Michael Lohan Gets Hair Transplant Ahead of Lindsay's Wedding

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Michael Lohan recently underwent a hair transplant, no doubt to help him look his best at daughter Lindsay's upcoming wedding. 

At 56, Lohan has been experiencing hair loss for years, and had deep recession in the temporal regions as well as a balding crown. For years, he had tried different methods to conceal the hair loss, including a combover style, but as the hair loss progressed, these methods simply weren't enough anymore. 

Good for him for taking advantage of the advanced transplant methods available. New microsurgical no-scalpel/no-stitch harvesting techniques like NeoGraft FUE or ARTAS Robotic-Assisted Transplants allow for a minimally-invasive no-linear-scar “follicle-by-follicle” approach. This advanced process allows for diminished downtime and discomfort while avoiding the pluggy look and linear scars which traditional ‘old-style’ hair transplants left behind.  

You can read more about Lohan's transplant, and see photos at The Daily Mail.

 

The LeBron James Hair Mystery - Solved

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Only a couple of weeks ago, the media was speculating about LeBron James' miraculously full hairline in his Sports Illustrated cover. Now that hairline is dwindling before our very eyes, and many are wondering, what the heck happened?

Last summer, I wrote about a suspicious scar at the back of LeBron's head during Game 6. This looked very similar to the long linear scar line that occurs after a strip-harvest hair transplant surgery (this scar is caused by the surgeon having to remove a strip of scalp, i.e., the 'donor area,' in order to supply the follicles for transplantation - and that's why I always encourage patients to seek out the more modern NeoGraft FUE instead). At the time, this seemed to suggest that LeBron had undergone an old-fashioned strip-harvest surgery; after all, his hairline was looking much fuller than it had for some time. However, now that the frontal hair line is thinning again, it's clear that he did not undergo hair transplantation - at least not at the front of his scalp. Transplanted hair is permanent - it doesn't fall out because of male pattern hair loss.

So what is happening with LeBron's on again, off again hair?

Unless the images are being photoshopped, which I don't think they are in every case, the most likely explanation is that LeBron has been using a camouflage powder (like Toppik) to make his hairline appear fuller. It's also possible that he's been using topical minoxidil (either over-the-counter or a compounded prescription version like Formula 82M) and simply stopped using it - although it generally takes about six weeks before we see hair fallout from discontinuing treatment. 

For those who wonder if his hair transplant is "wearing off" or failing him, sorry, but that's just not how it works. 

Mystery solved.

Did Gordon Ramsay Get Another FUE?

 

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The British press is speculating that celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay may have undergone a second hair transplant recently (the first one was rumored to have taken place in December 2010), after photos of him emerged from Victoria Beckham's 40th birthday party.

But did he? 

Photos taken over the weekend certainly do suggest it as they show a shaved and camouflaged back of the scalp, which would be consistent with a follicular-unit extraction (FUE) procedure. 

In order to perform FUE hair transplantation, we must shave some part of the scalp in the donor area where the hair follicles are to be harvested. I can't say with 100% certainty what is going on with Gordon Ramsay's 'new' hairstyle and camouflage powder, but, at Bauman Medical Group, that is the typical area we might choose to harvest for a NeoGraft FUE transplant.

However, for the vast majority of celebrity and high profile patients, we normally perform a hidden or "stealth" shave so it would not be visible immediately after the procedure in a social situation. If he's had a transplant, Mr. Ramsey should just do the right thing and admit it like Kevin Nalty, Greg Benson, Jim Abath, Russell Spadaccini, Real Radio's Gary The Greek, Kevin Rolston, etc. because with today's artistry and minimally-invasive technology, it's certainly much less of a taboo these days.

For example, patients post their hair transplant videos on YouTube and discuss their procedures on shows such as Spencer Kobren's The Bald Truth. We're well beyond the days of painful, ugly plugs and scars so patients are more apt to share their positive experiences.

Kate Pokes Fun at William's Thinning Hair

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The always charming Duchess of Cambridge made new fans this week after she jokingly poked fun at her husband's bald spot, suggesting he think about an alpaca toupee. 

While this was obviously not a serious suggestion, Prince William does have options when it comes to his balding crown. 

At 31, Prince William has advanced male pattern hair loss for his age - in fact, he's a Norwood Class III-vertex, progressing quickly toward IV and beyond. My suggestion would be to start a multi-therapy approach immediately that combines finasteride (Propecia), minoxidil (Rogaine) and Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). Non-invasive FDA-approved therapies can start reversing the miniaturization of the hair follicles immediately. Because hair growth rates are slow, the results will take 3-9 months to become appreciated.

A microsurgical FUE hair transplant with NeoGraft (the "Cadillac of hair transplants") would also do wonders for him. 

Jermaine Jackson's Bizarre Hair Paint

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Jermaine Jackson's recent spot on Celebrity Wife Swap has left many people wondering what exactly is going on with his hairline. Jackson, 59, appears to be using some bizarre type of hair paint/camouflage to disguise his disappearing hairline. It isn't uncommon for a man of his age to be struggling with hair loss issues, in fact, 60 percent of men in their 60s have some degree of hair loss, but there are certainly better ways to address the issue. 

The look is no doubt unnatural, and unnecessary, considering the technology available to restore your hairline - specifically today's hair transplants.   

NeoGraft FUE, or the "cadillac of transplants," is a machine that allows doctors to perform a hair transplant surgery with remarkable precision and without scalpel or stitches. Thanks to this advanced technology, today's hair transplants are often completely undetectable to the naked eye. 

NBA Hair Awards - GQ.com

Who has the best hair in the NBA? Who has the worst? Do ponytails belong on the court? To find out, check out GQ.com's NBA Hair Awards, see the slideshow here. 

I write a lot about celebrities, but a growing number of high profile athletes are taking advantage of the new technologies available to treat hair loss. In the past few years, Broncos' wide receiver Wes Welker, LeBron James, and Tom Brady have all reportedly undergone hair transplants to help restore their hairlines. English footballer Wayne Rooney even documented his transplant experience for the media and his fans. 

No doubt these athletes are drawn to new transplant techniques that require little downtime and discreet healing. The FDA-approved NeoGraft FUE device is used to extract individual hair follicles from the donor area at the back of the patient's scalp which are then implanted into the bald areas of the scalp. This method replaces the prior technique of cutting a large strip from the back of the patient's scalp and eliminates the use of sutures or staples. FUE procedures leave no linear scar and patients can return to moderate athletic activity in just days instead of weeks making it perfect for athletes.

TMZ: LeBron James in Hair Loss Denial

 

LeBron James, July 2013 (Photo by PR Photos)

He may be the best basketball player in the world, but that hasn't stopped the media from deriding LeBron James' efforts to hide his receding hair line. TMZ recently poked a little fun at LeBron for what they call his "hair-loss denial," with a little advice from none other than Inside the NBA's Kenny Smith (a fellow sufferer of androgenetic alopecia). 

The Celebrity Hair Loss Blog has written about LeBron's recession problems before, including his suspected hair transplant over the summer - which, unfortunately, appears to have been an old-fashioned "linear" or "strip-harvest" hair transplant which results in a long linear scar at the back of the head. A much better option for LeBron would have been the FUE (follicular unit extraction) with NeoGraft, a no scalpel/no stitch minimally invasive procedure that creates a completely natural-looking hair line without the risk of linear scarring. 

At 29 years old, many may think LeBron is fairly young to be losing his hair, but hair loss in your 20s is not uncommon at all. If LeBron wants to protect his hair line, he should consider an aggressive multi-therapy regimen, potentially including such treatments as compounded minoxidil and finasteride, low level laser therapy, nutritional supplements like Viviscal and possibly another hair transplant (FUE with NeoGraft).

Joey Fatone Undergoes Hair Transplant

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Former N'Sync star Joey Fatone is opening up about his recent struggle with premature hair loss, and his decision to undergo a hair transplant. 

Fatone, 36, was reported saying the surgery itself was a little "intimidating," but he was just happy he had options to treat his hair loss. In fact, he is so happy with his decision that he has agreed to become the new poster child for Bosley clinic. 

It's unclear why Fatone would have opted for this older linear hair transplant method - when a more advanced procedure known as NeoGraft FUE (no scalpel/no stitch) is now widely available and doesn't leave a linear scar, since the follicular units are harvested individually. UK footballer Wayne Rooney made his FUE-style hair transplant famous by tweeting out his post-op pictures. Today, a growing number of celebrities are embracing the new technology available to discreetly treat their hair loss.

Good for him for taking advantage of today's treatment options and speaking up and informing the public on the positive impact his procedure has had on his confidence. Celebrity endorsements are becoming an important tool in breaking the stigma associated with hair loss.   

Game 6 Photos Show LeBron James Had a Hair Transplant

Photo by Bauman Medical's Felipe Reynoso

Photo by Bauman Medical's Felipe Reynoso

It's been rumored for some time that the Miami Heat's LeBron James underwent a hair transplant - but these photos, taken at Game 6 of the NBA Finals in the American Airlines Arena by Bauman Medical Group surgical technician Felipe Reynoso, show strong evidence that LeBron has undergone hair transplantation. 

This is one of the rare times LeBron has appeared on court without his customary headband.

If you look at the two photos above, you'll see a large linear horizontal scar around the back of the scalp. From this vantage point, the long scar was easily visible from behind and from the right - approximately 4 mm in width. This is a tell-tale sign of a linear or "strip" harvest from a hair transplant surgery. Strip harvesting is an older method (some would say "outdated" too) of performing a hair transplant, in which a long linear strip is removed from the back of the scalp and then the follicles are dissected from this tissue sample and implanted into the bald areas of the scalp. 

It's not entirely clear how long ago the procedure was performed, although I'd venture to say it's probably over a year old. It's also unclear why LeBron would have opted for this older hair transplant method - when a more advanced procedure known as NeoGraft FUE (no scalpel/no stitch) is now widely available and doesn't leave a linear scar, since the follicular units are harvested individually. UK footballer Wayne Rooney made his FUE-style hair transplant famous by tweeting out his post-op pictures and announced his recent "top-up" procedure, which LeBron might also be in need of, judging from the still-receded hairline.

LeBron's case is similar to Jeremy Piven, who was spotted with a long linear 'strip harvest' scar at the back of the head in 2010.

Harrison Ford's Hair Loss

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By the age of 70, most men who go without hair loss treatments are lucky to have anything at all covering their pates. But 70-year old Harrison Ford, who recently appeared in the box office hit "42," is doing an admirable job of maintaining his locks. 

I've written about Harrison's thinning before - and while he does have noticeable bald spots that could benefit from treatment (a few NeoGraft FUE sessions would do wonders here), overall his hair quality is decent for a man of his age. 

His hair could look even thicker and fuller, however, if he'd undergo a multi-therapy approach!

Dr. B's Tip - 3 Hair Transplant Mistakes to Watch Out For

USA Today released a special report today about surgical mistakes, which made me think of my own field of hair restoration surgery. I’m a strong advocate for hair transplantion in men and women who need a higher level of restoration than what can be achieved through FDA approved medications and low level laser therapy. But patients need to be careful - remember, this is a real surgery and it can have consequences if not performed correctly by a qualified surgeon.

Here are the top three mistakes to watch out for:

1. Unqualified Doctor - The most important thing of all is to make sure your doctor is a board-certified hair restoration surgeon by the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS). You can look up ABHRS diplomates here. But there are other signs to look for too: is he or she ‘recommended’ by the American Hair Loss Association? is she an active member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery? how many hair transplants has he performed? will he show you the before-and-after photos of his patients?
2. Outdated Surgical Techniques - Every hair transplant patient today should be receiving a NeoGraft follicular-unit extraction - period. The NeoGraft FUE offers the best results: it’s the most minimally invasive transplant, doesn’t require a scalpel or stitches, doesn’t leave a linear scar and allows for 100% natural-looking results. It also has a faster recovery time and a lower risk of post-op complications, infections, etc. A lot of doctors still rely on the old-school strip-harvest hair transplant, which takes a large donor strip from the back of your scalp. This procedure is outdated and should not be used. Make sure your doctor is offering a NeoGraft FUE.
3. Bad Follicle Handling and Placement - How the harvested follicles (grafts) are handled by the surgical team and how they are artistically placed into the scalp by the surgeon still determines the naturalness, density and results from the procedure. If the follicles are ‘mishandled’ by an inexperienced team of technicians or without appropriate magnification and instrumentation, graft survival may be impacted - thereby squandering precious donor hair follicles. Also, if the surgeon does not have an aesthetic sense and understand the subtle nuances of hairline design, the naturalness of the results can ultimately suffer. In the worst cases, these unnatural hairlines may require repair.

A few years ago, I created a hair transplant patient checklist that still works great today. Check it out here.

Marco Rubio's Hair Woes?

A new story in Esquire magazine claims Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) - a presumed 2016 presidential hopeful - is "not far off from combover city." Even the Washington Post chimed in, wondering if baldness would hold back this rising GOP star.

The political implications of hair loss is a question that has come up before, with other politicians: Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani and John McCain, to name a few.

It's interesting to note here that hair loss is one of the only areas where male candidates face personal style or beauty critiques from the political pundits. For women, it's obviously much worse - female candidates are often heavily/unfairly scrutinized for their clothes, shoes, accessories, makeup and hair style. But, for men, it is typically reserved to the combover. 

As the Washington Post noted: 

"We haven't had a bald-ish president since Eisenhower, and balding men in uniform get a free pass. Before that there were Martin Van Buren, John Quincy Adams, and - well, Gerald R. Ford's hair was making a pretty stealthy getaway, if you stopped to notice it." 

So, will Rubio's hair loss affect his political aspirations? It would be foolish to draw a direct connection between a candidate's hair loss and his (or her) electoral chances. However, in our media-saturated culture, appearance is clearly important - and having a full head of hair could help at some (perhaps subconscious) level with voters. 

Politicians shouldn't rule out any advantage - or disadvantage. With four years until the 2016 election, Rubio would have plenty of time to reverse his thinning hair. A NeoGraft FUE hair transplant would do wonders for restoring his natural hair line and filling in those bald spots. That, along with a comprehensive treatment regimen (potentially Propecia, Rogaine, Low Level Laser Therapy), would give him a full head of hair that would certainly quiet the critics.

Recession Alert: Scott Weinger

Former "Full House" star and voice of "Aladdin" Scott Weinger is showing signs of significant hairline recession at the ripe old age of 37!

Hair loss is not uncommon for men in their 30s - in fact, the percent risk of hair loss is proportional to your age: i.e., 20% in 20s, 30% in 30s, 40% in 40s and so forth. It's important to get tested early on to see if you're at risk for male pattern hair loss. Genetic tests like HairDX are available at your local hair restoration specialist. 

Early intervention is key to keeping your hairline intact. In Scott's case, he might want to try a multi-therapy approach that includes Propecia, Rogaine and low level laser therapy. If his hair loss goes untreated for too long, he'll likely need a NeoGraft FUE hair transplant to fix the damage. 

Mickey Rourke's Vanishing Hairline

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New photos of actor Mickey Rourke have some asking, "What happened to his hair?!" The photos show the 59-year old star with over-processed, spiked blonde hair and a vanishing hairline. If you look back at older photos of Rourke, you'll see some early signs of temporal recession, but it appears now it is time for medical intervention if he wants to restore his hairline and save the hair that he has left! In my opinion, it is time to follow in the footsteps of a growing number of stars and get a hair transplant! 

Today, hair transplantation is growing in popularity and can often be done undetectably. NeoGraft FUE has made the transplantation process easier than ever and a viable option for both men and women. New technology and non-invasive procedures like NeoGraft are selling points for many celebrities looking to enhance their looks discreetly.

Recession Alert: Chris Klein

Actor Chris Klein's receding hairline was probably as asset on his latest installment of the American Pie movies, as his character was intended to look older and different than he did in high school. But I'm guessing in real life, he'd like to slow down the recession.

Klein's hairline began seeing recession in the corners years ago, but recently, you can see that he is seeing considerable recession across his entire hairline. At 33, it may seem early for this type of hair loss, but in reality, up to 30 percent of  men in their 30s see some degree of hair loss, with the number increasing to 40 percent as they enter their 40s.

I would suggest a preventative treatment like Propecia to stop further recession. But for optimal results, Klein may want to consider a NeoGraft FUE transplant. The FUE is a popular choice among those in the entertainment industry as there is no scarring and no stitches. 

X Factor Judge Louis Walsh Admits Hair Transplant

  During a recent interview with The Daily Mail, X Factor judge Louis Walsh admitted and described his recent hair transplant experience. The 59-year old music manager said it was finally time to take action after attempts to dye, style and cut his hair in ways that hid his thinning and receding hairline began to fail.  His friend Simon Cowell prompted Louis to do something, telling him his hair was thinning and that he had bags under his eyes.  

Walsh is a great example of the power of hair transplantation to create a younger, thicker, fuller hairline. The post-surgical results are really dramatic for him. A full hairline is really important for "framing" the face and preventing the appearance of premature aging.

The host is pleased with his results, telling The Daily Mail: "It’s called maintenance...It’s just me, with my own hair, feeling better." And he is encouraging others to take action early and solve the problem before it really becomes a problem.



Louis had admitted to the Daily Mail that he had the more traditional linear or 'strip' style of hair transplant harvesting, as opposed to the newer, less invasive FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction style of harvesting which requires no stitches or staples in the donor area and leaves no linear scar.
 
Today, hair transplantation is growing in popularity and can often be done undetectably. NeoGraft FUE has made the transplantation process easier than ever with less discomfort, quicker downtime, no telltale scar... making it a viable option for both men and women with hair loss. New technology allowing less-invasive hair transplant procedures like NeoGraft are attractive to many celebrities looking to enhance their looks discreetly. It is not clear at this time why Louis Walsh chose the traditional procedure over the FUE hair transplant.

LeBron James' Hairline Woes

LeBron James' receding hairline has been the punchline of many jokes and is often the topic of media speculation, but it appears the basketball star might be planning to put an end to all that. 

In a recent Twitter post, LeBron suggested his hairline might be coming back soon. While the 26-year old athlete might be using humor to address the situation, if he is serious about wanting to reverse the damage, there are options available that can help.

LeBron's best bet is a minimally invasive hair transplant with NeoGraft FUE. The NeoGraft FUE procedure allows athletes like LeBron to avoid having stitches in their donor area, therefore, allowing him to return to training and workouts in as little as three days. Another bonus, NeoGraft leaves no 'tell-tale' linear scar, so very short haircuts are possible later on.

He would hardly be the first public figure to take action against hair loss, more celebrities and athletes are investing in hair restoration than ever before. New technology and non-invasive procedures are selling points for those looking to enhance their looks discreetly. With the NBA currently stuck in a lockout, now may be the perfect time for LeBron to seek the help of a board-certified hair restoration physician. 

Many people are surprised to learn that hair transplantation works equally well for ethnic patients and especially those of African descent.  Before and After photos of Dr. Alan Bauman's ethnic hair transplant patients are available.

Jason Alexander Admits Wearing Hairpiece on Twitter

Jason Alexander, best known for his role as George Costanza on Seinfeld, recently confessed to wearing a hairpiece on Twitter and called going bald "dorky." 

Read his full Twitter post here. 

At one point in Jason's Twitter statement, he says: "I thought about grafts or implants but frankly didn't trust the results would be good enough." This is a common misperception among men, and it's a shame that so many people remain uninformed. Today's hair transplant procedures can restore living and growing hair to the scalp and are completely undetectable. The results are phenomenal. Patients must seek out a qualified hair restoration physician and should request a NeoGraft FUE to achieve the best results.