napavalley

I agree not to limit your chose because of travel, but make sure you have a great dermatologist in your area in case you need him or her. I travel 2,000 miles for HT not knowing that I had active frontal hairline LLP and lost every graft in the right temple area about 650 grafts in the 8th month. If I had known, I would have lived in the office of best dermatologist in my area, but it happened so fast. I'm now in a holding pattern and working with my dermotologist to calm the scalp. It's so disappointing to see the grafts vanish and having another HT is risky but I'm sure I'll be back but I'll be more prepared this time. When you travel make sure you work with your dermotologist. Let them know what your doing and make sure they are willing to be aggressive on treatments if something happens.

If I didn't know Dr. K I would say that these results are impossible. Great job Dr. K.

I've meet with both, Dr. Ron Shapiro and Dr. Konior, you can't miss with either one.

Make sure you talk to Dr. regarding side effects with Avodart or Propecia before you use might change your mind. Good luck

I use Rogaine mostly due to my skin problems with LLP. Many dermatologist recommend to use and supplement with steroid foam to calm down the frontal hairline LPP. I've had good results in calming the scalp but I'm sure their is scaring over follicles so no growth in my situation. When I'm able to get another HT I'm sure I will be required to continue to use the same routine and maybe steroid shots. The moral to my situation is to have a good dermatologist in addition to a great HT Doctor. Sounds like allot of work right, but like all of you I want hair.

Yea, I was using Propecia for 15 years an it might have run its course for me. The pharmacy after about 7 years started sending me generic and started to shed and of course the answer is always the medication is not different. Work with you doctor but what I'm saying is if you start with generic and you see no results try the name brand. I'm back to the Avodart (GlaxoSmith) and can see and feel the difference.

If you can go back to dr and voice your concerns. I was on fin for 15 year now on Avodart for 2 years. Use it every other day and it's like night and day. Everyone is different. The pharmacy change me too generic and I start to shed allot. Changed back to Avodart (GlaxoSmith) and thing are back to normal. If you start with generic and it does not work change over. everyones :(system different. I have never had good results with generics. The difference in cost for me was only about $20 bucks. Also you might want to consult with your dermatologist ? I have a scalp disorder to resolve before next HT. Good luck.

have meet with Dr. K, I'm still waiting to clear scalp condition before HT, he is just a tremendous human being and I don't mind saying that I get a little jealous seeing all the great results he is creating for you guys.

Imukh, great chose. Dr. K is everything good about this industry. he cares so much and you have seen the results. I was going to say good luck but your in great hands and it has nothing to do about luck. his results are consistently great.

Dr. great job, it is allot more work over a longer period of time, but well worth it. My plan with Dr. Konior is to do a scalp reduction on the crown scarring and take small test samples once I have clearance with dermatologist on my LPP inactivity. Thanks for sharing, I know that it is not as interesting for other members that don't have this issue but it is good to see great results.

I'm interested in helping anyone on the Forum that has encountered LPP and has been discouraged with results. Like the doctor said it is uncommon and that's exactly why there is very little interest in curing this disease. It is uncommon and thus no money to be made thus little money going into finding a cure. Just give him some more steroid lotions and some more antibiotics and lets just keep controlling this forever. The old conventional thinking, the old conventional way of doing things. I guess I can stand around and continue to have this diseased just "controlled", or do I believe that I can make a difference. I will continue to update the Forum of any new advances in this area, thanks. All the below is from NIH Public Access Author Manuscript From Arch Dermatol, 2009 December Paradi Mirmirani, MD and Pratima Karnik, Phd. Lichen Planopilaris Treatment With a Peroxisome Proliferator--Activater Receptor y Agonist A recent publication 1 showed the relative rarity of LPP, which has an incidence rate of only 1.15% to 7.59% in all new patients with hair loss seen annually in 4 tertiary hair research centers in the United States. Thus, any drug having an indication for LPP would be eligible for orphan drug status by the US Food and Drug Administration. Given the experimental evidence for the role of PPAR-γ in LPP and the positive clinical and histologic effects of pioglitazone in this patient, studies evaluating the efficacy of thiazolidinediones, either orally or topically, may be advocated for LPP. Dr Mirmirani has received research funding from the Procter & Gamble. Drs Mirmirani and Karnik have applied for a patent for the use of PPAR-γ to treat cicatricial alopecia.

Sorry, I forgot to finish, I know that I can beat this but until Dr. Mirmirani (the hair and scalp researcher) gives me the go ahead, and that she will be willing to monitor me after the HT I will not get another HT. It's just too discouraging to see those limited donor grafts just vanish. Without Dr. Konior, I would have never thought that I could be a candidate. Following his suggestions and recommendations, I know that I will be ready the next time to be successful. He has been my biggest supporter on the journey.

Great Question. In my circumstance it was only through a biopsy on the right temple area did I know that the LPP was also there. The graft appear to be OK on the left temple area. We knew that the crown had the disease because of the scarring. Obviously, the doctor did not think that the right temple had LPP or he would not have transplanted grafts. It was not until I started working with Dr. Konior that he made sure we took biopsies in all areas including donor area. All areas came back positive for LPP. This was when I started to become more proactive in fighting this scalp problem. Dr. Konior found me a renown hair and scalp specialist that is only an hour from where I live in California. I have to wait 4 to 6 months for an appointment but I am very existed. The doctors on this forum will hopefully answer your question but I think it is only through observation and biopsy that LLP can be determined. I think that the individual can be aware of some of the key things to watch out for. For me it is a burning sensation in the frontal hairline and the redness of my skin on both the scalp and face. Once I get this under control I will definitely go back to Dr. Konior for a HT but I will continue monthly visit to my dermatologist for maintenance purposes.

Immediately after the plug HT the inflammation scaring occurred right above the donor area in the crown. The way that I first knew there was a problem was from the blood on towel after showering. people are predisposed to carry LPP and something triggers it. I'm blonde, now grey, very light skin had allot of scalp dandruff oily skin issues when I was young. 40 years ago LPP was not understood. The only thing that helps is liquid steroid. I'm still on first stage treatments have not needed steroid shots. I hope that dr Mirmirani will start a more aggressive approach. When I had 2nd HT about 2 years ago did not know that LPP was active in right temple. I had 1,543 grafts in the two temples and a few test grafts in the scared temple. I must say that I'm lucky that my scarring area, after 40 years, is only the size of a silver dollar. Out of the 1,543 about half survived. I have now changed HT Doctor to Dr Konior thanks to this Forum. He found me dr Mirmirani, who is only an hour from me in California. Dr Mirmirani worked with Vera Price on research for hair and scalp issues. To say that their is now allot of interest in this area now she has a waiting time of between 4 to 6 months but I'm happy to wait, I've waited 40 years to find an answer. I'm new to posting, but have read this forum for years. I appreciate the comments and it proves a great service, thanks.

I've had LPP for 40 years and 2 failed HTs. Now working with Dr Konior and hair and scalp dermatologist Dr Mirmirani in California I will beat this. Dr. Konior has been my best supporter in this journey.

Jon86, thanks I'm 63 years old lucky that after 40 years I only have scarring in the crown about the size of a silver dollar. I've been diagnosed in the right temple for late stage LPP. It is still active in the crown. It was hard to see about half of all the 1542 grafts disappear last year within a year after My second HT. I'm now taking it slowly with one of the forum doctors. Feel good that the next HT will be successful. Thanks again.

Thanks, I have lived with LPP for 40 years 2 failed HTs. I'm thrilled about new treatments that are now available. Dr Mirmirani's studies treating LPP with a Peroxisome Prolifeator--Activated Receptor shows great promise. I'm lucky that I live in California and live less than an hour from her office. She has a 4 to 6 month wait but I'm willing to wait if there is a hope give me help. Dr Mirmirani has write a book with renowned scalp and hair specialist Dr Vera Price.

After all my research, from this forum, I flew from California to Chicago and meet with Dr Konior. Had two previous failed HTs. Dr K preformed a biopsy and we found that I have LPP which attacks the hair follicles. He found me a renowned specialist in California and I'm working toward proper treatment with daily support from Dr K. The moral to this story is find that Doctor that won't give up and will go the extra mile. He is my best supporter knowing that my scalp might never become inactive enough for a HT.

Hairjo, hang in there I've had LPP for 40 years. In my opinion, it was caused by HT being a somewhat new procedure with inexperienced doctors. It is a new era, but make sure to have a great HT Doctor and a great independent dermatologist before and after procedure for about two years afterwards. Any support you need you can depend on me.

I had plug HT 40 years ago and develped scalp LPP that haunts me still today. After another failed HT I did my research from this forum and flew to Chicago to meet with the best, in my opinion, Dr Konior thinking he could wave his hand over my scalp and everything would be OK. He immediately did a scalp biopsy which came back positive for LPP. Immediately he found me renown scalp specailist Dr Mirmirani, an hour from where I live. Dr K continues to provide me with daily support not knowing if the LPP will ever be inactive enough to have a successful HT. I listen about all the successful surgeries but let me tell you there is nothing more discouraging than an unsuccessful one. I took it for granted that all loss of hair is MPB, but it isn't. Please have a good dermatologist examine your scalp before a HT. I was lucky to fine a doctor that cares and even today gives me the support needed. Thanks Dr K

Dr Konior is the real deal! I did my research flew to Chicago to meet with him only to find out I had LPP. You would think this was the end, No. Dr. K found me a world renown specialist within an hour from where I live in California. He has continued to be my biggest supporter not knowing if I can ever have a HT. I've had two failed HTs by other Doctors. Let me tell you there is nothing worst than an unsuccessful HT. Dr. K did the right thing by refusing to do the HT until the LPP is under control. I'm now working on the problem and still hear from Dr. K almost daily with supporting words. He really really cares. I was lucky to find him.

Dr. Konior what can I say, the man is a saint. I had 2 failed HT because of Lichen Planopilaris (LPP). He did the biopsy that prove LLP was active throughout my scalp and found me a specialist in California for treatment. Dr. K has never once not answer an email and he is my biggest supporter. We have no idea if the LLP will every become inactive enough for a HT to be successful but he continues to support me in my efforts to rid this problem. The man is the real deal.

I'm from California traveled to Miinneapolis and Chicago to meet with top forum recommended surgeons. Never limit you search. Listen to the members, best thing I ever did.