Hair Science Institute: Another Scam?

[25 going on 65]

Hair transplants might interfere with the pre-existing cells that Histogen brings back to life...

This is something I've wrestled with since I started researching present and future hair loss treatments. To transplant or not to transplant?
We've all heard "hair multiplication in 2-5 years" before, but this time they truly seem close (Histogen, Aderans, etc.). This isn't like the 1980's where the occasional newspaper would report on some minor scientific discovery and conjecture, "it may lead to a hair loss cure someday."

For now I'm just trying to treat the problem with meds, because if I got a transplant in 2011 and HM came out in 2014, I would be worried about whether my chances for a successful treatment would be jeopardized by the prior surgery...
Of course, if I l lose much more hair, maybe I'll change my mind before long!

[thejack]

What complications do you think a transplant could cause with a future treatment, say Histogen?

[HairRobinHood]

What complications do you think a transplant could cause with a future treatment, say Histogen?

The COMMON literarily mentioned problems:

- presence of a past transplant work or surgery with resultant micro-scarring;

- type of used technique and tools (cutters/placers) in the recipient area;

- amount of epinephrine used in recipient area;

- etc etc

If you inspect very carefully each and every aspect of the HST technique (used tools and their size, placing techniques, special preservative medium which acts like a skin/hair regenerator/gluten medium after implantation etc), you will notice, the HST technique avoids most (if not all) listed points above. This means, at least it minimizes problems for future density procedures in general, resp. future cell-based procedures (Histogen, ARI etc) as well.

[Dutch_Dude]

The COMMON literarily mentioned problems:

- presence of a past transplant work or surgery with resultant micro-scarring;

- type of used technique and tools (cutters/placers) in the recipient area;

- amount of epinephrine used in recipient area;

- etc etc

If you inspect very carefully each and every aspect of the HST technique (used tools and their size, placing techniques, special preservative medium which acts like a skin/hair regenerator/gluten medium after implantation etc), you will notice, the HST technique avoids most (if not all) listed points above. This means, at least it minimizes problems for future density procedures in general, resp. future cell-based procedures (Histogen, ARI etc) as well.

well, they say histogen could not get you back a full head of hair...so you will probably need a transplant (or more) to top it off...don't you think? or is there enough evidence that with more injections you could get back your full head of hair?

hmm...i guess HST is the most developed technique thus far...maybe worth it to give it a try, if necessery of course...the prices do seem very high...dr. gho also says that if there is no regrowth in the donor area and if the hairs that were removed don't grow in the new place, that you will get your money back or something...

[HairRobinHood]

well, they say histogen could not get you back a full head of hair...so you will probably need a transplant (or more) to top it off...don't you think?

@Dutch_Dude – are you there?

Anyway, who said this? Dr. Kristel van Herwijnen?

IF so, yes, unfortunately "they" are right.

[Fixed by 35]

Histogen cannot possibly know the answer to this yet. So far, their trials have been limited to a single injection, some with wounding and some without, which saw significant growth. They found first that there was something in their product and second that wounding was unnecessary.

If you listen to the interview with one of the company's directors she actually says dosage is something they are researching in their second stage trials, along with safety. They don't know either the optimum dose or the extent to which the product can work yet.

If the product works in the way they believe it does, I would expect to get every single hair back with the ideal dose. A reasonably accurate dose should get more than enough hair back.

[HairRobinHood]

It's a difficult issue. The last thing we need is schisms in the field, we need every brain we have working together on this.

Let’s do it - as for instance …

The following is just a copy of a post from another board:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
» “Hello all. I'm brand new to this forum and hair transplants in general.
» But I've read up some on the new non-strip FUE and am going to get one
» done. I've scheduled an appointment to get 2000 FUE units with one of the
» doctors discussed frequently on here. However, my question is that he is
» also offering PRP and ACell along with the FUE. I know very little about
» these treatments/products. I haven't seen any objective data or
» information on either. Assuming that the price is not consideration,
» should I get PRP and/or ACell? If so, should I get ACell in both donor
» area and recipient area or just in one? What are the benefits, if any, of
» each of PRP and ACell? Are there any risks?
»
» Thank you SO MUCH in advance. I'm really a novice and need the advice of
» people who have studied these much more than I have and are much more
» knowledgable in general!”

Hi,
First of all, as a novice in this field, you shouldn’t believe each and every crap you read on ANY forums on the Internet.

Secondly, I strongly advise you to check out very carefully ALL the following informations and URL’s (links), including all post-/comment-attached links, as well as attached answers/comments within them:

http://ushairrestoration.com/blog/2010/08/multiplication-of-hair-by-dividing-hair-stem-cells-is-it-possible/

Concerning PRP (“Platelet Rich Plasma”) and ACell’s MatriStem products, you should review the following:

PRP
--------------------
Q. What is the PRP treatment?

A. “PRP (plasma rich protein) is a solution that has been suggested by and is currently being used by some hair transplant doctors to keep and maintain hair grafts during the transplantation process and, after hair transplant surgery, to enhance the growth of grafts and the healing of the wound. However, the scientific evidence-based research to prove the effectiveness of this procedure in a larger scale study is lacking.”

Source: http://www.bizymoms.com/los-angeles/...s-angeles-.php
-------------------

Until today, nothing has changed: PRP is an unproven procedure, and as for now, has just been “an unproven money making machine” for some hair transplant doctors/clinics out there - over and out.

ACell’s MatriStem

In contrast to PRP, ACell’s MatriStem products –among some similar products out there- ARE already scientifically proven wound healing products:

http://www.acell.com/research_field.php

Related (accurate) articles: http://singularityhub.com/2010/05/15...l-sorta-video/

Concerning any applicability/usefulness of ACell’s MatriStem products in the hair restoration field in general, as well as in the “hair multiplication” field too, currently, some interesting studies are ongoing:
-------------------
Posted on 07-19-2010, 10:04 AM

“Over the past few weeks I've started researching the new ACell treatment that several are considering a medical breakthrough for skin and scar regeneration.
After contacting the company, Doc Cole, Doc Cooley and several others working on the concept I found the following:
The only Doc's actually working hand in hand with the ACell company at this time is Jerry Cooley and Hitzig. Cole is just using it as a test treatment and does not have much in line of actual achievements as of yet...”

Source: google it.
-------------------
Claims within the posting above are definitely correct: Currently, the only Doc's out there who are really and seriously “working hand in hand with the ACell company at this time” is Dr. Jerry Cooley in North Carolina and Dr. Gary Hitzig in New York.

Anyway, in barely 1 month from now (Oct. 2010), it’s time for them (Cooley and Hitzig) to present their preliminary results of their studies (gathered within the past 2 years) in front of their colleagues and experts:

Source: http://www.ishrs.org/PDF/18ASM_Progr...L-06-03-10.pdf

And yeah, it really seems, that many other researchers and HT doctors out there too, can’t await to see and hear their preliminary results at this annually congress, as for instance:

http://hairtransplantplanet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=91%3Ainterview-with-drkoray-erdogan&catid=38%3Ahair-transplant-surgeon-interview&Itemid=66&lang=es

So it’s up to you to carefully REVIEW for yourself each and every part of my post and claims – more accurate ADVISE – before you intent to have any traditional “hair follicle extinction procedures”, instead of having any NEW scientifically proven hair multiplication procedures, just due to any lack of knowledge and/or awareness of any already existing and scientifically proven HM procedures/treatments.

Good luck,
as well as happy reading and studying of all the stuff above!
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

[HairRobinHood]

Qr 678

Some more stuff to chew ...

1)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/At-Rs-5000-a-shot-QR-678-helps-lost-hair-grow-back/articleshow/6581995.cms

2)

http://www.theestheticclinic.com/cosmetic-hair_latest_research.html

QR 678 could represent the "brigde" between Histogen's HSC and its market arrival, or could at least serve as a "test procedure", IF (at all) approaches like Histogen's HSC will ever work for you.

[Dutch_Dude]

Some more stuff to chew ...

1)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/At-Rs-5000-a-shot-QR-678-helps-lost-hair-grow-back/articleshow/6581995.cms

2)

http://www.theestheticclinic.com/cosmetic-hair_latest_research.html

QR 678 could represent the "brigde" between Histogen's HSC and its market arrival, or could at least serve as a "test procedure", IF (at all) approaches like Histogen's HSC will ever work for you.

if this was real we would have heard about it, trust me. secondly, it can't regrow a full head of hair, it's basically a minoxidil type of thing...only a bit stronger...

[25 going on 65]

If the product works in the way they believe it does, I would expect to get every single hair back with the ideal dose. A reasonably accurate dose should get more than enough hair back.

Even hairs that have completely fallen out? Regrowing a full/natural NW1 hairline would be insane (in a good way).
Any thoughts on what the quality of regrown hair might be?

[Dutch_Dude]

Even hairs that have completely fallen out? Regrowing a full/natural NW1 hairline would be insane (in a good way).
Any thoughts on what the quality of regrown hair might be?

have you seen the new hair they grew on that trial patient? if we get that quality of hair back and a full head of hair i'll be psyched...and if it doesn't, you can always combine it with a transplant from HSI so that your donor won't be damaged.

[HairRobinHood]

Hi guys,

Here are some posts/comments/responses/links I found, you may find interesting too:

Based on the following blog article, published few weeks ago:

http://ushairrestoration.com/blog/2010/08/multiplication-of-hair-by-dividing-hair-stem-cells-is-it-possible/

----------------------
Dr. Mohebi Says:
April 28th, 2008 at 3:24 pm

"You are welcome!
I don’t believe that hair multiplication (cloning) can be a threat to anyone. If you are in hair restoration industry, the biggest threat will be if people do not know what options are out there and do nothing.
We still don’t know much about the cost and the final appearance of hair, produced by hair multiplication techniques. I think not everyone is going to need hair multiplication (cloning).
Most people with hair loss still have a large number of normal hairs in their donor area that can produce great appearance considering the new techniques that we have available now. The patients who may need hair multiplication are the ones with violated donor or weak hair with extensive balding area."

Comment/Response Source:

http://ushairrestoration.com/blog/2008/04/hair-cloning-hair-multiplication/

----------------------
Dr. Mohebi - Sept 9th, 2008:

"Few articles were presented on hair stem cell research and hair multiplication. However based on the presented evidences, there were no signs of an upcoming solution for hair multiplication or hair cloning any time soon.

One article [I guess he meant Dr. Gho's] discussed an innovative method of hair graft harvesting that can produce more hair from an existing follicular unit. The result of this study, although interesting was very controversial among the experts and the author could not release the study details on the methodology to elucidate this matter."

http://ushairrestoration.com/blog/2008/09/what-is-new-in-hair-restoration-surgery/

----------------------------

On his website, Dr. Parsa Mohebi’s claims:

----------------------------
"By using a modern medical approach and advanced surgical techniques, one of Dr. Mohebi’s goals is to reestablish a patient’s self-image and self-esteem. Dr. Mohebi and his experienced staff are highly committed to using proven techniques and the most technologically advanced devices."

Source: http://ushairrestoration.com/parsa-mohebi.php
----------------------------

About Dr. Parsa Mohebi (general information):

http://www.ishrs.org/doctor-search/bio.php?RegID=49590

According to the information above (all in all), it clearly seems that Dr. Parsa Mohebi has always been interested in “hair cloning”, “hair multiplication” as well as “wound healing”. This explains (at least for me), why he very interested followed Dr. Gho’s work since 2007 (seems to me that he has been very impressed). Among other things, within his posts he mentioned “I would rather wait to see more significant scientific proofs to claims of this kind before I consider them as viable options for the treatment of patterned hair loss” on one hand, and on the other hand, he feels “highly committed to using proven techniques”.

Dr. Mohebi is now clearly aware of the published HST study, where they could prove this technique (= "proven technique"); that means, now it is NOT up to them, to "prove" anything - now it's up to OTHERS!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20388024

So the REAL BIG question remains:
What will Dr. Parsa Mohebi (and maybe other HT docs) do now?

I mean, in future, EVERY proven and successful "hair cloning" or "hair multiplication" or "cell-based therapy" product/method WILL be patented - for sure! So nobody from the HT industry will offer this stuff to hair loss sufferers, because "it is patented" ???

[Dutch_Dude]

Hi guys,

Here are some posts/comments/responses/links I found, you may find interesting too:

Based on the following blog article, published few weeks ago:

http://ushairrestoration.com/blog/2010/08/multiplication-of-hair-by-dividing-hair-stem-cells-is-it-possible/

----------------------
Dr. Mohebi Says:
April 28th, 2008 at 3:24 pm

"You are welcome!
I don’t believe that hair multiplication (cloning) can be a threat to anyone. If you are in hair restoration industry, the biggest threat will be if people do not know what options are out there and do nothing.
We still don’t know much about the cost and the final appearance of hair, produced by hair multiplication techniques. I think not everyone is going to need hair multiplication (cloning).
Most people with hair loss still have a large number of normal hairs in their donor area that can produce great appearance considering the new techniques that we have available now. The patients who may need hair multiplication are the ones with violated donor or weak hair with extensive balding area."

Comment/Response Source:

http://ushairrestoration.com/blog/2008/04/hair-cloning-hair-multiplication/

----------------------

Dr. Mohebi - Sept 9th, 2008:

"Few articles were presented on hair stem cell research and hair multiplication. However based on the presented evidences, there were no signs of an upcoming solution for hair multiplication or hair cloning any time soon.

One article [I guess he meant Dr. Gho's] discussed an innovative method of hair graft harvesting that can produce more hair from an existing follicular unit. The result of this study, although interesting was very controversial among the experts and the author could not release the study details on the methodology to elucidate this matter."

http://ushairrestoration.com/blog/2008/09/what-is-new-in-hair-restoration-surgery/

----------------------------

On his website, Dr. Parsa Mohebi’s claims:

----------------------------
"By using a modern medical approach and advanced surgical techniques, one of Dr. Mohebi’s goals is to reestablish a patient’s self-image and self-esteem. Dr. Mohebi and his experienced staff are highly committed to using proven techniques and the most technologically advanced devices."

Source: http://ushairrestoration.com/parsa-mohebi.php
----------------------------

About Dr. Parsa Mohebi (general information):

http://www.ishrs.org/doctor-search/bio.php?RegID=49590

According to the information above (all in all), it clearly seems that Dr. Parsa Mohebi has always been interested in “hair cloning”, “hair multiplication” as well as “wound healing”. This explains (at least for me), why he very interested followed Dr. Gho’s work since 2007 (seems to me that he has been very impressed). Among other things, within his posts he mentioned “I would rather wait to see more significant scientific proofs to claims of this kind before I consider them as viable options for the treatment of patterned hair loss” on one hand, and on the other hand, he feels “highly committed to using proven techniques”.

Dr. Mohebi is now clearly aware of the published HST study, where they could prove this technique (= "proven technique"); that means, now it is NOT up to them, to "prove" anything - now it's up to OTHERS!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20388024

So the REAL BIG question remains:
What will Dr. Parsa Mohebi (and maybe other HT docs) do now?

I mean, in future, EVERY proven and successful "hair cloning" or "hair multiplication" or "cell-based therapy" product/method WILL be patented - for sure! So nobody from the HT industry will offer this stuff to hair loss sufferers, because it is patented ???

well, if it's patented, that means we can go to the people that invented it for transplants. don't you think other doctors can perform the same technique as gho? all they need is the same needles and the same approach.

if hair multiplication is successful, it means that we will have to go to the institute that made it possible and have the operation there. i don't see how this is a problem...of course it would be more ideal for everyone to profit from these ideas, i mean, in my opinion is that whole patent industry very capitalistic and asocial in my opinion. new findings on this subject belong to mankind of course.

[HairRobinHood]

well, if it's patented, that means we can go to the people that invented it for transplants. don't you think other doctors can perform the same technique as gho? all they need is the same needles and the same approach.

if hair multiplication is successful, it means that we will have to go to the institute that made it possible and have the operation there. i don't see how this is a problem...of course it would be more ideal for everyone to profit from these ideas, i mean, in my opinion is that whole patent industry very capitalistic and asocial in my opinion. new findings on this subject belong to mankind of course.

Exactly!

[Dutch_Dude]

Exactly!

so i guess we have to wait for histogen, and in the mean time keep popping the finasteride pills and the saw palmetto, and in the worst case, go to hair science institute for multiple transplants...

one thing i didn't understand though. they said they cannot put the hairs so close to each other as mother nature, but i wonder if other surgeons could do it better. that you go to HSI for the first few operations, and to make it more thick, have another very small transplant at like bijan feriduni or hasson & wong or something like that...