Hair transplants enhance self image.

As a hair transplant surgeon women have related to me that they find men with thinning hair and baldness less attractive. Some admitted that they have actually rejected men because they were Baldness still seems to equated with lack of virility making bald men seem less masculine and therefore less attractive. The psychology of hair loss is a genuine medical problem that will effect most men throughout the world at some point in their life to a greater or lesser degree. It is certainly a medical issue worthy of attention and why hair restoration is growing.

The advances in medical technology over the past decades makes available procedures like follicular unit transplants (FUT), follicular unit extraction (FUE) and SMP hair restoration provide great opportunities for men and women to address hair loss. Hair transplants have improved greatly over the past decades. These surgical procedures now provide natural and proven results. Whether or not the hair is native or your own hair transplanted peopled do not have to live with baldness if they don’t want to; people who have who resolve their hair loss report being happier more confident.

Hair transplant are an elective surgery that improve the quality of live for many people. Los Angeles hair transplant surgeons are among the best in the world seeking a professional consult can certainly be worthwhile.

Follicular Unit Extraction and Scalp Micropigmentation

 Most men will suffer hair loss to some degree in their life. This is because of DHT a male hormone that negatively affects the hair follicles of the scalp; most aggressively at the temples, crown and top of the head. So men bear this change or maturation of male pattern baldness (MPB) well; but many experience the well documented ‘psychological effects’ which culminate in low self image, esteem and confidence.

It is no wonder that hair restoration through hair transplant surgery is  one of the leading medical cosmetic concerns among men.  Today’s follicular unit transplant (FUT) surgery is providing the undetectable and natural solution that patients’ seek.

Nevertheless, some people with advanced hair loss and limited donor hair for the surgery have fewer choices. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) surgery combined with scalp micropigmentation (SMP) offers and innovative approach for men with advanced male pattern baldness (MPB).

A combination of these less invasive procedures can provide excellent results under the skills of today’s leading hair transplant surgeons.  A combined FUE and SMP procedure means:

• Individual follicular units (FUs) will be transplanted for balanced and even coverage
• Individual FUs will be transplanted to created an attractive age appropriate hairline

• will include selection of dermal pigment to match your hair color
• micro injections of dermal pigment to simulate ‘stubble hair’

• to support the development of transplanted hair a short term prescription of Propecia may be prescribed

 These two advanced hair restoration procedures can provide a patient with the option of having a shaved or ‘military type hair style that is attractive and a safe medical solution to their hair loss. s where the entire scalp and hairline frames the face with closely cropped ‘stubble’ hair. A person with limited donor hair can be a prime candidate for this safe and less invasive hair transplant procedure.

Skilled hair restoration surgeons can take individual follicular units (FUs) and create the maximum balanced coverage over the scalp. They can then create further ‘look of density’ by simulating hair stubble with scalp micro-pigmentation (SMP). Los Angeles hair transplant centers are innovative leaders in hair restoration procedures.

SMP is a procedure where special surgical needles are used to inject dermal pigments into the scalp or other areas such as eyebrows into the skin.  The color of pigment selected is close to that of the patient’s hair resulting in a cosmetic hair shadow.  SMP is a safe and very non invasive procedure.

Combining FUE and SMP to resolve the challenge of hair loss for people with little alternatives and represents an advancement in modern hair restoration.  This solution is not for everyone but is a welcome choice for some people who previously had limited alternatives to resolve their hair loss problem.

 The Cause and Problem of  Hair Loss

Dihydrotestosterone (5α-Dihydrotestosterone), [DHT] is a male sex hormone, an androgen. Male and female adults can lose hair as a consequence of changes in the metabolism of androgen in the body – men far more commonly than women. Most men experience hair loss from the effects throughout their life. The incidence increase with age; however, some men can experience it even in their adolescent years.

Male pattern baldness, [MBP] is also known as androgenic alopecia or androgenetic alopecia, is caused by the hair follicle’s sensitivity to DHT. The follicles miniaturize [shrink], reducing the lifespan of the follicle resulting in abnormal production of hair. Hair loss is considered to be a legitimate medical problem that in some individuals leads to serious depression.  DHT plays a major role in hair loss.

Female Pattern Baldness, [FPB] also has an androgenic component but can also have some other contributing factors.  The best hair restoration surgeons will order additional tests to isolate that the cause is androgenic. In patients where this is accurate than hair transplant is a natural, proven and permanent solution.

Hair Transplant Surgery is a Great Solution (watch video)

Follicular Unit Transplants (FUT) has come of age. This advanced type of modern hair restoration provides patients with a natural, proven and permanent hair loss solution.  Many people do not understand that FUT hair restoration is available in two distinct forms of hair transplant surgeries. They are

1. the ‘Strip Method’ and
2. ‘Follicular Unit Extraction’ method

Both these procedures consist of transplanting hair from the permanent zone. This is the area of the scalp where hair loss does not occur.  The harvesting method in each procedure is different. This blog is particularly devoted to the ‘Strip Method.”

Strip Method Hair Transplants

In this form of FUT hair restoration surgery a donor strip is taken from the back of the patients scalp. The size of the donor strip is determined in the patient’s pre-op consult and microscopic evaluation.  The donor strip is removed by your hair transplant surgeon and separated into naturally occurring follicular grafts of 1, 2, 3 and 4 hairs. These grafts are meticulously and artistically placed in recipient incisions made by your doctor in the balding areas.  Below are some of the advantages that patients who elect the FUT strip method enjoy.

Advantages of FUT Strip Hair Transplant

1. Maximization of the number of grafts that can be harvested in a single hair transplant session.   This advance technique allows for the transplanting of over 3500 grafts. Many patients who have never had a hair transplant can complete their hair restoration in a single surgery.
2. Damaged to hair grafts is minimized. The strip procedure allows the surgical team to harvest and process the grafts under microscope effectively reducing transection (damaging hair follicles).
3. The surgery is less labor intensive then its FUE counterpart and can be elected at a more affordable cost.

Here is a question from a previous patient of US Hair Restoration:

I was wondering if there is any limitations on performing a second hair transplant surgery for me who have one surgery with you before.  I am experiencing more hair loss on the top and I also want to make it even denser in the front. I need to know when is the best time of doing a second procedure and what will be the cost of hair transplant for my second procedure.

A:

The best time for your second hair transplant is around six months from the first hair transpalant is you want to add density to an already transplanted area.  If the transplantation is to be done on any other areas it could be done as early as 2 months as long as the donor is healed properly adn allows a second round of removal of strip.  In FUE cases anytime after the first 2 weeks when the inflammation is over the second procedure could be done.  We have done 2 FUE procedures as back to back but occasionally in some patients the swelling of tissue minimize our success in the first few days after surgery.

The cost of a second procedure in US Hair Restoration is based on the number of grafts and the current cost of hair transplant.  However, we have 10% discount on our rates for our previous patients so your future hair transplant procedure will always be discounted with USHR.

Here are a few frequently asked questions we have for your general inquiry:

How do you relocate hair grafts once broken down into follicular units?

The hair grafts (or follicular units) are transplanted based on the individual needs of the patient. The doctor will draw the hairline at your initial consult and right before the procedure and discuss it in detail with the patient. Designing the hairline has to do with the degree of baldness in each area of the scalp and the patients’ preference.

How are the hair grafts placed?

The follicular units must be immersed in a special solution in cold temperature once they are taken from body. When the sites are completed by the surgeon, the hair technician will gently insert the grafts one at a time. This is a very meticulous process and typically takes a few hours.

Does Dr. Mohebi perform the hair transplant surgery himself?

All surgeries are performed by Dr. Mohebi. He will get assistance from a surgical team of hair technicians during dissection and implantation of the follicular unit grafts.

Am I put under sedation while I get the procedure?

You will be put under sedation during the procedure but you will still be conscious. You will become more alert and aware as the surgery goes on, in which you will be sitting in an upright position in a surgical chair most of the time. You can watch a movie, read a book, listen to music or you can sleep (if you choose to) during your hair transplant surgery.

How long before the transplanted area doesn’t look like a procedure has been done?

Redness and swelling after hair restoration surgery is not uncommon and may last a few days following the procedure. Most patients generally recover from surgical swelling and redness after day 4 or 5. A loose fitting hat can be worn to prevent direct sunlight, which will protect the grafts and also keep your swelling or redness from being seen by others, if that is your concern.

Where can I find before and after photos of Dr. Mohebis’ work?

Before and after photos as well as video testimonials of previous hair transplant patients can be found at our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/US-Hair-Restoration/148987321796051, which we will keep updated as much as possible on a regular basis.

Q:

About 18 years ago, I underwent a hair restoration procedure with primitive technology. Nowadays, I’m very reluctant to ever do such a thing again. Since I had the transplant, I’ve been wearing a hair piece, which I don’t really like to do. I wonder: is it possible for my hair to ever look the way it did in my twenties? And, also, what if I don’t have enough donor hair, can I still get a hair transplant? If I don’t have enough donor hair, body hair is possible, right?

Also, I’m an algebra teacher, anyway this can be afforded on a salary like mine?

Sincerely,

-

A:

I appreciated the email.  Here are my answers to your questions, in chronological order.

1. Most of the time, it can be corrected. A lot of our patients actually have needed repair hair transplants. Their situation was very similar to yours in that they had plugs or micro-graft surgeries.

2. Whether your donor hair is sufficient, I don’t know. I have to examine you for that. A good majority of people have enough hair to cover up a hair plug procedure. Some men have so much donor hair that they can even cover up other areas of hair loss.

3. It is plausible to use body hair, but it is much better to use head hair. If you’re in a situation in which you have virtually no scalp hair, and also high-quality body hair, you could be a good candidate for a body hair to head procedure.

4. I can’t tell you if your hair transplant surgery will be affordable right now. Only after I evaluate you. It’ll all be based on the number of grafts that you require. We offer discounted rates to qualified candidates on our standby program.

5. Make sure to attach photos of yourself and email them to me. The photos we need of your head are from the front, left and right sides, top and back. Make sure to also include a picture of the hair plugged areas of your head so I can take a better look at it.

After taking a look at your head shots, I’ll have a phone consultation with you and talk about the options that are open to you. It’s also a time where I can reply to all your questions.

Q:

Not too long ago, I had a hair transplant (using FUE). Things were OK until several months after the transplant. I spent some time having fun in the sun, and it was maybe close to triple digit degrees outdoors. As soon as I got back to my house, I noticed my scalp in the transplanted area had turned white. It looked like the skin on my head had been scorched. But I didn’t think it was a big deal and I kept on using the Minoxidil with Betaderm spray, which my doctor highly recommended.

A few weeks later, the top of my head (which had been grafted) began to peel and the skin fell off (like a sun burn). And there were a few transplanted hairs which fell off as well, with the skin. This really alarmed me. After about eight weeks, the scalp seems to have healed, although there is some redness in places; but, overall, it seems to be OK. But, I’m a bit worried about the condition of my after-playing-in-the-sun scalp. I know it was probably a sun burn, but I just hope my grafts weren’t damaged beyond repair. I’ve done some research on skin consequences of sun burn, but I wonder if the grafts can ever fully recover from the exposure to the ultra-violet rays. I know if my skin becomes more tan, it’s OK. But about my grafts, I’m really concerned about them.

I need answers, doc.

Yours truly,

A beach bum with a hair transplant

A:

Hey beach bum,

Skin and scalp which has been exposed to the sun’s rays for long periods of time damage both native hairs and transplanted hair. The consequences can be especially harmful if a person who has had a hair transplanted is not under an umbrella or is not wearing a hat of some sort. The scalp skin could be damaged that way. It is best to stay out of the sun after a few minutes, at most. For the first six months, hair transplant patients may want to use sunscreen or wear a hat to prevent hair loss and to guard against permanent damage to hair follicles.

For those who don’t like to wear hats or other types of protective head wear ought to guard their hair as if their financial stability depended on it. Make sure your hair density increases to the point in which your hair follicles cover your entire scalp and so the scalp skin is not exposed to the sun’s scorching rays (especially during summer).

I can’t give you a verdict on whether your newly transplanted hair is permanently damaged. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this, but I’ll say it anyway in case there are people reading this blog who are in a similar situation: from now on, be very careful about your scalp’s sun exposure. And just kick-back and wait a while to see if the damaged hair grows back.

Remember, after hair transplant care is very important, if not crucial to the longevity of your hair restoration results.

Temporal triangular alopecia also known as TTA is a congenital hair loss condition in which the patient had a limited balding area on his temples. The condition is assumed to be congenital and is generally obvious since birth. The balding spot may contain normal numbers of hairs, but they are all vellus and generally not visible.

Congenital temporal triangular alopecia is considered a nonscarring alopecia and if biopsied should not be mistaken for Cicatricial alopecia. TTA respond well to hair transplantation and there are some studies that patient were treated with hair transplant surgery successfully with adequate coverage.

The condition could be treated by a hair restoration surgery at any age. We at the California offices of US Hair Restoration offer treatments for congenital temporal trangular alopecia.

In a recent email sent to our office from a recent patient, he writes in regards to his scalp evaluation and regarding Propecia (Finasteride). He asks, “Could finasteride worsen the hairline due to the rise of testosterone?” and, “if there’s any safe and minor treatments to slow the progress of maturation or reverse it that you would recommend at this stage?”

Early stages of male patterned hair loss may not always be obvious enough to be differentiated from normal levels of miniaturized hair during scalp microscopic evaluation. Propecia (finasteride) is still the most recommended hair loss medication to prevent additional balding. Some patients have even been prescribed Propecia without proper diagnosis or documentation of their hair loss condition making it difficult to tell if they have gotten better since they started or worsened.

Propecia (finasteride) is designed to block DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) which is the main cause of male patterned hair loss. With this in mind, finasteride cannot deteriorate your hair loss or cause changes in the hairline. Maturation of the hairline is normal in all men and should not be confused with balding. We also do not have any further recommendation on medications that can stop the maturation of the hairline.