an exceptional attention to detail. While working with My Choice Medical, I had the opportunity to travel all over the Country to meet and work with many Plastic Surgeons. People frequently ask me for recommendations when they are considering a procedure. When someone asks me who they should go to for hair restoration, there is only one Dr. I would ever recommend, and that would be Dr. John Frank.”

I have known John Frank my entire life. Here is what I can tell you about him. Dr. Frank is an extremely ethical person and very good at what he does. We lived in the same city when Dr. Frank was doing his residency and I saw him work very hard to get to where he is today. I would highly recommend and trust Dr. Frank.”

John Frank does gret work. He is a skilled hair transplant surgeon, has a strong interest in new, breakthrough techniques in hair restoration and had a long history with MHR. (You know he’s got good hands–he has 2 Superbowl rings from the 49′ers as tight end!)”

John is a very caring and compassionate physician who has been doing hair transplants for over 10 years.”

I have known John Frank since his youth in Junior High School. He is highly skilled, intelligent, well-regarded in his field of cosmetic surgery and uniquely the area of hair replacement techniques, working both coasts at various points in his life. [Even though he is an Ohio State man & I am a Penn Stater] He was also a fantastic tight end for the Buckeyes and San Francisco 49ers, garnering a noteworthy reputation for personal integrity and responsibility both in the collegiate and professional game…showing an interest in & bravely subjecting himself to avant-garde treatments such as laser acupuncture when visiting my father who coached the Rams’ offensive line for private tutoring in the late 1970s. Highly recommended in his field or in whatever he may choose to do.”

Lou Haas, Managing Partner at HaasNajarian Attorneys:

I have known John for 20 years. We met during his career in San Francisco, and I provided legal services to John and we both belonged to a social club in SF. John’s intensity and superior skill set make him an ideal doctor, especially in innovative practice areas where he is able to apply his abilities to focus and study, then execute new techniques.”

John is knowledgeable, very experienced, and very caring …and he’s fun to work with. I saw him as a physician when I had a persistent scalp infection. I have also observed while he was working on hair transplants. I highly recommend him.”

Dr. Frank is a talented, focused plastic surgeon and hard working team player. John understands elective medicine, consumer behavior and organizational ops. Thumbs up to Dr. Frank!”

John is a fantastic physician and really cares for his patients. I would recommend him to anyone as he is someone who takes pride in his work and does his best for his patients.”

John is a sincere and authentic person who is able to observe and analyze situations in a dispassionate and professional manner. John conveys a positive and powerful personal energy which elevates the mood even in trying circumstances. John is a member of that small minority of people who provide motive force for others.”

I have known John for many years and have only known him to be a serious professional with the highest levels of integrity and commitment, making him desirable and a great catch for any prospective employer.”

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Biocapillation™ is a patented process designed to minimize hair loss and stimulate hair growth.

Treatments start as low as $1,700, and we can discuss payment options during your free consultation.

It can stand alone or work as a complement to surgery or medications. This technology has been used effectively in Europe and Israel for over 15 years but is only now available in the United States.

NYC hair restoration doctor John Frank brought Biocapillation™ technology to America and is the sole licensed provider.

Dr. Frank uses the technology because in his 15 years of experience he’s seen many people get hair transplants unnecessarily.

Biocapillation™ saves hair loss patients money while restoring their hair naturally (scroll down to see before and after pictures of our Biocapillation™ patients).

The Biocapillation™ Process

With Biocapillation, we take a very detailed look at your hair, scalp, and follicles. We identify all the causes of hair loss, from the commonly known DHT all the way down to even simpler things causing weakness of your roots or hair shaft.

The treatment is applied both by us in our clinic and by you at home. Consistency in both treatments is critical for success.

Clinical Treatment

Intensive Care Treatment: This lasts for about 6 months, depending on your particular scalp condition.

The purpose is to completely eliminate scalp and root problems that are causing distress to the hair, and to balance the hair growth cycle.

This period of time is an average for a person in normal health with a normal immune system. In the beginning, we will perform treatments more frequently in order to regulate the growth cycle of the hair and roots, and balance the scalp.

Maintenance Period: This begins when the scalp is balanced and the roots have a healthy environment.

The appointments are spaced out over time. The purpose will be to check the scalp, the integrity of the home maintenance regimen and monitor results. For maintenance, you may come in every month or so.

Treatment Procedure

Your hair growth therapist will give you a professional and personalized follow-up treatment plan.

This periodical checking of the roots and the scalp are noted and compared to the original prognosis.

Each treatment in the clinic is dynamic and is adapted to the current scalp condition. Your treatment will focus on the particular condition noted at each examination.

Each treatment will begin with a scalp examination by the hair therapist to check:

• The scalp condition
• The amount of hair loss (pull test)
• Tension of scalp muscles

Exfoliation

The purpose is to clean, detoxify and de-congest the scalp so your hair can thrive. Exfoliation promotes circulation and penetration of products.

Exfoliation also eliminates excess oils, dead skin cells and telogenic hair from the roots.

Steaming

Steam opens the pores and follicles. This action helps eliminate toxins from the scalp and products are better absorbed.

Massage for the Shoulders, Neck, & Head

The purpose for the massage is to stimulate blood vessels and blood flow, which facilitates the exchange of vitamins and minerals to the roots of the hair and better elasticity of scalp.

Massage relieves tensed muscles and lowers the pressure from the circulatory system of the top layers of the scalp.

Increased blood flow to the scalp nourishes the roots, carries away toxins and promotes the absorption of treatment.

Shampoo

Anapelli Hair Clinic’s specially formulated shampoo is gentle on the hair and scalp and perfectly safe for color treated and processed hair.

It will not leave any pore blocking residue on the scalp. Anapelli professional shampoo gently removes the creams and oils from the hair and scalp.

Blow Drying

Prior to drying the scalp, a treatment lotion is applied directly onto the scalp. The low heat setting on the dryer will aid in penetration of the lotion.

A Guaranteed Miracle Cure for Baldness?

No, Biocapillation™ is not a miracle cure for hair loss, nor is it absolutely guaranteed to work.

But it is an excellent way to determine why you may be losing your hair. It can also be an effective technique for increasing blood flow through the scalp and hair follicles to increase the potential for hair growth.

Like any other method of treating hair loss, Biocapillation™ is not right for everyone. But it does represent a new approach for anyone suffering from hair loss.

Before & After Pictures of NYC Biocapillation Treatment Patients

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Request your free hair restoration consultation here.

Other questions or comments about hair loss, hair restoration treatments, or hair transplants? Use the contact info below or complete the web form to the right and we’ll get back to you in a snap!

Email: anapellihair@gmail.com
Office Phone: (212) 751-4247
Toll Free: (877) 751-4246
Fax: (212) 751-2398
Address: 57 West 57th Street (corner of 6th Avenue, in Manhattan)
Suite 1112, New York, NY 10019

Anapelli Hair Clinic Directions & Transportation

Subway

F Train (57th Street stop)
N/R/Q (57th street stop)

Parking

Central Parking System
9 west 58th Street (between 5th and 6th avenues)

Central Parking System
58 west 58th street (between 6th and 7th avenues)

Landmarks

The Jekyll & Hyde Club is across the street. Staples is directly to the right of our building entrance.

Map

View Larger Map

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Frank, from turf to tufts, by Dan Evens in the San Francisco Examiner

From the gridiron to the operating table, Dr. John Frank has seen a multitude of things. As a tight end for the San Francisco 49ers until 1989, Frank lived the boyhood dream of catching Joe Montana passes in the Super Bowl. But after Super Bowl XXIII, Frank went to medical school, and now specializes in hair transplants for balding San Franciscans.”

Dr. Frank Has the Hands of a Surgeon, 49ers Weekend

John Frank was blessed with many things growing up: A love of football, a competitive drive to excel and a pair of great hands. The love of football and his competitive drive ultimately brought him to the NFL, but it was his hands that took him out of the game and into medical school.
‘I know from an early age that I loved football,’ Frank said recently. ‘But I also know that I loved medicine and helping people. There really was no choice for me on becoming a doctor, the only real question was when.’
 
“And it was the ‘when’ that surprised most people. After five seasons with the 49ers, including two Super Bowl Championships, Frank abruptly retired from the league in 1989 to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor.
 
“And after four years of medical school at Ohio State, six years of residency at Loyola University (Chicago) and stints of training in Israel and Switzerland, Frank has realized his dream of becoming a surgeon.
 
“The extensive schooling is standard training for specialists Frank says, and with an office in San Francisco and a growing patient list, his is gaining a reputation as one of the finest plastic and reconstructive surgeons in the Bay Area.
 
“’I think people should know that I was a passionate football player and I’m a passionate surgeon as well,’ said Frank. ‘I miss the game, in fact I dream about the game now more than I ever did. But as much as I loved the game, I love helping people more.’”

You Are a Wonderful Role Model

Dr. John E. Frank
Suite 303
203 Willow Street
San Francisco, CA 94109-7733
 
Dear Dr. Frank,
 
I read with great interest a recent San Francisco Chronicle article detailing your transition from football to plastic surgery. Your volunteer work with Delancy Street in San Francisco is a great and valuable service to that community, and I commend you for your good work. You are a wonderful role model, especially for student athletes, and Ohio State is pound to count you as an alumnus. Please accept my best wishes for continued success. “
 
Sincerely yours, William E. Kirwan, President, Ohio State University

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

As a recognized hair loss expert, NYC hair restoration doctor John Frank is frequently featured in news programs and other media.

He’s also produced many videos to educate you on your options for hair loss treatments.

Click on the links below to goto the individual media pages, all with video. You’ll also find more videos on our YouTube channel. And when you’re ready to start restoring your hair, request your free hair loss consultation today!

• Dr. John Frank Talks To ABC News about Hair Loss, Hair Restoration & Biocapillation
  Former tight-end for the San Francisco 49ers, now doctor John Frank, talks about hair loss, hair restoration & a new hair loss treatment called Biocapillation.
• Dr. John Frank, Hair Loss Specialist Talks To ABC News about Trichotillomania
  Dr. John Frank, a hair loss specialist, talks to ABC News about trichotillomania & the effectiveness of current hair replacement techniques.
• Dr. Frank On Women’s Hair Loss & Hair Transplants – CBS News – Kate Sullivan
  Dr. John Frank talks about hair loss in women and hair transplants as a solution. Under certain conditions, hair transplant surgery can be a great solution.

Dr. John Frank Discusses What Causes Hair Breakage & How to Prevent It

Dr. John Frank Discusses Hair Loss in African American Women

Dr. John Frank Explains His NYC Hair Transplant Services

Dr. John Frank Details His New York Hair Restoration Services

Dr. John Frank Explains Biocapillation™, a Patented Hair Restoration Process

• Dr. John Frank was an American pro football player in the NFL who played tight end for the San Francisco 49ers from 1984 to 1989.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

The most important consideration for African American hair loss is making an accurate diagnosis.

Because of the curliness of black hair, it is usually more difficult to style.

Thus many aggressive conditioning and styling techniques may be creating long term damage and hair loss by interfering with the hair’s natural protective mechanism, the oil in the hair.

When the natural oils from the scalp sebaceous gland are unable to traverse the length of the hair because it is so curly, then dry, cracking hair can result.

Assuming the there’s no damage to the hair follicle, professional topical hydration can often reverse the damage.

In the case of hair follicle damage, however, hair replacement may be the only good option.

For typical male pattern baldness (which afflicts both African American men & women), although receiving a lot of attention for its side effects, Propecia may also be a solution.

For women, extensions, wigs, falls etc can be a nice aesthetic solution, but ultimately they are probably also causing more damage to the scalp (see Traction Alopecia).

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Types of African American hair loss include progressive, permanent, and temporary.

Progressive Versus Transient

In many people, hair loss is progressive and what you see may not reflect the amount of hair loss in the future for that individual.

A younger person has more time to suffer from progressive hair loss. With somebody over 35, we have more clues whether the hair loss will worsen.

That’s why it’s a little more challenging to achieve great results in younger individuals.

With that in mind, not all types of black hair loss are in fact progressive. Some of us may suffer from medical conditions or hair stresses which are only transient.

For a set period of time it may cause hair loss, but it’s only finite. The hair loss is permanent but the surrounding areas are protected and this can be a great scenario to transplant.

We know exactly what we’re dealing with, we treat it and everybody is happy. It’s a stable target. This may be true in some of the medical conditions which cause scalp scarring and hair loss.

Temporary Causes of Black Hair Loss

A more common condition causing temporary hair loss results from constant pulling or traction on the hair and scalp, most notable in braided hair styles.

Continuous pulling, however, can ultimately damages the hair follicle leading to permanent hair loss.

Fortunately, this is typical in only one area of the scalp, often the hairline. When the pulling abates, the condition stops.

It’s a perfect scenario for achieving great hair transplant results in both African American men & women in New York.

Permanent Causes of African American Hair Loss

Hot comb: Due to the nature of curly hair, the oils which are naturally secreted from the sebaceous gland in the skin has a much more difficult time traveling the length of the hair and lubricating the hair cuticle. This often leads to dry, brittle and cracking hair shafts. Combine this with a hot comb while trying to permanently straighten the hair, and its common to see permanent hair loss.

Different Scarring Alopecias Pattern (male and female): This is the most common form of baldness. In both Caucasian and African scalps, there are a number of other conditions which may lead to hair loss and scarring of the scalp. Particular to the African scalps are conditions such as Central Centrifugal Alopecia, Dissecting Cellulitis, Folliculitis Keloidalis and Folliculitis Barbae. If you have any concern that your hair loss has caused thickened skin or scarring, you are advised to consult your physician for confirmation.

Traumatic Hair Loss (Traction and Trichotillomania): Traction alopecia is a permanent hair loss condition when the hair follicles are irreversibly damaged after constant tugging and pulling on the hair shafts. This can be seen in anybody who braids or pulls back their hair over several years. Most commonly, this condition effects woman of color but is also seen in men who wear turbans or anybody else who pulls the hair.

Trichotillomania is similar and is a nervous habit where someone continuously and repeatedly plucks and ultimately damages the hair permanently.

The obvious first recommend treatment is eliminating the trauma or pulling. However, if it’s too late, the only true solution is hair replacement surgery because medicines or scalp treatments will not remedy.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Interestingly, hair color and complexion play an important role in hair transplant outcomes for Black Americans.

Hair transplant outcomes are also dependent upon the cause of the hair loss. Age and the stage of the hair loss (i.e., how advanced it is) also play a role.

For many reasons, African American women with dark complexions and similarly dark, tightly curly hair, have some of our best results (see the video below).

How Hair Color & Complexion Affects Black Hair Transplant Outcomes

When the complexion or skin tone of the scalp is closely matched to the color of the hair, the new hair that is growing appears to blend in more and give the impression of density and hair body.

When just the opposite is true, when the skin and hair color are starkly contrasting, it becomes much more difficult to achieve thicker results.

Also, salt n pepper or silver African American hair also is amazing to work with, because the results are virtually always undetectable and impressive.

How Hair Type (or Shape) Affects Hair Transplant Outcomes

Next, the physical structure of the hair (or its shape) is very important. Every hair transplant surgeon, nurse, consultant and even office receptionist know that the best results occur in people with curly hair.

A straight strand of hair often looks like its protruding directly from the scalp. Our eyes can easily trace its course and detect bald scalp.

On the other hand, a wavy or even better yet, a curly, tightly wound hair wraps around itself and covers bare areas of the scalp and it appears thicker.

Obviously, if you only have three curly hairs on top, most certainly they won’t cover much of the scalp and will look bald.

However, 100 curly hairs may give the illusion of 500 straight hairs. Shape and color are very important.

If you happen to have these favorable factors and you are in the hands of a competent NYC hair transplant hair surgeon like John Frank, expect amazing results with a hair transplant.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

In recent years, advances in medical science and engineering have greatly improved hair transplant technology for hair loss sufferers.

No one has benefited from these advances more than black men and women.

Most Black Hair Loss is Easily Repaired with Hair Transplants

The most easily curable is thinning hair from traction alopecia (caused by tight hair braids or attached hair extensions or weaves).

This type of black hair loss is easily repaired with hair transplant surgery. The procedure can usually complete in one session with most African American women going back to work in 48 hours.

So rather than trying to cover up these areas of frontal thinning with wigs, extensions and other synthetic replacement, a natural hair transplant of 1500-2000 grafts can make a tremendous difference.

New Hairline Lowering Technique for Black Men & Women Greatly Improves Appearance

Also, one of the newer procedures is a hairline lowering technique that greatly improves overall appearance of African American men and women.

You can think of it like a reverse facelift, bringing the hairline down towards the scalp and forehead.

This procedure was developed by Dr. Frank’s mentor Dr. Sheldon Kabaker in Oakland, California and more and more hair and scalp surgeons are adding this to their hair restoration services.

While it’s somewhat of a more invasive procedure, the results can be truly remarkable, often much greater than a traditional hair transplant for African Americans.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Biologically, there is no difference between black hair loss and non-black hair loss.

All mammals have hair with the same basic structure and biological components.

Above the skin surface is the hair shaft, made of the cuticle (outer layer) and the cortex (inner layer). The cortex contains melanin, which determines the hair color.

Below the scalp is the follicle, which is surrounded by other structures, such as the sebaceous gland, that both supports and nourishes the follicle and hair, hair shaft and surrounding scalp tissue.

Straight Versus Curly Hair

However, nature has created different types of hair structure for different types of environments.

For example, straight hair is harder to damage than curly hair because it has more cuticle layers. The size of the follicle determines the thickness of the hair, making it either fine and thin or thick and coarse.

On the other hand, cuticle layers that flatten the hair shaft cause the hair to curl. Wavy hair has a structure that is somewhere between straight and curly.

Curly hair is more prone to damage than straight hair, and the curlier it is, the more fragile it can be for a couple of reasons.

One, straight hair tends to distribute the oil secreted by the sebum more easily than curly hair. Thus, curly hair can more easily dry out.

Second, the way the cuticles combine to create curly or wavy hair tends to result in a less strong hair shaft.

African American Hair Versus Non-African American Hair

African American hair tends to be the curliest type of hair. It’s tightly coiled and coarse.

While this type of hair is physically more fragile, it evolved with darker skin and taller, more slender body types to help protect the body from intense sunlight and heat in equatorial and tropical climates.

But this increased fragility makes black hair more easily damaged during certain hair treatment procedures, such as coloring, relaxing, or certain hair augmentation procedures, such as the application of hair extensions and hair weaves.

In the end, different types of hair require different types of hair care treatment.

All Hair, Black & Non-Black, Is Ultimately Damaged in the Same Way

Hair loss, however, has universal causes. This is because the nature of the hair follicle, unlike hair type, does not vary across races.

While it’s true that certain hair treatments can be more damaging to African American hair than non- African American hair, any hair treatment or augmentation that injures the hair follicle can cause it to die, and when that happens, the hair will fall out, no matter what its type.

Known diseases of the hair follicle, or genetic pre-conditions, such as male pattern baldness, will also cause the same type of hair loss independent of the type of hair one has.

In many ways, this is good news. Because the mechanisms of hair loss at the follicle level is the same independent of race, this means that existing hair loss treatments are pretty much equally effective for black and non-black hair.

These would include the FDA approved medications, such as Propecia & Minoxidil and surgical hair replacement treatments.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

NYC hair loss doctor John Frank specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of African American hair loss.

Biologically, human hair and hair loss are the same across all races. There are known medical conditions (e.g., alopecia) that affect black and non-black hair in just about the same way.

African American hair, however, is unique in many ways from non-African American hair. It’s unique in terms of its physical structure, how it’s typically cared for, how it’s styled, which can damage it in specific ways.

Furthermore, because specific hair loss treatments depend on the nature of the damage and the specific hair type involved, black, or African American, hair merits special considerations.

Surprisingly, African American hair type, hair color, & complexion have an effect on hair transplants.

This is because hair transplants outcomes are sensitive to how well scalp skin tone matches the color of the hair.

In recent years, advances in hair loss science has greatly improved hair transplant technology for hair loss sufferers worldwide — particularly for black men and women.

African American hair loss diagnosis and treatment depends on the type of black hair loss experienced: progressive, permanent or temporary.

Non-surgical treatments for African American black hair loss depend on the nature of the hair and type of hair loss and whether it is temporary or permanent.

Videos on African American Hair Loss

Dr. Frank Discusses Hair Loss in African American Men

Dr. Frank Discusses Hair Loss in African American Women

Dr. Frank Explains Options for Hair Transplants for African American Men

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

While hair loss in women isn’t as prevalent as in men, a much higher percentage of women lose hair than would be expected.

Exact numbers are difficult to gauge since women don’t report losing hair as much as men do.

Hair loss in men is expected and therefore accepted.

But hair loss in women is a much more serious problem. Women generally care more about their physical appearance than men. Also, men don’t seem to mind aging as much as women.

It used to be believed that women’s hair loss didn’t usually occur until menopause. But hair loss in women can actually occur as early as their teenage years.

In women, pattern baldness is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning no other causes for their hair loss can be discovered.

Unlike men, pattern baldness in women does not cause the bald spot in the crown or the frontal and temporal recession and it is usually more generalized loss from the entire top of the scalp.

There are visual cues that women can look for over time. Men’s hair tends to recede from the forehead or the crown of the head, women’s hair tends to thin on the top third to one half of the scalp.

A woman’s part may gradually become wider. She may see more of her scalp when she pulls her hair back.

It is important to know what causes hair loss and see if there is anything you can do to prevent it. And just because a person suffers from hair loss doesn’t mean that this must continue.

A wide variety of hair restoration treatments for women are available.

Treatment for women’s hair loss must always be based upon an accurate diagnosis. Several medical conditions may be related and should be treated concurrently.

After this, many of the treatments for women are the same as they are for men.

Get your free hair loss consultation in NYC to explore your options.

Causes of Hair Loss in Women

There are several factors that contribute to women’s hair loss. Vegetarians and anorexics have a higher chance of hair loss than carnivores and people of average body weight. Also, smokers have a higher chance of balding than non-smokers.

Stress and certain medication (even some types of birth control) can contribute to hair loss in women. Contributing factors can also include imbalances of thyroid hormones, pregnancy, disease, quick and dramatic weight loss, and an excess of Vitamin A.

Androgenetic alopecia, or male or female pattern baldness, is caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of the male hormone testosterone. DHT shrinks hair follicles and prevents hair from growing.

Both men and women experience the hormonal process of testosterone converting to DHT. Even though women have far less testosterone than men, even low levels of DHT can trigger hair loss in women.

Another cause of hair loss in women is traction alopecia. This condition results from tight braiding of the hair and scalp for a long time, creating permanent hair loss. Thankfully, this condition is very treatable.

Associated Medical Conditions of Hair Loss in Women

Polycsystic Ovary
This condition causes hair loss as the ovaries secrete excessive hormones which ultimately lead to excess DHT in the scalp. We are continuing to learn more about both the primary condition and the associated hair loss.

Thyroid
Both low and high thyroid conditions may be associated with hair loss. Most importantly, an endocrinologist should be managing the thyroid hormone levels. After, this, several options exist for both retarding the hair loss and regaining body.

Anemia
Women with anemia, either thru excessive menstruation, poor diet or other associated medical conditions may have hair loss associated with the anemia. Once the anemia is treated, the options for treating the hair loss improve.

Diagnosing Hair Loss in Women

Hair loss in women can be more difficult to diagnose than hair loss in men. About 90% of all cases of men’s hair loss are caused by hereditary male pattern baldness.

But women’s hair loss can be triggered by a much wider variety of conditions and circumstances.

Preliminary blood work checks to see if the thyroid gland or an auto-immune disease is causing har loss.

Your hair restoration doctor will also check your medical and family history. He’ll also examine your scalp under magnification to check for varying sizes of hair follicles.

In healthy scalps, shedding hair follicles are replaced by hair equal in size. But female pattern hair loss causes new hairs to be finer and thinner because the hair follicles are shrinking.

Sudden hair loss in women is likely to be caused by a medical condition, such as pregnancy, thyroid disorders, anemia, auto-immune diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and skin conditions such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.

It’s not clear whether there is a direct connection between menopause and hair loss in women.

Tests for Hair Loss in Women

A qualified and board-certified hair restoration doctor can perform any or all of the following tests to get an accurate diagnosis for women’s hair loss:

• Hormone levels (DHEA, testosterone, androstenedione, prolactin, follicular stimulating hormone, and leutinizing hormone)
• Serum iron, serum ferritin, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC)
• Thyroid levels (T3, T4, TSH)
• VDRL (a screening test for syphilis)
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Scalp biopsy: A small section of scalp is removed and examined microscopically.
• Hair pull: The doctor may lightly pull a small amount of hair to determine if there is excessive hair loss. The normal range is one to three hairs per pull — anything more would be a sign of hair loss in women.
• Densitometry: This handheld magnification device is used to check for miniaturized hair shafts.

The Ludwig Scale and the Savin Scale are female hair loss density scales used by hair restoration experts.

Eight crown density images are shown in the Savin Scale below. They range from no hair loss to severe hair loss. The highest density is extremely rare. Also illustrated is frontal anterior recession (bottom row, far right), and this is also uncommon.

Women’s Hair Loss Treatments

Based on an accurate diagnosis, hair loss in women can be treated using medications, Biocapillation™, hair transplants, or wigs and hair pieces.

Drugs & Medications

Drug treatments for women’s hair loss are more difficult than for men because they tamper with women’s androgen levels.

Physicians will often use topical treatments, applying medications directly to the scalp.

There is currently only one FDA-approved medication for female pattern hair loss, although others are used.

We’ll explain your options during your free hair loss consultation.

Female Hair Transplant

Female hair transplants are most often recommended for women with androgenic alopecia, also known as female-pattern baldness.

Wigs & Other Styling Techniques

This is a very common solution and for many people very effective. The hair is either synthetic, or is purchased from a hair donor (frequently from India where women are rewarded for growing their hair long and selling it as wigs. Several options exist for attaching the new hair, none medical or surgical and usually involve glue, weaving or mechanical clips.

Eyebrows & Eyelashes

Both of these areas may thin and they are both imminently treatable with transplants. Other options such as tattooing exist.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

By age 35, two-thirds of American men will experience hair loss. By age 50 about 85% of men have significantly thinning hair.

About 25% of men who suffer from hair loss begin the process before age 21.

95% of hair loss in men is caused by male pattern baldness (MPB), or androgenetic alopecia.

Recognizing how grievous male pattern baldness can be for men of all ages, the American Hair Loss Association helps men get objective answers to their hair loss questions.

Causes of Male Pattern Baldness

Androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness (MPB), is the primary culprit for hair loss in men.

Other causes may include disease, reactions to medications, stress, or heredity.

Men with male pattern baldness inherit a genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

DHT causes hair follicles to miniaturize and shortens their lifespan. Follicles affected by DHT eventually stop producing hair.

A receding hairline and thinning crown are the trademarks of male pattern baldness. Hair in these areas, including the temples and mid-anterior scalp, seem to be the most sensitive to DHT.

Unless halted with hair restoration treatments, the pattern eventually becomes more visible baldness. Many men even lose all but a rim of hair around the sides and back.

What Is DHT?

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a derivative or by-product of testosterone. Testosterone converts to DHT through the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase.

While the science behind male pattern baldness is still not entirely understood, scientists know that DHT shrinks hair follicles, and that when DHT is suppressed, hair follicles continue growing.

Hair follicles sensitive to DHT must be exposed to the hormone for a prolonged period of time for the affected follicle to complete the miniaturization process.

Today, hair restoration treatments can slow or even stop the process of DHT-induced hair loss.

How to Diagnose Male Pattern Baldness

Board-certified hair restoration doctors, such as Dr. John Frank, diagnose male pattern baldness based on the appearance or pattern of hair loss in men, as well as a detailed medical history, which includes questions about hair loss in your family.

Hair loss doctors and dermatologists examine the scalp under magnification to assess the degree to which hair follicles are miniaturized. Only then can they recommend proper and customized hair loss treatments.

Using the Norwood Scale to Diagnose Hair Loss in Men

The “Norwood Scale” can be useful for diagnosing hair loss and prescribing hair replacement treatmens.

While there are many variants in male pattern baldness, the images on the Norwood Scale below are the most typical:

Male Pattern Baldness Treatments

Thankfully, due to advances in medicine, living with hair loss is no longer inevitable.

The development of 5-alpha-reductace inhibitors such as Propecia and the evolution of hair transplants give men options to restore their hair never before available — and with completely natural results.

Still, it must be stressed that most hair loss treatments being marketed today are ineffective.

It’s critical that you receive accurate information from a board-certified hair restoration doctor in New York about FDA-approved, American Hair Loss Association-approved, and effective hair restoration treatments to avoid wasting time and money.

It’s also highly recommended that you start hair loss treatments sooner than later to save money and increase your chances of successful hair restoration.

Two FDA-Approved Hair Loss Treatments

Finasteride (Proscar, Propecia): Finasteride is the generic name for what you may know as Proscar and Propecia.

Merck developed Finasteride to treat enlarged prostate glands. But they discovered an interesting side effect in trials: hair growth in men.

The FDA approvedfinasteride for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) in men in 1997.

Propecia is the first drug to effectively treat male pattern baldness in the majority of users.

The drug works by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Proper daily doses of Propecia can effectively lower DHT levels in the scalp by as much as 60%.

65% of trial participants experienced a substantial increase in hair growth.

Minoxidil: This was the first drug approved by the FDA to treat male pattern baldness.

For many years, it was used to treat high blood pressure. But researchers also discovered hair growth in users.

They began applying minoxidil topically, directly on the head, to successfully grow hair on balding areas.

Despite its success, however, most hair loss experts don’t consider it the most effective treatment for hair loss because it has no effect on the hormonal process of hair loss.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Hair Loss True & False | What's Known About its Causes

Over the last 4,000 years of human history, many myths and misconceptions about hair loss causes and hair restoration treatments have been created and perpetuated.

Many still persist today. (Except for the Sun God myth – that one, thankfully, was put to bed a few centuries ago).

Dr. John Frank is a New York hair loss treatment expert and below he separates the facts from the myths.  Read on — you just might learn something new!

True or False: Male pattern baldness is passed down from your mother’s side.

Answer: False

This is probably the most pervasive myth concerning hair loss.

While hair loss can be genetic, it is not due to a gene that is passed down from your mother’s side, but rather to your susceptibility to the damaging effects of the DHT hormone.

The gene thought to be responsible for male pattern baldness most likely comes from both biological parents.

True or False: Tight hairstyles and use of hair dryers can cause hair loss.

Answer: Slightly True

It’s true that having tight cornrows and ponytails, as well as excessive blow drying can lead to hair loss.

Tight hairstyles can put stress on hair follicles which can cause the hair strands to break or become damaged. Constantly pulling hair and making it tight can also create hair loss.

This is known as traction alopecia, but the hair loss is temporary if the tension stops and tight hair styles do not damage hair follicles.

True or False: Hair loss can be prevented by frequent hair brushing or standing on your head.

Answer: False

This myth stems from the belief that hair loss is due to poor circulation and that constant brushing will increases scalp circulation and blood flow.

Once you lose your hair, blood flow to the scalp does decreases, but this an effect, not a cause, of hair loss.

Rather, hair loss is caused by a greater sensitivity of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and brushing one’s hair, or standing on one’s head, or even brushing one’s hair while standing on one’s head, won’t help.

In fact, constant or excessive brushing can sometimes put stress on the hair follicles causing a mild case of traction or traumatic alopecia (see myth #2 above).

Do be fooled! New York Hair Loss Restoration Doctor John Frank Separates The Facts From the Myths On Hair Loss & Treatment

True or False: Wearing hats makes you go bald.

Answer: False

This myth comes from the mistaken idea that for hair to grow, hair follicles need to get air to grow and wearing a hat prevents the scalp from breathing and getting air.

In reality, hair follicles get oxygen from the blood stream, not from the air. However, while it may “make sense” that a decrease in blood flow could cause you to lose your hair, this isn’t the case (see myth #3 above).

True or False: Hair loss is caused by clogged pores.

Answer: False

Like the blood flow myth, this one also rests on a reversal of cause and effect. Clogged pores are the result of hair loss – it is not the cause of it.

If baldness were simply the result of clogged pores, all that it would take is a thorough shampooing and bye bye baldness.

True or False: Frequent shampooing causes hair to fall out.

Answer: False

This myth, like so many others, also rests on a reversal of cause and effect.

When people start to lose their hair, they first see hair in the shower, and the wrongly assume that shampooing caused their hair to fall out.

It should be noted that washing your hair will cause some hairs to fall out, but this is part of the natural hair growth cycle.

It is normal to lose anywhere from 75 – 150 hairs a day and a large percentage of these hairs are lost in the shower.

John Frank, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology in Columbia University’s Collage of Physicians and Surgeons, a New York hair loss expert, & founder of the New York City based Anapelli Hair Loss & Restoration Clinic. He has worked extensively with Dr. Sheldon Kabaker, the former president of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery well known for his scalp lowering techniques. Dr. Frank has presented & published original research on hair loss & advanced surgical hair restoration techniques. A gifted surgeon and unique individual, Dr. Frank believes that safety comes first. He combines his skills with his passion for improving the appearance of others.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

More men and women are realizing they don’t have to be a victim of hair loss.

With good education and the right hair restoration treatments from a qualified and experienced hair replacement doctor, you can restore your hair and your confidence.

The causes of and treatments for hair loss are different for every individual. They also vary for men, women, and African Americans.

To receive proper hair loss treatment, it’s critical that you get an accurate diagnosis. Get started now with your free hair restoration consultation in NYC.

Hair Loss Causes

Over 50% of men and women in the U.S. suffer from some form of hair loss, but it doesn’t affect men and woman equally.

Hair loss mostly affects men — approximately 70% — and it can sometimes effects those as young as 18. Hair loss in women is distributed over the entire skull and is less noticeable.

There can be many causes for hair loss in men and women.

In most cases hair loss is a result of androgenic alopecia, but other things can cause hair loss, such as: a disease of the scalp or hair, chronic telogen effluvium, alopecia, pseudo-pelada, trichotylomanie, alopecia Congenital triangular, lichen, lupus, alopecia fibrotic band, hormonal problem, endocrine and metabolic disease, anemia, etc.

Other common causes of hair loss include:

• Male pattern baldness
• Trauma
• Chemicals
• Medications such as allopurinol (Zyloprim) and warfarin (Coumadin)
• Poor nutrition
• Stress, for example, during a major illness

Uncommon causes of alopecia include:

• Poor blood flow
• Infections such as syphilis
• Skin diseases such as lupus
• Cancers
• Hormone problems
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure

Hair Loss Treatments

Various hair restoration treatments, techniques, and procedures exist to help men, women, and African Americans restore their hair.

These include the following:

• Wigs/Hairpiece
• Cover-ups: Another way to give the impression that one has more hair. These can be anything from simply coloring or tattooing the scalp, or adding a powdered form of synthetic hair fibers.
• Medications: We have many medicines for hair loss. Depending upon the type of hair loss, a doctor may prescribe a medicine or recommend an over-the-counter medication.
• Biocapillation™
• Various Hair Transplant Surgeries

Hair Loss Terms and Definitions

Alopecia: Alopecia simply means “hair loss” and may be used to refer to all types of hair loss.

DHT: This stands for Dihydrotestosterone, which has been shown to be the cause of many men’s hair loss.

Follicle: This is simply the root of the hair shaft (buried deep in the skin). Each scalp has approximately 100,000 follicles prior to losing them.

Hair Cell Cycle: Each follicle and hair grows, rests, and then falls out. All within a several year period, and starts all over again.

Pattern Hair Loss: This is just another name for the most common type of hair loss seen in both men and women. DHT (see above) is the culprit here.

Sebaceous Gland: This comes from the Latin word “Sebum,” meaning animal fat. It’s basically the oil gland, which each follicle and hair contain.

Diagnosis: Before determining any treatment or cure for hair loss, a clear diagnosis should be obtained. Too many people may be treating their hair loss without having a proper diagnosis.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

The cost of a New York hair transplant depends on the number of grafts and sessions necessary to complete your procedure.

This is different for each patient.

Usually the hair transplant cost is between $4,000 and $20,000 depending on how many grafts a person needs and the type of hair transplant procedure.

We offer financing through Chase Bank’s Care Credit.

We can give you a more precise hair transplant cost estimate during your free consultation.

Understand that Dr. Frank’s hair transplant surgeries are drastically different than unsightly plugs or embarrassing hairpieces.

In recent years, practices in hair restoration became more and more efficient and natural-looking thanks to revolutionary techniques.

Your hair transplant will look, feel, and grow completely natural — as if you’d never lost your hair.

For proof, see before and after pictures and read testimonials from our hair transplant patients.

The two main hair transplant techniques available are:

1. Follicular Unit Transplant (also known as Strip Harvesting): Strip harvesting costs $3-$5 per graft, and the average case is usually around 2000 grafts.
2. Follicular Unit Extraction: Hairs harvested one at a time in groups of 1-4 (the same way hair is naturally grown) are transplanted onto the patient’s balding areas. The price is $12-$15 per graft but usually less grafts than the strip procedure.

Other factors may be involved, but it should just be a one-time fee and usually no additional fees added for visits, medications, or consultations.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

New York hair replacement doctor John Frank offers the most advanced, comprehensive, and affordable hair restoration treatments for men and women and all types of hair.

His affordable hair loss solutions start at just $1,700.

These include both invasive and non-invasive hair loss treatments, such as:

• Hair Transplants (Follicular Unit Extraction & Follicular Unit Transplantation)
• Prescription Medications
• Over-the-Counter Medicine
• Herbal Remedies
• Wigs, Weaves, & Hairpieces
• Scalp Reduction
• Scalp Flaps
• Facial Hair Transplantation

Dr. Frank is also the only hair restoration doctor in NYC to offer Biocapillation™, a patented, non-invasive process he brought from Europe.

The hair restoration treatments he prescribes for you depend on his diagnosis in your free hair loss consultation.

After determining the cause of your hair loss, Dr. Frank will give you a customized hair restoration plan based on your aesthetic goals.

He doesn’t use a one-size-fits-all approach to hair restoration. Every NYC hair loss patient is different and requires different hair loss treatments.

To determine the best hair loss treatment for you, request your free hair loss consultation now.

Be sure to read what our hair transplant patients say and view their results.

You can also learn more about the causes of and solutions for hair loss in men, women, and African Americans.

Our hair loss videos and blog are also excellent resources for NYC hair restoration patients.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

After your free hair loss consultation and a thorough diagnosis process, Dr. Frank will determine the most effective and affordable hair restoration treatments for your particular scalp and hair type.

He may recommend a hair transplant like you see in these pictures.

Advances in hair transplant technology means your hair transplant won’t look like a ridiculous mid-life crisis, like plugs or hair pieces.

Your hair will look and feel completely natural — as if you’d never lost it.

Hair transplant costs depend on a variety of factors and vary from person to person.

Today’s modern hair transplants produce remarkably natural looking results.

The basis of the modern hair transplant is a technique called Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). FUE is the process of taking healthy hair producing follicles from one part of the the scalp and transplanting them in those parts of the scalp that have lost hair.  FUE & Strip Harvesting is the basis of the “Natural Look” in surgical hair restoration.

What to Expect With Your Hair Transplant Surgery

Swelling

Before you leave the office following the hair graft procedure, one of our technicians may have applied elastic tape to your forehead to control swelling in your face.

Swelling of eyes and forehead is a very common event on the second or third day following hair transplantation, and the tape helps to redirect the swelling to your neck rather than down your face.

You should also use gravity to your advantage by lying flat on your back with your head tilted backwards when you sleep. Once the swelling in your forehead abates, you may sleep in your most comfortable position.

Hair Donor Area

The head bandage covering the sutures in the back of your head (the donor site) should remain in place overnight.

You may notice some blood-tinged stains on this dressing. Excess bleeding occurs very rarely and can be controlled with firm pressure.

The donor area is usually the most uncomfortable part of the scalp after the procedure, so please take your pain medicine as directed after you leave the office.

If you feel the dressing is too tight and causing you a headache, please remove it and re-apply more loosely.

You will keep the sutures in place for 14 days and keep the area clean and dry. A gentle shampoo to the donor site is acceptable (the sutures are extremely strong, so you will not tear them out or re-open your incision by bathing).

Antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin or Neosporin) is also helpful in keeping the donor site moist, apply it liberally to the entire sutured area.

Physical Activity

During your first night, sleep in a position most comfortable for you. If you have any discomfort, take either Tylenol or the pain medication (analgesic) prescribed to you.

You may resume most of your normal daily activities but be careful when bending over or lifting heavy objects as this may increase your blood pressure and cause the grafts to bleed.

Use your judgement while increasing the intensity of your physical activity. And try not to bump your head on anything!

Hair Growth & Expectations

The transplanted hairs may fall out over the next several weeks. This is normal and expected, and new hairs will grow in their place.

New hair growth from the transplanted sites takes 3 to 4 months to begin, and significant growth takes a full year.

During this time it is very common to develop small cysts or pimples. These may be gently squeezed and drained with clean fingers after cleaning the area with a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Doing this will not affect the growth of the transplanted hair.

If you are uncomfortable squeezing the pimples or they do not pop with gentle pressure, apply warm moist compresses for twenty minutes at a time several times a night until the pimples resolve.

If the area becomes red or swollen and looks infected, we can prescribe an antibiotic for you.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Hair Transplant Reviews & Patients Testimonials

Please click on the quotes below to read some of my many hair transplant reviews & patient testimonials:

“John provided counsel and performed a hair transplant procedure … it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life!“
~ Michael Fineman, owner of Fineman Public Relations

“Dr. John Frank did an outstanding job … I have my real hair back and it’s a real confidence booster!“
~ John G. Bowen, Director of Business Development at Match One Staffing

“Dr. Frank is the most professional, talented and caring physician I know!“
~ Diane Parker Key Account Manager at Abbott Laboratories

“I am very pleased with the results!“
~ Joe Straton, President at Stanford Energy Systems

“Thank you you again for the significant Improvement in my Hair!“
~ Erik M. Jaffe

“Thanks for the great results!“
~ Rodney Kim

“You and your support staff exceeded my expectations!“
~ David Berg

“Dr. Frank’ and the staff are the best people!“
~ H.M.

“Even my hair dresser, who has been cutting my hair for 6 years, did not know I had the [hair translant] procedure until I told him!“
~ Mark Engel, M.D.

The Perfect Hair Transplant!
~ J. Joei

A Great Hair Transplant for Las Vegas!
~ Joe Burns

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

I am an Assistant Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology in Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, a member of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery and the international Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.

I have presented & published original research on hair loss & advanced surgical hair restoration techniques. I have also worked extensively with Dr. Sheldon Kabaker, the former president of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery and well known for his scalp lowering techniques.

I have been restoring hair for almost 15 years and I have treated more than 10,000 patients for hair loss and performed more than 2,500 hair transplants in NYC and beyond. I use a customized, comprehensive approach to hair restoration that includes FDA-approved drug therapies, a cutting-edge technique called Biocapillation™, and hair transplant surgery. I believe that safety comes first, and I combine my skills with my passion for improving the appearance of others.

Below are just a few pictures of the more than 2,500 NYC hair transplant procedures Dr. John Frank has performed.

You can view larger versions of these pictures on our Flickr account.

Also be sure to read what our hair transplant patients say about us.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Hair Transplant Patient Success

After treating more than 10,000 hair loss patients and performing more than 2,500 hair transplants in New York over the past 15 years, Dr. John Frank knows how to correctly diagnose your hair loss and prescribe effective and affordable hair loss treatment.
View our hair transplant before and after pictures to see proof of Dr. Frank’s amazing hair transplant patient success.

You can also read what our hair loss patients say about their hair restoration.

You may also want to read Dr. Frank’s professional endorsements.

Video Testimonials of NYC Hair Loss Patients

NYC Hair Transplant Before & After Pictures

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Hair loss sucks. It makes you feel old and self-conscious.

You may try the old comb-over trick, but you know you’re not fooling anyone.

Come see New York hair loss doctor John Frank.

You’ll mope through his door balding and bounce out looking and feeling fresh, young, and vibrant.

He’ll restore your natural-looking hair and your confidence, as he’s done for thousands of NYC hair loss patients just like you with dazzling success.

Will it look unnatural and awkward? That’s not what his patients say, or what their before and after pictures show.

And it may not even require hair transplant surgery — although he’s among the most experienced hair transplant surgeons in New York.

Dr. Frank doesn’t use a one-size-fits all approach or try to sell you on hair restoration procedures you don’t need or that don’t work.

His customized approach starts with a free consultation to get an accurate diagnosis based on your particular hair and scalp type.

He then draws from the most advanced and proven hair replacement treatments to give you the most effective and affordable hair restoration as possible.

In fact, he’s the only NY hair restoration doctor to offer Biocapillation™, a patented hair restoration process he brought from Europe.

And if, after your free hair loss consultation, he determines you do need a hair transplant, you can trust Dr. Frank’s experience. He’s performed more than 2,500 hair transplants in NYC.

In addition to being a New York hair transplant surgeon, he’s an advanced facial plastic surgeon and board-certified otolaryngologist.

That’s just a fancy way of saying he deeply understands cosmetic surgery of the scalp and how to make your hair transplant look completely natural.

Request your free, no-obligation hair loss consultation now.

Be sure to read our patient testimonials and view their hair transplant pictures.

For more information on hair loss solutions in NYC, explore Dr. Frank’s hair restoration treatments and hair transplant procedures, or learn more about the causes and characteristics of hair loss in men, women, and African Americans.

You can also enjoy our hair loss videos and read our hair loss blog.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

New York hair transplant doctor, founder of Anapelli Hair Clinic, and ex-NFL player John Frank is a leading hair loss expert in New York.

He makes you look better, feel better, and live better.

Just ask his patients and read his endorsements from other professionals.

Dr. Frank has been restoring hair for almost 15 years. In that time he’s treated more than 10,000 patients for hair loss and performed more than 2,500 hair transplants in NYC and beyond.

He uses a customized, comprehensive approach to hair restoration that includes FDA-approved drug therapies, a cutting-edge technique called Biocapillation™, and hair transplant surgery.

Dr. Frank received his M.D. from Ohio State University and completed his training in Chicago.

He then established a plastic surgery clinic in San Francisco, specializing in cosmetic facial plastic surgery and hair transplantation.

Dr. Frank is board certified with the American Board of Otolaryngology and the Diplomate of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. He is also an associate fellow of the American College of Surgeons and affiliated with Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Having training and experience in head and neck and skull base, Dr. Frank offers all types of hair and scalp reconstruction, including follicular grafting, flap and reduction procedures, follicular unit extraction and hair line lowering.

Dr. Frank lectures on hair restoration and has published in peer reviewed medical journals including The Laryngoscope. In addition to being an extraordinary artist, Dr. Frank has also pioneered painless techniques for local anesthesia of the scalp.

Dr. Frank is also an accomplished athlete. At Ohio State, in his senior year, he became captain of the Buckeyes and was elected MVP and voted into the Ohio State’s Sports Hall of Fame.

After college, the San Francisco 49ers recruited him where he played for five years through two super bowl championships. During Super Bowl XXIII, John Frank caught one of the first passes from Joe Montana (for a first down) in what would be become one of the longest drives in NFL history.

At the top of his game, Dr. Frank left the 49ers to pursue a life long dream of a career in medicine.

He lives in New York with his wife and two children.

Learn more about Dr. Frank by reading his biography.

Dr. Frank’s Philosophy

Dr. Frank believes each scalp should be treated individually and that no two scalps are alike. He believes that the future of hair loss treatment is customization. Treatments should be designed specifically for each individual.

While performing hair transplants in NYC, Dr. Frank has learned that very few alternatives exist for hair loss prevention and treatment.

Dr. Frank has been actively researching and searching for alternative hair loss prevention methods and discovered a unique treatment and application of products called Biocapillation™.

Biocapillation™ is a blend of European trichological techniques and Israeli technology and for the past 15 years has serviced thousands of individuals with hair loss worldwide.

In addition to his skill and experience as a New York hair transplant specialist, Dr. Frank is the first person to introduce Biocapillation™ to North America and is excited to find the best solution for you.

Credentials

Education, John Frank, MD

• Doctorate of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
• General Surgery Internship, Loyola University, Chicago, IL
• Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery, Loyola University
• Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Loyola University and Oak Brook Aesthetics, Oak Brook, IL
• Hair Transplant Surgeon
• New York Medical Association Member
• Hair Loss Specialist and Hair Transplant Expert

Dr. Frank is a Diplomate of:

• Diplomate, American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery
• Diplomate, American Board of Otolaryngology

Dr. Frank is proud to be affiliated with the following esteemed organizations:

• International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery
• American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• American Academy of Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery
• New York Medical Association
• Dr. Frank is currently an Assistant Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology in Columbia University’s Collage of Physicians and Surgeons

For more information, click on the links below:

Original Research Presentations on Hair Loss & Surgical Hair Restoration

• “Contemporary Hair Restoration”, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Otolaryngology, New York City, June 26, 2008
• “Comparing Steroids vs. Lasix for Facial Edema”. International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery National Meeting, Chicago, 2003
• “Hair Restoration Surgery-Basic”. Master’s Seminar @ American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual meeting, San Diego, 2002.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

For men, hair loss has been associated with a loss of masculinity. Early surgical techniques designed to correct hair loss often produced unnatural results adding to some hair loss sufferer’s embarrassment.

Because of negative social perceptions surrounding hair loss and because of not wanting to draw attention to unnatural hair transplant results, hair loss sufferers, especially men, have been particularly reticent about discussing their hair loss or admitting to having hair loss surgery.

However, all that now seems to be changing.

The ISHRS (The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) released a survey this summer on hair loss sufferers attitudes towards hair loss and hair loss treatments and found that “people undergoing hair restoration surgery are more willing to own up to having a little work done on their locks.”

So, what changed?

“Hair loss is a very common medical condition, affecting 50 percent of all men and over 25 percent of women worldwide,” said Jerry E. Cooley, MD, president of the ISHRS. “So, it’s no surprise that more people are talking about their hair loss and not feeling embarrassed anymore to admit that they’ve turned to hair restoration surgery to correct it.”

However, the fact that hair loss affects a large percentage of men and women doesn’t explain the sudden change in attitude.

A more likely explanation is that great advancements in hair transplant technologies, e.g., follicular unit extraction (or FUE), now make it very difficult to tell if someone’s had a hair transplant.

In fact, the outcomes of hair transplants have been so natural that many celebrities have announced that they’ve undergone hair transplant surgery and this has helped reduced the social stigma around hair loss and hair loss treatment.

Other notable findings from the ISHRS survey were:

• Compared to 2008, when the survey began, surgical hair restoration procedures increased worldwide by 11%. This is remarkable given the worldwide collapse of banks and finance that began in late 2008 and is still a drag on most major economies.
• Of the estimated 279,381 hair transplant procedures performed worldwide, about 36% (or  101,252) occurred in the United States.
• As of 2010, worldwide, most hair transplant patients where men (85.9%) .
• However, since 2004, women seeking surgical hair loss treatments increased 24%
• Novel uses of hair transplant technologies (e.g., eyelashes, eyebrows and face) increased 14%  since 2008.  Most of these novel types of hair transplant procedures occurred in the United States.

For a full reprint of the ISHRS 2011 report, visit www.ishrs.org/mediacenter/media-statistics.htm.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Hair transplant technology has advanced to the point where it is now all but impossible to tell if a person, man or woman, has had a hair transplant.  Modern  techniques (e.g., FUE / Natural Look Hair Transplant) are so good at a creating a natural look that image and appearance conscious celebrities have felt good enough about their surgical hair restoration outcomes to talk about them.

Modern Hair Transplant Techniques, Technology, and The “Natural Look”

I have successfully helped 1000′s of individuals restore their hair by either surgical or non-surgical treatments (through a combination of prescription drugs, nutritional changes and the application of a  new kind of hair restoration and hair loss prevention type of product called “Biocapillation”).

Recently I had a client who was suffering from hair loss. He was someone who makes his living as an actor, so his appearance is crucial for his work for several reasons: 1) the audition process starts when the actor or an agent submits a headshot to a casting director.  It is critically important that actors look like their head shots  – when they walk into a casting session, they must look like their head shots because it’s their head shots that got them called into audition.  2) As my client progressively lost his hair, this forced him to get new professionally photographed head shots more often than normal, and a single photography session can cost up to several hundreds of dollars or more. 3) Gradual hair loss also affects casting, i.e., the type of roles he could get.  In short, hair loss for an actor can be particularly problematic, career wise.

While hair loss will not necessarily spell the end of an actor’s career, a bad hair transplant outcome that leaves the actor’s hair looking unnatural could be disastrous.   If the choice is between a bad hair restoration outcome and gradually going bald, it’s better for the actor to go bald.  My client took a big risk with me.  I understood that, and while I was confident I could help him, I was also aware of the stakes for his career.

And I remember very well the first day I meant him.  He was anxious about having a hair transplant at first, but after he learned about how the procedure is done and spoke with some clients who had the procedure he was more confident.  He left the office on the day of the procedure very content, but then it was a waiting period until the grafts grew in.

I’m happy to say that after about 6-8 months my client’s hair transplant surpassed his expectations.  After his transplant, he was on a film set for several days. A professional hair stylist who had been working with A-list actors for 30 years was responsible for his hair.

One day while he was on a film sit and in ‘hair and makeup’ waiting to be called to the set  he brought up the topic of actors and hair loss with a professional hair and makeup artist who was working on him, and she had this to say about hair transplants:

“[she said] I have been doing this for 30 years and you cannot fool me, nobody could ever fool me. I can always spot a hair transplant. ” She continued about my client’s hair.  “Oh you are so lucky, look at all the hair you have, you haven’t lost a single hair. You know  it is so fortunate because a lot of men even in your age group have started losing their hair.”

If anyone has the experience to detect a hair transplant (besides a hair transplant specialist), it’s a professional hair stylist.  My client was in the hands of one for 7 days & she never suspected he had a hair transplant.  You can watch his testimonial below:

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Does Propecia cause or prevent prostate cancer?

That’s what most hair loss sufferers are asking themselves if they’ve been following recent news headlines about the side effects of Propecia and it’s relation to prostate cancer. For example:

• Large, long-term study shows dutasteride (Propecia) reduced prostate cancer risk in men at increased risk of the disease
• FDA Drug Safety Communication: 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (Propecia) may increase the risk of a more serious form of prostate cancer

It turns out the answer to the question is an uncomfortable yes and no.

What’s Known About Propecia & Prostate Cancer

Merck & Co., Inc.  first developed a drug called Finasteride, one of the 5-alpha reductase inhibitors targeted in the above “FDA Drug Safety Communication,” to treat prostate enlargement. Because Finasteride works by its inhibition of the male hormones, e.g., testosterone, it turned out to be a surprisingly effective treatment for hair loss.  It was so successful, Merck converted Finasteride into a commercial product for the treatment of hair loss. They called this product Propecia.

At the same time, intense research began on 5-alpha reductase inhibitors’ possible beneficial effects on prostate cancer. Researchers found that this class of drug significantly decreased the likelihood in men of developing the disease – see:

Effect of Dutasteride on the Risk of Prostate Cancer  (Dutasteride is in the same class of drugs as Propecia)

Studies Make Case for Finasteride (Propecia) to Prevent Prostate Cancer

A wrinkle, however, soon appeared.  While most of the studies showed an overall reduction in the risk of developing prostate cancer, almost all the risk reduction was for less aggressive forms of the disease. Disturbingly, this same class of drugs simultaneously appeared to increase the incidence of high-grade prostate cancer.

These results prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue guidelines to healthcare professionals on June 9^th of this year (2011) about the inclusion in the Warnings and Precautions section of the labels for the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor class of drugs, including Propecia, about the increased risk of being diagnosed with a more serious form of prostate cancer, i.e., high-grade prostate cancer.

Are You At Risk? Are You Taking or Thinking of Taking Propecia? Dr. John Frank’s Statement

These studies underscore that all prescription drugs have side effects, some of them quite serious (albeit at low risk).  It also underscores the importance of having a qualified, highly trained doctor as one’s hair transplant surgeon, one that can work with your primary doctor or specialist.

While Finasteride for hair growth is only a fraction of the dose used for prostate CA (1 mg vs 5 mg),  it is commonly known that it retains a similar side effect profile independent of the dosage.  Obviously men with prostate cancer who are taking a 5 mg dose are willing to accept the possible side effects of the decreased sexual response.  A hair loss sufferer may not be willing to accept such a side effect.

A more serious side effect of the 5 mg dose is that although the total number of prostate cancers is lower, the cancers that did arise were a more aggressive type.

These results are still somewhat controversial in the research community. Plus, the studies were performed with Proscar at a 5 mg dose and not the lower 1 mg Propecia dose.  Still, even with a 1 mg dose there are reports of a higher than published sexual side effect profile as well as gynecomastia (enlarged male breasts).

What’s the bottom line?  Despite all the debate and uncertainty, men with hair loss are still extremely anxious to find, and try, any reasonable solution.  While Propecia does have a “natural look” outcome advantage in the case of mild hair loss, hair restoration specalists and researchers are continuaully refining surgical hair transplant techniques. Today the gap between surgical hair transplant outcomes and those that can be achieved by Propecia is rapidly closing.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Why go abroad?

Insured medical costs are soaring. The Medicare’s Office of the Actuary projects that over the next 10 years, healthcare cost will increase by an average amount of 5.8% per year. However,  private, mostly cosmetic / elective, non-insured U.S. based procedures have not been subject to the same price inflations.

Nevertheless, because insurance will not cover elective procedures, they can be pricy out of pocket expenses. A recent USA Today article reported, “A full set of hair-replacement surgeries can cost as much as $10,000.”

Elective Surgery Abroad

When most people think about the economic advantages of India, they think of tech call centers, but most people are unaware of India’s astonishing growth in medical technology. Training and medical facilities in India are now on par with developed countries when it comes to elective and cosmetic treatments.  In 2007, India had over 1200 trained plastic surgeons, many who have trained abroad in the United States and Europe. Because the costs associated with these types of procedures are often several times lower than in the developed world, India and other developing countries have seen a steady increase in medical tourism.  Today, more than 50 governments actively support medical tourism as a national industry.

Relatively Inexpensive, Yes, But — Is it safe?

For the most part, it appears so.  In 2011, The Journal of General Internal Medicine published a survey of the quality of 63 medical tourism companies in theU.S. and concluded “overseas medical care can be a reasonable alternative for price sensitive patients in need of relatively common, elective medical procedures.”

Medical Tourism is hardly a new phenomenon. As far back as the eighteenth and nineteenth century, it was common for travelers to visit spas and wellness centers abroad. Other reasons for travel have to do with access to specialized care and reduced wait times, especially for critical care, but experts do not consider this latter type of health care need as “medical tourism.”

In “Nip, Tuck and Click: Medical Tourism and the Emergence of Web-Based Health Information,” Neil Lunt, Mariann Hardey & Russell Mannion of the University Of York argue that the internet is now the main driver of the increase in medical tourism because of the unprecedented access to  healthcare information and the increased online exposure to medical service advertising  from medical tourism companies.

Lunt, Hardey & Mannion however caution that the quality of medical information available online is variable and have concluded, “It is difficult for the average lay person to get authoritative information quickly and easily on at least one aspect of cosmetic surgery.” More troubling is the development of internet-based technologies that support remote consultation with healthcare professionals abroad. They note that under these conditions, doctors necessarily lack detailed medical histories (unless arranged for ahead of time) and a physical examination is obviously impossible.

Lunt, Hardey & Mannion’s research suggest that consumers of elective procedures use caution when evaluating medical information online and that if a remote consultation or evaluation is available, it should only be used for obtaining a secondary or extra medical opinion after consulting with one’s primary physician.

Should you get a hair transplant abroad?

Of course, I want to say that for many reasons it is not a smart thing to leave New York or the U.S. to go abroad and save money for a hair transplant.

But honestly, how could I recommend not going abroad but at the same time advocate clients flying in to see me from all over the world – and they do!

If they can afford to do that, why should I not recommend  flying to India or Mexico to save some money on a transplant?  Of course, the reasons people come to the states for medical care is because of the exceptional care they can get here.  Cost is a secondary concern, if a concern at all.

One really has to look at all the factors that go into a complete hair transplant — including cost.

The results of a hair transplant are dependent upon the training, skills, experience and artistry of the surgeon.  In addition, the technicians who are assisting the surgeon are equally important.  They also need to be skilled, experienced and, of course, focused. New York City and many other places in the U.S. are known for it’s top medical professionals, and so although there is no guarantee, you can feel confident that you’ll get the very best, most advance medical care here.

Medical technology aside, which, of course, is where the U.S. excels, can you get an equivalent level of training, experience, and competency outside the U.S.?  Of course, but it’s just going to take a little more research.  But there is the problem of accountability.  In the event of a problem, you may not have the same accountability abroad that you would have here.  Let’s face it, even the best surgical team can have a problem, and so accountability is a big factor.

As Always, Caveat Emptor

If you’re concerned with quality, if that’s your top concern, then it makes sense to go to the place where the product or service is top notch.  For instance, if you want great sushi, then go to Japan.  You wanna pick up a beautifully designed car? Italy (or buy it here, plus the import tax).  How about wanting to learn a little watchmaking?  Then go to Switzerland for the best teachers.  Of course, you can find all these products and services at a cheaper price elsewhere,  but if you really want the best, then go where it is the best.

For most medical care and certainly hair transplants, I pick the U.S.  I certainly wouldn’t want to fly elsewhere to get a hair transplant and be wondering if the electricity is going to work or if the water is sanitary or worried that the doctor will take shortcuts.  When it comes to hair transplants, you truly do get what you pay for.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Hair loss specialists have long suspected a genetic component in premature hair loss because it seems to be passed down from parents to children.

Now a team of Columbia University Medical Center researchers has identified eight genes linked to a specific type of alopecia called “alopecia areata.”

Alopecia Areataan is auto immune disease that attacks the hair follicles and is one of the most common causes of hair loss. This type of disease affects both the head and body by causing hair to fall out in patches.

Alopecia areata was thought to be an inflammatory type of disease, but Dr. Angela Christiano, the lead author of the study, says alopecia areata is more closely related to related to celiac disease such as rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes.

This is a significant because drugs exists that treat celiac diseases, and newer drugs that target the same genes are in the pipeline. This means that new treatments for alopecia areata may be easy to develop.

Says Dr. John Frank of the Anapelli Hair Clinic in New York:

This is a fascinating development from a respected hair loss scientific team at Columbia. It is particularly interesting to Anapelli because we deal with many different types and causes of hair loss. Many of them are treatable with medications, behavior modification and surgery. However, Alopecia Areata may have a random course and without any universally proven treatments. So we look forward to the development of this technology in the genetic determination of those with the condition, and the potential treatments.

The full study was published in Nature: Genome-wide association study in alopecia areata implicates both innate and adaptive immunity, Nature 466, 113–117 (01 July 2010).

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Peter Gabriel told Mojo music industry magazine that he’s considering an experimental hair growth treatment based  out of Boston, but said little about the nature of the new treatment he’s considering.

Gabriel is the latest line of celebrities that have come forward about their struggles with hair loss.  What makes Gabriel’s story unique is that it doesn’t sound like he’s going the traditional hair transplant route, a hair restoration procedure that is as common as it is successful.   Gabriel’s interview has sparked speculation in hair loss forums across the web about what this new treatment out of Boston could be.

Stem Cell Based Hair Loss Treatments

One company that springs immediately to mind is Follicabio, a mostly virtual Boston based biotech firm which had it’s genesis in PureTech Ventures. Follicbio mission is to discover and develop new therapies for hair follicle disorders, such as female and male pattern baldness.  The approach that has garnered the most press for Follicabio has been its research into hair follicle neogenesis, i.e., the stimulation of hair growth in dormant and/or damaged follicles.

George Cotsarelis, a University of Pennsylvania dermatologist and co-founder of Follicabio, published a paper early this year that proposed a new stem cell based explanation for androgenetic, the most common form of baldness in men and women. The research showed that the scalp where baldness occurs has a diminished number of hair follicle stem and progenitor cells.  Previous research has shown that progenitor cells are critical for the production of new hair growth.

Follicbio is in the process of developing new therapies designed to stimulate the production of stem and progenitor cells in individuals suffering from hair loss, but the company has been quiet about it’s research and they have only recently filed their patents and have just started clinical trials on unspecified treatment regimes overseas.  This has frustrated many hair loss sufferers who are looking for alternatives to traditional hair loss treatment options.

Ryan McBride of xconomy.com suggests Follicabio’s reticence is part of its commitment to avoiding hype by sticking to the rigorous scientific approach of only revealing its research findings at medical meetings and in academic journals. This is to help Follicabio remain credible in the eyes of its investors and the FDA.

 . . . But are Stem Cell Based Hair Loss Treatments Ready for Prime Time?

While there is a lot of buzz about stem cell research and cloning, particularly when it comes to hair restoration, nothing is currently tangible.  The race is on to find both a cure for hair loss as well as an alternative treatment for hair restoration, as surgical hair transplant is currently the best method.

A major limitation is that much of the research involves animals such as mice. While using stem cells and other advanced biotechnology to grow hair in areas of previously bald skin is both impressive and encouraging, it’s important for hair loss sufferers to keep in mind that this research, for the most part, does not involved human beings.

These new techniques are in their infancy, and while holding great promise, their practical application is crude at best.   It reminds one of the beginnings of the hair transplant technique where big thick clumps of hair plugs where considered state of the art, but the results hardly looked “state of the art.”  Over the past 25 years however, hair transplant techniques have improved to the point where even professional hair care stylists have a difficult time determining if someone has had a hair transplant.

The same evolution will undoubtedly be true for stem cell and hair cloning techniques.  One must remember that the human scalp, in addition to growing hair, contains a complex organelle with tiny muscles, oil glands and other complicated structures, which make the head of human hair a wonderfully complex system that’s both beautiful and highly functional. Just re-creating the keratin structures of hair, while extremely impressive, is just one step in overcoming the challenges of developing advanced new hair restoration techniques that will be both effective and look completely natural.   Rest assured, however, it will happen.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Hair loss is one of those events that can undercut our confidence by making us feel more self-conscious.

But is this just our vanity — or is it something more?

While how we feel about ourselves need not (nor should not) depend on how we look, there is real value and benefit in taking care of and maximizing our appearance — simply because appearances count.

Moreover, we all respond positively to someone who’s taken the time and effort to put their best foot forward in terms of how they look.

It is also possible that nature has tied our physical appearance into our own sense of self-worth.

This is because letting ourselves go is not to our social advantage, and nature may be letting us know that by having our sense of self-esteem and self-worth take a hit.

How much of a hit can our self-esteem and self-worth take? Apparently, it can be a lot:

According to John W. Santrock, professor in the School of Behavior and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas, it plays a surprisingly large role. In fact, for adolescents and young adults, Santrock found that the single largest factor affecting self-esteem was physical appearance:

Nathan C. Popkins, professor of psychology at Northwestern University says physical appearance can even affect the development of our personalities: “ . . . physical appearance is a major factor in the development of personality, because people form opinions by what they see in a person physically, and respond to that person accordingly. In turn, people tend to fulfill the expectations they believe others have for them.”

So while it’s true that on the one hand our self-esteem should not (and ultimately does not) depend on our looks or how much hair we have (or used to have), on the other hand, it is perfectly rational and reasonable to want to maximize our appearance.

Having our sense of self worth take a hit when our appearance starts falling below the social or (worse) biological norms of attractiveness and beauty may be nature’s way of motivating us to make changes, if possible & reasonable.

Fortunately, through modern hair replacement & hair restoration technologies, we can make changes in that aspect of our appearance, if we choose to (e.g., Yul Brynner and Telly Savalas thought they looked just fine without hair, and millions of their fans thought so too!)

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

African American hair, in many ways, is different from non-African American hair — mostly having to do with the physical structure of the hair shaft that determines how curly the hair is. Because of these differences, how African American hair is care for, styled and worn makes it susceptible to specific types of damage not typically seen in non-African American hair and specific types of hair damage usually requires specific types of treatment.

Nevertheless, the ultimate type of hair damage is that which results in irreparable damage to the hair follicle.  When this happens, the hair follicle dies, the hair falls out, and this leads to baldness. This level of damage is independent of both race and sex – everyone, aside from individual differences, is equally susceptible.

The good news is hair transplant technology, which has made great strides in recent years, is a great solution for hair loss due to a loss of hair follicles.  For black hair loss sufferers, both men and women, the news is even better because hair transplant results are often particularly successful for hair loss suffers who have curly hair – curly hair, of course, is not strictly dependent on race or sex:  anyone who has curly hair will have an natural advantage when it comes to having a hair transplant.

To help you better understand your own hair loss and to make better informed decisions about how to treat your hair loss, we you to visit our resource page for black hair loss where we discus the following topics:

• What is the Difference between Black Hair Loss and Non-Black Hair Loss?
• Advances in African American Hair Transplants for Both Men and Women.
• The Surprising Effects of African American Hair Type, Hair Color & Complexion On Hair Transplant Outcomes.
• Progressive, Permanent & Temporary Black Hair Loss.
• Non-Surgical Treatments For Black Hair Loss.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Hair transplants are a costly procedure and are not for everyone. It’s important to not rush into getting a hair transplant if this isn’t the best option available. Not everyone needs or is a prime candidate for a hair transplant, so it’s important to know the specific reasons for your hair loss  to find the most effective ways to stop and, if possible, reverse it.

To this end,  Anapelli Hair Clinic and is the sole provider of Biocapillation treatment for hair loss preventation. In essence, this is a customized approach that takes into account your specific type of hair loss to determine the best combination of Biocapillation treatments:

Biocapillation is based on a common European system of trichology and it’s less well known in North America. I have developed it and now I’m launching it in the U.S. With Biocapillation, we’ll take a very detailed and professional look at your hair, scalp, and follicles. We’ll look at all the causes of hair loss, from the commonly known DHT all the way down to even simpler things causing weakness of your roots or your hair shaft. We’ll treat you first with a personalized application of Biocapillation which will penetrate the scalp and roots, followed by a steam treatment and massage. You’ll be given a very specific natural treatment regimen lasting several months, and we’ll periodically review your condition. We may even recommend additional medical treatments and, in some cases, hair transplant. However, our first objective is to truly learn what’s going on, and remember, balance is the key. (What Is Biocapillation? It’s a New Hair Loss Prevention Treatment)

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Losing one’s hair is life changing and often traumatic for most people – just ask Atul:

“You become obsessed. Every moment is spent looking at yourself in the mirror, looking at your hair, analyzing what can be done and how”. (Bald is not beautiful).

Advanced Techniques in Hair Transplant Technology Have Caused Them to Lose Their Social Stigma

Sanjana agrees saying her husband Mukesh went through a rough time when he started losing his hair.

“[He had] real identity and confidence issues because he took it as a sign of aging.”

When people start to lose their hair, they start spending more and more time and energy trying to compensate for the loss.

At some point, however, the hair loss becomes too great and then they must make a hard decision: live with the loss, e.g., permanently cover it up with hats or wigs, or – fight fire with fire, so to speak:  if the hair is disappearing in one location, replace it with hair from another location. In short, they opt for a hair transplant.

Hair transplants work because whatever the cause of hair loss, it turns out to be located in the hair follicle itself, not in the scalp on that part of the head that’s losing hair. Early hair researchers hypothesized that “transplanting” hair follicles from a part of the head that continued to experience hair growth to a part of the head that was going bald would cause hair to start to re-grow in the bald part. Moreover, the re-growth would be permanent.  This turned out to be the case and the “hair transplant” was born.

Early Hair Transplant Techniques & Social Stigma

However, the social stigma attached to hair loss was transferred to hair loss treatments, especially the hair transplant, and early hair transplant techniques that were crude and resulted in an unnatural look only encouraged the stigma.   Even as techniques evolved to produce natural looking results, most people rarely announced they were going to have a hair transplant and – even if it looked great – they were in no hurry to admit to having one.

Recently however, celebrities such as Kevin Costner, Tom Hanks, Brendan Fraser & Matthew McConaughey have started to come forward admitting they’ve had a hair transplant.

The most recent celebrity to come out of the hair transplant closet was Wayne Rooney (a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team). He was going bald and he decided to do something about it.  Mr. Rooney has probably been one of the most open celebrities in the press about his hair loss & hair transplant experience.  Among hair loss sufferers, Wayne has become such an inspiration and a source of encouragement that hair transplant surgeons, at least in England, have seen such an increase in the number of inquiries about hair transplants that  they’ve called it the ‘Rooney Effect.’

Today hair transplants have more going for them than just celebrity endorsements.  Probably the greatest endorsement for hair transplants today are its results — an unprecedented natural look, so natural, in fact, a layperson would have a heck of a difficult time telling who had a transplant.

Advances in Hair Transplants & The Natural Look

Most of the advances in hair transplants have come from a relatively recent technological advancement called FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction.  This technique is interesting because each individual hair is removed one at a time rather than subjecting somebody to the typical, strip technique (where a strip of hair bearing scalp is first surgically removed from the thicker areas and then  whittling down the strip into individual hair follicles before inserting them.)   Many devices are currently in development while the FUE technique evolves and more and more hair is transplanted resulting in even thicker, more natural results.

Additionally, newer cellular growth factors are being developed which may cause some of the transplanted hair to in fact multiply.  This is on the brink of hair “cloning” when we’ll be able to transplant an unlimited supply of valuable hair.  And when this is perfected,  baldness may become a thing of the past.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Researchers at The University of Melbourne and St Vincent’s Hospital studied the DNA of over 500 women with severe cases of female pattern hair loss and discovered the presence of a new variant of the estrogen receptor beta gene (ESR2).

What has surprised researchers is that this gene seems to make hair follicles more sensitive to the body’s estrogen levels. This is exactly opposite what they expected to find because the current medical view is that low estrogen levels causes female hair loss and that hormone replacement therapy (HRT)  to increase estrogen levels can be an effective treatment.  This research calls that relationship into question:

Women often notice that their hair thickens up during pregnancy and they often experience hair loss after the delivery of the baby when they are breastfeeding, which is a low-estrogen state, the same as the menopause stage. [This lead to] the belief that the high estrogen count might be good for the hair, but these findings suggest it’s more likely to be the exact opposite. In situations where women are taking either the contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy and they experience hair loss it may be may advantageous to select low-estrogen preparations to minimise the impact on hair. (Rod Sinclair, lead researcher, TimesOfIndia.Indiatimes.Com, May 24, 2010, Baldness in women tied to genes).

The researchers presented their findings at the 6th World Congress for Hair Research in Cairns, Australia in 2010.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Steve Sabol: In New York City’s Flatiron District, Dr. John Frank arrives at his practice.

Dr. John Frank: Do you have any ear issues?

Female Speaker: Sometimes I feel like I can’t hear, Dr. Frank. My husband is always complaining.

Dr. John Frank: This ear looks great. You can’t hear or you don’t listen?

Female Speaker: Both.

Dr. John Frank: Uh-huh, , okay. That’s selective hearing. Okay, lean forward.

Steve Sabol: As an otolaryngologist, he is familiar with the maladies of the ear, nose, and throat.

Dr. John Frank: You don’t have allergies, do you?

Female Speaker: Uh-hmm.

Steve Sabol: Though few of his patients are probably familiar with his former career –

Dr. John Frank: Say, “Aah”

Female Speaker: Aah.

Steve Sabol: As a tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, a career as interesting as it was unlikely.

Dr. John Frank: ’84, Bill Walsh drafted me in the second round. I never anticipated I was really going to be playing in the NFL or even drafted. I didn’t know who he was. A few years when I was in college, I wasn’t following NFL. I was just a chemistry major from Ohio State on my way to medical school. So the phone rang. I didn’t say, “Who is this?” but as the head coach, he said, “John, congratulations.” The only Coach Walsh I knew was the coach of Army at the time, George Welch. And so I said, “Oh, Coach Welch!” He said, “No, John, it’s Coach Walsh.” He just said, “Oh, well, we’ll see you when you get out here,” and I thought, “Ooh, this is not going to be fun.”

Bill Walsh: So you’re here, you’re here.

Steve Sabol: Frank quickly learned his coach’s name and his supposedly innovative offense.

Dr. John Frank: It was the West Coast offense. I looked at the game plans and they really weren’t impressive. The Xs and Os weren’t that complicated, with the short passes and the quick slants. It seemed very basic.

Bill Walsh: So we don’t need any kind of fancy moves by the tight end. Four-yard gain. You get that out of the play, it worked.

Steve Sabol: In his first training camp, Frank was an unknown on a team of stars, most of whom were unknown to him.

Dr. John Frank: I really didn’t know that much about the 49ers. I had heard Joe Montana’s name. He was from Western Pennsylvania where I’m from, so I knew who Joe Montana was, but that was about it. And then we started my rookie year.

Male Speaker: On a Monday night in New York, the Niners unleashed more primetime devastation than the A-Team.

Dr. John Frank: My first catch in the NFL was a touchdown pass at the Meadowlands. It was on a Monday night game. Again, at the time, I didn’t realize what a big event that would be for me.

Male Speaker: Fires it out to rookie John Frank. That’s his first reception and it’s a touchdown. He wanted to spike it, didn’t he?

Male Speaker: Oh, yeah.

Male Speaker: Is this against the rules or what?

Steve Sabol: Frank was unclear on the NFL celebration rules and certainly didn’t know the name of the future hall of fame linebacker he had beaten on the play.

Dr. John Frank: I didn’t even know who Lawrence Taylor was. In the regular season game where I caught that first touchdown, he was just a name. We faced the Giants again that year in the playoffs, and we were watching the film and his name kept coming up.

Bill Walsh: So we want to go after Taylor with a guard. If it’s Taylor, for god’s sakes, stay with him. Don’t leave Taylor early.

Dr. John Frank: Finally, I said to John Ayers, who was the guard at the time, “What’s all this attention about?” And he said, “Well, this is Lawrence Taylor. We’re going to double-team him on every pass play.”

Bill Welsh: Taylor is on the left but our tight end, John, is going to come around here. Beautiful.

Dr. John Frank: And Randy Cross just looked at me and said, “John, you don’t know who Lawrence Taylor is?” and I was embarrassed. It was one of those things where you know, you sort of have to fake it. I’m like, “Oh, yeah, yeah, he is good, Lawrence Taylor,” but I was just really out in left field.

Steve Sabol: From left field, Frank met Lawrence Taylor center stage.

Male Speaker: Here is Lawrence Taylor involved in a fracas. It’s John Frank.

Dr. John Frank: It became a wrestling match and it got a lot of coverage.

Male Speaker: That should be broadcast on Saturday morning somewhere.

Male Speaker: I love that guys jumped from the ropes.

Dr. John Frank: I think I made the All-Madden team that year.

Male Speaker: This guy is always in fights because he always blocks guys and stays with them, and that’s exactly what he did to Lawrence Taylor. Look, Taylor has him. Frank gets a reversal. Taylor is going for the reversal. Frank gets a pin. One, two, three. Referee says, “That’s it. No more.”

Dr. John Frank: In some ways, that sort of defined my rookie year.

Steve Sabol: The following week, Frank’s season was defined in a different way.

Dr. John Frank: We played the Bears in the NFC Championship Game and I fell off a block and I fell on my arm and I hyper-extended my elbow. It was questionable for the Super Bowl. Somehow I convinced them that I was able to play. I played in the game with this massive cast on my elbow. I didn’t catch any passes and I really wasn’t a factor at all, but I was there. It was really a great game.

Steve Sabol: As the 49ers won their second Super Bowl title under Bill Walsh, number 86 watched from the best seat in the house, but his celebration would be far shorter than that of his teammates.

Dr. John Frank: I packed up my apartment within 24 hours and I think within 48 hours, I was back in a classroom and studying medicine. Football for me was always a hobby. Really truly, I was passing through and I never lost sight of that. I knew in my heart that I was only going to play for a few years. I was going to medical school come hell or high water. I was more committed to that than I had been to blocking Lawrence Taylor.

Does it hurt when I just touch your ear here?

Today, I’m always a little bit sheepish to tell my patients that I was a football player and even when they say, “Hey, Doc, I Googled you. You didn’t tell me you played in the Super Bowl.”

Male Speaker: From Ohio State, John Frank.

Dr. John Frank: Super Bowl XXIII was one of the most amazing Super Bowls, and for me, I anticipated it was going to be my last game.

Male Speaker: Clutch man, clutch man, clutch man.

Dr. John Frank: Especially if we won the game. I caught two passes in the Super Bowl. I played very well. We played well enough to win, but I think the Bengals really outplayed us and should have won the game.

Male Speaker: The Bengals take a 16-13 lead.

Dr. John Frank: During the last drive of Super Bowl XXIII –

Male Speaker: Then again, it’s back to throw.

Dr. John Frank: I was in on the series. I caught a pass.

Male Speaker: A little dunk over the middle caught by John Frank and that’ll be a first down.

Dr. John Frank: We scored the winning touchdown on that last drive.

Male Speaker: Thirty nine seconds remaining.

Dr. John Frank: That pass to John Taylor.

Male Speaker: Joe Montana steps up, throws, touchdown. The 49ers have scored with 34 seconds remaining.

Male Speaker: The ball game is over.

Dr. John Frank: It was jubilation. Harris Barton grabs me and lifts me up and I have this photo of him, I’m on his shoulders and we won the game. It was Super Bowl XXIII. We won.

Steve Sabol: In the locker room, the tight end, destined to make a career of healing, laid the toughest hit of the day on the 49ers owner, Eddie DeBartolo.

Dr. John Frank: The game is over. We run into the locker room. There is Eddie.

Eddie DeBartolo: Come here.

Dr. John Frank: I grabbed him. I picked him up and I shook him. I’m like, “You know, this is it. This is it.” And I don’t know, I think I must have tripped on the locker or something and before I knew it, Eddie was sitting in a locker after banging his head against the back of the locker. He was grabbing his head looking to see if he’s cut his scalp open.

Eddie DeBartolo: I got a knot on my head. Honest to God, I’m half groggy.

Male Speaker: How did you get hit?
Eddie DeBartolo: John Frank yanked me into that locker over there. Feel my head.

Male Speaker: Oh! You’ve got –

Eddie DeBartolo: Go ahead, feel my head. [Bleep]. Oh, print it.

Dr. John Frank: His expression, it was just so clear on his face that he is not happy about it. I mean I was going to retire anyway so I think he forgave me.

It’s a challenge to leave the NFL, even for me, on my own accord. I’m sure more difficult if you’re cut or if you’re too old to play. I can’t even imagine the psychological challenges that you have to overcome to move on. Football can be so capturing and so all-encompassing.

Male Speaker: Damn, it’s great, isn’t it?

Dr. John Frank: I think it’s important to demonstrate that there is life on the other side of football. And I’ve tried to do that.

Steve Sabol: In 2003, Frank slid back into athletics and his Jewish roots.

Dr. John Frank: We created the Israeli bobsled team, a two-man bobsled. I was the team’s brake man and Aaron Zeff, a former U.S. Air Force aviator, was the pilot, and we just built it from scratch. We saw that there were some other countries which had bobsled teams like Jamaica and some smaller countries and felt like it would be a good feel-good opportunity to do something and give something back. And we became Israeli citizens and represented Israel and competed in the 2004 World Championships in Konigssee, Germany. We placed I think 34th. There were a lot of fun moments with that. One of our nicknames, amongst other things, we were the Frozen Chosen. We really needed to raise a fair amount of money for the venture, so we sold some sponsorships for the sides of the sled. And unlike most of the teams, we were selling a sponsorship for the bottom of the sled so that whenever we tilted and slid down on our sides, the bottom would show up, which happened a lot. So I did that for about four years and then turned it over to some younger athletes. It was a wonderful ride and it was a lot of fun.

Steve Sabol: Fun is also how Frank looks back on his football career.

Dr. John Frank: I am fortunate to have a Super Bowl victory my first year and in my last year so I had a lot of moments in the NFL which were great moments.

Male Speaker: It is caught that time by John Frank.

Male Speaker: Yeah, John Frank, yeah!

Dr. John Frank: And the camaraderie, I’ll never have that again in anything else you do. I would consider that the highlight of my playing in NFL for the 49ers. One of the beauties of the NFL is it’s really a meritocracy. I mean that game is one based on your merits. Steve Young was Mormon. I was Jewish. We had Baptists, Catholic, atheists, you name it. Wherever you’re from, whoever you are, none of that really mattered, and what a lovely environment.

When did this happen?

Fortunately, medicine has maintained that. When someone is ill, it doesn’t really matter as a physician who you’re treating. It’s beautiful.

Have you noticed it getting worse?

Female Speaker: It’s getting worse, yes.

Dr. John Frank: You don’t have feel-good stories all the time everyday, but when you get one, you’re reminded of why you’ve paid the price, whether it’s the financial sacrifice to go to medical school or the hours. I treat them as though I’m treating myself and I would want somebody to try as hard as they can to uncover what my challenges are and help me.

Stay out of trouble. That’s all for today.

But I still, in earnest, try all the time to really help somebody.

Okay.

Now, that’s what I do.

Steve Sabol: Next week, the shots of the year. Plus, the best of nearly 100 players and coaches wired for sound from the 2010 season.

Male Speaker: I only know how to play one way, Coach, but I’ll do what I can.

Male Speaker: What’s odd is getting [indiscernible]

Male Speaker: I’m always hungry. You know me.

Male Speaker: That’s what he told me. That’s exactly what he told me.

Male Speaker: Slide the ball out of bounds.

Male Speaker: I tell my wife I take the garbage out. Sometimes, I don’t.

Steve Sabol: Next week on Presents.

Male Speaker: Hey, let’s go win this thing, baby.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Kate Sullivan: Men aren’t the only one who suffers from baldness. Hair loss affects an estimated 30 million women in America. Dr. Marcs reports on the story of hair loss in an African American woman who finally decided to fix an embarrassing problem. Take a look.

Dr. Marcs: We know that men can go bald. They can do over age. I mean that’s fine but for a woman to start getting bald that’s a no, no.

Munorato Hassan , a 42-year-old nurse from New Jersey says she never thought it would happen to her. Just a few months ago she looked like this.

Munorato Hassan: Maybe on the ages 35, I realized the size of the hair was becoming thin and I was losing hair. I could not look at the mirror too often because it was not a very nice hair. I tried everything, hair loss medications, all the talk about Rogaine, all other products in the market I tried but nothing worked.

Dr. Marcs: Munorato decided to try hair transplant surgery.

Dr. John Frank: So it’s been seven months?

Munorato Hassan: Maybe almost eight.

Dr. John Frank: It’s unbelievable.

Munorato Hassan: Yeah.

Dr. John Frank: Look at that.

Dr. Marcs: Dr. John Frank is a hair transplant surgeon Medical Hair Restoration in Manhattan. He describes the surgery which starts with removing hair follicles from a donor area which is later closed using stitches.

Dr. John Frank: I frequently tell people this is like moving a tree from one part of your garden to another. This area in the back was perfect and it was very thick. It had no hair loss. We made little openings and then started to grass and as we can after the grass replaced they took several weeks and few months for them to grow but now it’s seven months. It’s totally natural and it just blends in and it’s almost imperceptible the fact that you had hair loss there.

Dr. Marcs: Munorato’s surgery lasted five hours and involved almost 2,000 individual transplants. A hair transplant typically costs about $6,000.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Dr. Jacques Moritz: Once on the football field and now in the medical field, Dr. John Frank, a former tight-end with the San Francisco 49ers is a Super Bowl Champion. Now, he applies his All-Star approach to helping others with hair and scalp problems. Here to tell us his story and some of the latest advancements in hair loss therapy is Dr. John Frank of the Anapelli Hair Clinic. And for full disclosure, Dr. Frank is expecting a baby any time soon and I am his wife’s physician. Dr. Frank, welcome.

Dr. John Frank: Thank you, Dr. Moritz.

Dr. Jacques Moritz: Now hold on a second. I didn’t know about this Super Bowl business. So you play with the San Francisco 49ers. You get some rings. I thought you should open a car dealership. You go to medical school. How did that happen?

Dr. John Frank: Just for that reason. I didn’t want to be one of those guys who has suffered from injuries and didn’t have a career after football, and my whole life’s dream was to be a doctor. But fortunately, where I grew up, I was good enough and I didn’t have career-ending injuries and I made it far enough in the NFL. And the time came to retire and it was fortunately after a second Super Bowl Championship.

Dr. Jacques Moritz: Great. Now I know you in the operating room because you are a really skilled surgeon. How did playing football, what can you say from playing football that you brought into the operating room that makes you such a great surgeon?

Dr. John Frank: Well, I mean whether it’s organized team sports or even the military or other things where high science, there is an amount of sense of teamwork and camaraderie and discipline and hard work which lends itself to being a surgeon, I think.

Dr. Jacques Moritz: Great. Now let’s shift the focus to hair restoration because it’s a great topic. This morning, I was in the gym and I saw one of the senators, I’m not going to mention the name, from New York that obviously had some type of hair surgery. Didn’t look very good. What’s changed and tell me about your approach?

Dr. John Frank: Well, this is the problem. Many of the techniques have evolved and you see techniques from 10 or 15 or 20 years ago. They look like hair plugs and it just is unsightly. And so much has changed, whether it’s a surgical technique or non-surgical, and we’ve made so many improvements, whether it’s for men or women and people from all different walks of life and all ages. There have been so many improvements. But the challenge is there are also a lot of false claims and misunderstandings and regret so it’s really important to get good information before doing anything.

Dr. Jacques Moritz: Let’s talk about your technique. I don’t know the name of it, but why don’t you tell us your technique? And I know that doctors travel from all over the world to come learn the technique. Why is yours better than the others out there?

Dr. John Frank: Well, our technique is Biocapillation and it’s a patented technique. But one of the most important, the basis of it is really making a good sound diagnosis. People can have hair loss and there are products or surgeries or things that can be done which are one-size-fits-all. What I do is really customized so nobody gets a standardized treatment. It’s really based on the diagnosis. And when it comes to hair and scalp, a dermatologist or any hair surgeon will let you know that there are many, many conditions which can lead to scalp problems and ultimately to hair loss. And getting to the root of the problem is really diagnosing what’s happening at the scalp, whether it’s inflammation or seborrhea or pulling, many, there are hundreds of different things. And if it’s not correctly diagnosed, you can be led down a wrong pathway for treating your hair.

Dr. Jacques Moritz: Right. And when we think of hair restoration, we usually think about men. But as a gynecologist, I see a lot of women, especially after menopause, with hair thinning and it’s really distressing, distressing to them, distressing to their family. Do your techniques apply to them also?

Dr. John Frank: Oh, absolutely. Look, for young men or middle-aged men, if you lose hair, you can joke about it and there are all different jokes about it, “the crone,” but you can go anywhere. But for a woman, it can be devastating. And there are really two peaks of time in a woman’s life, in her early 20′s and then around menopause. And during the menopause, as you would know, the hormones are changing and it can really have a profound effect on women and their hair. And there are many other conditions which can contribute to hair loss in women, whether it’s a thyroid condition or anemia or a malabsorption problem. And for a woman, it’s a devastating problem. It can cause psychological and emotional problems and it can really be a real challenge and it’s something that we do a lot of research in and we focus on and we’ve had a lot of success in.

Dr. Jacques Moritz: Great. Dr. Frank, that’s all the time we have. Thanks for joining us today.

Dr. John Frank: Thank you.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Host: Joining us right now to give us more insight is Dr. John Frank, Board Certified Head and Neck Surgeon and Hair Loss Specialist. Doctor, thanks so much for joining us today.

Dr. John Frank: You’re welcome.

Host: So it’s called trichotillomania or trich for short. And the latest evidence shows that it’s not just a bad habit like biting your nails. It’s something more serious.

Dr. John Frank: Well, obviously, from what we just saw, it can really affect somebody severely. It can be really a problem, very, very devastating.

Host: When does this start in a person’s life? Does it start early in their life? Can it start at any time and what triggers it?

Dr. John Frank: You may see some children with it and that’s not really a serious version of it. But then, as you go through adulthood, it can occur at any age to adults, men more than women, and it’s a long spectrum of the obsessive compulsive disorders and we think that there are some biological components to it.

Host: Right. How often do you see this condition in your office?

Dr. John Frank: I mean I’m a hair loss specialist and hair loss surgeon and I treat all different types of hair loss. And when we do see somebody with trichotillomania, we treat it but the challenge is to learn who actually has it because it’s either covered up or it’s hidden. And even if somebody is coming to me with the problem, it may take a visit or two before they actually have the courage to say what’s happening.

Host: Right. So this is rare. People don’t really talk about it that often and that’s why not many people know about it, right?

Dr. John Frank: People don’t like to talk about it. They are embarrassed. There is the emotional component of having hair loss, which is embarrassing. And then the other second part of the emotional component is you are doing it to yourself and so it’s something that you’re shy about — you don’t want anybody to know about it.

Host: Right. I’m sure you have to tread very lightly.

Dr. John Frank: I’ve seen people that will come in and I’m the first person that has looked at their scalp in 20 years, I mean, including family members. They are hiding it from everybody. And it takes a special sensitivity, good judgment, a knack for being very sensitive and understanding and — being a good listener.

Host: Right. How do you treat the condition?

Dr. John Frank: There are a number of treatments for it. None of them are very effective. There are medications like some of the obsessive compulsive disorders, the antidepressants and things like that, and some of them can be effective on a short-term basis. People can undergo therapy and there are some behavioral modification treatments, but I’m not that impressed by their results. Of course, some types of therapy more effective than others. And then there are some topical treatments and wigs and even surgery for trichotillomania.

Host: Right. Now, this is obviously a lifelong battle and there are support groups, I understand.

Dr. John Frank: Fortunately, there are. There are places to go. The effectiveness of the support group is going to be dependent upon the individual. Some people are great in support groups. Other people would just as soon not go to a support group. But they are available. They are online and you can go and get help, share with other people. If you can go through it with somebody, it may be helpful.

Host: All right. Hair loss is devastating. So for the people that are pulling their own hair out, can you replace the hair?

Dr. John Frank: It can be replaced. But if it’s replaced and they pull it out again, it’s like pouring water into a bucket with a leak. So the main thing is to stop the cause of the hair loss, and in front of that is to diagnose what’s happening. Some people do it and they don’t even know they are doing it. Maybe they are doing it in their sleep or subconsciously while they are daydreaming, and it doesn’t just occur on the scalp. They can be doing it on their eyelashes and things like that.

Host: Right, right. And you mentioned that there are some topical treatments for this, medications?

Dr. John Frank: Well, there are some cover-ups, some aesthetic things that can be done, and wigs and extensions and things like that or ways to color, even tattoo. But that’s like putting a Band-Aid on an open wound, so you really want to try and uncover the root of the problem.

Host: Right. It’s a very sensitive issue, isn’t it, and devastating at the same time.

Dr. John Frank: It is. On one hand, hair loss for young men, you can joke about it and there are many different monikers that young guys have. But when you really start to understand hair loss, it can be extremely devastating, and that’s part of the problem because not everybody takes it so seriously.

Host: Right. Well, Doctor, thanks so much for shedding more light on this problem.

Dr. John Frank: You’re welcome.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Hair loss can be caused by various diseases, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances and reactions to certain drugs. Hair loss can affect just about everyone (see hair loss in men, hair lost in women, hair loss in African American men, hair loss in children, and African American women). It can also be triggered by stress.

Because appearance has been intricately linked with self-esteem, humans have been seeking solutions for thinning hair and baldness throughout history.

In ancient Egypt if a man was bald, he was viewed as having lost his virility. Since baldness was considered shameful, both men and women were seeking remedies for their hair loss even more than 4000 years ago. One ancient cure, used around 1500 BC, involved reciting a “magic” incantation to the sun god. After reciting the words to the spell, the person then swallowed a vile concoction that included honey, alabaster, red lead, onions and iron. The ancient Greeks used similar tactics as well. Even Hippocrates suffered from balding and desperately sought to find a “cure”. He was no more successful than others who undertook the same endeavor and he eventually became totally bald.

Even today there are misconceptions, myths, and outright distorations about the causes of hair loss and even more so about how best to treat hair loss, so it’s important for consumers to have the facts about hair loss.

Today hair loss may be treated either by hair transplants, hair loss medications, or a new natural treatment regimen call biocapillation.

Hair transplants, or replacements require that you have healthy hair on the sides and at the back of your head. Hair from these areas is used as donor hair, and patches are grafted into the bald areas. It is normal for the transplanted hairs to fall out soon after the procedure. They then grow back in two to three months. While most commonly used to treat male pattern baldness (alopecia), this technique has also been used successfully to treat burn victims.

Medicines are also available to treat hair loss, including some which can be obtained over the counter. Minoxidil has been approved for use by women who have hereditary hair loss. Studies have shown that it is effective for about 60% of the women who use it. Minoxidil can also be used by men. In order to see new growth of hair, minoxidil must be applied twice a day and takes about 4 months to see hair growth. Hair stops growing and will fall out if the minoxidil treatment is stopped.

Huge strides continue to be made in the science of hair loss, new discoveries are becoming increasing common (see hair growth compound discovered), we can now treat hair loss on the face and hair loss on other parts of the body, and what may not be quite possible quite yet, will probably be available in the near future.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

How much of a role does appearance play in how we feel about ourselves? According to John W. Santrock, professor in the School of Behavior and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas, it plays a surprisingly large role.

In fact, for adolescents and young adults, Santrock found that the single largest factor affecting self-esteem was physical appearance:

Nathan C. Popkins, professor of psychology at Northwestern University says physical appearance can even affect the development of our personalities:

“…physical appearance is a major factor in the development of personality, because people form opinions by what they see in a person physically, and respond to that person accordingly. In turn, people tend to fulfill the expectations they believe others have for them. (“Natural Characteristics That Influence Environment: How Physical Appearance Affects Personality,” personalityresearch.org).

Hair Replacement can play a vital role in improving appearance and raising self esteem.

Our appearance can not only effect our personalities, it can even play a vital role in our mental and physical health – just ask Russell Gutch who founded “Wigs for Kids,” an organization that provides free wigs to children with cancer.

In 2004, doctors diagnosed 16 year old Marie Koudela with bone cancer. During chemotherapy treatment, she lost her ability to walk — but the toughest part of the treatment she said was losing her hair:

‘When she was going through the hardest trial of her life, Gutch made things just a little more normal,’ she said (she was the first child to receive a wig from Wigs for Kids) ‘He made things easier. That was just a great gift, not to have to worry about (my) appearance.’

‘There is a strong link between self-image and self-esteem and the ability to heal,’ says Wigs for Kids Executive Director Mark Campo. ‘Restoring that self-image can have a huge impact on a child.’ (“Stylist works to change lives one wig at a time”, The Daily Collegian, April 2010).

Russell Gutch isn’t the only one who appreciates just how devastating hair loss can be. Hair Dreams by Christal is a 501(c)(3) that helps to provides free hair replacement for people who lose their hair due to illness, cancer treatment or accidents.

The mission of Hair Dreams is to “increase self-esteem and self-confidence in individuals who suffer long term or medical related hair loss.”

So while our physical appearance isn’t the only factor affecting our sense of self-worth or quality of life (nor should it be), it’s clear that our appearance nevertheless can have a big effect on our feelings of self worth and, for better or worth, it definitely affects how others see us.

But what exactly is involved in hair replacement therapies and what are the risks?

The University Of Chicago Medical Center identifies four primary hair replacement systems:

Hair transplantation. During hair transplantation, the surgeon removes small pieces of hair-bearing scalp grafts from the back or sides of the head. These grafts are then relocated to a bald or thinning area.

Tissue expansion. In this procedure, a device called a tissue expander is placed underneath a hair-bearing area that is located next to a bald area. After several weeks, the tissue expander causes the skin to grow new skin cells. Another operation is then required to place the newly expanded skin over the adjacent bald spot.

Flap surgery. Flap surgery is ideal for covering large balding areas. During this procedure a portion of the bald area is removed and a flap of the hair-bearing skin is placed on to the bald area while still attached at one end to its original blood supply.

Scalp reduction. Scalp reduction is done in order to cover the bald areas at the top and back of the head. This technique involves the removal of the bald scalp with sections of the hair-bearing scalp pulled together filling in the bald area.

While hair replacement treatments have low health risks, The University of Chicago Medical Center does identify these possible areas of complication:

• Patchy hair growth. Sometimes, the growth of newly placed hair has a patchy look, especially if it is placed next to a thinning area. This can often be corrected by additional surgery.
• Bleeding and/or wide scars. Tension on the scalp from some of the scalp reduction techniques can result in wide scars and/or bleeding.
• Grafts not taking. Occasionally, there is a chance that the graft may not “take.” If this is the case, surgery must be repeated.
• Infection. As with any surgical procedure, there is the risk of infection.

There are today many hair replacement techniques, and hair replacement can do wonders for your appearance which can significantly impact the quality of your life.

Good candidates for treatment must have full and healthy hair somewhere on the head to use as donor sites for other areas needing treatment.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is a hair restoration procedure where hair is transplanted exclusively in its naturally occurring groups of 1-4 hairs. You can place 2,000 to 3,000 grafts in the same person. Intervention is long, but the natural effect is almost guaranteed. These groups (or follicular units) are obtained through the microscopic dissection of tissue taken from a single donor strip or extracted directly from the donor area. Since Follicular Unit Hair Transplants mimic the way hair grows in nature the results will be look the same as one’s real hair.

In FUE, a small, round scalpel known as a punch is used to make a small, round incision in the skin located around the upper part of the follicular hair unit, which is then taken from the scalp.

There are many people who consider FUT and FUE as one and the same, but this isn’t correct. FUE is a type of FUT where the follicular units are taken directly from the scalp instead of using a strip of hair grafts that has already been individually removed from the head. The differences between FUT and FUE are in how one cuts and gets the follicular hair grafts and not the differences in how the hair is placed onto the scalp. FUE is a type of direct extraction where individual hair follicles are removed one at a time, whereas, FUT is a form of strip harvesting where the donor tissue is one single strip of scalp, which allows the hair to be placed a lot faster on the scalp than individually cutting hairs (like in the FUT method).

While FUE doesn’t have a linear scar, it is also more taxing on the part of the physician since during FUE individual microscopic hairs have to be cut, whereas in FUT, there is a linear scar, but FUT grafts the hair at a much faster rate and is less time consuming than FUE.

FUE takes longer than the FUT method of hair transplantation, but FUE is painless and doesn’t leave a linear scar like the FUT does.

Another advantage of performing a hair transplant using follicular units is the ability to place these tiny grafts into very small recipient sites. The small sites cause minimal damage to the skin and allow the surgeon to safely transplant thousands of hair grafts in a single session and to complete the hair restoration as quickly as possible. The tiny needle-sized recipient sites heal in just a few days without leaving any marks.

If you are interested in hair restoration, hair grafting is the way to go.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Hair grafting is a procedure when hair is placed on the scalp to restore hair. Hair grafting involves a donor giving the hair to the recipient. In many cases, the donor and the recipient are the same person.

Hair grafting involves taking hair from the sides of the head (where baldness doesn’t occur) and to place these hairs on the scalp. The benefit of hair grafting is that the hair restores using real hair.

It used to be that when doctors performed hair grafts, the hairs were grafted in clusters instead of being planted individually. The hair grafts didn’t appear natural because the grafts were harvested in clusters as opposed to being harvested individually (FUE method) or having each graft dissected individually from a strip that was harvested.

Since hair naturally grows in groups of 1-4 hairs, it’s important that hair grafting follows this pattern. If a graft consists of more than 4 hairs you run the risk of an unnatural appearance, especially when addressing the hair line. You do not run as much of a risk if you apply grafts with more density behind the hair line.

Hair grafting is one of the best ways to restore hair. Since hair grafting involves using ones own hair, the restored hair will be undetectable. Hair grafting involves mimicking the hair the way is naturally grown (in groups of 1-4 hairs) making the restored hair look like natural instead of being the result of a procedure.

Hair Graft Care

Transplanted hair follicles thrive in a moist environment, so do everything you can to keep them from drying. If they are allowed to dry, they will still heal, however they will form thick crusts which will adhere to your scalp for a longer period of time. Therefore, spray the hair grafts with as much as possible for the first five days.

You may keep your grafts moist with hourly sprays of “normal saline” (0.9% salt water) while you are awake. You can either purchase normal saline from a medical supply store or you can mix it yourself (mix 10 tablespoons of table salt in one gallon of distilled water). This amount should last you several days.

For the first five days following the surgery you should wash the graft area twice a day using the following method. Apply a small amount of shampoo to a gauze or washcloth and place on the graft area. Rinse the shampoo off of your scalp by pouring cupfulls of water over the gauze or washcloth. Spraying or pouring water directly to the graft area could dislodge the grafts, and is strongly discouraged for five days following the procedure. After this time, the grafts are well adhered to the scalp and you may resume showering normally.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Hair transplant surgery is a procedure that involves moving individual hair follicles from one spot to the bald spots.

Hair transplant surgery is done in order to restore hair located on the top of the scalp. The grafts are taken from the hair located on the fringe of the head containing the hair follicles which aren’t subject to baldness are placed on the bald scalp.

Hair transplants can also be used to restore missing hair located on other parts of the body. For example, restoring eyebrows, singed hair, chest hair among others.

Other types of hair replacements include:

1. Strip Harvesting
A strip of scalp is removed under local anesthesia, the wound is then sutured back together and this piece of scalp tissue is then cut in to small pieces of tissue called grafts which are then transplanted back in to the thinning area of the patients head.

This method will leave a linear scar in the donor area, which should be covered by a patient’s hair (if long). The recovery period is around 2 weeks and will require the stitches to be removed by medical personnel.

2. FUE Harvesting (Follicular Unit Extraction)
Individual follicles of hair are removed under local anesthesia; this micro removal uses tiny punches of between 0.6mm and 1.25mm in diameter.

Each follicle is then reinserted back in to the scalp in the thinning area using a micro blade. Because this is single follicles and no large amount of tissue is removed there are no visible scars or post-surgery pain, with no stitches to be removed.

Recovery from FUE is within 7 days.

Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure that involves moving individual hair follicles from one spot to the bald spots.

Hair transplants are typically used to treat baldness located on the head, where the grafts containing the hair follicles which aren’t subject to baldness are placed on the bald scalp.

Hair transplants can also be used to restore missing hair located on other parts of the body. For example, restoring eyebrows, singed hair, chest hair among others.

During hair transplantation surgery, the surgeon produces a strip of skin located along the edges of the head (where baldness doesn’t occur) to the place on the scalp where the hair is going to be restored.

During hair transplantation, while closing the resulting wound, assistants begin to dissect individual follicular unit grafts from the strip.

Working with binocular Stereo-microscopes, they carefully remove excess fibrous and fatty tissue while trying to avoid damage to the follicular cells that will be used for grafting.

The latest method of closure is called ‘Trichophytic closure’ which results in much finer scars at the donor area.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Surgical hair restoration, or hair transplants, is the best way to prevent and repair hair loss.

Surgical hair restoration is a procedure that takes a person’s own hair located on the sides of his or her head and places these hairs which aren’t subject to baldness onto the bald scalp.

With surgical hair restoration, the restored hair is completely one’s own hair so a person doesn’t have to feel as if he or her is wearing someone else’s hair.

Hair plugs often appear unconvincing and aren’t as natural as getting a hair transplant.

There are even people who get a hair transplant after getting plugs because they of bad hair plugs. Hair plugs can cause red spots on the hair so people can see that a person got plugs.

Also, in some case during a hair plug procedure, the plugs were placed too low on the hairline, thus having to alter the plugs completely.

Why go through an unnecessary and unconvincing procedure like getting hair plugs when hair restoration is made from natural hair?

Surgical hair restoration is the most natural way to restore hair. There are no red dots having to be made on a person’s scalp like hair plugs and the hair which is restored is ones own hair.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

One of the ways to restore hair is by using the Neograft. The Neograft is similar to the FUE method, where the 1-4 groups of hair are acquired by the microscopic dissection of tissue taken from a single donor strip.

These 1-4 grafts are obtained (on the scalp) manually and can be a time consuming procedure. The FUE method is necessary for restoring hair in the most natural way possible.

The Neograft has the same function as the FUE method, but is done via machine instead of manually having to remove and plant the grafts.

The Neograft is a machine that sucks out the hair in groups of 1-4 (aka follicular unit) and then is placed on the area of the scalp where the hair is going to be restored. The Neograft is beneficial by extracting and implanting the hair follicles at a much quicker pace than done by using the FUE method.

Another benefit of the Neograft is that the follicular hair extraction can be done without using any surgical instruments (like a scalpel). Also, the Neograft doesn’t create any scars and isn’t a painful procedure.

The Neograft is just one of the recent technological advancement in medical hair restoration. There are also hair transplants, hair grafting, the FUE method, and other types of effective medical hair restoration that is being used.

There is no reason to suffer from hair loss with the advancements in medical hair restoration. Especially now that getting a hair transplant procedure looks much more natural and is much less painful than it was in days of old.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Medical hair restoration is commonly used as a form of hair restoration for men and women diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia ( AGA), but another type of hair restoration that Anapelli Hair Clinic offers is facial hair transplantation.

Facial hair transplantation is a hair restoration procedure that restores facial hair. The hair that is restored is hair located where a goatee and mustache would be, as well as restoring sideburns and beards. Facial hair transplants are usually done to create hair where a person doesn’t have facial hair (for a variety of different reasons) and/or to hide scarring by placing hair over the scars.

Facial hair restoration creates facial hair where a person has none. There are many different reasons why a person lacks facial hair. The absence of facial hair can be due to genetics, facial hair can also be absent as a result of laser hair removal and trauma resulting from surgery, as well as hair removed as a result of burning a person may have suffered.

Facial hair transplants are done the same way as hair grafting on the scalp is done, which involves taking hair from the side of the scalp and putting the hair follicles on the facial areas where a person wants hair to be.

While there are places to get a hair restoration in NYC, few provide facial hair transplants.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Medical science makes strides in understanding and treating hair loss everyday.

When it comes to medication for hair loss however, we have a long way to go.

Some of the shortcomings of modern medicine is being preoccupied with looking at the symptoms instead of the big picture.

Or as the saying goes, “he couldn’t see the forest through the trees.” In order best to make effective stoppage of hair loss, the root of the problem (pun most definitely intended) must be of primary concern, not the symptom.

When scientists get a better understanding of how the hair growth cycle functions and the effect various diseases have on hair growth, new medications will be developed to more effectively get at the root cause (there I go again) of hair loss, as well as hopefully having fewer negative side effects (the positive ones should be kept) as a result of taking the hair loss medication.

One of the ways to make hair loss medications more effective is to more carefully study the cells causing hair loss. As the American Hair Loss Association mentions:

Medications in pill form such as Propecia and Dutasteride affect DHT levels in the blood, which in turn affects the amount of DHT in scalp tissue, which in turn affects DHT concentrations at the cellular level in hair follicles. As a result of treating the entire system with the medication, unwanted side effects can occur in areas other than the hair follicle cells. In the future we will be able to better affect the DHT levels in the cells in the hair follicles, and as a result better control hair loss, and reduce unwanted side effects. Maybe medications of the future will be combined with shampoos or hair conditioners, and these products will become a common way to keep hair from falling out, just as fluoride in toothpaste is now used to help prevent teeth from falling out.”

What the American Hair Loss Association says make sense. If we are know what cells cause hair loss focusing on having medication which stops those cells from penetrating into the scalp seems to be a much more effective way of stopping hair loss than just looking at the side effects.

After all the term isn’t called front effects; it’s referred to as side effects for a reason—because focusing on side effects leads to peripheral change and not the big picture.

Scientists and physicians hopefully are looking for more permanent ways to prevent hair loss. Some doctors and researchers are talking about developing new drugs that will send a signal to certain cells in the hair follicles to continue growing hair even when other signals are getting the cells to stop growth (such as signals resulting from stress).

There have been great strides and success in the medical profession. But like everything, those dedicated to make life as pleasurable as possible have much work ahead of them. The researchers and physicians are moving in a positive direction.

People are realizing the short comings that certain medication has and are working on lessoning the side effects. For example, Propecia is the first (and thus far only) FDA approved drug to treat male pattern baldness.

While Propecia has a good success rate and works, there are some side effects people have concerns about. One is impotence.

Luckily, the side effects aren’t permanent and do go away but how long the side effects last varies and there have been cases where the side effects last a bit too long. Still even with these side effects, Propecia is worth taking based on the results.

But if scientists can find a way to not to lesson the unwanted results, why not work on fixing it? Luckily, they are, but there is still much work to be done.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

While it isn’t really spoken about so much, children can in fact suffer from hair loss.

While many people mistakenly assume that if a child is balding it is a result of cancer chemotherapy, this is not the only cause of hair loss in children. There are other causes of hair loss in children as well.

Tinea capitis (also referred to as, “ringworm of the scalp”) is a disease cause by a fungus infection located on the eyebrows, eyelashes, and scalp.

This ringworm can also infect hair follicles. Tinea capitis is unfortunately increasing and is the most prevalent cause of hair loss in children.

Children inflicted with tinea capitis usually have hair loss falling off in clumps. Sometimes the hair gets broken on the surface of the scalp looking little black dots.

A special type of shampoo known as Nizoral can help treat tina capitis. Nizoral is used 2-3 times a week and must be used that often for 2 months.

Alopecia contributes to hair loss in children as well as adults.

Telogen effluvium is another common cause of hair loss in children. Individual hair follicles take a while to grow. Hair Follicles usually take an average of 3 years to grow (“the growth phase”).

After this growth period, it takes about 3 weeks to for the hair follicles to deteriorate (“hair-transition phase”) and then another 3 months where the hair stops growing (“telogen phase”).

These phases are a process that repeats itself. According to the American Hair Loss Association states:

For most people, 80% to 90% of the follicles are in the growth phase, 5% are in the brief transition phase, and 10% to 15% are in the telogen phase. Each day about 50-150 hairs are shed and replaced by new hairs. In telogen effluvium, something happens to interrupt this normal life cycle and to throw many or all of the hairs into the telogen phase. Between 6 and 16 weeks later, partial or complete baldness appears. Many different events can cause telogen effluvium, including, extremely high fevers, surgery under general anesthesia, excess vitamin A, severe prolonged emotional stress such as a death of a loved one, severe injuries and the use of certain prescription medication such as accutane for acne. (American Hair Loss Association | Hair Loss Causes & Treatment)

It’s important to realize that hair loss can affect anyone at any age and any gender. Luckily for children, with the right medical treatment, hair can grow back (depending on how they lost the hair.

Tinea capitis takes about 2 months and telogen effluvium can take up to a year for the hair to grow back).

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Veterans Administration (VA) accidentally discovered a chemical which caused hair regrowth in mice diagnosed with alopecia.

The scientists didn’t mean to discover a hair regrowth compound. What they were researching was how stress affects digestion (like it does in irritable bowl syndrome).

For the experiment, they used mice which overproduced a stress hormone known as corticotphin-releasing factor (CAF). It was discovered that one of the side effects of CRF is hair loss (or fur loss with the mice), just like stress can cause hair loss in humans:

The focus of the study was to test the effectiveness of an ‘antagonist’ compound called astressin-B, which blocks the effects of CRF, to see if it would reverse the effects of irritable bowel syndrome in the mice (Scientists Accidentally Discover Hair Regrowth Compound).

What the scientists discovered however was that the mice who had fur loss due to CRF had their fur regrown. The bald mice not only had their fur regrown but the restored fur was thick and lasted even months later.

Lead researcher, Million Mulugeta, explained that CRF releases several stress related hormones and that further research will identify which of these hormones is most directly related to hair loss.

The researchers plan on using about astressin-B as a treatment for human hair loss. Mulegta mentioned that the hormones which worked and was present in the mice is present in humans as well, which means that if it astressin-B worked in restoring the mice’s hair, it is likely that astressin-B would have the same effect in humans.

But Mulagata also stresses that since astressin-B was only used for mice losing their hair due to stress, that the scientists are unsure whether astressin-B will regrow hair that was lost not due to stress.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

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Dr. John Frank: Hi, I’m Dr. Frank. Some people remember me from playing in the NFL as a starting tight end for the San Francisco 49ers. Those days were incredible. I have other videos which are very exciting and please look at those.

It wasn’t until I really focused my attention on medicine that I became fulfilled. And that’s when I learned about hair restoration.

African-American black women are a very special subset of people that can suffer from hair loss. The diagnosis is very, very important. Black women suffer from scarring alopecia, braiding and traction alopecia, and a number of different issues that can affect the oils and the scalp and the follicles themselves.

Once a diagnosis is — once we are pretty certain of a diagnosis, then I think there are some things that we can offer you, whether it’s a transplant, a medical treatment, or a non-medical therapy as well. We have some videos on the website, including vidoes about hair loss in African-American black men and hair transplants for black men. Please take a look.

If you want to contact me in person, I’d be more than happy to speak with you on the phone or meet you in person. So please give us a call and come on in.

African American hair loss can be reversed, either through better hair care, better nutrition or surgical techniques, like a hair transplant, if warranted. If surgical hair restoration is warranted, the prognosis is actually best for hair loss sufferers who have curly hair. Best of all, hair transplant technology has evolved to point where even hair care and hair stylying professionals have a difficult time detecting whether or not someone has has a hair transplant.

Please visit my testimonials page to see what my patients have to say about my work and also please visit my before and after hair transplants results page. I am not only a leading New York City hair loss treatment expert, I am professional facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and I believe that safety comes first. I have been a hair restoration specalists for over 15 years. It has been my great passion and privilege to help 1000′s of men and women improve a person’s appearance.

Please view my video below:

Hi, I’m Dr. John Frank. That’s me catching a football, 2009. You may remember back to 1989. I was the starting tight end at Super Bowl 23. I caught a couple of passes. Thrilling, exciting game. We won.
Right after the game, I retired, some say prematurely, but I knew what I wanted. I had already finished a year of med school and I was going to finish. I went through. I finished med school. I did my residencies. Long story short, since that time, I’ve done over 2,000 hair transplants –
– talking about is hair transplant in African-American black women. Similar too in African-American black men with a curl and a color and for a number of other factors, many African-American women can really benefit from a hair transplant.

There is some more information on our website at www.hairclinicusa.com. But if you’d like to speak with me personally, I’d be more than happy to talk to you on the phone or visit with you in private in our office. So come in or give us a call. I look forward to meeting you.If you want to contact me in person, I’d be more than happy to speak with you on the phone or meet you in person. So please give us a call and come on in.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.

Welcome to Anapelli Hair Clinic. I am Dr. John Frank. One of our clients had a question about her hair. She was having some breakage of her hair and wanted to know if there was something she can do about it.

This is a fairly common problem so it may help to understand some hair basics. Our hair consists of two parts, the stuff we see and feel, which is the hair shaft, and then the root, which is below the surface. This is otherwise known as the hair follicle. I like to call it the hair factory.

Healthy hair is elastic. It feels silky and looks shiny. And our skin produces oils just for the hair and it protects the outer coating.

Unfortunately, the hair can be damaged. Certain things in the environment, from toxic perm products to overheating and even aggressive shampooing can break down the outer layers, damaging and fracturing the hair.

Also, if the hair isn’t getting the right nutrition, vitamins, or even if you have a minor health issue, your hair won’t grow well and may break. The key is balance, from a follicle beneath the skin to the layers of the hair and the oils traveling all the way out to the tips of your hair.

I’m a successful and busy hair restoration surgeon. However, if your hair is breaking, then a transplant is not the solution for you. Come see us and learn what’s going on both above and below the surface of your scalp.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call us at 877-751-4246 or use the contact form on the left.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.