Why Do I Need a Second Hair Transplant?

Most men who undergo hair transplants have done so because they are suffering from Male Pattern Baldness. Male Pattern Baldness is androgenetic (hormonal) alopecia so hair loss will be triggered by internal factors (hormones), as opposed to external factors, such as hair styling and application of chemicals. Due to Male Pattern Baldness being an androgenous alopecia, getting a hair transplant is sometimes a temporary fix, because the newly planted hair is vulnerable to the hormones that caused the initial hair loss.

What Is Male Pattern Baldness?

Male Pattern Baldness is one of the most common forms of hair loss for men, primarily on account of the hormonal composition of men which is testosterone based. Testosterone is a hormone which provides men with male characteristics such as a deep voice, facial hair and muscles. Testosterone is assisted in developing male characteristics by chemical called, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).  DHT is a by-product of Testosterone, roughly 10% of testosterone is converted into DHT. Once DHT is created, it flows through the blood stream and attaches itself to hair follicles. Upon attaching to hair follicles, DHT begins to minimise them, making hair thinner and thinner until the hair follicle wastes away and dies.

When men move forward with a hair transplant because the negative effects Male Pattern Baldness has had on hair volume, the procedure does not detract from the presence of DHT in the blood stream. In essence, you have a brand-new crop of hair on your head, with DHT swirling around your bloodstream waiting to pounce on the newly planted hair follicles, so the cycle of hair loss potentially starts again.

The Hair Growth Cycle and the Implications of DHT

Understanding the phases of hair growth provides more clarity to the mechanics of Male Pattern Baldness. Hair growth occurs at specific stages which form the hair growth cycle. The initial and most active stage of hair growth is classified as the Anagen stage. The Anagen stage lasts between 2 – 7 years. The next stage is transitory and known as the Catagen stage, where hair growth begins to slow for about a month in anticipation of the final stage, Telogen. Telogen allows the hair follicle to fall, facilitating a rest for the hair bulb. The rest should last for about 3 to 4 months. The presence of DHT alters the natural flow of the hair growth cycle, shortening the Anagen phase, whilst making the Telogen stage permanent by killing the hair follicle.

Ongoing Treatment or Another Hair Transplant?

The reason why many men opt for a hair transplant is because when DHT minimises and eventually kills the hair follicle, it is impossible to bring the hair follicle back to life. Treatment such as ProTress Essential Scalp Therapy Energising Shampoo and Lotion prevents further hair loss and maintains the hair you have, increasing thickness and strength, but cannot replace hair lost to DHT. Hair transplants on the over hand, replace the hair lost to DHT but cannot prevent the new hair from being lost of DHT. Bearing these factors in mind there are several options:

• Get a hair transplant (click here for hair transplant options) and use a hair loss treatment product such as ProTress to prevent your new hair from being diminished by DHT
• Get a hair transplant, see how it goes and if you begin to lose hair, get another hair transplant to replace the hair you’ve lost. With this option, there is no guarantee hair from the second transplant won’t begin to thin and fall again.

Treatment for Male Pattern Baldness

To prevent the spread of Male Pattern Baldness, hair follicles need to be stimulated to prolong the Anagen (growth) phase of the hair growth cycle. ProTress Essential Scalp Therapy Energising Lotion contains the patented Si MATRIX PF which improves hair growth, thickness and strength through extending the Anagen (growth) stage of the hair growth cycle. This is achieved by reactivating peripheral micro circulation (blood flow around the scalp), as well as increasing the supply of oxygen to and nutrients to the hair bulb. ProTress Essential Scalp Therapy Energising Lotion also revitalises and strengthens hair follicles, reducing their vulnerability to DHT, preventing further hair loss and thinning. Don’t lose the hair you’ve paid so much money for, keep the hair you have – use ProTress.

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