Robert M. Bernstein M.D. was asked to provide expert medical commentary in two hair transplant videos produced by Healthology. The topics included “Hair Transplantation Techniques” and “Using Cloning Techniques in Hair Transplantation”.
Healthology, the leading producer of broadcast and webcast programming that provides consumers with direct access to top medical experts, produced an important series of videos on hair loss. As Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Bernstein was a vital part of the interview series.
Hair Transplantation Techniques
The first video that Dr. Bernstein was invited to take part in, focused on the various techniques used in surgical hair restoration. As a pioneer of Follicular Unit Transplantation, the filmmakers were eager to hear Dr. Bernstein’s thoughts on FUT:
“A major breakthrough in hair restoration came via identification that hair didn’t grow individually, but actually in small groups called follicular units. And these follicular units are naturally occurring groups of hair from one to four” Dr. Bernstein explained, “in modern hair transplantation, a procedure we call Follicular Unit Transplantation is used; we transplant the hair the way it actually grows in nature.”
This Healthology segment explored how the Follicular Unit Transplantation technique is also helping patients who want to improve the appearance of old transplants or scars.
“What we can do now is remove the old grafts, sew the holes closed where they’re transplanted, place those grafts under a microscope, divide them into individual follicular units and then place them back in the scalp the same day.” said Dr. Bernstein.
In addition to covering surgical hair restoration, the segment touched on the issue of medications for hair loss. Though some patients think getting a hair transplant means they can stop taking hair loss medications, Dr Bernstein illustrated why most physicians recommend using medicine along with surgery:
“Hair transplantation and medications do essentially different things. The main benefit of a transplant is to restore hair that’s been lost. The main benefit of medication is to prevent further hair loss.”
Using Cloning Techniques in Hair Transplantation
In this second Healthology video segment, on hair cloning, they invited Dr. Bernstein to take part in the discussion along with other distinguished guests; including Angela Christiano, PhD an Associate Professor of Dermatology and Genetics & Development at Columbia University.
This interesting segment explored how researchers are trying to find ways to make more follicles for hair transplant surgeons to work with. Research into cloning techniques shows it may be possible to create a virtually limitless supply of new follicles in the not too distant future. Dr. Bernstein provided some insights as to how hair restoration doctors might approach hair cloning in the future:
“The actual role of cloning in hair transplantation will depend upon how the cloning technology actually evolves. Initially, cloning may be used to supplement a regular hair transplant. We would use Follicular Unit Transplantation to give definition to a hairline and frame the face. Cloning would then be used to give the hair transplant bulk, by placing the cloned hair (which may not look as natural as normal hair) behind the transplanted hair.”
