Dr. Bernstein Named Inaugural Fellow of ISHRS (FISHRS)

Dr. Bernstein Named Inaugural Fellow of ISHRS (FISHRS)

Dr. Bernstein is honored to be designated an inaugural Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (FISHRS). He and 60 colleagues make up the first class of fellows to the ISHRS, the world’s leading organization of professionals in the field of surgical hair restoration.

Dr. Bernstein has had a long association with the ISHRS, as he has been a member since 1994, has attended 17 of the organization’s annual meetings, has participated on several medical committees, and has authored numerous articles and research papers in the ISHRS’s principle publication, the journal Hair Transplant Forum International.

View the certificate

Dr. Bernstein has also received the Hair Transplant Pioneer of the Month award, the Surgeon of the Month award, and the Platinum Follicle Award from the ISHRS, the latter being the highest honor bestowed upon ISHRS members by the organization.

The ISHRS, which has over 1,000 members practicing in 60 countries, seeks to achieve excellence in patient outcomes by promoting member education, international collegiality, research, ethics, and public awareness. The ISHRS Board of Governors unanimously approved Dr. Bernstein’s application at the annual ISHRS meeting in San Francisco on October 23, 2013.

Read about Dr. Bernstein and his accomplishments

View the FISHRS certificate (pdf)

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D.

Columbia University Scientist Induces Hair Follicle Growth from Dermal Papilla Implants

We have previously discussed Dr. Angela Christiano‘s work on hair loss genetics with her team at Columbia University in New York. A review of the 16th annual meeting of the European Hair Research Society; held recently in Barcelona, Spain; brings to our attention new research being conducted by a very astute scientist, Dr. Claire Higgins, who works at Dr. Christiano’s laboratory.

With tissue supplied by Bernstein Medical, Dr. Higgins is studying the inductive properties of the dermal papilla (DP), a group of cells that forms the structure directly below each hair follicle. As outlined in our Hair Cloning Methods page, the dermal papilla is of great interest to hair restoration physicians. Ideally, research of this kind will lead to a breakthrough in hair cloning or hair multiplication which will allow physicians to effectively “cure” hair loss by developing a limitless supply of donor hair that can be used in hair restoration procedures.

A description of Dr. Higgins’ work is provided by the Hair Transplant Forum International:

“After isolating [dermal papilla] from human hair follicles, they grow the human DP cells in spheroid cultures in order to retain their inductive potential. Then they place the dermal papilla spheres between the epidermis and dermis of neonatal foreskin and graft it onto the back of mice. Human [hair follicle] neogenesis can be observed after 6 weeks.”

In essence, the scientists were able to capitalize on the potential of dermal papilla cells to induce the growth of a hair follicle by enclosing the DP cells in a small sphere. When implanted, the DP cells maintained their properties of inducing the development of follicles, and, indeed, follicles did grow.

It is another example of how far our understanding of the biology of hair has come in the last 10 years. And it is another example of scientists closing in on the elusive “hair loss cure.”

Read up on the latest Hair Cloning Research

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D.

Dr. Bernstein Proposes Improvements to FUE Hair Transplant Procedures

Robotic FUE has improved Follicular Unit Extraction by automating what has been a labor intensive and often inexact manual procedure. It is the latest in a long line of improvements made to hair restoration procedures that lead to better results for hair transplant patients. Dr. Bernstein’s recent publication in Hair Transplant Forum International improves the FUE procedure even further, whether performing follicular unit extraction with the FUE robot or by hand.

In his article, Dr. Bernstein suggests two techniques to enhance the FUE procedure. First, he recommends that surgeons create recipient sites prior to extraction, in order to decrease the time grafts are in their holding solution outside the body. Second, he suggests adding time between site creation and graft harvesting and placement, to allow recipient site healing to progress.

Pre-Making Recipient Sites

As is discussed in the full article (which is available for viewing and download in our Medical Publications section), by making recipient sites first, the time grafts are out of the body will be reduced.FUE procedures lend themselves to easily reversing the normal hair transplant sequence of graft (strip) harvesting followed by dissection and site creation.

These “pre-made” recipient sites will also exhibit less bleeding than newly created sites and will exhibit the stickiness that makes older sites easier to place grafts into with less popping (a common source of graft injury). Besides allowing the placing step to proceed more quickly, pre-making sites will reduce the risk of mechanical injury inherent in repositioning elevated grafts.

After Site Creation, Add Delay between Graft Harvesting and Placement

While Dr. Bernstein acknowledges the expediency for the hair restoration physician, as well as the comfort of the patient in a single-day session, he suggests that, to facilitate growth after a transplant, multiple-day procedures should be considered in large hair transplant sessions that involve the placement of thousands of grafts.

In conclusion, these two modifications -— pre-making recipient sites and adding a delay before graft placement -— to the FUE procedure can potentially contribute to better growth due to easier, less traumatic graft insertion, a shortened time “out of body,” and the creation of a more fertile bed for the implanted grafts.

View the full article to read details about these and other potential advantages of pre-making recipient sites

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D.

Is Genetic Hair Loss Linked to Other Diseases?

Q: There was a retrospective study by Lotufo et al. linking male pattern baldness to heart disease. Do you think there are other links like this for androgenetic alopecia? — J.L., San Francisco, CA

A: Family studies revealed both the androgen receptor locus on the X chromosome, as well as a new locus on chromosome 3q26. Association studies performed in two independent groups revealed a locus on chromosome 20 (not near any known genes) as well as the androgen receptor on the X chromosome.

So far, the genetic studies for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) have not revealed identification of a particular gene other than the androgen receptor, as well as the two candidate regions on chromosomes 3 and 20. Inasmuch as the androgen receptor can be involved in other diseases, this might be a feasible connection. Until candidate genes are identified that underlie AGA, it is impossible to predict where the commonalities might lie.

Excerpted from Angela Christiano, Hair Transplant Forum International 2011; 21(1): 14-15.

Read more about Hair Loss Genetics, and see some other Hair Restoration Answers posts on the topic.

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D.

Can Body Hair Transplant be Negatively Affected by Finasteride?

After trading anecdotes with fellow hair loss physicians about how finasteride can reduce body hair in some patients, Sharon A. Keene, M.D. took the next logical step and asked whether finasteride might have a negative effect on patients who have body hair transplant (BHT) procedures.

In a review of scientific literature on whether finasteride effects body hair growth, Dr. Keene finds that current research is inconclusive.

Finasteride, the drug in the hair loss medication Propecia, works by blocking the 5-alpha-reductase type 2 enzyme (5-AR Type 2) which is needed by the body to covert testosterone to DHT. DHT causes common baldness, by making hair follicles shrink and eventually die.

In looking at DHT’s effect on body hair growth, current research strongly suggests that it does play a key role. Males born with a deficiency of 5-AR Type 2, and thus no DHT, have reduced, or absent, body hair growth (and no loss of scalp hair).

It would seem logical then, that when finasteride is used to re-grow hair on the scalp, it would also inhibit the growth of hair on the body. However, the genetic variation among people is too great to determine exactly how much of an influence it plays.

With this uncertainty of DHT’s effects on body hair, it is impossible to say, without further study, if finasteride would have the same effect on body hairs which are transplanted to the scalp. In Dr. Keene’s conclusion, she suggests:

A patient on finasteride for at least a year who undergoes BHT is probably safe to continue it, as remaining body hairs are apparently not sensitive to the effects of this drug.

You can read the full discussion and review of current research in the January/February 2011 issue of Hair Transplant Forum International, the official newsletter of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS).

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D.

Densitometry Makes Cover of Hair Transplant Forum International

To give hair restoration surgeons more precise diagnostic information in their evaluation for patients considering hair transplants, Dr. Bernstein uses the techniques of densitometry and video-microscopy to analyze the scalp under high-powered magnification.

The technique gives important information on hair density, the composition of the patient’s follicular units and the diameter of their hair shafts. The new instruments give doctors vital information for making decisions about whether patients are candidates for hair transplant surgery, the amount of donor tissue needed for the hair restoration, and to help them better predict how the results of hair transplants will ultimately look.

For more information, please see Dr. Bernstein’s publication on densitometry, a podcast on hair transplantation that discusses densitometry, and the Bernstein Medical – Center for Hair Restoration press release on the news below:

Baldness Detection Devices Featured in Medical Journal

Hair Transplant Forum International publishes new article on hand-held instruments used in hair loss detection and planning for hair transplants.

The lead article in the March/April issue of the journal published by The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) focuses on the latest tools available for assessing whether or not a person experiencing hair loss is a good candidate for hair transplant surgery.

The cover story: “Densitometry and Video-microscopy” written by Robert M. Bernstein, M.D. and William R. Rassman, M.D. explores the often overlooked diagnostic practice of analyzing the scalp under high-power magnification. Getting an extreme close-up of hair patterns at the base of the scalp allows hair transplant surgeons and dermatologists a chance to not only screen candidates for appropriateness for surgery, but can also predict future hair loss patterns.

Dr. Bernstein, founder of the New York based Bernstein Medical – Center for Hair Restoration, is known for his pioneering work in new hair transplantation techniques. When asked why he thought the article was given so much prominence in the Hair Transplant Forum, he suggested that “these simple hand held instruments should be essential tools of the hair transplant doctor.” He cautioned that without precise measurements doctors run the risk of performing surgery on persons who may is not suited for this procedure.

Dr. Bernstein has authored over 50 papers on hair transplantation including some of the most influential research on techniques used to repair badly performed hair transplants. In his seminal publications describing Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), Dr. Bernstein introduced a brand new method of hair restoration surgery which recognized follicular units (groups of naturally growing hair follicles) as the ideal element of donor tissue to be used in hair transplants. FUT is now considered to be the state-of-the-art in surgical hair restoration.

Dr. Bernstein and his colleague Dr. Rassman began utilizing the Densitometer to determine specific hair characteristics such as hair density, and changes in hair diameter that are important in both determining who are potential surgical candidates for the new hair transplant procedures and who may respond to medications.

The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), a non-profit organization of over 700 hair restoration doctors, publishes Hair Transplant Forum to keep the Society abreast of the most recent developments in the field of hair transplantation.

Dr. Bernstein is known to the general public from his appearances on NBC’s Today Show with Matt Lauer, CBS’s The Early Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, The Discovery Channel and other nationally syndicated programs.

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D.

Dr. Norwood On The Origin of Follicular Transplantation

Dr. O’tar Norwood discusses the origin of follicular transplantation, and the influence that Dr. Bernstein’s research and publications have had on the evolution of the hair transplant procedure. Read a segment of the article:

The evolution of “follicular transplantation” can be attributed to three people. Dr. Robert Bernstein coined the phrase and advanced the concept. Dr. Bob Limmer introduced the use of the binocular microscope, providing the technology, and Dr. David Seager showed by direct hair counts, comparing the growth of grafts cut with and without the microscope, how the hair growth was improved when the follicular unit was kept intact.

Read the full article in the Hair Restoration Papers portion of our website.

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D.

Dr. Bernstein Featured In FUT Editorial By Influential Hair Transplant Surgeon

The following is a portion of “An Idea Whose Time Has Come,” an editorial written by O’Tar T. Norwood, MD — founder of the Norwood Classification System for Hair Loss — and published in the May/June 1997 issue of “Hair Transplant Forum International”:

I just returned from visiting Dr. Bob Bernstein in New York, and was impressed with his operation and even more impressed with his thoughts, observations, and insights into hair transplant surgery. He applies scientific methods to his work, is academically honest, and has an almost eerie instinctive knowledge of hair transplant surgery. Of course he has Dr. Bill Rassman to work with, but it is still remarkable. Dr. Bernstein is best known for introducing follicular transplantation to hair transplant surgery, an idea Bob Limmer has been pushing for ten years with the use of the binocular microscope, but no one would listen to him. Dr. Limmer, however, never used the term follicular transplantation. Using the microscope, you automatically dissect the follicular units. It can’t be avoided if done properly.

To read the full article, visit “An Idea Whose Time Has Come” in the Hair Restoration Papers section of our website.

Reference
Norwood O. “An Idea Whose Time Has Come,” Hair Transplant Forum International 1997; 7(3): 10-11.

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D.

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Hair Transplant Forum International

Dr. Bernstein Named Inaugural Fellow of ISHRS (FISHRS)

Columbia University Scientist Induces Hair Follicle Growth from Dermal Papilla Implants

Dr. Bernstein Proposes Improvements to FUE Hair Transplant Procedures

Is Genetic Hair Loss Linked to Other Diseases?

Can Body Hair Transplant be Negatively Affected by Finasteride?

Densitometry Makes Cover of Hair Transplant Forum International

Dr. Norwood On The Origin of Follicular Transplantation

Dr. Bernstein Featured In FUT Editorial By Influential Hair Transplant Surgeon

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