Hair Transplant Surgeon Dr. Bernstein with Matt Lauer
The following is a summary of Dr. Bernstein’s section on the Today show with host Matt Lauer as it appeared on MSNBC:"What Men Will Do For A Few More Strands Of Hair"
Recent changes in transplant surgery have led to a more natural-looking result and a boost of self confidence for some balding men
June 1, 2005
Hair transplants are one of the top five cosmetic procedures for men in the U.S., with more than 19,000 performed last year. But is it worth it? As part of a three-part series on hair loss, “Today” host Matt Lauer spoke with two men who underwent the procedure.
Allen Appleblatt has made a big change in his life. He works out, spends time with family, and stays busy with work. And when it comes to his appearance he should be nearly bald by now.
“I kind of felt like I was an idiot looking at myself in the mirror,” said Appleblatt. “Whenever I took a shower, at the end of the shower I found a clump of hair at the bottom of the drain. And there was no way of stopping it.” So Appleblatt had two hair transplants. His partner, Shirley Garofano, likes what she sees.
“I liked him both ways. But I like him better now. He looks great, he’s very positive, he’s happier,” she said.
Happier, but he still wants thicker hair. “Today” followed him while he underwent his third hair transplant, taking advantage of the latest techniques.
“Over the past ten years we've developed a new procedure called follicular unit transplantation where hair is transplanted exactly the way it grows,” said Dr. Robert Bernstein, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at New York's Columbia University.
Remember plugs — groups of hair inserted into round holes in the scalp — doctors say that's a look of the past. It is now known that hair grows in groups of one to four hairs.
“So follicular unit transplantation is a transplantation of hair and it's naturally occurring groups,” said Bernstein. “We're really just transplanting the root.”
Allen is given valium and local anesthesia, and then a donor strip is removed from the back of the head where hair is not genetically programmed to fall out.
“We have a team of people dissecting the grafts. They divide it into individual follicular units,” said Bernstein.
The units are then transplanted into the balding area. And ten to twelve months later the new hair will be in place.
“You don't really feel anything just feel a little pressure,” said Appleblatt of the procedure.
Of course, the procedure isn't for everyone.
Great news for guys like Appleblatt, who are no longer forced to watch their hair — and confidence — go down the drain.
To see streaming video of the program go to MSNBC
See other Dr. Bernstein Hair Transplant Videos
- Hair Transplant Consult on Queer Eye
- Learn about Hair Transplantation
- Hair Transplant Patient
- Female Hair Transplant Patient
- Hair Transplantation on Discovery Channel
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