Survey Shows Patient Satisfaction With Hair Restoration Surgery Has Increased

Contact:
Shari Cartwright
(312) 424-5311
E-mail: [email protected]

SURVEY SHOWS PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH
HAIR RESTORATION SURGERY HAS INCREASED

Many Patients Report That Hair Transplantation Changed Their Lives

BARCELONA, Spain (October 15, 1997) - Improved techniques in hair restoration surgery have dramatically improved aesthetic results, and an increased number of patients are satisfied with the procedure, according to results from a survey to be presented at the annual meeting of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) in Barcelona, Spain, October 15-19.

"In the past decade, there have been dramatic improvements in natural appearance and a reduction of pain and complications," said Daniel E. Rousso, M.D., assistant clinical professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Ala. and in private practice at McCollough, Grotting and Associates Plastic Surgery Clinic, Birmingham. Research was conducted by Dr. Rousso and Stephen Adler, M.D. "An incredibly large number of people said that the procedure had literally changed their lives."

Some 56 million people in the U.S. suffer from hair loss - approximately 35 million males and 21 million females. Alopecia, the medical term for baldness, is defined as hair loss significant enough to prevent people from styling their hair in the manner they prefer.

The survey of hair restoration surgery patients was designed to evaluate and compare past and present hair restoration techniques and to examine patient satisfaction in patients who underwent hair transplantation procedures in the last three decades. Advanced techniques and contributions in the specialty in the past five to ten years have led to many options that make hair restoration surgery easier for patients.

One common option involves hair grafts from the donor area are transplanted into small slits or holes the specialist cuts in the area of baldness. Another option, minigrafts (containing five to eight hair follicles) and micrografts (containing one to four hair follicles), are currently used in transplantation to provide the most natural appearance. Today, surgery is less painful, patients heal more quickly and the results are more attractive.

Conducted in 1996, the survey included responses from a total of 66 patients; 63 treated between 1981 and 1996 and three patients treated prior to 1980. Comparing the procedures used in the 1980s with those used in the 1990s, the survey showed a 40 percent reduction in standard grafts, an increase in minigrafts of 28 percent and a similar increase in micrografts of 33 percent. There was an overall decrease in complication rates for minigrafts (33 percent) when compared to standard grafting and micrografts (29 percent) when compared to minigrafts. A reduced complication rate for strip harvesting of 59 percent was shown in comparison to punch harvesting. Strip harvesting is the process of taking a strip from the back of the scalp to provide hair follicles to be replanted in bald areas. In punch harvesting, "plugs" of scalp with hair are taken from many different places to provide hair follicles for bald scalp.

The study suggested that patient satisfaction with natural appearance after hair transplantation, increased self confidence, physical activity and improvement in personal relationships was high for more than 70 percent of patients, with 39 percent reporting complete satisfaction. The majority (67 percent) said they would be completely likely to choose hair transplantation today, with only two percent unlikely to repeat the procedure.

People often wait an average of two years to consult a hair restoration specialist
regarding solutions for hair loss. Most visit several specialists before they make a decision about which options to pursue. While men and women who suffer from hair loss try any number of methods to camouflage or stop hair loss, there is only one permanent solution available - hair restoration surgery.

Despite the recent introduction of products claiming to stimulate hair growth, hair restoration surgery remains the only permanent solution for hair loss, or alopecia, a problem that affects two in five (35 million) males, and one in four (21 million) females in the U.S. Temporary topical remedies such as Minoxidil (Rogaine) often fail to provide expected results. According to a recent study, Minoxidil provides a dense regrowth of hair in only five to ten percent of cases, and moderate hair growth in only 15 to 20 percent of cases. In clinical trials of women ages 18 to 45 with mild to moderate degrees of hair loss, only 19 percent reported only moderate regrowth, while 40 percent had minimal regrowth after using Minoxidil for eight months. Additionally, hair growth will cease if Minoxidil is not applied twice daily.

Founded in 1992, ISHRS is the largest professional international organization in the field of hair restoration surgery and is dedicated to promoting the advancement of the specialty through education and continuing quality improvement. A not-for-profit voluntary organization, ISHRS membership is composed of more than 900 physicians and hair restoration specialists.

Consumers in the United States looking for a hair restoration specialist in their area may call 1-800-444-2737 for a referral.

# # #