Hair Transplant > Hair Transplant Surgeon Interviews > Hair Transplant Surgeon Dr. Paul McAndrews Interview Part 4

Hair Transplant Surgeon Dr. Paul McAndrews Interview

Part 4

Regrowth: Have you evaluated ProCyte's GraftCyte moist dressings for preventing newly transplanted hairs from falling out and going into resting phase? Have you used them at all and what have been the results? If you haven't used them do you plan to evaluate them?

McAndrews: We have used ProCyte's GraftCyte dressings on many of our hair transplanted patients and we have found no difference in the number of grafted hairs that grow immediately compared to other techniques we have used. We do not see a down side to using GraftCyte (besides the price); we just do not see any benefits compared to other techniques we use.

There are two other post-transplant techniques that we use: 1) Saline soaks combined with saline spray to the grafted scalp and 2) Polysporin ointment combined with saline spraying to the grafted scalp. We have found that the grafts heal the quickest when Polysporin ointment and saline sprays are used compared to any method. We have not found that any solution or technique has stopped the hairs from falling out better than other techniques.

There have been no double blind studies confirming the claims that are being made about GraftCyte. There are numerous companies that want physicians to believe their claims without presenting us with "double blind" scientific studies. As physicians, we should be skeptical until claims are proven with scientific data. Unfortuantely, there are many physicians that jump on the "band wagon" without being objective.

Regrowth: Do you recommend Propecia/Proscar and/or Minoxidil to transplant patients?

McAndrews: Most of our hair transplant patients (90-95%) are using Propecia, minoxidil, or both. These medications can do something we cannot do as hair transplant surgeons; they can inhibit the progression of hairloss of the genetically susceptible hair and potentially regrow hair. Therefore, after our patients are thoroughly informed on the PROS and CONS and LIMITATIONS of these medications, we let the patient make an educated decision if he wants to use Propecia and/or minoxidil.

Regrowth: If someone uses minoxidil and has a transplant session, how soon can they start using minoxidil again after the surgery?

McAndrews: We tell our patients they can return to the use of minoxidil to the transplant site when the area is healed, which is 2-3 weeks.

Regrowth: What do you do if a patient comes back to you and is unhappy with their transplant results?

McAndrews: The consultation with the patient before the hair transplant is of utmost importance. Dr. Corbett and I always perform this consultation. We spend an extensive amount of time during this interview building a rapport with the patient, determining if the patient is a good hair transplant candidate, determining if the patient's reason for wanting a hair transplant is sound, and lastly, determining if a patient's expectation is realistic. If a "red flag" goes up during the interview, we will not proceed with a hair transplant. This interview is imperative in preventing unhappy patients following a hair transplant, and this is why we feel it is crucial that the physician that will perform the surgery conducts the interview. When a salesman, who is not a doctor and has never performed a hair transplant, performs the interview no relationship is built between the patient and physician.

The majority of unhappy patients after a hair transplant could have been weeded out before they even got a transplant. For the rare patient that is unhappy following the transplant, that rapport built with the patient before the hair transplant will insure that communication channels are always open. When the patient and physician communicate earnestly and effectively, any problem can be solved.

Regrowth: What do you think of laser hair transplantation? Why do you not perform them? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Is this just a gimmick to get people who think 'if it's lasers it must be superior'?

McAndrews: As physicians, we should use new technology only if the benefits outweigh the risks. The benefit of the laser to the doctor is that there is less bleeding, which means the doctor can finish faster (then perform more hair transplants in one day and make more money). This is of no benefit to the patient and actually is a huge detriment.

The downside of the laser is:

• It can stop bleeding in the recipient site, which is needed to nourish the graft (it's like trying to plant seeds in dry soil).
• There are studies showing a decreased survival of grafts.
• The incision site is usually left with a "white scar."
• It can destroy existing hair or prior transplanted hair in the recipient area.
• The transplanted hair, if it survives, takes longer to grow in.