Hair transplant surgery originated in Japan. In 1939, Dr. Okuda, a Japanese dermatologist developed a breakthrough process to restore hair loss caused by scalp injuries and for burn victims. He used a punch technique, which involved extracting small sections of hair-bearing skin and implanting these into even smaller holes in the areas where skin had been damaged. Once these grafts healed, they produced hair in areas that were previously bald.

Just a few years later another Japanese dermatologist, Dr. Tamura, improved upon Okuda’s method by minimizing the size of the grafts down to one to three hairs each. He was working with women and restoring hair in the pubic area. The surgery that Dr. Tamura developed is quite similar to surgeries that are still performed to this day.

Because these innovative developments in hair restoration surgery occurred around the time of World War II, they did not become accessible in the U.S. until many years later.

During the early 1950s, New York dermatologist Dr. Norman Orentreich completed the first hair transplant in the United States for a man who had male pattern baldness. Orentreich faced much criticism for the procedure that he’d developed. His technique was similar to Dr. Okuda’s, and did not render attractive or natural looking results. He did, however, establish that hair on the back and sides of a man’s scalp was not prone to balding.

Hair transplants became a more sought after cosmetic procedure by the 1960s, but because the early procedures were largely ineffective and extremely unnatural in appearance, hair transplant surgery developed a negative reputation which unfortunately plagues the field to this day. It took almost three decades for hair transplant surgeons to develop significant improvements to these early methods.

In the 1990s, follicular unit transplantion was introduced and changed the hair transplant field forever. Finally, the old stigmas could be dismissed and hair restoration could become a viable option for hair loss sufferers.

Today, surgeons continue to improve upon hair transplant techniques. Today’s techniques produce stunning results and are increasingly embraced by hair loss sufferers.

To learn more about what to look for when considering hair transplant surgery, visit the what to look for when considering hair transplant surgery section at The American Hair Loss Association website.

And remember, never underestimate the importance of choosing the right hair transplant surgeon. Make sure your doctor is a member of The International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS.ORG).

~Spencer Kobren

Many of you already know that Spencer Kobren, American Hair Loss Association Founder, also runs a weekly radio program called The Bald Truth. Recently, The Bald Truth’s website got a thorough makeover including plenty of fresh features and a slick new interface design.

While the images and color scheme largely remain the same, the new site is streamlined for better usability. The easy navigation bar near the top of the site directs you to the various sections within, where you can learn about the show and its host, watch video clips, access resources, and get in touch with the folks behind the red curtain.

The site now features articles on hair loss that are targeted toward the Maxim crowd. Recent titles include “Hair Loss and Culture – Debunking the Stereotypes” and “Emotional Self Defense – How Hair Loss Sufferers Can Ward Off Verbal Attacks.”

The site also welcomes and publishes letters from listeners and shines a spotlight on “Hair Loss in Hollywood.” Get involved by sending in a letter about your own experiences with hair loss and find out how hair loss impacts the Hollywood crowd.

Another section contains featured segments from The Bald Truth broadcasts. So, if the show isn’t syndicated in your geographic area, you can still listen to many episodes. The segments play directly inside your web browser, so you don’t have to download or wait for large audio files. Just click the play button and turn up the volume on your speakers!

Best of all, by simply entering your email address in the subscription box, you’ll get regular articles and updates sent directly to your inbox!

Anyone suffering from hair loss will be sure to appreciate The Bald Truth’s renovated site and all it has to offer. With regular article publication and show production, the site is sure to expand into an exciting resource packed with information presented in a clear and entertaining way.

Don’t miss it: www.thebaldtruth.com

Olivia Rusk lost all of her hair at age two, just after she had her childhood vaccines. Although her hair grew back by the time Olivia turned four, she recently lost all her hair again and this time it wasn’t just the hair on her head. Her eyebrows and eyelashes fell out too.

Olivia suffers from alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that can cause rapid and severe hair loss. Little is known about this disease and there is no known cure. Treatments may work but are unreliable. Most people who suffer from alopecia wear wigs or hairpieces to hide their hair loss.

But not eleven-year-old Olivia Rusk. Olivia has chosen to go “el natural” and hasn’t let hair loss interfere with her self-esteem or her life. In fact, Olivia has already launched a successful career. She was recently chosen to be a kid caster on Radio Disney, an opportunity that Olivia is very excited about.

“They interviewed me about my story and … they just loved me so much that they said, would you like to be a kid caster? And I was like, uh yeah, Radio Disney!”

She’s also worked as a model and together with her mom, Sandy Rusk, has launched an innovative t-shirt company called What Do You See Designs. Each t-shirt features an ink blot and the phrase “What do you see?” The designs represent the way people see things differently, especially when they look at bald people.

Olivia is often asked whether she’s suffering from some form of cancer, but she states “I’m not sick. I just lose all my hair.”

Recently, White Cliffs Hair Studio, a company that manufactures hair systems, has asked Olivia to be their national spokesmodel, presenting yet another opportunity for her to seize and be proud of.

Most adults suffering from hair loss could learn a lot from Olivia’s upbeat and positive attitude. Olivia puts it succinctly, stating that hair loss doesn’t matter because she likes herself just the way she is — wise words for someone who is just eleven years old.

Olivia’s mom is a huge supporter. She is involved with the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (www.naaf.org) and works as the support group leader in Indiana, working to raise awareness about alopecia.

Olivia’s story will inspire you whether or not you too are coping with hair loss. We could all take a cue from Olivia’s positive attitude.

Check out this YouTube video featuring Olivia being interviewed on a local television station: