Hair transplants up by 42 per cent over two years in Canada

Hair transplantation is the top cosmetic procedure for men, worth $76 million in Canada.

New figures released today by the Canadian Hair Transplant Centre and the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) show this procedure has grown by 42 per cent in Canada over the past two years alone.

"Technical and artistic advances have dramatically changed hair transplants over the past decade, making them virtually undetectable today -and that's what is driving the immense growth in this profession," said Dr. Cam Simmons, Medical Director of the Canadian Hair Transplant Centre.

The popularity of hair transplants today is not surprising considering how many people are affected by hair loss.

Statistics show that 40 to 50 per cent of men and women will suffer from hair loss by age 50. What is interesting however is the fact that about 45% of patients from the surveywould likely not discuss their hair transplants with family and friends, while the other 45% would freely share their experiences. Only 10% were undecided.

Dr. Simmons said these findings are reflective of his experience in the profession. "The days of the unsightly plugs are over. Today's hair
transplants are so natural looking, people just can't tell that you've had one. So for some time now, it's been a nicely kept secret for many patients.

But the cat has been let out of bag so to speak, and the word is now out." According to Dr. Simmons, Canada and more specifically Toronto, has become an epicenter for hair transplant procedures for both men and women and the expertise here actually attracts many international patients.

Canada is in alignment with international hair transplantation trends with a growth in female surgical patients and a shift to more patients seeking hair transplants at a younger age. Its overall market growth over-indexes against worldwide statistics.

According to the ISHRS, the world's leading medical authority on hair loss and hair restoration, procedures performed worldwide were up 34 per cent from 2004 to 2006 (versus 42% in Canada specifically).

These statistics released from a recent member survey conducted by ISHRS indicate there were approximately 645,281 hair restoration patients worldwide in 2006.

On a global scale, the estimated worldwide hair restoration market size is $1,376,043,747 in Canadian funds.

Looking at the global statistics more closely, the survey confirms that patients are seeking treatment for hair loss at a younger age. ISHRS members provided percentages of male and female surgical patients treated by age category, and more than half (57.9 per cent) of patients fell between the ages of 30 to 49 years old.

Surgical patients in their 30s represented the age group with the largest number of patients undergoing hair restoration surgery (31.4 per cent males and 26.4 per cent females) - a shift from 2004 in which patients in their 40s comprised the largest number of surgical patients.

"This survey confirms that men and women want to treat their hair loss as soon as the problem becomes noticeable, which is a smart decision since early detection and intervention are essential to treating and preventing future hair loss," adds Dr. Simmons.

Hair transplantation today is actually a minor skin surgery that moves donor hair from the backs and sides of a patient's head (that are genetically programmed to last) to the area with hair loss. It's usually a one-day procedure performed under local anesthesia. It takes approximately 10 months for the transplanted hair to grow fully and the results last a lifetime.

Conducted by RH Research of Chicago, IL, the ISHRS 2007 Practice Census survey is a compilation of information provided solely by participating physicians.

The information published in this survey was developed from actual historical information and does not include any projected information. The margin of error for the sample is plus or minus 6.5% at the 95% confidence level.

For a full reprint of the ISHRS 2007 Practice Census Report, visit www.ishrs.org/mediacenter/media-statistics.htm.

About Dr. Cam Simmons and the Canadian Hair Transplant Centre

Dr. Cam Simmons, founder and medical director of the Canadian Hair Transplant Centre is a leading certified hair transplant specialist who has performed over 3,500 hair transplants since 1999.

He has over 20 years of medical experience working in family practice and emergency room medicine and he brings a patient-centered approach to hair transplantation.

The Canadian Hair Transplant Centre is committed to providing its patients with accurate diagnosis and treatment, skilled artistic design, and advanced surgical techniques in order to deliver truly exceptional results.

For more information, please visit: www.chtc.ca or call 416-924-CHTC.

About ISHRS

Founded in 1993, the ISHRS is a non-profit medical association dedicated to the advancement of the art and science of hair restoration.

With a membership of over 650 physicians worldwide, the ISHRS provides continuing medical education to physicians specializing in hair loss and restoration surgery and serves as a resource for the public on the latest medical and surgical hair restoration treatments for hair loss.

For more information and to locate a physician, visit www.ishrs.org.

CANADIAN HAIR TRANSPLANT CENTRE (CHTC)
Medical Director: Dr. Cam Simmons MD Dip. ABHRS

Dr. Cam Simmons MD Dip. ABHRS

Biography

Dr. Cam Simmons, founder and medical director of the Canadian Hair Transplant Centre is a leading hair transplant specialist who has performed over 3,500 hair transplants since 1999.

He draws upon his more than 20 years of experience in family practice and emergency medicine to bring a patient-centered approach to hair transplantation.

Dr. Simmons is committed to accurately diagnosing hair loss, discussing all options, and using good judgment to offer hair transplantation only to those who will truly benefit from it.

Dr. Simmons holds the highest level of certification in his field as one of only 128 Diplomats of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS). He is a member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), and he is a regular presenter at ISHRS meetings. Dr. Simmons has also contributed articles to hair transplantation journals and textbooks.

At the Canadian Hair Transplant Centre, Dr. Simmons has assembled some of the profession's most dedicated and experienced staff for his transplant team.
The centre is committed to offering patients accurate diagnosis and treatment, skilled artistic design and advanced surgical techniques to deliver truly exceptional results. The centre's patients receive unique and personalized treatment plans with attentive service professional, caring and safeenvironment.

Dr. Simmons obtained his medical degree from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario in 1985 and became a certificant of the College of Family Physicians of Canada in 1987. Today, Dr. Simmons is a member in good standing of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and the Ontario and Canadian Medical Associations (OMA, CMA).