Most people are trained to seek a discount for every product and service they need.  But when shopping for hair transplant costs, a bargain may not turn out to be a great deal.  There are several different hair transplant options available in the marketplace today and the costs vary depending on the transplant method. 

One of the less expensive options is the “strip method” (FUT) which is also one of the older types of hair transplant procedures.  With this technique, a surgeon cuts a large section of hair and scalp tissue from the back of the head.  The section of skin and hair is then removed and the hairs are plucked from the section for transplant into areas of hair loss.  The incision is then stitched up and often leaves a large scar.  This method costs less because it is faster and more hair grafts can be harvested in a shorter amount of time.

The downside of the “strip method” is, of course, the scar. But also this more invasive surgery can become infected or sometimes patients experience lasting numbness because nerve cells can be damaged in the process.  If you prefer to wear your hair long, the scar may not be as big of an issue since the longer hair will cover it up but it can still be felt to the touch.

The FUE Hair Transplant costs more than the FUT transplant but is far less invasive and does not leave any scar.  In a follicular unit extraction (FUE) method, individual hair follicles are harvested from the donor areas one at a time.  So there is not one section of the scalp that is used to gather healthy follicles, but rather the hair for transplant is collected over a larger area one follicle at a time.  Once harvested, the individual follicles are replanted in the balding areas of the scalp.  There are no large incisions, no stitches and no lasting scar, but it is a time consuming process.  This means that a doctor and his team must spend more time to achieve the natural looking results and therefore, a higher cost, but well worth it.

A new option at the Jasin Hair Transplant Institute is a FUE Transplant that uses NeoGraft Technology.  The NeoGraft equipment uses a controlled pneumatic pressure to smoothly remove hair follicles for transplant without risks to the grafts.  The follicles can be replanted sooner thus healthier for increased success of the grafting process. This involves a small 1mm punch to remove the follicle across a larger portion of the scalp.  There are no incisions, stitches or scars with this minimally invasive technique.  This procedure is faster than the traditional FUE method but the hair is still replanted by hand to provide the most natural look.   When it comes to price the Jasin Hair Transplant Institute offers much more than a discounted per graft price offered elsewere.

Some practices set their pricing on a per graft basis and may advertise grafts at say $4.99 per graft.  They may or may not provide a good estimate of the number of grafts needed to cover the area of concern so it is difficult to have good idea of price in advance.  Also, the operating room costs, technician costs, anesthesia and other fees are added on above the graft price.  Some physicians that offer the FUE method may also price per graft and may or may not include the additional fees.  It depends partly on whether they own the operating suite or need to “rent” it for the procedure.

The Jasin Hair Transplant is based on the total number of grafts needed to cover the area of hair loss but there are no additional fees.  Because the process is partly automated, the costs are less than harvesting by hand but the benefits offered are far greater.  Dr. Jasin’s background as a facial plastic surgeon means that he has a great eye for aesthetics and will be able to design the most natural hair transplant for the patient.  Unlike other practices, Dr. Jasin meets with each patient in advance to do an examination and write up a treatment plant.  He will provide a complimentary consultation to assess the extent of hair loss and be able to provide a specific proposal for your consideration.

No matter how the transplant is priced, beware bargains and special offers.  This is not an area to go on the cheap.  Hair transplants are a permanent solution to the hair loss problem and if the transplant is not done correctly, it can be very expensive to repair it later.  A transplant requires a good aesthetic sense to design the new hairline and an attention to detail to make sure that each hair follicle is properly harvested and replaced.  Ask yourself whether you’d rather have a Kia on your head or a Mercedes?

If you would like a complimentary consultation and a proposal for a Jasin Hair Transplant, please call 813-975-0139 or visit our website at www.JasinHair.com

Hair Transplant Methods to Avoid

Sometimes when making a decision about Hair Transplant Methods in Tampa, it is as important to know WHAT NOT TO GET as it is to know WHAT TO GET.  You will find that each hair restoration provider will make their method sound like it is better than sliced bread, but there are several hair transplant physicians that still promote outdated or dangerous hair restoration techniques.  The American Hair Loss Association compiled a list of some of worst hair transplant methods still on the market today.  Here is a recap of their findings on hair restoration procedures to avoid:

1 Flap/Hair Flap – This is when a flap of the scalp is moved from one area to cover the bald area.  This is a major surgery where a doctor cuts a section of the scalp on 3 sides to try to keep the blood supply going to the skin flap.  Then the flap is stretched to position it over the bald area and twisted to keep the hair side upwards.  It is then stitched into place.  This will always leave a knot where the skin flap is twisted but that isn’t the dangerous part.  The skin flap can develop necrosis if the blood supply is choked off – which means the whole flap will “die” and leave nothing but a huge scar.  Other problems include infection, permanent shock loss, loosened skin on the scalp, a new bald spot where the flap was taken, poor positioning of the flap (very common) and having the hair grow in the wrong direction.

2. Linear or Line Grafts – in this procedure a thin strip of hair and skin is removed from the back or side of the scalp and then the entire section is grafted onto the area of hair loss.  This is somewhat similar to the common “strip method” except that the hair follicles are not removed from the skin and the whole section is stitched onto the scalp.  This creates a trench which will form a scar where the section was removed.  And the transplanted sections will look completely unnatural.  These hair transplants will appear as completely man-made lines across the scalp – not a good look!

3. Round or Square Grafts – these are also known as hair plugs and they create “doll-hair’ look.   In this hair transplant method, a doctor uses a punch tool to remove pencil eraser size sections of hair and tissue.   These grafts are removed from donor sites in either square or round units and then transplanted into areas of hair loss.  These grafts are too big and will never grow into a natural looking head of hair.  Sometimes these grafts will lose blood supply in the center and the hair in the middle of the implant will die off.  This will create the “cheerio” look or if the blood flow allows the hair to grow out, you will still be left with “cobblestones” on your head.   Some hair restoration practices now offer “mini or micro grafts” which is really the same procedure but only with smaller size transplants.

However, do not get this confused with the newer FUE (follicular unit extraction) method where individual hair follicles are separated entirely from the surrounding skin for transplant to bald areas.  The FUE method is currently the most successful way to gain a permanent, natural full head of hair.   

4. Scalp reduction and Hair Lifts – these procedures should be outlawed since there are disfiguring and dangerous.  This method involves cutting the bald spot out of the head entirely and stretching the skin with hair across the scalp.  Once the skin is stretch to meet in the middle, it is sown back together.  This is painful and eventually the skin will stretch back to the original position leaving a wide scar.  This can cause hemorrhaging, hematoma, accelerated hair loss, and many other undesirable side effects.

Today the most successful hair restoration methods involve removing individual hair follicles and transplanting the healthy follicles to areas of hair loss.  There is the “strip method” (FUT) which involves a large incision and a lasting scar, but is safe for most patients.   The FUE method is time consuming but involves the doctor removing hair follicles one by one across the donor areas for transplant elsewhere on the scalp.  This exceptionally safe method will not leave a scar or any visible evidence of a transplant.

A new automated FUE method is available today that uses NeoGraft Technology.  This speeds up the hair transplant procedure (making it less expensive) but still provides all the benefits of the FUE method.  For more information on the benefits of a FUE hair transplant using NeoGraft Technology, contact the Jasin Hair Transplant Institute for more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with medical director, Dr. Jasin.   Contact Jasin Hair Transplant Institute in Tampa at 813-975-3223

Link to article at American Hair Loss Association:  http://www.americanhairloss.org/surgical_hair_restoration/procedures_to_avoid.asp

Many people never consider who is designing their hair transplant.  Often they will focus on the procedure methods, such as is the doctor using the FUE method or the FUT hair transplant.  They may ask about the number of hair grafts but never think about the design phase.  But who designs the new hairline and plans not only the number of grafts but where the follicles are to be transplanted is of huge importance.  The reason that people want a hair transplant is to look good – to look younger and more attractive so aesthetics should be part of the equation.

Doctors who operate a hair transplant practice usually have medical training in other areas.  Many did not go to medical school to specialize as a hair transplant surgeon but rather are trained in another specialty.  Most hair transplants are done by technicians under the direction of a doctor but it is the doctor who generally designs the procedure.  The technician handles the tedious detail work of harvesting the grafts and implanting them but they follow the treatment plan laid out for them in advance by the physician..

The person who plans your hair transplant has the most impact on the final results.  So it is important to choose a doctor that has a good eye for aesthetic design.  Some of the things that need to be taken into consideration are the age of the patient, the number of grafts that can be harvested from the donor areas, the degree of baldness, progression of hair loss, and type of hair (straight, curly, thick, thin, etc).  The doctor must study the direction that the hair grows and take into account the preferred hair style.  It is not as simple as putting more hair follicles into areas of hair loss and hoping for the best.

According to Dr. Michael Jasin, “the experience and training that I have in facial plastic surgery is a huge benefit in my current role as Medical Director for the Jasin Hair Transplant Institute.  I can look at a patient and better envision how their hair transplant will look once completed.  I plan a design that will look good now and still appear natural 10 years down the road”.  Dr. Jasin says that too often, people do not account for what the transplant will look like in their later years.  “If you fashion a hair transplant to make a 40 year old look 20, then they will look peculiar at age 60.”

Another goal of the treatment plan is to make sure the transplanted hair matches the existing hair.  Each person has a hair whorl or a natural direction that the hair will grow.  It is essential to replicate that growth pattern so that the hair does not stick up or look out of place.  The number of grafts and how closely they are spaced must also be calculated or the transplant will seem unnatural.  Appearance is the main reason that people seek hair restoration, so it would make sense to work with a doctor that can create the most natural and attractive visage.

So when you are gathering information about a hair transplant, ask who will be designing your hairline.  Speak with the doctor about their prior training and experience because a urologist may not offer you the same quality as a facial plastic surgeon.  Also look at before and after pictures of previous patients and ask for referrals to see how the patient likes their hair transplant.

If you would like more information about the Jasin Hair Transplant Procedure, please feel free to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Jasin.  Call 813-975-0139 or go to the website www.JasinHair.com

If you are planning on getting a hair transplant in Tampa, make sure that you work with a qualified doctor that offers a consultation prior to the procedure.   A conference is important so that you can meet the doctor and ask questions about the procedure.  Unfortunately, many hair transplant centers do not provide a consultation prior to the procedure but rather the patient will meet with a member of the sales staff.  This is not advantageous for the patient because the sales person’s goal is to gain new clients and may not have the knowledge to adequately outline the hair transplant process.

At the Jasin Hair Transplant Institute in Tampa, Florida, all consultations are scheduled with the medical director – Dr. Michael Jasin.  This allows the doctor and patient to talk about goals and expectations to allow for the best possible outcome.

Before your in-office consultation with Dr. Jasin and his team, the surgical consultant will call you to discuss the procedure and answer any questions you may have. If you prefer, the new patient information forms which will be e-mailed to you so you may complete prior to arriving in the office.  You will meet with Dr. Jasin’s surgical consultant who will provide a review of the Jasin Hair Transplant procedure and discuss your hair loss concerns.  Dr. Jasin will then talk with you about the procedure and examine your hair and scalp to determine the progression of your hair loss.  He will make a determination of the number of grafts required to meet your hair transplant goals and may even draw in a new hair line to give you a better idea of what to expect the hair transplant to look like when completed.  At this point, the doctor is actually formulating a treatment plan that is unique to your individual needs.

You will be able to ask questions about the hair transplant process and Dr. Jasin can describe the Jasin Hair Transplant procedure.  He can give you information about the procedure, the recovery process, how long it will take for the hair to grow back and discuss the costs of the procedure.  You can find out how our procedure differs from other hair transplant methods and gather all the information you require to make an informed decision.  Dr. Jasin believes that an “informed patient makes the best patient” so will spend as much time as necessary to help answer all your questions.

During the consultation, you can look at before/after photos of other patients and get referrals.  At the end of the meeting, you will be provided with a treatment plan and cost proposal.  Financing programs will be explained and again, there will be time for additional queries.  If you wish to set up an appointment for the hair transplant, you can do so at this time or take the information home for review.           

Dr. Jasin finds it beneficial to work directly with the patient to understand their goals and expectations prior to the treatment so the initial consultation can take up to an hour.  There is no pressure to book a transplant during the meeting but rather an open exchange of information that will help a patient make a good decision based on their circumstances.

There are many different hair transplant procedures on the market today and not all are equal.  Be sure that you have an opportunity to meet with the doctor to understand the differences no matter what hair transplant provider you choose.  If you would like to meet with Dr. Jasin in person, feel free to call 813-975-0139 for a complimentary consultation or go to www.JasinHair for more information.

My name is Mike and I live in the New Tampa area.   I decided to get a hair transplant in my early 50s because I felt that my lack of hair was holding me back in my profession.

As a well-respected lawyer, I often appear in high-profile court cases and frequently am asked to speak at peer functions.  Over the past 8 years as my bald spots have grown, I have become less confident speaking in front of a group.  I never thought I was vain, but have always taken care to look well-polished and professional.  The hair loss made me look far older than my years and no matter what I wore, I felt drab and just didn’t feel that I commanded the respect that I once did in the courtroom.

Before attending a public function, I would find myself trying to find a hair style that would hide my bald scalp… until my wife mentioned that I was starting to look like Donald Trump with a bad comb-over.  I tried Propecia to slow the hair loss but found some of the side effects to be disconcerting.  So I decided to look into getting a hair transplant.

What I found is that there are a lot of shysters out there.   I went into one of the well-known hair clinics and felt like all I got was a song and dance about how great I would look when it was done.  I wanted specifics about the procedure and left frustrated by the lack of answers.   I also felt pressured to make a decision on the spot and was offered a discount to “sign today.”  While I do not want to be overcharged, I’m not looking for a bargain transplant.  I want to have a good hair transplant.

The next doctor did talk to me about her recommended hair transplant technique.  She specializes in the “strip method” transplant.  She described the procedure in detail explaining that a section of my scalp would be removed to harvest the hair follicles.  The hair would then be taken from the patch of scalp and replanted into my head by hand.   This all sounded pretty drastic and when I did more research, I found that I would have a lasting scar and possible numbness following the surgery.   Plus, the recovery period was longer than expected so I almost tabled the whole hair transplant idea.

A friend of mine from New York then mentioned a new type of hair transplant that uses the NeoGraft machine to remove the hair without leaving a scar.  I looked into this technology here in Tampa and found that the Jasin Hair Transplant Institute offers NeoGraft technology for their hair transplants.  I met with Dr. Jasin personally to discuss the procedure and was pleasantly surprised by the time he spent with me to discuss my personal goals with my hair, what was realistic and what to expect. All my questions were answered and I was much more educated on hair transplants after my consultation.  Dr. Jasin  had the procedure himself and  showed his before/after pictures of his NeoGraft transplant at various  stages and  his results as they are today.

Although the procedure was slightly more expensive than the other methods offered to me, I felt more comfortable that I would get a better result.   Dr. Jasin’s training in Plastic Surgery made me feel more confident in his aesthetic sense and that he would be able to give me the most natural look.  One point made a real difference to me in making my decision, while they use the NeoGraft machine to remove the hair follicles from the scalp, they actually replant them by hand.  This means that they can better match the direction that my hair grows and make sure that the follicles are properly spaced for the best, most natural looking results.

I ended up having two procedures in order to reach the desired thickness and to cover both my crown and temples.  The procedure was not painful but it did take quite a long time to complete.  The hair did not grow back overnight but within 6 months, I could see that I made the right decision.  Now, almost 9 months later, I have a full head of hair.  The hair transplant is permanent and it is my own hair, so I won’t have to worry about going through all this again anytime in the future.  I look younger than I did last year at this time and I feel more vibrant.  I highly recommend this treatment to anyone suffering from hair loss.

Check out www.JasinHair.com for more information.

Most men will experience hair loss and balding by their early 50s but most do not think about the psychological factors that they will face as a result.  The reality is almost 65% of men in Tampa will begin losing hair by the age of 35, long before the prime of their life.  The hair loss can often trigger emotions that can be difficult to deal with and hard to overcome.

The most common fear is that balding makes a man look older than their years.  That hair loss will make a man less attractive to the opposite sex and will hold them back in both their personal and professional life.  Unfortunately, these fears are well founded.  A recent study showed that women seeking men through internet dating sites are 5x more likely to contact men with a full head of hair, rather than those who are bald – or going bald.    On the career front, studies have shown that when all factors are equal a company will choose the younger looking candidate over someone perceived to be older.

Certainly, part of the reason for this prejudice is the constant media focus on attractiveness and youthfulness.  But another reason that is seldom discussed is the lack of confidence and all the other emotional factors that will crop up as a result of hair loss.   If you look at the online forums for balding men, you will find that there are some common themes voiced over and over.  Bald men report feeling less desirable, overlooked, less sure of themselves in social situations, needy, anxious and depressed.

Unfortunately, balding has a profound effect on the way a man is perceived by others and in the way that they perceive themselves.   And while advice columns may suggest that a man work on his self-confidence and make an effort to accept their balding as a matter of fact, the reality is that it is not that easy to overcome the emotional factors.   For men who are troubled by hair loss, there are some medical solutions that can help either slow the hair loss or replace the hair entirely through a hair transplant procedure.

There are medications available for the treatment of hair loss.  Both Rogaine and Propecia are touted as hair loss solutions but in most cases, these drugs can simply slow the rate of hair loss.  Neither product has been proved to be much of an aid in re-growing hair, especially in the temple area where most hair loss begins.  The medicines also have some significant side effects that should be taken into account (see article on Propecia).

For a permanent solution, a hair transplant procedure is the only proven choice.  A hair transplant will remove healthy hair follicles from the areas of the scalp unaffected by the balding process and replace the follicles into areas of loss.  Once transplanted, the healthy hair follicles will grow hair naturally and permanently.

Hair transplants have come a long way over the past 20 years.  According to Dr. Michael Jasin, Medical Director of the Jasin Hair Transplant Institute in Tampa, Florida the “new gold-standard for hair transplants is the NeoGraft Hair Transplant.”  The new technology pioneered by NoeGraft allows a doctor to remove healthy hair follicles one by one, rather than having to cut out a large section of the scalp.  This means that there are no lasting scars and the procedure is far less invasive than older methods.   Once removed, the healthy hair follicles are transplanted back into bald spots of the scalp by hand to better match the patient’s existing hair patterns.  The Jasin Hair Transplant procedure is state of the art and leaves the patient with a full head of natural hair – permanently.

If you would like more information about the Jasin Hair Transplant procedure using NeoGraft technology, please contact the Jasin Hair Transplant Institute for a complimentary consultation.

Call 813-975-3223 or visit our website at www.JasinHair.com

Many people get confused by industry terms when seeking information about a hair transplant.  It may be because the terms are so similar and most people suffering from hair loss in Tampa do not realize that hair transplant procedures vary so widely.  The two most common types of transplant today are the FUT (follicular unit transplantation) and FUE (follicular unit extraction).

Big Difference in Hair Transplant Procedures:

In both of these types of procedures, the healthy hair follicles are removed from the scalp and transplanted to areas of hair loss.  But the difference is in the way that the hair follicles are harvested.   FUE grafts are extracted one at a time using a small punch and FUT uses a strip where the doctor removes a strip of hair and skin from the back of your head, closes the wound and then cuts the hair into follicular units under microscopes.   Once the hair is harvested, it is implanted back into the scalp either by hand or by an automated machine.

The key difference between the FUT and FUE procedure is the way the hair follicles are collected.  In the FUT method (also known as the Strip Method), a doctor will remove a section of the scalp from the back of the head.  This means that an incision is made with a scalpel and both hair and a large section of skin tissue are taken from the donor site.  The doctor will then have to stitch up the open wound which will often leave behind a visible scar after the transplant is completed.  Hair transplant recipients that have this type of surgery often must wear their hair longer to cover the scar tissue.  Also some patients have complained of lasting numbness as a result of the invasive surgery.  The FUT method is often less expensive because it is a simpler procedure and takes less of the doctor’s time.

FUE Hair Transplant Does Not Leave a Scar:

The FUE method involves a series of small 1mm punches in the scalp to remove hair follicles one at a time.  This procedure is usually more time consuming but does not require any incisions or cuts to remove the hair.  The punches can be made either by hand or now can be automated using NeoGraft technology.  The automated NeoGraft procedure is not available at all hair transplant centers but the benefit is that the hair can be removed from the donor site more quickly and with less trauma to the patient.  Hair transplants done using the FUE technique will not leave behind any unsightly scars so the patient can wear his or her hair short following the procedure.

According to Dr. Michael Jasin, Medical Director of the Jasin Hair Transplant Institute in Tampa, Florida, the FUE method offers patients better overall results with far fewer complications.  The highly trained technicians at the Jasin Institue use the NeoGraft device to remove the hair follicles from the scalp but replace the follicles by hand.  Dr. Jasin feels that this allows for the most natural looking transplant.  “The hair follicles placed by hand can be better matched to the patient’s existing hair patterns and will lie correctly on the head.  Once the hair grows back, it is impossible to tell that the person had a hair transplant procedure (other than the fact that they now have a full head of hair).”

If you would like more information about the Jasin Hair Transplant using NeoGraft technology, please contact the Jasin Hair Transplant Institute and schedule a complimentary consultation.  During the consultation, you can learn if a hair transplant is right for you and get all the details you need to make an educated decision.  Contact the Jasin Institute at 813-975-0139 or learn more about the procedure at www.JasinHair.com

I decided to get a hair transplant at age 41 because I started losing hair in my mid-30s.  My name is Jim and I live in Tampa, Florida.   I never thought I was vain but when I started suffering from hair loss at such an early age, I was pretty upset about it.  At first I found a few extra stands of hair when I combed my hair in the morning but within a few years, the drain would get clogged after each shower.  My hairline started receding and then I lost hair from the crown of my head.  After trying a couple of different hair styles to cover the bald spots, I finally resorted to seeing my primary care physician about the problem.

He prescribed Rogaine and I was hoping to jump start new hair growth but after almost a year of using the prescription, I didn’t have any new hair.  But it did help to slow the hair loss for a while, but I didn’t look any better than before taking the medicine.   At age 40, I looked in the mirror and I looked much older than I felt.  I looked like my Dad only with less wrinkles.  While my wife never said anything, I just felt that I was no longer as attractive to her even though I work out at the gym daily to stay fit.  And at my job at the law firm, I looked older than some of the partners but unfortunately, not as distinguished.   I just didn’t feel good about myself anymore.

One of my friends suggested that I shave my head like Bruce Willis did and accept my baldness.  But after doing a buzz cut to see what it would look like, I realized that I do not have movie star looks and without hair, my nose looks too big and my ears stick out.  Shaving my head was not the solution for me.

So I started looking into getting a hair transplant but I was worried that it would look weird or unnatural.  I had seen some bad examples of hair plugs and thought that was how a transplant looked but as I started to read more, I realized that there were different options.   I found that many hair transplant centers were using the “strip method” where they take off a section of scalp to remove the hair to transplant it elsewhere.  The procedure sounded gruesome and left some pretty raw scars.

Then I found out about the new NeoGraft system that does not involve any major cuts or extensive surgery.   The NeoGraft process sort of “vacuums out” the hair follicles for transplant so it does not leave scars.   I then searched around in the Tampa area to find a good provider and settled on Jasin Hair Transplant Institute.  The reason I choose them is that I went in for a free consult and met with Dr. Jasin.  His training in facial plastic surgery made me feel like he had a better eye for creating a good hair line and density than the other national transplant place that I checked out earlier.  Plus, Dr. Jasin showed me his before and after pictures of his hair transplant and his hair looked entirely natural.

Dr. Jasin spent a lot of time with me before the procedure to design a new hairline.  The procedure itself took a while (about 5 hours) but it was painless.  The hard part was waiting for the results…it seemed to take forever for it to grow back in but once it did, it looks great.  I have a full head of hair and look about 15 years younger than I did before the transplant.   When I look in the mirror now, I do not see my Dad looking back at me.

If you are interested, check out www.JasinHair.com

An article that appeared recently in Time Magazine details long lasting sexual side effects suffered by men taking Propecia to combat hair loss.  Dr. Michael Jasin, Medical Director of the Jasin Hair Transplant Institute in Tampa, Florida has warned patients to be aware of the downsides to Propecia as a cure for baldness and does not prescribe Propecia as part of his hair restoration practice.

Dr. Jasin believes in staying informed and educating his patients.  He firmly believes that the best patient is an informed patient.  Earlier this year, Dr. Jasin, posted a blog on hair loss medications which contained information about the side effects of finasteride (Propecia).  In the article, he noted that while sexual side effects are rare, they can often be serious.  The adverse effects include impotence, abnormal ejaculation, abnormal sexual function and testicular pain, but the more recent study notes that ceasing to take Propecia may not reverse the side effects.  He also stated that “medicines such as Propecia do not work for all patients and in fact, seldom will trigger hair growth in the temples where hair loss is most noticeable.”  For men (and women) suffering from hair loss, the only permanent solution is a hair transplant.   For more information about the Jasin Hair Transplant procedure, please view our website at www.jasinhair.com.  The article from Times Magazine is included below in its entirety for the education of our patients:

Propecia Problems: Baldness Drug Linked with Long-Lasting Sexual Side Effects

By Alexandra Sifferlin | @acsifferlin | Time Magazine – July 12, 2012

In April, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the warning to finasteride, Merck & Co.’s drug marketed to treat both male pattern baldness (Propecia) and enlarged prostate (Proscar). The new warnings noted that the sexual side effects associated with the medication, including problems with libido, ejaculations and orgasm, could last even after patients stop taking the drug.

Now a new study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine finds that side effects may not only continue after stopping finasteride, but they may last for months or even years.

In the study, Dr. Michael Irwig of George Washington University and his colleagues surveyed 54 men under age 40 who reported experiencing side effects for three months or more after stopping the medication Propecia. The patients reported a variety of sexual problems including erectile dysfunction, low libido, trouble having an orgasm, and shrinking and painful genitals. Some men also reported neurological problems like depression, anxiety and cognitive haziness.

For 96% of the men, the sexual problems lasted more than a year after they quit using the drug. None of the men had sexual, medical or psychiatric complaints before taking Propecia.

The study sample was small and the authors acknowledge that it may be skewed to include only men who were most negatively impacted by the drug. Most of the participants were recruited through an Internet forum called Propeciahelp.com, for men experiencing persistent side effects.

Still, the authors argue their findings may signal potentially serious risks for men using finasteride. “Our findings make me suspicious that this drug may have done permanent damage to these men,” Irwig told ABC News. The FDA’s updated warning labels for finasteride were based on a review of post-marketing reports of sexual dysfunction. The agency reviewed 421 post-marketing reports of sexual side effects related to Propecia from 1998 to 2011; out of these cases, 59 reported adverse sexual effects lasting over three months after discontinuing the drug. For Proscar, the FDA reviewed 131 cases of erectile dysfunction and 68 cases of decreased libido from 1992 to 2010. As Healthland reported in April:

Finasteride labels will now warn users that Propecia’s side effects can include libido disorders, ejaculation disorders, and orgasm disorders that continue after discontinuation of the drug and that Proscar can lead to decreased libido that continues after quitting the drug. Both medications will receive a new description of reports of male infertility and poor semen quality that normalized or improved after stopping therapy. “Despite the fact that clear causal links between finasteride (Propecia and Proscar) and sexual adverse events have not been established, the cases suggest a broader range of adverse effects than previously reported in patients taking these drugs,” the FDA said in a statement.

Irwig acknowledges that the number of men experiencing long-lasting side effects from finasteride is small, although the incidence of sexual side effects in clinical trials was around 2%, the incidence of persistent sexual side effects is unknown, but likely less than 0.1%. “But because the medication is prescribed so commonly, it’s still a lot of people, likely several thousand men around the world,” Irwig told ABC News. Both the FDA and Merck maintain that finasteride is safe and effective.

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2012/07/12/propecia-problems-baldness-drug-linked-with-long-lasting-sexual-side-effects/#ixzz20nv29mYo

Hair transplants are generally not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of how to get ahead in business.  But the reality is that youthfulness and good looks count when job hunting or trying to climb the corporate ladder.  If you suffer from hair loss, a hair transplant may be a way to overcome some prejudicial attitudes and make your age a non-factor.

The business world is even more competitive than it has ever been and businessmen need every edge to stay in the game.  While knowledge and skill is still crucial, people still make judgments based on age and attractiveness.  Since JFK was elected for President of the United States at the onset of the “television era,” the winner of the electoral battle has overwhelmingly been the candidate with the objectively “better” hair.  Generally, “better” has indicated hair that was thicker, fuller, better styled, and overall more abundant.  The abundant growth possible through hair transplantation is viewed as a symbol of social, professional, and cultural status—and signifies power, virility, and strength.  As the employment market becomes even more saturated with younger college graduates with practical internship and work experience, older businessmen begin to lose their professional appeal even more rapidly.

Research has shown that an image of a bald male is consistently rated as weak, dull lazy, unkind, and ugly, while the same male with a full head of hair from hair transplantation would be rated as handsome, active, and intelligent.  A corporate recruiter that is looking to add a new employee to his or her ranks will often focus more on younger applicants that are much further away from retirement.  The argument here is that even a seasoned businessperson will require training when joining a new company and it is simply not worth the investment of time.  So how do you treat the effects of male pattern balding to regain a look of youth and virility?  Hair transplant surgery may be a wise investment in your future.

The good thing about the modern transplantation process offered by the Jasin Hair Transplant Institute is that hair restoration using NeoGraft™ technology does not require any cuts or stitches.  This means that there is no scarring or permanent evidence of a hair transplant.  And unlike transplants of a decade ago, there are no unnaturally spaced and shaped plugs.  The hair transplanted is your own and will grow in to match seamlessly with your original hairline.  Other methods require sutures, incisions with surgically removed flaps, and staples.  Dr. Michael Jasin, the Medical Director for the Jasin Hair Transplant Institute states that, “our Hair Restoration technique provides the most natural look of any hair restoration process available and the results are permanent.  Plus there is virtually no downtime required for the healing process so you can get back to work quickly following the procedure.”

If you are considering a hair transplant procedure to advance in your personal or professional life, and would like to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn more about our signature Hair Restoration process using NeoGraft Technology, please contact the Jasin Hair Transplant Institute by calling 813-975-0139 or visit online at http://www.jasinhair.com/